Chapter Twenty-six: PARTNERS

Lesley's POV

I raised my right hand, the beautiful girl in front of me raised her hand as well. I waved using my two hands, the girl did the same. I leaned my face towards her. I blinked many times. I touched my face and yep, jeez! This is really me. That's exactly my reflection. I don't know I have this kind of beauty. "The three of you could wave magic." They maybe uttered chants or spells to make me this pretty. "Tell me, do I need to went home before midnight? Is this beauty will only last before 12:00?"

Freya, Irithel and Karina laughed. "Silly. You're not Cinderella, Les."

"You are beautiful.. no matter what they say. Lols. That was a line from a song. But it suited you well." -Karina. "Believe me, anyone could see your beauty with or without our help."

"But.. I am not as mesmerizing as this. Even I, couldn't recognize myself anymore." I looked at my reflection again. I am wearing a red with black tube dress (courtesy of Freya), pairing with heart necklace and not so high heeled black shoes. My hair, well, we had long debate before I agree to let it down. In the condition that they won't force me to remove my eyepatch. They agreed.

"Nonsense, Sistah. We only put highlights and change some little things on you. But you're still the same. Our humble Lesley Vance. The natural beauty"

>///< "Thank you."

Knock! Knock! Knock!

We all thrilled when we heard that. Someone's coming. Eeehhh!!

"I think your Prince Charming have finally arrived, Les." Freya whispered and opened the door. "Oops! Looks like it is MY Prince Charming."

"Hi, girls." Zilong waved at us. We greeted back. Then his eyes went back to Freya. "You are very beautiful, honey bunch. I love you."

"I love you more, choco pie." Then they kissed.

Iri, Karina and I looked at each other. Honey bunch? Choco pie? "Eww! Corny. Hahaha!"

The couple just grinned at us. "Gotta go. See you there, Sisters!"

Irithel closed the door but it suddenly knocks. "The corny couple came back? Or is it your escort, Les?" She asked frowning.

I shrugged.

Iri reopened the door. "Ow. None of the above I see."

"Hi monkey boy!" Karina and I greeted Claude who's standing outside the door. His pet isn't with him.

"Hello." He brought a bouquet of tulips and handed it to Irithel.

Iri turned red and looked away with embarassment. "Should I give it to Les?"

Claude knots his forehead for the first time. "I gave it to you so that is yours."

"Sorry. T-thank you." I silently laughed. I know, Irithel felt something to Claude and from the start, I know the guy like her, too. I always saw the glances he darted to Iri whenever my friend isn't looking at him. I have this feeling that he's using me to make Iri jealous. "You bought this for me?" eyes twinkling, Iri asked as she raised the bouquet.

"No. I stole it from-- aww!" His words cutted when Iri punched him in abdomen. "Haha! Yes, I bought it."

Aw, they're cute. ❤_____❤

Claude looked at our direction. "We're going now. Anyway, you're both pretty, Les and Karina. But in my eyes," he looked at Iri. "Irithel is much prettier."

"Ayiee!" We teased.

Iri waved at us shyly. "See you, later girls."

We waved back.

Okay. It's only the two of us. "Who's your date anyway, Karina?"

Karina shrugged. "None. And I know your escort will arrive any moment. So I gotta g--"

Knock! Knock!

"That's what I'm talking about." She opened the door. Expecting it is Gusion but it's not. "Valir?!"

"I was about to ask Aurora to be my date but heck, she turned my flowers into an ice. What a shame!"

Karina chuckles. "Let's go to the venue then. Lesley isn't available. Let's go."

Valir shrugged and they went away.

I'm the one left. I walked towards the mirror and stared at myself once more. I'm not really comfortable with my hair flowing down. I'm trying to gather it using my two hands when someone spoke behind me. "Let it down, Goddess."

I gasped. "G-Gusion!" I didn't noticed he came. Valir and Karina maybe forgot to close the door.

I raked my eyes on him. He wore black tux, red tie, black shoes and.. his hair were brushed up. He looked so clean, so dashingly handsome.

I can see, he's looking intently to me as well as if I was scrutinized under microscope.

I wanted to looked away when he walked closer but I simply can't. Different emotions were rushing within me. Love, longing, regrets. I don't know why my tears starts falling. I know I'm still scared, but I simply can't suppress this feeling. The truth. That I terribly missed him.

"Babe.."

Jeez. That's only one word from him but I already wanted to weep. One word but it's bringing lots of memories. Lots of pain.

"I don't know how to start." He pressed his eyes using his thumb and index finger, standing few inches away from me. "I shouldn't be here." He took a deep sigh. "Alucard and Zilong were here since I don't know when. They kept on persuading me to enter here but I refused. Until I went to your home. I've talked to Mrs. Haidee--"

"You talked to my mother?!"

"Yes. She told me everything."

Everything? I could feel my face heating up. "Like what?"

"Like you were crying since the day we parted? That you looked suicidal and she was afraid one day you'll be gone."

"I.. I would not."

He shrugged. "I know. But she loves you."

"I never doubt."

His thumb caressed my cheek. "Don't worry, Babe. I did suffer, too. I cried countless times, thinking you and Granger were happy together."

"Granger? But we're just friends."

"Yeah. Your mother said that, too. I'm sorry that I assumed the worst in you.

"Forgiven."

"She told me you're here so I followed you here."

He was about to kiss me but I pushed him in his chest. "But why you denied you know me in front of many people in your first day?" That was heck embarassing.

"I still can't believe what your mother told me. You know, that you love me so much. That's so much for me to take so I planned to pretend I don't know you. I wanted to know what will you do. How far your love for me will take you." He frowned when he remembered something. "But that two idiots butted in at the picture." He's referring to Claude and Valir. "So I forget my plan. You love me or not, I must have you again. If you love me, okay with me. If you don't I will make you fall for me."

Aww.. ❤___❤ "But I do love you."

"And I love you more, Baby."

When he bent his head, I raised my face to meet his kiss. I welcomed the familiar warmth, and familiar sensation. I really love this man. Maybe if we try once more, officially, maybe we could have happy ending.

I gasped for air when we parted. "We will be late in the ball."

"Don't care. I missed you." We shared a pasionate kiss once more but I pushed him when he's starting to unzip my dress. "Foul." I laughed mischievously.

"I'm sorry. That's your effect on me." He took continous deep sigh. Trying to regain his self before he held my hand. "Let's go before I change my mind."

I just giggled. "Do I need to remove my eyepatch?"

"No!" He almost shouted. "You're still beautiful with that eyepatch on. What's more if you wear that off? Of all people, it was me who knows how beautiful your eyes are. Never remove that, okay? You're mine."

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