It was nothing very fancy, just a plain beige low-cut dress, backless with a knot behind the neck keeping the straps in place. I looked good as the fitting was just perfect. I left my hair loss and took my mask in hand before heading down.
I went inside the ballroom and started to wait for Mark at the entrance. After fifteen minutes when he still didn't show up, I decided to call him instead.
Voicemail.
His phone was not reachable and there was no sign of him. I took a glass of water and sat at a side couch silently admiring the beauty of the hall.
All women were dressed to perfection wearing their exclusive gowns and jewels. I was in awe of the entire setting; I had never witnessed something this grand before and the glitz and glamor was noteworthy. I felt small surrounded by such high-profile businessmen and women, but I decided to wait a bit longer for Mark to show up.
Suddenly the lights were dimmed, and only focus was on the grand dance floor, they announced for everyone to move to the center of the hall for the social ball dance.
Everyone was wearing masks now, and were slowly heading to the center with their partners. With such lighting and setting, it became all the more impossible to look for Mark. I almost decided to turn around and leave the premise, but the thought that he might be looking for me too made me stay for a bit longer.
The feeling that someone was watching me still lingered at the back of my head. I scanned my surrounding just to be sure, mainly to settle my mind in believing that it was nothing but my paranoia.
I slowly walked deep into the crowd and that's when I felt a hand touch my bare shoulder from behind. Hoping it to be Mark, I turned around and saw a tall well-built figure dressed in an immaculate black tux looking back at me. The person was wearing a golden mask but due to poor lighting, I couldn't see his face.
"Mark, is that you?"
Chapter 16
The Ball
Emma
"May I have the pleasure of a dance with you miss?" A husky voice fell on my ears, and I was nothing better than a bundle of nerves.
I didn't know how to respond, I didn't know how to dance at a ball, and I could not say for sure if I knew who the man in question was. Part of me felt that might be this was Mark playing tricks with me. After a long pause, reluctantly so, I nodded and took my chance.
I wore my mask and took his hand. He held it firmly making me walk along with him to almost the center of the hall. The moment we reached the center, I could feel the lights focused on us. I was a nervous wreck, totally oblivious of the intentions of my masked dance partner. I couldn't recognize anyone present due to the concealed faces and glaring lights but could still feel their stares rubbing over my skin.
"I umm… don't know how to dance in a ball." I barely mumbled. I was considering to back out, and perhaps the man beside me sensed my ordeal. He immediately tightened his grip on me and whispered, "trust me."
The soft music played, and my disguised partner offered me both his hands stepping closer. The moment I took them, he closed the space between us, he placed one of his hand in my left hand and my other hand on his shoulder. He wrapped his other hand around my waist, gripping me firmly in his dancing embrace.
The moment he held me closer, I could smell a familiar cologne, this strong scent reminded me of someone, and as soon as I was brought back to realization, I had shivers run down my spine. I felt numb and confused. His touch on my bare back made me dizzy, and I could relate to this feeling. He felt familiar. This was precisely how I felt back in Corsica.
Taken aback, I tried to look into his face and saw those oceanic blue eyes. I could never mistake them with anybody else.
"Jake?" I stuttered nervously.
He blinked but didn't utter a word. He twirled me around, making me match his steps as the music flowed through the hall.
I was now turned around with my bare back against his chest, and he was moving in small steps, making me m sway in his rhythm. His fingers caressed my arms, making my heart skip a beat. Air escaped my lungs and was barely holding up.
He turned me around again to make me face him. This dance was nothing ordinary. I could feel both our hearts were racing; his breath on my skin and his strong masculine smell melting me inside. The moves were close and sensual. His touch and hold were demanding, like he was marking his territory, letting the world know that I belonged in his arms
I could now feel everyone's eyes on us, as we were the only two dancing gracefully in each other's embrace right in the center of the hall.
I was stunned on how amazingly Jake made me dance with him, somebody from far could call it a rehearsed performance. But it wasn't. It was all real and spontaneous, and I didn't know how our bodies could sync with each other's rhythm so perfectly.
I just continued to follow his lead and held up the remaining show for the sake of avoiding myself any embarrassment in front of a hall full of significant people. The murmurs and stares were becoming prominent by the second.
A thought to push him
