A vague reminder of the place I slipped into when I fell asleep.
" How wonderful to see a fresh face at these things," A woman beamed as she made her way towards me and Enid, who scoffed.
" Viviene Charlbury," Enid whispered, before the bright red-haired woman reached us, elegantly gliding over the expensive floor.
" Good evening. Thank you for having us," I shyly greeted, and nearly curtsied when she stopped before us.
" Oh, pooh," She giggled," It is wonderful to have you, darling. I caught a glimpse of you at the charity ball but you vanished like Cinderella before I had a chance to properly meet you," Her bubbly demeanour was somewhat reassuring, and eased some of my initial angst regarding the whole affair.
" My apologies," I shyly said and quickly glanced around the room. As Mason said, there weren't many people but all of them were formally dressed.
" Oh, darling don't be ridiculous," She inwardly scoffed, " Come, I'll introduce you to the very bitter housewives," She jokingly added and I caught Enid with the corner of my eye swiping a glass of wine from one of the trays carried by a waiter that walked past us.
" Enid, I'm glad that you joined us. You have been sorely missed in the past years. I often wondered what made you stop coming. We always had such great fun," Viviene amusedly added as we walked through what I assumed was a ballroom.
" I seriously doubt that," Enid sarcastically grumbled, and downed the glass of wine in one go. Fortunately, Viviene either didn't hear it or chose o ignore the sarcastic remark.
Shuffling through the men and women engrossed in their conversations, I caught a glimpse of Mason who sat in an armchair, conversing with another man.
Nodding he stood up, and sauntered towards us, followed by the man who was speaking with.
" I'm glad that you made it," I could have sworn that I saw a twinkle of joy in his eyes when he said those words.
" Oh, goodie," Enid carried on her sarcastic streak, but that didn't seem to make a dent in Mason's demeanour.
" Thaddeus, I would like you to meet Lily Abernathy, " Mason made the introduction wearing a dazzling smile and I was instantly swept off my feet. All the hurt I was feeling, felt like a memory from a different life.
Pushing that thought out of my head, I smiled " Pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr...." I drawled since Mason had only given me his first name.
" No need for Mr, Miss Abernathy. Unlike this one," Thaddeus slapped Mason's shoulder, amused, " They removed my stick at birth. It was a difficult operation but..." He didn't get a chance to finish his words, because Viviene began abashedly giggling next to me, while Enid did the same.
" Very well," I bit on my cheek to stop myself from laughing, at his remark," Pleasure to make your acquaintance Thaddeus," I politely said and locked eyes with Mason. He wasn't amused in the least at the little poke.
" Likewise. It is very nice to finally put a face to the name. I'm surprised to see that Mason has finally unlocked the gilded cage." He jokingly noted, shoving his hands in his pockets.
" The gilded cage has always been unlocked. The bird chose to stay," I replied smiling and looked at Enid who had befriended another glass of wine.
Thaddeus hummed, doubtful, " Regardless, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm told that you are aspiring to attend the Morston Science Academy. A brave endeavour, considering that few manage to get past their door and even fewer succeed to make it to the holy end," Not another one, I thought.
" Indeed, it is very true but one must strive to be the best version of themselves. Adversity is a good way to forge a better, enduring self," I eloquently retorted, wearing a defiant smile, surprising even myself.
I had never been so confident around people that I didn't closely know.
Thaddeus fell silent, and so did everyone else. I had never been that brave in my entire life. I had never had those kinds of thoughts, to begin with. Self-doubt, and self-deprecation had been the sole pool of emotions that I swam in.
" Very true, Miss Abernathy, but adversity comes in all shapes and forms. It is easy to speak of it when you live in a mansion and do not have to worry about tomorrow, " Mason challenged my point, and I knew he was referring to the Morston Quarter and the dire conditions they lived in. I didn't quite understand, we both lived in said mansion.
" I was referring to adversity in the context posed by Thaddeus," I smirked," What you are referring to is poverty and the human condition. I'm afraid that would require some unified effort to overcome such adversity. I shouldn't be the one question on the matter since you, yourself live in said mansion and feast on occasions such as this on expensive wine," I took the glass out of Enid's hand and raised it," And even more expensive food," I smirked from behind the wine glass, and locked eyes with him. The corner of his mouth slightly quirked up and nodded.
" Outsmarted by an eighteen year old," Thaddeus chuckled," Maybe you should consider letting her run the business," Thaddeus wickedly whispered while Enid scoffed, and took the glass out of my hand. I didn't drink, not after what happened the night before.
" Maybe I should, but then you wouldn't have a job," Mason retorted and the smile on Thaddeus's face slipped just as fast as it appeared. The rush I was experiencing at that moment, was incredible. I had never felt that way before. I had butterflies in my stomach. I had no idea that was even capable of that feeling.
" Alright boys, you had your fun, now go back to your toys," Viviene interjected, as she tugged on my hand. I stood proud and tall before the man that had cast me aside. And that feeling was priceless to me.