A World Of Treason and Tides

Chapter 2: How shall I Kiss You?

"Another one, please, Ms. Hill," the reporters were almost screaming. There were the clicking of cameras and the flashing of lights all around. My sister was busy giving poses to the press, the only thing I told her not to do. But I could see that she was really enjoying herself and her happiness meant the most to me.

"Don't worry about her, Venus. She is handling herself very well. Let me go get your father," my mother said from where she was standing beside me while my father was standing nearby talking to some of his friends and business associates.

"Lindsey, let's go inside. Shall we?" my father asked in his light yet authoritative tone. A person could not defy him when he spoke in that tone. I idolized my father. He was Joseph Hill, the owner of one of many recognized engineering firms in Cambridge and England, yet he loved and cared for our family. I knew that now also he was trying to make all of us comfortable.

***

The elemental theme was really a nice change. I was starting to have some respect for Mrs. Water's vision and ideas.

In the middle of the hall, there was a huge chandelier that cast all colours of lights around the room. The lighting was heavenly, done in a way so that it never failed to remind everyone of the ball's theme. I had never seen such gorgeous room—it looked as if the hall was presented before us straight from the pages of fantasy. One would think that a hall depicting the colours and forms of all the elements would look messy, but there, it looked elegant.

At the massive entrance of the hall, the lights cast a deep red glow over the people, guards and the ornate decorations of the room. It slowly changed to orange, yellow, then to azure and other impressive shades of blue as we entered the hall. Further into the hall, the lights cast a glow that was different shades of white, thus depicting fire, water and air—the three of the four most important elements. I took in the earthly aroma that filled the room. All those lights, along with cool atmosphere and noise of crackling fire, flowing water and rustling wind, nearly created a peaceful semblance in a place that was everything but peaceful.

I was busy admiring the decoration and paid only half-attention to the people we were introduced to. It was my third time attending the ball and I knew most of the members and associates. It was now Lindsey's turn to get through the never-ending introduction which, as it seemed, she was handling pretty well. Her laugh seemed almost real to me.

I was about to excuse myself and go get a beverage when a family I had never seen before approached us. They came as 'WATER', the opposite of us, 'FIRE'. Everyone in the family looked so much in sync and gorgeous, but what caught my attention most was the boy, who looked about my age, maybe a year older.

He was the most handsome guy I had ever seen. Wearing a midnight blue tux with light blue to almost white bowtie, he looked dreamy. I could not quite place the actual colour of the material of his tux—it seemed as if the tux was changing its colour that ranged within different shades of dark blue.

"Staring much?" I was startled at the soft male voice near my ear. I definitely might have been staring since I did not even notice when the guy with the extraordinary tux came so close to me.

"W-what are you talking about?" I whispered to him.

"I would think you know exactly what I am talking about." I could very well tell by his voice that he was enjoying harassing me in front of everyone. Maybe he was also the biggest arse I had ever met. 

"What are you doing? Can you please not stand so close to me?" I was feeling really suffocated. It felt as if my lungs had lost air and my mouth had lost all the words. He smelled so good that I was feeling intoxicated by it. He smelled like water—like fresh water and brackish water, that was mixed with his masculine scent. And his voice was like a melody—so fine and soft and smooth and yet so deep and powerful. I felt like I had lost my sense of hearing except I could hear only his voice. What was happening to me?

"Then how shall I kiss you?"

"WHAT?!" I screamed unable to contain my fear anymore. Then I stepped aside, away from the crazy guy and closer to Lindsey, who was busy talking to a woman. I saw that she belonged to the same 'WATER' family.

"Venus, are you all right?" my mother's voice was filled with concern as she faced me. Did she not notice the boy who was trying to kiss her daughter? How could I be alright?

"No— "

"Yes, Mrs. Hill. I assume she was lost in admiring the beautiful decorations of this hall, that she didn't notice when I tried to kiss her on the cheeks." He then looked at me and once again, my chest constricted. He had eyes, cornflower blue in colour that were prettier than anyone, a sharp jaw and high cheekbones. Honey-brown hair that was cut close to his neck framed his face. And the arse was smirking as he again caught me staring at him.

"Venus, it's on the cheeks, you grandma!," Lin said, rolling her eyes and doing an 'as-if-nothing' motion with her hands.

"Lin," my father warned.

"But—"

"Leave it, Lin. And YOU—," I said pointing a finger towards him, "—first introduce yourself. Then we will think if you kiss me on the cheeks or not."

"I am pretty sure I introduced myself. It's not my fault you were busy staring." He was smirking again, and with every passing second, I was getting more frustrated—at the guy and at myself, for staring at him.

"Venus, Lindsey, we are going over to the sitting area with Mr and Mrs. Waters," my mother said, "You want to come?"

Mrs. Waters? Mrs. Eleanor Waters?

My head snapped to my mother. Then to the woman who stood beside her. Then to the guy who was standing infront of me. "Mrs. Waters. That means you are—," I said to him.

"—the son," he completed my sentence. A sly smile played on his lips.

A 'huh' escaped my lips. Not wanting to stay there anymore, I turned on my heels to go to the sitting area with my parents, and saw Eleanor Waters looking at me in a furtive manner, as if she was contemplating something. I looked back at her and tried to understand what was wrong with her, or worse, with me; but her mouth curved into a wide smile. She said addressing my mother, "They will be bored with us, Allison. Let the children enjoy themselves."

My mother nodded and went over to the sitting area with my dad and Mr. Waters. Eleanor smiled at the three of us, once again, before joining them. I cursed that woman under my breath.

Maybe I had cursed her loud, since Lindsey's mouth fell open. "What did you just say?" She asked.

"Nothing. Let's go elsewhere."

Lin gave me a look that said I was being stupid—she had learned that look from me, from whenever I used it on her. Then she pointed at the guy, "What will he do then?"

"I am sure he can find someone else to show off his annoying smirk to." The guy smirked at that too. By then, I was sure he was doing that just to irritate me.

"Lindsey, is your sister always like this? Or is this the effect of all those sparks she is wearing?" He asked my sister instead of answering me. Oh I so wanted to tell him it was his smug behavior that made me act like that.

"Oh no, no! She is one of the politest person you will ever meet. Maybe the sparks—, " Lin trailed off and started laughing. 

"And mister, are you always this cold and arrogant or is the water making you act like that?"

"No, I am quite hot. It's definitely the water," he high-fived Lindsey. Was she his sister or mine?

He flashed a boyish grin at me. Unable to keep my poise anymore, I headed to get that most needed beverage.

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Hope you liked CHAPTER 2 of " A World of Treason and Tides". Do vote and comment. 😊

Thank you :)

Do you like the guy? He comes off as smug in this chapter, however, I can assure you he is nice. :))