Mallory woke up and put her silk robe on before checking to see if Noelle was awake already but she wasn't in her room. As soon as Mallory got to the stairs she couldn't even grab onto the rail. It was decorated with flowers most of them being roses. The entire foyer and halls were decorated with flowers too. It looked very breathtaking she couldn't deny that. Once she reached the breakfast room she found Noelle and their grandmother Eleanor already having breakfast.
"Good morning, where are my parents?" Mallory asked. "They went out very early this morning to your father's office, have breakfast with us" Eleanor said.
Mallory grabbed a plate to serve herself pancakes and put strawberries and chocolate chips as toppings along with syrup. "Grandma you know some people have pollen allergy right?" Mallory said before she cut her pancakes. Eleanor smiled, "which is why we'll have allergy medication, aren't the decorations beautiful?" She smiled.
"They're great" Mallory nodded. "Wait until you see the entrance and the backyard"
"Have you seen it yet?" Mallory asked Noelle. "She transformed everything, it's absolutely beautiful" Noelle nodded.
Once they were done having breakfast their grandmother had them leave to shower before they had to start getting ready.
Mallory and Noelle met in Mallory's room where they had their stylist do their hair, makeup, and nails.
"Should I let my hair down or have it grabbed up in a bun?" Mallory asked Noelle.
"I think curled and have it down, are you wearing any hair accessories?" Noelle asked.
"Yeah a rhinestone crystal headband" Mallory said as she asked for it so Noelle could see it. "Yeah definitely have it curled" Noelle nodded.
Mallory was the first one to have her hair and makeup finished so she began getting dressed. They helped her zip up her dress and helped her hold it up to put on her heels. She was wearing an Elie Saab couture gown that had beaded sleves. "You look great" Noelle said as they were finishing up her hair.
"I feel great, I really love this dress it makes me feel like cinderella" Mallory looked at herself in the mirror.
Mallory helped Noelle get dressed since she was ready. Noelle was enjoying every single minute of being pampered. She never thought she would enjoy getting to wear a big puffy dress. Mallory zipped up her dress and had the assistants help her put the dress up so Noelle could get help putting on her heels.
They fixed Noelle's hair and dress before letting her look at herself in the mirror. "You look so beautiful but wait" Mallory said and walked to her vanity to grab a pom pom that had glitter and pat it on Noelle's chest. Noelle was wearing a Paolo Sebastian couture gown that had a embroidered flowers.
"This dress tops last years" Noelle smiled. "I agree" Mallory nodded.
~
They both walked down stairs and stepped out to the backyard where their grandmother was having everything perfected. She was dressed in a black gown that didn't come to a surprise to Mallory. She knew her grandmother loved wearing black dresses but always said she didn't like her granddaughters wearing a black gown at least not for the ball.
"My angels" Eleanor said when she saw her granddaughters. "She looks amazing right" Mallory smiled as she looked at Noelle.
"It's a night to remember" Eleanor smiled.
~
Mallory took a seat with her family to have dinner once all the tables were filled with their guest who were all complementing Eleanor on her excellent work.
"Are you nervous? I am" Mallory said to Noelle. "About the waltz? Yeah just a little" Noelle nodded.
Eleanor walked towards the center of the dance floor and had someone give her a microphone. Everyone turned to look at her. Mallory couldn't help but admire her grandmother. She loved how well conserved she was and her style.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I just wanted to thank you all for joining my family and I for our annual ball. This year it wasn't held at the Alderidge Hotel because I was in charge this year and because as all you may know from previous years, here in our home is where we held the first ball. I hope that all you enjoy this wondering night, I know that I am and please feel as if your in your home. Most importantly join us as we prepare for our first ever waltz that will begin in a few minutes. Enjoy the night" Eleanor smiled and raised her glass of champagne before leaving the dance floor. She walked back to their table and asked Noelle and Mallory to accompany her inside their home. Just as they stepped into the living room Bellami walked towards them with her babys nanny.
"How can we forget the unwanted" Mallory said. Bellami rolled her eyes before greeting her grandmother and Noelle. Bellami continued making her way out to the backyard to meet with her parents.
Eleanor took Noelle and Mallory to the home office where she put two boxes on the desk and had them open it. "Jewelry to have auctioned?" Mallory raised her brow. "No this year we won't have an auction, I've written a check already with the amount of money I used to decorate for the children's hospital. So you know that it will be given to the hospital this time you'll accompany me tomorrow to drop it off" Eleanor said to Mallory who smiled and nodded.
They opened the boxes and picked up crystal masks. "It's not a masquerade, why the masks?" Mallory asked.
"You'll only use it for the waltz, the guys will be wearing there's" Eleanor said.
"Now put them on and head out there, the waltz will begin soon" Eleanor smiled and hugged her granddaughters.
Meanwhile outside where Ezekiel and Matthew speaking as they awaited for someone else. "It's a palace" Matthew said as he looked around. "Hey"
"Oh hey, Ezekiel this is Nick" Matthew introduced them. "He's here to help get evidence for the death of his mother that was caused by Benjamin Kline. Mallory's uncle" Matthew said.
"Pleasure to meet you" Ezekiel shook Nick's hand. "Likewise" Nick responded. "Find a table while I go to the restroom" Matthew said and they nodded. They were about to walk towards a table just as they came across an old friend of Zekes, Devin.
"Ezekiel?" Devin asked. "How are you?" Ezekiel asked Devin. "Great, I'm glad you're alive. I mean it" Devin nodded.
"Thanks" Ezekiel answered. "Are you here as Mallory's date?" Devin raised his brow. "No. She helped her father, were not good" Ezekiel said even though he knew it wasn't true.
"Mallory would-" Devin was interrupted by Liam. Another old friend of Ezekiels who he never worked things out with even though Liam tried.
"Ezekiel" Liam said. They were both shocked to see him because the last time they saw supposedly saw him was in casket when he faked his death. They knew about his faked death but they were still surprised to see him. "I was just telling him, Mallory would never betray him" Devin said. Liam looked at Devin then at Ezekiel but didn't say anything.
"You don't know her like I do" Zeke responded. "Zeke I know-"
"Don't waste your time explaining to him, we have Waltz to do" Liam said before walking away. "Listen Zeke, I know you and Liam never worked things out but I can assure you Mallory had nothing to do with anything they've done to you. About you being accused, Bellami has helped her father not Mallory. I know because I overheard my father and their father. If you want to know the truth contact me" Devin said.
"What did Liam say about a waltz?" Ezekiel asked. "Mallory's grandmother organized a waltz, I think her cousin and her will be participating" Devin said.
"Can anyone participate?" Zeke asked. "No we were chosen to rehearse a week before this, but if you want to take my place to speak to her you can if you want, we have to wear a mask" Devin said.
Ezekiel thought about it and grabbed the mask that Devin was handing him. "Get her back" Devin slightly smiled before walking away. Zeke thought about it as he looked at Nick.
"You're still in love with her?" Zeke asked. "Noelle?" Nick asked before he nodded yes. "I can speak to Mallory after the waltz, I think it's an opportunity for you" Ezekiel handed Nick the mask.
