Inside the Aragon mansion, maids scurry around cleaning, cooking and decorating for a luncheon between the heads of Aragon, Nguyen, Salvador and Thorne. Their youngsters by then are set to go on a double date tonight. Caress and the shy Lark Salvador will be joined by another pair, Ivy and Caspian Thorne.
Among people in Alta Sociedad, the said families are clad in wealth and power, most especially Salvadors. Lark came from a long line of a political dynasty starting with his governor grandpa. His father is also the mayor of Aurum while his stepmom holds the vice mayoral position. One uncle of his is a senator and the other one is a congressman. Political leverage is their strongest suit, indeed.
Seeing how things had progressed, Care locked herself in her room. She was racking her brain to come up with a nice way to dump a Salvador firstborn.
"I'm afraid I am too lacking to deserve a pure gentle soul such as you ar-- Pure, my ass! UGH!" She lamented, wiggling her feet in crazed motion.
She was fighting an inner battle between her reluctance to humble herself for a man against her fear to offend the Salvador clan who could verily destroy her image in a blink of an eye.
Shivers spread in her whole body causing her to wriggle like a worm. She was doing that when Ivy barged into her room. The woman stared at her, flaunting a smug grin.
"I saw Eli on my way here." Ivy stated, obviously up to something.
"Yea, he spent the night." she stated matter-of-fact.
The eyes of the witch sparkled.
"Naughty girl! Getting laid before you wed with another guy?"
Care swore her heart almost burst due to the horrendous joke. She glared at Ivy who merely laughed at her. Eli did stay the night but at the servant quarters because he refused to occupy the guest room near her room. That prude bastard better die virgin and regret in the afterlife, she inwardly cursed.
"What if I told you they are gathering to plan your engagement party?" she countered, earning a big scowl from her rival.
Ivy picked up the pillow lying on the carpet then aimed it at her face.
"Don't you dare speak of it. You could jeopardize my future!"
"You started this!"
Ivy's eyes turned to a darker shade reflecting her intentions.
"You're perfectly aware your declaration to welcome suitors with open arms got you in this mess? Surely it isn't out of whim! What are you scheming, Care?" She finally dropped the accusation.
She was dubious about it since the rumor broke out. A Caress Aragon does not miraculously like the idea of love considering she sees men as lowly creatures undeserving of her affection.
What a great contradiction!
"Experience purposes. Hello, hello, college life! Can't be a newbie." Care reasoned.
Looking back to their brief conversation, Ivy doubted Care could have actually been found out as a newbie. For somebody who has zero experience in dating, she is too brazen on a first date!
Although this double date might be a good chance to observe her, she figured.
Isn't it a golden principle to keep your enemies closest to you?
At the dinner table, Care and Ivy sat beside each other while the boys were across them. Thus, they were facing one another. A typical dating setup.
"If anyone is really a newbie here --- It's wimpy kid Lark-y!" she inwardly thought.
Ivy could tell how much pressure the poor boy is under. His eyes are glued on the floor as if the most interesting thing will pop out anytime from now. The rise and fall of his Adam's apple indicated his growing anxiety, which was made worse by his sweaty forehead and trembling hands. She was conflicted to suggest that he placed them on his lap because he was turning the dinner table into an interrogation room.
She pitied the guy so she subtly kicked Care's leg.
"Aww!" the oblivious lady exclaimed, matching with a scowl directed at her.
"What did you do, Iv?" Caspian turned to her, stern.
She raised an eyebrow at him. The guy' face softened immediately.
"I mean, what gives?" Caspian shrugged off.
"Anyway, Lark, please be at ease. Consider yourself lucky to be my girl's first date! You also took her first dance at the Gala. Aren't you quite special?" Ivy mused.
Once more, she kicked Care's leg to signal her to join the talk.
"Yes! How could I forget? I witnessed Lady Caress crying so painfully that I was frightened, worried, panicked, angered... oh, mixed emotions! My heart ached for her as my mind pondered what evil incarnate could do such evil." Lark mindlessly rambled.
The minute he finished, his face burned bright red. The table submerged into an even uncomfortable atmosphere. Ivy seized Care's clenched fist or else the lady might swing it to the innocent lad. She would love to see her exhibit violence but another time maybe when they are not gathered for a formal dinner.
What an idiot he is for reminding me of a traumatic time, Care revolted inside. She gave him a deadly glare enough to heighten his already high anxiety.
"Consider it an untold history, bro. I'm famished here. Chef!" Caspian spoke, clapping his hands thrice.
Lined-up chefs together with the wine steward and the waiters entered the VVIP room. A seafood platter, ratatouille (French vegetable stew), classic onion soup and a few more side dishes filled their table. The head chef served the main dish at the center. The aroma of well-cooked meat engulfed the noses of the four, indulging their appetite. Such abundance of food signified a feast rather than a simple date.
"Milord, milady, I present our plat du juor—red wine braised ribs with sauteed mushrooms. Bon appetit!"
For the rest of the evening, Care ate in silence while Ivy struggled to rekindle the conversation by throwing questions Caspian would answer for Lark because the boy either stuttered or choked his food.
"Caspian, accompany me to the ladies' room." Ivy announced.
"What for? I can't go inside." Caspian replied, confusion written on his naïve face.
Care covered her mouth to stifle her chuckles. It was always hilarious to witness Ivy get pissed with her suitor's cluelessness.
"Idiot, of course, you can't! I am just asking you to wait outside." Ivy yelled.
Her eyes almost shot daggers at him.
"Aye, aye, Ma'am!" Caspian responded, never forgetting to salute.
And off the two go, leaving Care and Lark behind alone. She opened her phone to keep herself preoccupied. Rude it might be, she won't make the first move. Men should be the ones impressing her, not the other way round!
Hah!
In spite of hearing him clear his throat, she continued scrolling through SNS.
"Lady Caress." He dared to say so she looked, finding him standing at her corner.
"Just Care. Your formality is unnecessary or do you think it is immodest to call each other casually, Lark?" she probed.
He shook his head repeatedly.
"It's fine! Really, really fine! Let's go outside!" He blurted out of panic.
Feeling in need of fresh air, Care followed him to the terrace. At the exact time they came out, streaks of light blasted at the pitch-black sky. It burst like a fountain dazzling in several colors: white, blue, red and more! Care stared impassively. On the other hand, Lark gaped at the fireworks with a look of awe on his face.
How common, she thought.
As though he predicted her unspoken opinion, letters began to form words while strokes took shape in the sky. By the time she saw the first two words, her creases knotted in confusion. Upon the completion of the message, she cannot help but smile bitterly.
"You deserve the world." He read out loud in manly bravado for the first time.
Chills ran down her spine because he managed to say it without stuttering.
But I was forsaken by the world, she thought.
Screams of condemnation, eyes showing disgust, flashes of memory she wished to forget pulled her back to the past...