CH11- The Masquerade Ball

The Masquerade Ball

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Dara arrived at the masquerade ball with Byul and Dongwook. Byul was like a mother who made a fuss over her hair and makeup. Meanwhile, her two dongsaengs, Suzy and Sunny made her promise to send a selca with her wearing her gown and wings. Yes. Wings! Byul wasn’t content with just the ball gown. She just happened to have a pair of glittery periwinkle and pink colored butterfly wings that she used a couple of years back when she played Juliet in a school play. Byul was a drama major. It’s now Dara’s turn to be Juliet, she said. 

So here she is, standing in the hotel’s grand foyer wearing a two-toned purple colored Renaissance type of ball gown with a full skirt with petal patterns, square cut neckline that’s deep enough to show some cleavage with capped sleeves and a corset type of bodice which further emphasized her ant like waistline. She had to admit, she looks like she stepped out from a fairy tale. Too bad she hates fairy tales. 

Holding the stick of her custom made, deep purple, bejeweled half mask which covered the top half of her face, she waited for another 5 minutes before she entered the grand ballroom of one of the most expensive hotels in Seoul. Byul insisted that she wait until they’re inside because Byul needed her grand entrance and she teased Dara that if they come in together, she would outshine her. As if that will happen, Dara thought. Byul was smoking hot with her red leather cat suit.  And Dongwook looked every bit of a superhero with his costume and was equally hot. They’re just the perfect couple!

Since it’s already past 5 minutes, she took a deep breath and stood at the main entrance of the ballroom. “It’s showtime, Dara. Aja!” she cheered.

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Once the double doors from the foyer opened, Dara’s breath was momentarily caught in her throat as she caught a glimpse of what was inside. Fairy lights are everywhere with different colored flowers and fabrics were scattered across the ballroom. She stepped inside and she felt a set of spotlights aimed at her, probably to give a dramatic entrance to all new comers. She suddenly felt nervous … very out of place. This must be how Cinderella felt, came a sudden thought. I freaking hate Cinderella.

She gave a deep sigh. With her right hand firmly grasping her half mask and the left holding her skirt, she took small steps down the grand staircase which leads to what looked like a surreal but enchanting world of rich people. 

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Nothing has prepared me for the apparition of an angel … no, a goddess! Youngbae thought as he gazed up at Sandy who is glowing like a star, standing there at the foot of the staircase. He felt paralyzed with emotions until he felt a sharp nudge from Byul. They have been waiting for Sandy to make an entrance.

“What are you waiting for?” she hissed.

Propelling him into action, he took the steps up the staircase to meet the most beautiful girl in his eyes.

Sandy smiled at the Mohawk guy garbed in the same renaissance costume coming at her. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“May I escort Milady?” he offered, extending his hand as soon as he reached her side. 

“Youngbae, you know this is not part of the plan … Krystal might misunderstand …”

“She and her friends stepped out for a while so no worries. Besides, I’m worried you might trip over with you having to walk down this long flight of stairs while wearing a mask” he reasoned. “You might sue me since you're technically on the job, you know” he teased.

“You do realize that I’m beginning to look like an idiot with my pose?” he continued. “So, uhum-uhum. Milady, may I have the pleasure of escorting you?”

“Yes, you may” Sandy relented with a little curtsy and a laugh. She put her hand on his and Youngbae briefly kissed it and placed it over the crook of his right arm.

He was all smiles as he proudly escorted her and he momentarily wondered if Sandy can hear the loud beating of his heart.

“Don’t tell me you’re dressed as Romeo” Sandy then commented. 

“Ani” said Youngbae, “this is a knight’s costume.”

“Ahhh. Where’s your shining armor then?”

“I left it at home and besides it’ll feel awkward for dancing …”

They now reached the bottom of the stairs and they were joined by Dongwook and Byul. “Let’s all take a picture together” Byul said and motioned for the party’s official photographer to snap away. “Enjoy the night, you two” she said after, “yeobo and I are just going to mingle for a while. See you around!”

Now is my chance, thought Youngbae. “May I have the pleasure of being your first dance?”

“We’re a little formal tonight, aren’t we?” Nevertheless, she put out her hand and Bae guided her to the dance floor. Sandy was pleasantly surprised that Youngbae dances very well and very gracefully. She thought he will be awkward. 

“Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night” Youngbae recited, looking deep into Sandy’s eyes.

“I thought you’re no Romeo. Why are you quoting Shakespeare?”

“Just practicing my lines” Youngbae replied sensing the sudden stiffness from Sandy.

She nodded and let it go. “Have you talked to Krystal?”

Bae nodded. “She already promised me a dance later.”

“That’s good then” Sandy said with a smile. “You have to be extra solicitous of her tonight and not let her think that we’re together. But be a little mysterious and keep her wondering of what exactly our status is. I think she’s the kind of girl who likes a challenge and she’ll like it if she thinks she’s winning over the competition. That’s where I come in …”

Youngbae lost a little bit of his smile with what Sandy said. She really is serious when she said that he’d better make a move on Krystal tonight. He was hoping to spend more time with her in this ball but she has their game plan in mind. 

“I understand.” After coaxing Sandy for one more dance after the song ended, they went over to the table assigned to Youngbae and his friends. 

Sandy easily recognized Jiyong and Seunghyun sitting at the table joined by two other women. Jiyong is wearing a golden mask which covers the left side of his face much like the Phantom of the Opera while Seunghyun looks too formal with his vintage tuxedo although his raven hair is slicked back in a rebellious style. He's dressed as a vampire minus the fangs.

Youngbae introduced her to them and she said hello to the girls first and then glanced at Seunghyun who is closer to her and smiled at Jiyong. She wasn’t expecting anything from Seunghyun given the past encounters they had where he made it pretty obvious that he doesn’t like her but she was a little taken aback by Jiyong’s cold demeanor. He barely acknowledged her.

Sandy shrugged the snub and just took her seat. 

“What would you like to drink?” asked Youngbae.

“Virgin pina colada, please” she answered. Youngbae told the waiter her order and ordered a dry martini for himself.

Sandy lightly touched Youngbae’s arm and whispered, “Don’t drink too much okay?”

Youngbae smiled. “Don’t worry Seon saeng nim, I won’t.” He was about to ask her if she’s hungry when Nick suddenly appeared and stood beside their table.

“Hello” he said to all of them and then turned to Sandy.

“Hi Sandy, it’s nice to see you again” he greeted with a charming smile. “You look absolutely stunning!”

Sandy realized that she left her mask on table when she sat and forgot to pick it up again thus making her face visible. 

“Hello Nick” she replied coolly. “You look dashing yourself.”

“Did you two come together?” glancing at Youngbae.

“Ani” she replied. “We just happened to see each other …”

Youngbae wanted to protest but of course he didn’t. 

“That’s great then” Nick said, not hiding the relief in his voice. “Did you come with a date? Coz if you don’t have one, I can be your date for the night, you know,” he said with a wink that is famous for melting girl’s hearts.

“Actually…” Sandy began.

“Actually, she came with me” interrupted Seunghyun. 

Heads whipped in his direction over his pronouncement. He looked unaffected by the attention and just coolly crossed his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair, not taking his eyes off Nick as if daring him what to do next.

“Oh? I thought you came with her” Nick glanced at the girl sitting beside Seunghyun’s left side.

“I didn’t” came a curt reply which made the girl visibly pout.

Nick wasn’t really ruffled and quickly changed his tactics. “I see” he said. “But I can still ask for a dance with you, right?” 

Sandy looked at the hopeful eyes of Nick and admiring his boldness, she agreed. 

He reached for her hand and lightly kissed it before he said goodbye. “I’ll look forward to it.” 

“I don’t like that guy” said Youngbae as soon as Nick left. It was a good thing he still has his mask on or Sandy will see that his eyes are burning with jealousy and possessiveness.

“Relax. I can handle him” Sandy assured him.

“Good thinking there, hyung” Youngbae turned to Seunghyun. “Please watch over Sandy while I … while  ...” Youngbae couldn’t bring himself to say the words. He agreed to this game plan and would have to spend time with Krystal tonight whether he likes it or not.

Sandy hit his shoulder. “Ya! What are you saying? I can take care of myself. I don’t need a nanny!”

Seunghyun snorted at the word nanny.

“I know you do. It’s him I don’t trust. I just don’t want anything to happen to my Seon saeng nim.”

“Don’t worry, Bae. I’ll keep an eye on her” said Seunghyun in his deep voice with his dark eyes trained on Sandy.

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An hour later …

“I thought you said you don’t dance” said Sandy conversationally.

“I don’t” Seunghyun replied briefly.

They are slow dancing in the middle of the ballroom. 

After Youngbae left after much insistence from Sandy to seek Krystal, the mood at the table became pretty awkward. Jiyong still ignored Sandy and was pretty quiet even when his date tried to initiate conversation multiple times.

Meanwhile, the girl who Sandy thought was Seughyun’s date left immediately after Nick’s appearance. Sandy couldn’t help but feel bad for the girl since it was pretty obvious that she likes the guy. What she sees on him though, Sandy couldn’t understand. 

Youngbae has been gone for 30 minutes and Sandy was bored out of her wits just sitting there at the table with the gloomy atmosphere. She thanked the heavens when Dongwook and Byul dropped by their table. 

“What are you all doing sitting here?” Byul asked. “This is a ball, guys. You look like you’re in a funeral or something. What’s with the somber mood?”

“I don’t have anyone to dance with” Sandy complained.

“Aigoo, poor you” Byul symphatized. “Why don’t you take Sandy for a dance, yeobo?”

“Shall we?” Dongwook pulled Sandy to her feet and she smiled for the first time for the past half hour. 

Dongwook is also a great dancer and Sandy was matching his rhythm after a few mishaps. She discovered just how much space her wings required on the dance floor and finally stopped accidentally hitting other people. They had a great laugh over the “accidents”. 

About 15 minutes later, she felt a tap on her shoulder and saw a smiling Nickhun coming to claim his promised dance. Dongwook looked at Sandy first before relinquishing her when she nodded that it was okay. He also knows Nick so he wasn’t really worried. 

“Nick …”

“Hyung …”

After acknowledging each other, Nick stood beside Sandy as Dongwook stepped back. “We’ll just be at the table” he told Sandy.

Sandy nodded and followed Nick’s lead.

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“Where’s Sandy?” Jiyong asked Dongwook as soon as his hyung returned sans Sandy.

“She’s dancing with Nickhun.”

“What?!” Without a warning, he pulled the wrist of his date and headed over to the dance floor. “Let’s go.”

Jiyong looked for Sandy among the people dancing and easily spotted her. It’s a good thing that the song playing is upbeat so she’s not dancing too close to Nick. He absentmindedly began dancing without paying much attention to his date but kept his eyes gazing mostly towards Sandy’s direction. 

“Oppa, is there something wrong? You’re being weird tonight and you’ve been neglecting me” said his date with a petulant pout.

Jiyong felt a little guilty. It’s true that he had not been behaving that well considering he was the one who asked the girl to be his date for tonight. But tonight, he realized that he regretted his decision. He should have just come solo like Seunghyun. Although he felt that way, he’s not completely an asshole to just ditch his date so he said sorry and gave the girl a smile. Still, he kept on glancing towards a couple who looked quite happy and having a good time.

Seeing Sandy tonight completely took his breath away. They were standing near the foot of the staircase with Youngbae when Sandy entered the ball room. Just like everyone else, he was mesmerized by her beauty. He was happy to see her and realized that he missed her. When he saw his bestfriend going up the stairs to meet Sandy, he felt a little pinch of pain in his heart but chose to ignore it. He knew that Youngbae has completely fallen for Sandy and that they are in a contract for three months. Youngbae himself revealed the truth behind his plan to win Sandy’s heart to him and Seunghyun. 

Seeing his bestfriend’s happy face, he slowly stepped back before Bae and Sandy reach them and noticing Seunghyun turning away towards their table, he followed suit with his date by his side. He hasn’t talked to Sandy since and the yearning to talk to her continued to grow throughout the evening but he can’t bring himself to. She’s completely thrown off his mojo and he feels like a heel for ignoring her. But he decided its best all around. He’ll just stay away for now. For his best friend.

Just then, the music turned to a slow one and he saw Nick pulling Sandy by the waist closer to him. He almost lost his resolve to stay away and was about to do something when he saw his hyung approach the two.

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“Where’s Ji?” asked Seunghyun upon returning from the men’s room. 

“They went for a dance” replied Dongwook.

Noticing that there’s only him and Byul sitting by the table, Seungyun then asked, “Hyung, where’s Sandy?”

“Dancing with Nickhun.”

“What?!” Seunghyun who was about to sit down stood up so suddenly that it alarmed Byul. He then marched his way towards the dancing crowd, leaving the couple behind without a word.

“What’s with those two?” Byul gave a confused look, referring to Jiyong and Seunghyun.

Dongwook can only shake his head.

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After Seunghyun gave Nick a stare down, the younger guy could only surrender and said goodbye to Sandy. He was her date after all. “I’ll see around okay?”

“Okay” said Sandy with a smile and watched the guy leave.

When she felt Seunghyun’s hand lightly touching her hips in a stance for dancing, she couldn’t help but remind him of his previous comment.

“I thought you said you don’t dance” said Sandy conversationally.

“I don’t” Seunghyun replied briefly, his body body barely swaying to the music.

They are slow dancing in the middle of the ballroom. 

“Then why are you doing this?”

“Would you rather we go back and sit at the table?” He took her hand as if to drag her away but Sandy immediately resisted and pulled back.

“No, please” she said. She hated any long period of inactivity and she’s willing to endure a few minutes with Seunghyun rather than sit at the table again doing nothing. “I’d rather we stay here.”

Seunghyun just gave a nod and placed his hand over her hips ever so lightly. Sandy sighed and also placed her hands over Seunghyun’s shoulders and they swayed to the music. Or rather, she did. Her partner is too stiff and kept on looking down at their feet. Sandy gave another sigh. Removing her hands from his shoulders, she reached for Seunghyun’s hands and placed them around her hips, pulling him closer to her and then she placed her hands on his shoulders again.

Seunghyun’s eyes widened and could only look at the girl, askance. 

“Don’t worry, I don’t bite. You’re too stiff. Try to lighten up” she advised.

“Don’t come yelling murder when I step on your foot” he said.

Sandy gave a short chuckle. “I won’t. You forget I’m wearing stilettos. I can easily step on yours,” she warned.

Seunghyun smirked but said nothing. Oddly, he felt the muscles on his body loosen up and began to feel the music. He can’t help stealing glances at the girl he’s dancing with. She’s so tiny in his arms and yet her presence is so commanding. He thought of Youngbae and got worried that his friend may be in for a heartbreak. Sandy seemed too much of a free soul to commit to a relationship like Bae wishes for. Judging from the way she pushed Youngbae to pursue Krystal tonight, he suspects that Sandy doesn’t have an inkling on what his friend really feels.

“Ouch!”

Cut off from his revelry, he glanced at Sandy who’s wincing, looking at her left foot. “I’m sorry” he immediately apologized.

“It’s alright” she said and stepped on his left foot deliberately. 

Seunghyun was surprised and amused by what Sandy did.

“I told you, I’ll retaliate” she looked at him.

Seungyun felt a bubble of laughter escape from his lips. He didn’t really feel any impact from Sandy’s “retaliation” but he didn’t mention it lest she might use the pointed heel next time. “A toe for a toe …?”

The girl nodded. “It’s only fair.”

“Aish …” Seunghyun left it at that. 

Two more songs passed and they still remained on the dance floor. During those times Seunghyun managed to keep his casualty count to two and Sandy never failed to retaliate. 

Sandy can’t believe that she is actually enjoying Seunghyun’s company given the previous encounters they’ve had. For once, there’s no antagonistic remark coming from him. He was actually pretty civil tonight. She briefly wondered if he and Jiyong had a lobotomy or something with the sudden change in their characters. Speaking of Jiyong, she caught him looking at her direction twice but the guy always swiftly turns to look away.

What’s your deal, Blondie? Sandy thought to herself.  The last time she saw him was at the club when she was with her friends. He even asked her to call her Oppa, did he not? Nevermind, she thought. There are guys who like to flirt in certain places and then act like you don’t exist when they are in formal settings. Maybe Blondie is like that, she thought. Now that he’s surrounded with his people and what looked to be a nice girl for his date, Sandy has become non-existent. She shrugged. Which reminded her that she’s an intruder in this make believe world. She really doesn’t belong. She’s just here to help Youngbae accomplish his goal. 

Looking around the other dancing couples he spotted Nickhun and not far from him, Taecyon and Wooyoung. Nick waved at her and the two other guys noticed and looked towards her direction and also gave her waves and she waved back. Not long after, Wooyoung and his partner were dancing closer to them.

“Hi Sandy” he called. “Can I ask you for a dance later?” he asked oblivious to the dagger looks that his partner is sending Sandy’s way.

“I would love to but I don’t think your partner would like it” Sandy said diplomatically.

“You don’t mind, right?” Wooyoung asked the girl.

“Of course not, Oppa” assured the girl looking sweet all of a sudden.

“You heard her” Wooyoung turned to Sandy with a smile.

“Better save a dance for me, too” They didn’t notice that Taecyon is now also dancing near them.

Sandy laughed at both of them.”Later then” she said.

The two guys were still trying to hit up a conversation with her when she felt Seunghyun’s arms pull her away from them. 

“I can’t believe you’re flirting with other guys when you’re already with your date.” He was looking at her darkly.

“We’re not on a date.” She quickly defended.

“As far as I’m concerned, Youngbae left you under my …” he was supposed to say “care” but changed his mind, “… supervision… And you shouldn’t forget that you are on an exclusive contract with my friend so you’d better think about that before you hook up with other guys.”

Sandy removed her hands on Seunghyun’s shoulders and faced him, standing still. “Wow” she began. “And there I was thinking you’ve had a change of character… I was beginning to feel disappointed not hearing a single barb from you tonight. Thank you” she gave a small curtsy. “Thank you for your supervision. And don’t worry, I didn’t forget about the contract. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to find Youngbae.” She then turned to leave without a backward glance.

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Finding Youngbae was easy. Sandy saw him dancing with Krystal who is dressed as the Black Swan complete with eye make-up.

Just like in the plan, she cut off their dance and claimed Youngbae. Sandy was pleased to see Krystal giving her a glare as she seductively encircled her hands around Youngbae’s neck. 

“What’s wrong?” Youngbae asked seeing the lines on Sandy’s forehead. “You look pissed off.”

“Nothing …”

“It doesn’t look like nothing …”

Sandy then relaxed her facial muscles and gave Youngbae a smile. It’s true that Seunghyun managed to piss her off. His anger caught her off guard. To think that she was actually beginning to enjoy his company. But she shouldn’t linger on those thoughts. She’s here to check up on her client and monitor his progress.

“I’m fine.” Sandy smiled at Youngbae. “How are you and Krystal getting along?”

“Pretty good”

“How good?”

“We’re going on a movie date next weekend”

Sandy’s smile widened. “That’s great! Youngbae-ya, I’m so proud of you!”

Youngbae should be happy from Sandy’s praise but it was the opposite. It hurt his heart that the girl that he’s actually in love with is pushing him to be in a relationship with another girl. 

“You know what our next step is, right? You have to make sure that Krystal hears it when you turn my feelings down. You have to make sure that she hears that you’re not interested in me because you already like someone else, ara?”

Youngbae could only nod, gloomily.

“Okay. Now you go back to her and I’ll be with you after a few minutes being a bitch demanding for your attention. You can do this! Aja!” she cheered.

************************************

Sandy decided to go and freshen her up first before the anticipated “confrontation”. She was making her way towards their table where she left her purse when she felt a hand grasp her arm and whirled her towards that  person. In front of Sandy is a very tall man wearing a black penguin tuxedo with the top half of his face hidden with an equally black mask. 

“D-Dara … it’s you! It really is you” said the man, suddenly pulling Dara for a hug.

Dara was caught off guard and felt something cold grip at her heart making her forget to breathe. No, please, don’t let it be him, she silently prayed.

“It’s me” the guy said in a very familiar voice that Dara wished she had forgotten. If not for the hand gripping her arm she would have fainted from the suddenness of their encounter. She’s never fainted in her whole life and she didn’t want this guy to be a witness of it so she took a deep breath and willed herself to move. 

The guy sensing her movement held on to both of her arms now preventing her escape. “Dara” he said in a broken voice. “You just don’t know how long I’ve looked for you …”

“It’s me …” he repeated and reached for his mask to show her his face.

Like a deer caught by the headlights, Dara could only stand frozen and wide-eyed at him. She already knew who he was before he took off his mask. How can she forget?

And just like that, her fairy tale kind of night ended. Prince Charming had made an appearance.

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Author’s Note:

OMO! Who can the Prince Charming be and why did he make Dara react that way?  o_O

This is the longest chapter by far and I just couldn’t make myself divide it into two shorter ones so I made myself finish it despite my sleepiness. I hope you enjoy it!

*bisous*

~mzbookworm4life

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, modify, create derivative works, or in any way exploit any content of this story without a written consent from the author.

All rights reserved by Ms/Mzbookworm4life. © April 2013.