a dance?

Two - Valerio

Two - Valerio

As the crowd gets bigger, my stomach growls are louder. I have been greeting so many guests today that I couldn't even sit down and fill myself up with the premium foods here. Every time I could tell I was hungry, my father would whisper "You need to give the guests a good impression." "Honey, his music gives quite an outstanding impression." My mother frowns, whilst smiling at the guests entering one by one. My father scoffs.

My family had insisted on throwing a party for Luna's engagement. Luna and I aren't the type of people to party, so when it comes to situations like these, we wonder where we got the genes from. "Papa, I told you- Jasmine and I would like to have things simple." She exclaimed from the kitchen, "Ma cherie, the engagement is only between us, yes - but the party could be just to bring everyone along, you know like the olden days, where people come together on balls and dance along..." He let the sentence drop, knowing none of us were convinced. Mama had pat his back and left the living room, while Luna bit her lip and walked out the door, pulling me along with her. Nevertheless, we still went on with it.

I am still surprised as to how glamorous the party looks and it actually gives the vibes of how papa had described it. "Chandeliers, champagne, the time period where everyone comes to the centre and asks for a dance, twists and twirls. Suits and gowns, laughter and old stories, new people and old friends, and I bet you, someone in the crowd will stand out for you." He expressed himself like a man with big dreams. This cracked us all up and I am pretty sure this was definitely one of papa's dreams.

While we were greeting the guests and my stomach went crazy, I had counted on Luna - she had impeccable timing when it came to me being in between mama and papa. However as soon as Jasmine's family had come, she disappeared. So here I am, saying my thanks for the support (for my music) and for coming. When my stomach didn't give up, I excused myself with a bow and walked straight to the buffet. My mouth watered as I grabbed a plate of almost everything that seemed appetizing. I filled myself with the most delicious food I had tasted in a long time (mama's food are exceptions) - Funny thing I was still being graceful regardless of the situation.

"Tasty huh?" a woman's voice startled me. I froze, my eyes turning to look at the figure, who lightly tapped her finger on her arm and looked at me like she knew something's up. "Hey, Jas-" I cleared my throat, fitting in one last spoon on my mouth. However when Jasmine said my sisters name, I stopped chewing. "I am sorry." I asked her to repeat. "Do you know where Luna is? She told me to wait, because she has something prepared for me, but I am getting impatient and she knows me when it comes to surprises, so I figured you might know." Her eyes peered over me, figuring out if I knew where Luna was.

I swallowed, and stood up. "I am afraid I don't know where Luna is." I said. Before her face dropped, I added "I will find her- where will you be?" She lit up like the lightbulb and told me "I shall come with you." We sounded like formal people, and I couldn't stop myself from thinking about papa's imagination. I nod, as I bid goodbye to my plate. While passing through the crowd, I made sure Jasmine was around. I can see why my sister fell in love with a confident woman. She and I made sure this news doesn't go to mama and papa. We felt proud when we spotted the entrance. Jasmine asked the guard, but he said he didn't see Luna - he was on break, and told us to go ask the other security at the other entrance.

After checking in with the other security guard, Jasmine pulled my sleeve. She whispered "I remember her leaving through this route." She pointed at the door, the back door. The only question that popped was "What could the surprise be?" Without any hesitation, Jasmine and I walked through the back door saying that we have a phone call. As I walked outside, the air was breezy and Jasmine hugged herself to keep her warm. Being the decent man I am, I gave my suit coat to her, as her arms wrapped around them. Suddenly, my ears caught someone laughing.

"Jasmine, wait here alright?" I say, she nods and I follow the laughter. It definitely sounded like my sister. My heels seem to know the route, as the light grew bigger and bigger. I stood in front of a flower shop, and immediately it felt like home. My home back in Florence. The flowers are in full bloom, some are in baskets and some are in bouquets. I open the door and the wind chimes say hello. The first person I notice is Luna . She's holding a bouquet filled with tulips, sunflowers, daisies and what seems to be orchids. Her face doesn't feel any guilt, but shows a hint of unexpectedness. Despite her leaving the party for a surprise she prepared for Jasmine, I am guessing the flowers were the surprise. "These are for Jasmine, they are her favorite flowers combined into one. You should thank Renee for such talent like this."

She clicks her heels and my eyes follow an exquisite woman, who looks like daydreams on clouds and sprinkles of rainbow on a sunny morning. Her eyes fluttered like a butterfly, and her cheeks turned into a rose pink. Her aura engulfed me warmly. My heart beats faster, and my feet seem to have taken a break. "Ahem." My sister clears her throat. I completely forgot my sister was here.