Eternal embrace

We tried our best to put on a smiling face as he led me through the corridors to my room.

We would occasionally bump into guests along the way and he would pause to greet them.

I on the other hand was still far too affected by what had just happened a few moments ago, to offer much other than a smile.

I found myself anxious to get back to my room to change, knowing that Eleanor would always find a way to put me in a good mood.

We found her standing in the hallway in front of the room, talking to one of Zack's cousins - Jeremiah if I remembered correctly.

She was looking at him with her big brown eyes, seemingly very focused on what he was saying, and her fingers were fiddling with an unruly strand of hair that had escaped from under her headwear.

Jeremiah seemed different from the first time I had seen him.

He was leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the door, a boyish smile on his face as he spoke.

I didn't have the heart to break up their conversation and I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for them as Zack carelessly interrupted them.

He cleared his throat before he spoke, a certain underlying tone of be careful in his voice.

"I need you down in the main hall, Jer'. Immediately.. And Eleanor, I trust you take good care of Stella and get her ready for the event as quickly as possible. I wouldn't want her to miss a thing"

Both of them reacted instantly.

The men went down to the main hall and Eleanor quickly dragged me into the bedroom to get me ready.

Neither of them seemed too bothered by the interruption, although there seemed to be just a hint on Jeremiah's face as he left. I was more focused on Zack's last words and kept replaying them in my head as if to find some hidden meaning behind them. Maybe he really didn't want me to miss out on anything, but maybe - just maybe, there was an underlying reason for his hurry. I shook my head lightly and snapped out of it, just as Eleanor went to pick out a dress for me to wear.

For once I couldn't have agreed more with her choice as she brought out a gorgeous red fitted dress, with a daringly plunged neckline that showed off just a little more skin that may have been appropriate for this event.

To make it even more scandalous it had not one, but two slits that would show off my legs whenever I walked and this only made me love it even more.

I suppose this was her way of getting revenge on Zack's rude interruption earlier, and I was more than glad to flaunt it to him. To my slight disappointment, I couldn't get away with wearing sneakers under the dress this evening, but I had to admit that the black heels she brought out for me, took the entire look to a whole new level.

I couldn't help but smirk confidently as I looked at myself in the mirror.

"You have truly outdone yourself Ellie. I love it!"

She smiled mischievously and lowered her head slightly as she replied, well aware that I knew why she had picked out an outfit like this.

"I'm glad you like it. I felt like perhaps something from this decade would be a little more appropriate"

We both chuckled at her remark, knowing that Zack likely wouldn't like her choice one bit.

This only made me more eager to join the party and I almost couldn't sit still on the chair as she was doing my hair.

I absentmindedly looked through the jewelry box that she had brought out for me to choose from for a change.

I ended up picking out a set of earrings and a subtle necklace both with little stones that looked like diamonds.

Eleanor had once again outdone herself as she had put my unruly hair up into something almost like a bun, letting my curls frame my face perfectly and leaving my neck exposed.

My hair had gotten longer and it seemed to have almost slightly changed color.

I was beginning to find streaks of almost platinum blonde but didn't think much of it as I kind of liked it.

As Eleanor inspected me one last time before sending me on my way to the party, I couldn't help but once again admire her appearance.

I wondered how someone this beautiful had ended up in a place like this, as a maid of all things.

She was the type of young woman who could have men standing in line, waiting for even as much as a glance from her.

Yet she had never expressed anything other than gratitude and I had to admit that she seemed to be in her right element.

"You're ready", she said proudly before gently ushering me out the door, not even waiting for me to thank her for her efforts.

As the door gently closed behind me, I found myself feeling a tinge of anxiety, knowing that this look would certainly gain me more than just a few looks and chatter here and there.

I wanted Zack to disapprove, but at the same time, I knew that he might take it out on me in one way or another, later on.

I sighed quietly as I straightened my back and started walking down the corridor to the grand staircase.

A moment later I saw a familiar face coming my way and I paused to greet him cautiously, sensing a change in his mood as his eyes scanned my body from head to toe, lingering around my chest for just a moment too long.

I rolled my eyes before I curtsied lightly, awkwardly copying the rest of the women at the party.

"Good evening Mason"

My words snapped him out of his fixation and a smirk appeared on his face as he replied.

"Now now Cuppy Cakes.. No need to be so formal. It doesn't suit you"

I couldn't have agreed more with him on that front.

Acting all polite and proper really wasn't my thing.

"Hey, at least I'm making an effort here" I replied, the fake annoyance in my voice overshadowed by the amusement caused by his reaction.

For once I didn't bother to correct him for calling me his self-made pet name.

Any other day I would have been bothered, but on this particular evening I had set my mind on getting a certain reaction out of his brother, and if this would help me get it, I was more than happy to let it slide for a single evening.

"Indeed you are..." he replied, his eyes scanning my body once more as if he was trying to preserve the image.

I didn't like the underlying tone in his voice, but part of me liked the attention he was giving me.

He made me feel beautiful, no.

Sexy.

He made me feel sexy in a way that only very few men had ever managed to do, although he did have a bit of a creepy vibe, as if he had intentions for me later this evening.

I let this slide as well, as I was only focused on getting the attention of one particular man this evening, and I would not let anyone or anything get in the way of it.

"So.. Are you going to escort me down, or will your entire evening consist of staring at my breasts?"

I couldn't help but address it directly, which to my great amusement seemed to catch him off guard.

I suppose he wasn't used to women not stumbling over themselves to have his eyes on them for just a moment.

He regained his composure quickly and didn't hesitate to answer with his usual sarcasm as he offered me his arm.

"I mean. If I have the choice...?"

I rolled my eyes at his response, nagging myself internally for not having expected that from him.

This only seemed to add to his amusement and he let out a sincere laugh for the first time since I had met him.

It was almost a pleasant sound and I couldn't help but feel that this was a sound that people didn't get to hear that often.

I took his arm and he led me further down the corridor to the staircase, pausing for a moment as we stood at the top of it.

I looked at the people beneath us, suddenly feeling very exposed and vulnerable.

This feeling intensified as people seemed to stop what they were doing and turn towards the staircase.

Now all eyes were on us, or rather on me.

The familiar prickling sensation on the back of my neck let me know that he was also watching.

The thought made me nervous and a bit lightheaded, but at the same time, I was set on flaunting Eleanor's protest the best I could.

Thankfully Mason wasn't affected by the attention and so I tightened my grip on his arm as we began to make our way down the stairs, knowing that he would catch me if I fell.

It seemed to take an eternity and I thanked the gods for not letting me fall, as we stepped onto the wooden floor.

I was more than ready to let go of my escort, but something told me that if I held onto him for just a little while longer, Zack would find a way to break us apart.

I had to use every ounce of willpower to not scan the room to find where he was standing, as the sensation was intensifying with each step we took, but I refused to budge.

Instead, I did my best to copy Mason's gleaming facade as he greeted the guests around us, occasionally introducing me to them as well.

So far there hadn't been a single name I recognized, but they all seemed to be of importance in one way or another, so I kept myself from asking Mason who they were, despite my nagging curiosity.

I had learned that Zack was keeping guest books and general records over every party and event he had hosted.

This meant that I could satisfy my curiosity once the guests had left, by reading the lists.

My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice and Mason seemed to tense beside me for a moment before greeting Zack with his usual charm and letting go of me.

He insisted that I must save a dance for him and I nodded absentmindedly as we departed, already too focused on the man now standing right in front of me.

Was it just me or was the sensation changing?

"I suppose a first dance is in order"

His voice purred close to my ear, barely a whisper. It sent shivers through me and I wondered if he knew that he had that effect on me.

Well aware that dancing wasn't my strong side, I agreed on the terms that it would only be one dance, to which he unwillingly agreed.

I was disappointed that the reaction I had been expecting from him, was nowhere to be found.

Perhaps he carried himself incredibly well this evening because usually, I could tell if anything was bothering him.

Those thoughts went away as he led me to the middle of the floor and wrapped my arms around his neck.

His arms would gently reach down and wrap around my waist, gently pulling me closer to him.

I had only just noticed the music playing in the background.

It was more modern than it had been at the last event but far too old to have been from this decade.

The lyrics were in a language I didn't recognize and the woman who was leaning gracefully against the piano seemed to have an exotic aura.

Despite not understanding what she was singing, I found myself being enchanted by the music and her voice.

To my great surprise, we finished the dance without me stepping on his toes or tripping even once.

Because of this I withdrew my previous terms and let him lead me into the next dance.

"As you wish" he whispered.

He sounded almost happy at my request for a second dance and effortlessly spun me around as the next number began to play. This time the pace picked up significantly and the people around us seemed to vanish into thin air, although I could still hear the joyful laughter and the indistinctive chatter in the background.

All I could really focus on at this point was how I felt, the way his hands felt against me, and for some reason his scent intensified as the song went on, becoming almost intoxicating.

I didn't notice the song had stopped before he gently raised my chin to meet my gaze.

"Earth to Stella?"

His voice was like silk and his eyes were gentle as he looked down at me.

I replied with a slight murmur.

"Mm.. I must have had too much to drink"

Lies

He didn't think much of my statement but simply smiled and led me through the ballroom to a terrace with a staircase leading down to the garden.

Although he didn't let it show, I knew that he was fully aware, that I had not had a single drink that evening.

He seemed affected as well, but in a way that was difficult to explain as he was doing his best to hide it from me.

As I let the cool evening air fill my lungs, I felt more at ease.

The previous feeling was subsiding now that he wasn't touching me, and part of me was thankful.

The other part, however was scolding myself mentally for even having such thoughts.

Don't even think about it, Stella.

I shook my head lightly as if to shake out the thoughts that threatened to form in my mind, and just as I thought I had gotten rid of them, he spoke to me in almost a warning manner.

"I don't want you anywhere near him Stella, he's no good for you.."

I thought for a moment before I replied in a calm and quiet voice.

"What is it to you? I can take care of myself you know.."

Another lie

I was about as capable of protecting myself in this place as a newborn baby bird unable to fly or feed itself.

He tensed up for a moment as if I had struck something in him.

He went up to me and placed a hand on either side of me, supporting himself against the railing of the terrace where I was leaning against it.

"Do you enjoy crossing me, or is it that you simply want to appear strong and independent?"

Now it was my turn to tense up at his words.

I did want to seem strong and independent, but also part of me liked to go against his orders.

Some sick rebellious part of me liked not knowing what reaction such behavior could spike in him.

It made the situation seem more dangerous and exciting.

Something that I hated admitting to myself and so I surely wouldn't let him know.

My silence had given me away though and he rested against me with a sigh.

"What am I gonna do with you..."

Well, I have a few options in mind...

NO

No, Stella contain yourself

My thoughts went wild at his words - or perhaps it was a mixture as the parts of my body that were in contact with him seemed to have caught on fire.

I didn't want him to ever pull away from me.

I wanted us to stay like this, fixated in a single moment for all eternity.

I was losing myself to him more and more each day, but it seemed that I had given up fighting against it.

I wanted it to happen.

Needed it to happen, desperately.

It was as though he was my only chance of survival, and I was his.

[Author's note: Please don't forget to vote and leave a review if you enjoy my novel <3 Thank you!]