~ After saying our goodbyes to Cookie. Maria and I made our way to the front entrance with tons of other ladies all dressed in beautiful gowns and men dressed so handsomely in their suits. Although, I didn't see Cory's mother anywhere. And it looked like most of the men guarding throughout the mansion were from Amelia's generations. Which told me they are Çory's dad's men.
Most of these ladies and men were a mixture of generations from my mine and older. Some were even younger than my generation. While I did notice the ladies from my Generation glanced at me strangely. I got the eerie feeling that I wasn't welcome to be here. But I just ignored them and followed Maria out the doors.
Where the breeze felt more cooling and the glaring eyes seemed to turn away. One by one a group of ladies and men would take turns getting into the limousine to leave. Each limousine was curved in a line that cycled around the lot.
One limousine would pull in and pick up a group. Then take off around the lot leaving. For the next limousine to pull forward picking up the next group. Soon one pulled up for Maria and me to get in. Although, I was surprised no one else got in with us. Since there were tons of others still being picked up.
But before too long the glorious mansion faded from behind us. While whoever driving went down the eight-lane roadway. Following behind the other limousines. Things were done in such an orderly fashion, I thought.
Shortly after leaving, the line of limousines pulled up to this beautiful three-story building. That looked like a rectangular white stone castle, and had gray shingled roofing. The outside edges of the castle had many flowery bushes trimmed to perfection.
The limo pulled up to this five-step grand stone staircase. That led up to a short wide sidewalk to enter the castle. I presumed this was the building, that held the party inside.
A man opens the door for Maria and me with a smile. From here Maria and I followed the crowd up and entered the castle.
Just when I thought the outside was lovely. I found the inside was breathtaking! The first floor showed off an elegant ballroom, dazzled in colors.
The walls were framed in plaster artwork of colorful birds and flowers. The marble flooring was patterned in white and golden-trimmed diamond shapes. Then the tables were at the left and glorious chandeliers hung above the ceiling. Tons of people were gathered through the floor either chatting or dancing to the music filling the room.
Above my head was a second floor held by large columns from the first floor. The baloney above had a stone-carved rail as I noticed many crowds looking below to everyone coming inside. To the right was another grand wide curved staircase connected to the wall. Where Maria lead me to walk up its white velvet carpet and bronze reflecting railing, on this grand curved staircase.
Reaching the second floor it was just as marvelous and had the same features as below. Only on the right was a center stage with lovely men and women dancing and singing on it. To the left were tables from underneath the third floor that has another grand curved staircase further back leading to it. People were everywhere from the first floor to the third floor. The space was huge and spectacular. Everyone was either gathered talking or dancing in the center of the ballroom. The music playing loudly fills the rooms in beautiful tunes.
I was quite flabbergasted to be here! As I stood by Maria and glanced around fairly shocked. I wasn't expecting this! I wasn't thinking of this as a ballroom kinda party but it explains the fancy gowns. Looking into the huge crowds, I didn't know where Cory was. Nor did I completely care. After I argued with him earlier. I am still pretty upset with him.
Maria gives a wave and excitedly said "Let me introduce you to some of my friends!"
I inwardly giggled to myself as Maria took my hand. She seemed to be quite enthralled for me to meet her friends.
We approached this group cycled around another. Maria jumped right in excitingly hugging her friends in a playful sneak attack! Each one of her friends was dressed so gorgeously, I thought looking at them. While they all jumped in joy to see Maria. So this is what its like to have friends, I examined. The group kinda spun around each other giving their many warm hugs to Maria.
"Hey ladies." Maria said, "This is Sally."
A lady named Linda said super excited, "She's the firstborn tubebaby Princess the whole Kingdom has been talking about!"
Maria giggled quite loudly as she said, "Yup! This would be her!"
Everyone was so friendly and very welcoming to me. They each seemed so curious about me but I was glad Maria left out the part about me being Cory's coming bride. Especially, whenever he hasn't proposed, so I wasn't engaged to the hybrid-man yet.
And they even complimented my gown.
"Thank you." I politely said. "I love your gowns too."
Although I didn't have a clue on who picked it. Yet, I must say that person did an outstanding job choosing it.
"Would you mind turning around for us, Sally?" This pregnant lady asked when cycling her finger, "So may see the back?"
"Y-ya... Sure..." I obliged by turning and allowed them to see the lovely crisscrossing design. It made me giggle to hear them awing over it.
"Gosh, this gown is glamorous." I heard one of them say. After that was done and over with.
Linda suggested, "Let's head to the dance floor."
We all agreed and walked off to the dance floor and spun each other around and carelessly danced. Hours could have passed for all I knew. But I was exactly having a good time with Maria and her friends. We even read each other's minds and stepped off the dance floor for a break.
Just as I was peering around the room. I found Cory's mother on the left side of the room mingling. Amelia was dressed in a tight-fitted slivery sparkling mermaid gown. Her hair was fully pulled up in a stylish bun. She left some hair strands pulled around the front framing of her face. She smiled beautifully and looked so elegant from the way she held her bubbly glass drink in her palm. While she was speaking with the other ladies around her.
"Everyone that is here. Are they from the Kingdom?" Getting curious, I asked Maria.
"Yes," replied Maria. "I believe most of the Royals are here. Then some of the Highest to Medium Ranks are here. Either with their wives, if they're married, or with their family. The ladies wearing the black medium-length skirts with a white button-down long sleeve blouse. I feel you should know are also slaves catering for the party. But don't worry these ladies are treated well."
Of course, I didn't like hearing Maria telling me that last part. Cause now I found myself taking my attention to the enslaved ladies who were working.
While Maria started talking to her friends. I zoned out to noticed these ladies do look to be happy and had smiles on their faces. As I just glanced around the room studying everyone's smiling faces and saw some of the men dancing with their wives.
I even saw a few men kiss their wives with such passion and love. Then I took my eyes to the ceiling painted a white cream color. I slowly moved my eyes to the third-level baloney just above me. Is when I see Cory looking over the balcony above the crowds staring down at his people it would seem.
He was standing alongside some of his friends and other men I didn't know. Surprisingly, he was handsomely dressed in a mob-styled black suit without the tie. Just when you think he couldn't get anymore dangerously handsome. He somehow managed to now look so jaw-dropping sexy. Regrettably, I had to swallow down my slobber this time!
Then it only got worst to notice he saw me looking at him. We both locked eyes between us. I felt lost by this invisible forcefield keeping my eyes held trapped to his gaze. Honestly, I wasn't fully sure what I was feeling. All I knew was I needed to stop getting so captivated by him. Anymore my feelings were confusing and frustrating. I was very upset he was going to make me marry him!