Hold Me Close

"I want you to give this to her. I hope it fits." 

"It surely will, young master. She'll absolutely love this. After all, it's such a pretty dress." 

His eyes gleamed towards the direction upstairs, pulling up the sleeves of his button up grey shirt as he smirked. Darah was on her bed, hopeless and disappointed. How can he just force her into a party where she knew absolutely no one!? How cruel! But then again, she didn't find it a bad idea. After all, she could be with him. Ah, look at you, going crazy about him again. So embarrassing, Darah had to admit. 

"Each invitee can bring a partner with them. And you, Darah Chen, will be my partner." 

That's what he said. It wasn't even an invitation at this point. It was a straight up order. Even though I want to be beside him, something doesn't sit right with me. Considering what all he might've done in his past, I cannot even fathom if what he feels for me is real. It just all seems so rushed… 

"Darah, dear, are you getting ready?" 

Darah turned around frantically hearing the knock at her door. It was Mrs Ruo of course, checking to see if she's gotten ready. Having her presence nearby somehow made Darah's heart feel at bay.

"Yes! I'm right here!" She got up and scurried to the door, opening it carefully. Mrs Ruo had a warm smile over her lips as she got in with her eyes scanning the room. 

"Young master told me specifically to give this beautiful dress to you. Let's see." 

What? For me? Darah watched curiously with a solemn expression over her face as Mrs Ruo presented before her a very classy yet eye-catching, rose gold coloured shimmering dress. It had little threads of shining stones hanging everywhere and a slightly plunging neckline which gave it a very extravagant look. 

"Mrs Ruo… That? Don't you think it's too much?" Darah asked quite obliviously. 

"Not just that. Here's the jewelry." Mrs Ruo happily opened a box which blinded Darah's eyes. This must cost a lifetime of her savings! Seeing the worry in her eyes, the old lady pat her back.

"Oh dear. Just wait till you get there and you'll realise what he's picked for you is absolutely unmatched. I know it looks over the top to you but this is the norm." 

 But this dress was already too much! Was she going to see even more of these at the event!? Darah watched wide eyed as Mrs Ruo approached her with it and placed it over her hands. 

"Now go get changed. Good luck, dear." The old lady smiled and walked out. It was as if she were cheering her on for the Met Gala. Darah was stupefied. She'd never even once in her life worn anything close to this. Even though her father was rich enough but not as much as the Shengs, she'd never in her life attended any of their events so far out of sheer disinterest. She however, stared at it dearly. Ryu had such an expensive taste in almost anything and everything. She smiled to herself. 

Putting it on and looking in the mirror, Darah felt a new air of freshness take over her body. She felt like a new person all in all… Like she couldn't stop staring at herself. Was I always this beautiful? Or am I just hallucinating? But then her attention was taken away by the red hickeys over her neck, popping out of the shoulders of the dress. 

"Not again…" Darah sighed. The only way to hide it was with foundation, and she did exactly that. 

Ryu looked over his watch, sighing. His gaze trailed outside to the darkening night sky. Such a pity that none of the stars could be seen with the adjacent city lights all over the place. For a moment he closed his lids, as if he were about to think of something. But the corner of his eyes caught the attention of something sparkling brighter than any star he'd seen. It was Darah Chen with a very sweet smile painted over her cherry red lips, appearing like a majestic mermaid out of a fantasy lore. His eyes leered at her head to toe without realising how hard he'd been gripping over his phone. Was his selection too much? Because it looked like everyone would be having their eyes on her tonight. The thought made him mildly uncomfortable but at the same time he was mesmerized at the sight… But Darah was just as awestruck at Ryu, which she couldn't express in words. There's no way beating you is there?

"Looking like a princess aren't we?" Luca smiled warmly at the young lady, who returned the smile back quite shyly. 

"Does this really look Okay?" She asked in a soft voice to Ryu, obviously talking about her dress.

"Doesn't matter as long as you're the one wearing it." Ryu muttered. Darah was pretty confused, blinking at him. Her brain took a moment to process that it was a compliment from his part. He smiled quite fondly at her slowness, taking her hands into his. She blushed, not able to handle the close proximity. When will you stop making me nervous!? Oh my poor heart! Darah couldn't stop fretting. 

Luca gazed at the duo in an awkward manner and then looked away scratching his neck. Since when did things go this far? No wonder why boss was adamant on keeping her here, Luca thought. 

A call suddenly interrupted Ryu out of his dazed moment. Irritated, his face turned cold as he slowly let go of Darah's hand and took his phone. It honestly worried her at times how quickly his emotions changed. Even though he was able to make out her feelings in such a short time, she still felt left out just looking at him. As if he were hiding something deeper in those fond eyes of his. 'As if I do not know you enough…'

"Yes?" 

"Master Ryu! Mr Sheng won't be able to make it! He says he's been feeling extremely tired, so he told me to inform you." 

"Father? Oh, that's unexpected. Hope you keep an eye on him. If there's anything else, you can call me." Ryu sounded mechanical, far from concerned as Darah watched. 

"Yes Master!" 

As soon as the call ended, Ryu felt an extremely satisfying air of victory take over him. After all, he was the one who oh so casually mixed a few pills in his father's coffee just before leaving from work. It did the work. But he composed himself and got into the back seat as Luca opened the door for Darah to get in. She joined, a very nervous look in her eyes as she sat just a little far away from Ryu. He observed the hesitation from her part with a cold gaze… Not soon did Darah feel a pull on her wrist, dragging her right beside him. Her eyes locked gazes with Ryu's serious and sophisticated orbs which looked completely allured by her beauty. Her body shrank timidly while his fingers snaked behind her neck and gently held her exposed shoulder, keeping her locked beside him. Darah looked at her lap and finally felt herself relax into the warmth of his body, a faint smile on her lips. 

________

The party lights flared up the venue of Gerald Yang's resort, not leaving a place behind to be dark. It was a grand event so no compromises could be made. The newly wedded bride and groom were at the farthest elevation of the stage, mingling with guests. On the farthest end at the entrance was a fairly beautiful young lady who turned out to be Pixie Yang, talking quite lazily to her friends. She was so distressed, not even sparing a glance at her sister's happy face while she roamed over the hall like a ghost. 

"Young Miss, would you like a drink?" Pixie's guard bowed to her with a smile. Even though it was a grand event, it looked like she wasn't enjoying it fully. Her eyes were always searching for some miracle. 

"No I don't. When will the Shengs arrive? It's time already!" She protested, the guard looking at her with a blank gaze. 

And just as she expected for the miracle, a tall young man with his black hair parted at a side, a few locks covering his cold, domineering eyes stepped into the hall catching everyone's attention. A wide smile broke out on Pixie's dull face, taking away all the frustration out of her otherwise disinterested heart. 

"Ryu Sheng..." She whispered with a victorious smile. Even her friends were left in awe. His equally beautiful sister Lyra Sheng was just beside him looking as elegant as ever. 

But Pixie couldn't figure out another figure that had latched herself onto her man. Amongst the little crowd greeting the prestigious Shengs, she saw Ryu holding an unknown woman close to his side, his hands interlocked with her's. But to her surprise, she was strikingly beautiful, looking so dignified in that royal dress of her's that her beauty was unmatched with any of the elites present there. Pixie's blood boiled in anger. As far as she recalled, Ryu was never interested in people, let alone women!

'Who the hell are you? And why are you standing so close to my Ryu!?'