Chapter 19 :The Masquerade Ball

At her words, the aura and mood of the room suddenly felt too much occupied with thick air.

Zoey was and was not at the same time, regretful of what she had just proposed.

"Deal." A voice was heard after a moment of silence.

Zoey smiled."Now,we will need a witness for this.Don't you think?"

Xander raised a brow. "We do?"

Zoey went to the living room to fetch her phone and finally had the chance to roll her eyes without being witnessed by 'the prisoner guard.'

"I am starting to regret why I find the need to engage you in my thoughts everytime we encounter a problem or solution."She shouted from the living room.

"And why is that?"Xander shouted back.

"Gosh!" She annoyingly cried out loud."You are starting to become an imbecile Vincenzo."

Xander gave out his best laugh. Sounding as sexy as ever.

"You mean,your soon to become an imbecile boyfriend?" He smirked, leaning against the wall of the living entrance.His hands dipped inside his pockets.

"Already regret the proposal." Zoey said causing Xander to continue laughing.

She picked up her phone from the couch and dialed some digits.After the second ring,the person picked up.

"Matt,can you come inside the house quickly?"

"Will be there in a sec,my lady."

Zoey smiled."Thank you."

"So what my lady is saying is that,she wants me to be the witness of a very SPECIAL and IMPORTANT proposal between her and sir?" Matteo said,eyeing confusedly st Zoey then at Xander.

"Yes. They simultaneously said.

"O-kay." He hesitatedly answered.

"Good,give me your phone." Zoey instructed.

Matteo looked at his madams' stretched out hand towards him and then at Xander for approval.

Xander rolled his eyes. "If a lady commands you to give her your phone, you obediently give her your phone Matteo."

"Y-yes sir." Matteo snapped out of it and rapidly gave the phone to Zoey.

"Not just any lady but me,"- "Not just any lady but her."

Xander and Zoey muttered at the same time.

"Right." Matt gave them a nod.

AT THE MASQUERADE BALL CEREMONY.

A large,magnificent ballroom had been meticulously set up for what seemed to be a very important and very high class event. The chandeliers dangled from the ceiling provided adequate sparks of light,giving the room a feeling of being under a bright, starry sky.The tables were rounded shaped and decorated tastefully with a touch of gold and silver which represented wealthy, luxury and moon energy, strength and focus, RESPECTIVELY.

That Masquerade ball was definitely a display of wealth and prosperity,from the crystal champagne classes and silver and gold cutlery,to the stunning paintings hang magnificently on the walls. Inside the ballroom, groups of people wore millions of dollars worth of clothing, jewelry and other accessories. Anyone who caught a glimpse inside the room immediately understood that the gathering was of the most influential,rich and potent people. As Xander had told Zoey,she could see with her own eyes what he meant when he said there were going to be very POWERFUL men.Not to forget their dates who wore earrings, necklaces,bracelets, tiaras,rings & fashion dresses although which sparkled around the room. And ofcourse the event being a masquerade ball,every person wore a mask which covered a part of their face,adding even more mystery to the already mysterious identities of each one of them.

The warm bittersweet smell of various wine and cologne welcomed them by filling their nostrils.

When people took notice of their presence, the gentleman and ladies gathered in groups stepped back to make a path for them.Everyday gestures of respectful attention to whenever the Xanders stepped in.Even underneath his mask,his presence was noticed from thousand miles away.

Xander had his hand on the low part of Zoey's back and he

led them towards a champagne fountain. He took a glass and gave it to her before taking one for himself too.

"Thank you."She said,taking a small sip.

"Hope it works for the nerves." He leaned in closer to Zoey's ear and whispered.

Zoey was about to give him her peace of mind when she felt his presence behind her.Her skin tingled and she immediately knew that whenever and wherever they were,Xander had an EFFECT on her.Large,smooth hands landed on her shoulders as he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"May I have this dance?"His deep,sexy masculine voice sent uncontrollable shivers down her spine and before she could react or answer,Xander took the glass cautiously out of her hand and placed it down on the table.He took her and guided her towards the dance floor,where a few couples had already been dancing.

As they started dancing,the music went off but came back with a blast of TEEKS-FIRST TIME.He took one of her hands and placed it on his lower back and held the other one in his hand. He then slipped his arm behind her gently and pulled her close to him,leaving no gap between their soul.Zoey had never had a dance of that sort in her lifetime.SO intense,exhilarating, magical and SO MUCH MORE.The song somewhat related to her as the dance was her FIRST dance.And being that intimate with a different gender was her FIRST TIME.She wondered if Cinderella felt exactly just like her when she danced with the prince for the very FIRST TIME.

They continued to sway slowly,flowing with the rhythm of the song.Zoey laid her head on Xander's shoulder and comfortably took in both the soothing music and tender touch from Xander.She was quiet impressed with how Xander dominated the dance.He was just too good at what he did everything.The way he touched her,the way he held her closely against him as if he never wanted to let go.The way he led her,the timing of his every movement were perfectly in time with the music.

She then removed her head and took her time to study his face.His lips,his nose,his jaw and every contour of his face was just....naturally perfect. Even through the mask,she could see his forest green eyes simply spell-binding.

She felt like if she ventured close enough, his eyes would pull her in like quicksand, where there was no escape,a greener fantasyland where she'd get to fulfill her fantasies with no one else but HIM.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Xander spoke,startling her out of her reverie.

Zoey regained her composure and smirked ."Haven't you noticed?I get lost in my thoughts whenever I'm close to you."

"Did you just make a confession Ms.Katherine?"He smirked as he questioned.

"Oh don't flatter yourself just yet Mr.Vincenzo." Zoey smirked back and leaned in closer to his ear."And it's Mrs.Vincenzo now.You better watch that handsome mouth of yours husband,we don't want you calling me that again in front of your 'potent' peeps,now do we?" She teasingly whispered.

Before he could answer, the song ceased and they took that as their que to leave the dancefloor.But as they made their way to their table,a Feminine voice stopped them.

"What are you up to Xander Junior Vincenzo?"