The Gala

CHAPTER 11

I felt uncomfortable with the gown chosen for me. The dress was fiery red that glowed like one every time the cloth caught the light from the chandeliers above. It was beautiful to see, except for how revealing it was that I felt like I was walking naked. When Mateo saw me in this dress, he took a double breath and tried not to look affected. But I saw his expression before he can hide it.

“Let’s go.” He said coldly. After the incident with dinner, he has been cold and distant with how he treats me. I tried to ignore him too, but I was aching inside. Inside the car, he said monotonously, “There are few rules as a human companion in our world Samantha. If a human approaches you, you are free to interact with him or not because you are equals. However, members of the inner sanctum must be treated well. You cannot deny them a request unless it harms each other. Understand?”

“Yes, but what about the enlightened?”

“If you fear for your life, do not engage them at any cost. But in case you have the misfortune of meeting any one of them, let them speak first and do whatever bidding they will ask you. When you talk to them, always look down and do not meet them in the eyes.”

“What if I don’t want to do what they asked?”

“That would be your last. Remember, they wield both human and spiritual power. Do not defy them.”

Mateo touched me by the hand as if to reassure me. I looked at him, and he looked worried when he saw the guest arriving at the Main Palace. “It looks like we have company.”

I looked at the window to see what he was talking about. Samuel was assisting my friend, Aliyah, from the car. My dear brother looked so handsome in his black tuxedo. Aliyah, look stunning in her green dress. “Please stop the car, Mateo.”

He ignored her. Instead, their car drove past them and entered at the side entrance. There were few guests there, but I noticed there were more guards in the area where parked. “Where are we?”

“The VIP’s entrance. The one outside was for other guests.” The door opened by a giant man about seven feet bending over as a sign of respect to Mateo. I gaped at him. Mateo casually tapped his shoulder. “Arik, how was everyone.”

“Your father just arrived with your mother. I heard you getting engaged.”

Mateo did not answer. He took my hand and put it on his arm possessively. I tried to pull it out, but his handheld was firm. We walked towards a crowd of guest who was laughing and discussing their life. They all fell silent at our approach.

“Dear Mateo, so glad you grace us with your presence. We are so looking forward---” Mateo struck him with one glance, and the simpy shut up automatically and walked past them.

“Your cruel,” I whispered at him. “The man was just being nice.”

“That man was a gossipmonger. He was curious about you. I’m sure by now, he was running to Father to tell him I was bringing a human companion.”

“What so bad about being a human companion?”

Mateo stopped and looked at me intently, “Being one means you spread your legs for a price.”

“A job to open ---“Confusion then understanding dawn on me. I looked at him, horrified. “Are you mad? Why did you make me a human companion?”

“You said you wanted to come. It’s the only way you could come here to the palace unless you’re personally invited. Each one of these creatures was invited.”

“What about Samuel? He was an outsider. Why did he come?”

He looked at me mockingly, “Sometimes, I wonder how did you survive. You’re as innocent as a babe. You’re here. Inside the most dangerous place, you could be and still breathing.”

I looked at him straight in his blue eyes. I was getting mad, and he knew it. He gently touched my cheeks. “Samuel is an angel. He has a free pass.”

“I see. So, he is like you?”

“In a nutshell, yes, but we have a different lineage.”

“What is his lineage?”

“Samuel is ----”

“Mateo!” A female voice came running towards him. She hugged him and kissed him on the lips. He was smiling at the beautiful vision in front of him. “You didn’t visit me,” she pouted.

Mateo playfully touched her nose, “Because I have forgotten all about you.”

“How could you?” her tiny fist thumped his chest in pretend anger. He laughed and grabbed her hand and kissed it gently. A beautiful smile shines on her face as she looks at Mateo adoringly.

I looked away. Watching their intimate banter affected me. I don’t have any romantic feelings for him, but why am I getting jealous?

“Anya, I want you to meet Samantha.” For the first time, she looked at me. All her attention was on him, but Mateo introduced me. Her smile faded, and she studied me from head to toe.

“Mateo, why are you introducing me to a human companion?”

“Don’t be a snob, Anya.” Mateo reprimanded her.

“A snob? Why waste my time on people you only use as a prop.”

I was simmering inside. I counted one to a hundred to make me calm down. Coolly, I looked at him, “Darling, I need to excuse myself. Just hook me up when you need my legs. See you!” I left them gaping at my back. Storming inside, I found myself in a vast palatial space with hundreds of chandeliers glittering from a frescoed ceiling. I looked up in awe. At the center was a cupola window, opening to the heavens above. The sky has a moon and stars looking down at the beautiful God’s creature.

“Wow!” Amazed at the interior inside, I completely forgot my anger. There was a throne at the center. Three thrones with wings in carved marble gilded with gold and precious stones. I believe it was the seat of the Enlightened One. Surrounding it are the pillars representing each member of the inner sanctum. Three for each group of priestess, militia, and the guardian. Each pillar have its chair also decorated beautifully bu precious stones and gold’

I slowly sauntered inside with my eyes roaming at the beautiful marvels of architecture. She bumped into someone and gasped when he saw Samuel. A sigh of relief escaped from me and I hugged him. But Samuel warned me. “Stop. We don’t want them looking at us. Just move ahead. I will meet you at the back later.”

I nod. Casually moving away from him. From the other side, I saw Aliyah, were busy fending off her admirers. It seems that even, here Aliyah still holds the courts of the boys. I’m not pretending to be blind anymore. I realized after I talk with my mother, was that if I need to control my vision I need to practice and wield it only when needed. The presence of Mateo in my life seems to calm the gift he gave me. I never had any vision after, Mateo and Samuels. I was hoping that nothing will occur that I will regret.

“My beauty where are you going?” A bulky man with an ugly scar on his face stopped me from exploring the back. I stand back in fear. He was gleefully looking at my body and what he saw seemed to please him. “How much would I pay to taste a morsel like you, my beauty?”

“I’m not for sale. Leave me alone!” I tried to act brave but he sense my fear.

He laughs and grabs me at him. The stench of his body made me recoil in distaste. His hands started groping my body when a cold voice said from behind us. “Let her go or I will have your hide Agor!”

Agor stilled and looked at Mateo coming forward to them. He pushed me deliberately that I end being thrown to one of the pillars but before I hit my head, a body catches me. I looked up to see Samuel holding me protectively.

“Samuel, thank God you’re here.” I sighed with relief to see my brother.

My brother was taut with anger when he glared at my assailant. “Agor, you lay one finger at her again I swear I’ll kill you!”

Agor laughed, enjoying the commotion as the guests turn at them. “What? Two angels vying to protect a human companion?”

“That companion is mine Agor,” Mateo said coldly.

“This companion is certainly not his but mine.” Samuel struck back.

“Interesting, it’s the first time I saw the seeker interested in a woman and ---” he looked at Samuel, “---the dark one too.” He looked at me directly. “Tell us woman, what is your name?”

“She is nobody. Leave before I call the guards to forcibly take you away.” Mateo step in front of him and stared him down. The silence was long before the giant step back and bowed mockingly at him. He disappeared back to the back passage.

“Come, Samantha, let’s go.” Samuel pulled me to him and steered me away from the scene.

Mateo block their exit and dragged me to him. I was sandwiched between two angels, both holding my arms. I wiggled from their grasp but my strength does not suffice to free myself.

Mateo said to my brother, “She will come with me.”

“If you think, I will let you take her, your deadly wrong.”

“Are you threatening me?”

Samuel gives him a hostile smile, “I don’t make threats Mateo for nothing.”

Pressed by two bodies with the audience around us watching intently, I realized the scene could put us in a dangerous situation. Desperately, I tugged them both. They looked down and saw my worried face. They looked around them and saw the guest still looking at them curiously.

“I must come with Mateo, Samuel. You will be exposed and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Sam, I crossed this point and there’s no getting back.”

“No, Samuel. I want you to smile and act as if the two of you are friends.”

Samuel looked at Mateo intently. Then, they shook hands. I sighed in relief. Unbelievably happy, I hug each one of them. I felt their tension leaving their bodies. The guests too seem to lost interest.

Then we heard the murmurs from the guest. The crowd magically parted and walked towards them were three beings. They were the Enlightened.