Belonged to the Mafia 18+

033: Balà Tou Vasilià

033: Balà Tou Vasilià

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The King's Ball is grandeur. All departments are walking on red carpet for photoshoot souvenirs that will be handed at the end of the party. As expected of the most elegant and extravagant event, all were at their best gowns, cocktails, suits and sort. All students bare their Family names. Sophistication, sex appeal, and status must be displayed to catch the eye of each other. The more attention you get, the more power they may receive in the future.

Everyone was talking about basic mafia stuffs and how much they mean to the world of crimes. This party is a chance to find suitable allies by means of proposed contracts to marriage. Though it doesn't mean they're all equal levels. The most wealthy and powerful stands atop the pyramid system. Of course those who are in the bottom are shamed for inferiority.

Nevertheless Vasilias University prohibits disgraceful acts so they're good at pretending they all get along well. This thought makes me feel sick.

"Judy, what's with the face?"

I jumped in surprise. I turn my head to see the grinning face of Valence' friend in his red suit. Inside was a red vest, and white shirt and necktie.

"I believe I haven't introduced myself properly," he bow himself in courtesy. He took my hand and give it a soft kiss at the back. "I'm Caine Magnus. I came to pick up my date."

My face flushed. "Ah, I don't think we can--" I'm dead. Valence strictly told me not to go near anyone while he's gone since this morning. He'll arrive late because of something urgent.

"Don't worry. I'll tale care of Valence," he assures me. Well, they're friends as far as, I think, I know. I just don't know what Val will say if he finds out I'm with someone else. "What's with the face?" He let go of my hand and stood up straight like a fine gentleman. "You're my date tonight, aren't you?"

I'm screwed. I forgot about it! And worse, Val doesn't know about this date kind of thing. Hmm, but on the other hand, this is just like a prom date or something. A friendly one. I'm pretty sure he won't overreact about this.

"It's going to be fine. I won't let him scare you, haha," he chuckles. He gestured his left arm for me to anchor in. "I'll protect you myself even if I die," he mumbled. I didn't quite understand but I shrug it off. I'm nervous about the party. Unlike heirs of crime kingdoms, I'm simply a commoner. And they hate me for some reason. "Shall we?" Somehow, Caine's smiling face looking down at me felt safe. It was a warm feeling I haven't felt ever since my parents gone missing. My heart tells me I could trust this guy.

I nodded. Linked arms, we went from my dorm to the party together. At the red carpet shoot, people were already taking glances. Why not? Just this morning I was with Val. Now I'm with someone else. It made anxious. I think I would be bad for Caine's image.

"Chin up." I look at Caine. He seem to be happy not paying attention with the chatterings. "They're just jealous of a beautiful date I got." His grin was funny I can't help myself lightly laughing about it. "That's more like it. Smile. I'm on your side."

"But wouldn't it be bad for you? To be with me?"

"Of course not."

The photographer caught our attention. "Smile, please." As the man behind the camera sets the proper angle in front of us, Caine was already pulling me against him on my shoulders. When the camera flashes, his lips were at the top of the side of my head.

Surprised, I distance myself awkwardly. What was that about? I sense no malice. It was gentle. But it was kind of embarassing for me. We were in front of a camera! And of all, there were people staring at us!

He just displayed his beautiful set of white teeth. He looks like he's having fun, huh? "The party's starting." He took my hand and pulled me in the crowd. "By the way, you look really great."

My cheeks once again flushed despite the blush on make up I have. Rita Alkippe help me get dressed. My long black hair is in a messy bun accessorised with strips of diamond. Auntie insisted I wear at least light make up. Diamond earings and necklace too. The dress she picked for me is a maroon mermaid dress with a slit on it's left from the bottom till half of my thigh. It was off-shoulder. "Y-you too," I'm not lying. He really looks mature now than when he's in uniform.

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"Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito." Walang pagtatanong sa tono ng pananalita ni Akio. Ilang metro ang layo sa kaniya, nakatayo ang babaeng ni hindi man lang nag-abalang mag-ayos para sa kasiyahan. Nakaberdeng blusa, puting palda, at isang pares ng itim na manipis na salatos. Isang ordinaryong tao sa makatuwid. At sa edad nito, bagay ang mababang two tails sa mahaba't matuwid nitong buhok.

Ni hindi siya nito tinabunan ng tingin. Nakatayo lang ito ng nakakrus ang mga braso sa dibdib. Tahimik na pinapanood ang malakas na liwanag na naggagaling sa event isang kilometro ang layo sa pinaggaganapan ng saya. "Wala dito ang party," matabang na sagot nito. Sa ilalim ng maliwanag na buwan, kaniyang nababasa ang kawalan nito ng interes na kausapin siya.

"Kaya ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?" Pinilit ni Akio na mapaggap na hindi siya napipikon sa inaasal nito. At isa pa, bakit siya napipikon?

"Tch," maikling angal nito. "Sa'yo na'ng lugar na 'to." Tinalikuran siya nito para pumunta sa lugar kung saan hindi sa direksyon niya.

Ngayon lang nainis ni Akio sa tanang buhay niya sa pagiging student council president. Wala pa'ng babaeng bumabastos sa kaniya gaya ng ginagawa nito. Hindi niya namalayang inilang hakbang lamang niya ang distansya sa pagitan nila para hiklatin ang braso nito. Huli na para pagtantuhin ang tama at mali sa inakto. Pinanindigan na lang niya. "Ganyan ka ba kawalang-galang kapag may kausap?"

Sa wakas tiningnan siya nito. Tulad ng una nilang pagkakakilala, wala siyang nakitang ekspresyon sa mukha nito. Tila isang patay na muling nabuhay ang may-ari ng pares ng mga mata na nito. "Sino'ng nagbigay sa'yo ng karapatan para hawakan ako?"

"Ako." Kung tahasang salita ang nais ng babaeng kaharap, walang problema, pagbibigyan niya 'to.

"Bitiwan mo 'ko."

"Ano'ng gagawin mo kung ayoko?"

Sa unang pagkakataon, bumahid ang katiting na galit nito sa mukha. "Alisin mo'ng kamay mo."

"Paano kung ayaw ko?" Nang ilapit niya ang dariling mukha dito, kakaibang pagkabigla ang naramdaman niya sa mabilisang pagbabago ng ihip ng hangin. Namula ang mga pisngi nito. Kumunot ang noo na parang pinipigilan ang sarili na maiyak sa hiya. Tinakpan ng libreng kamay nito ang bibig niya. What the hell? Did she think I'll kiss her? Ang mas nakakasurpresa pa, ang akala niyang blangkong canvas ay hindi na mapipintahan pa ng kulay. Naiintriga siya kung ano'ng pintura pa ang maaari niyang ipinta dito. Gaya ng ekspresyon nito habang nakailalim sa kaniya sa kama.

"Butiwan mo 'ko!" Ang pagkapahiya nito ay pilit itinatago sa pagsigaw. Hiniklat nito ang braso saka tumakbo nang makawala.

Naiwang may masamang interes si Akio sa gitna ng malaking lupang natataniman ng bermuda grass. Ang kilalang malamig pero kagalang-galang na Akio Ouda, napukaw ang atensyon ng isang mapagpanggap na babae.

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