As the ballroom continued with excitement and chatter, Luna stood at the edge, trying to communicate to someone. As she's started to feel relaxed and her nerves calmed, she spots Rosalie across the room, her heels paved her way to Luna's table.
Rosalie 's eyes widen when she sees Luna. "Oh my gosh, is that you, Luna? Is that mask red?" she exclaims, making her way over with an almost theatrical flair. "I didn't expect to see you here! You look absolutely stunning!" As she was in disbelief, her voice, as if she's genuinely surprised to see Luna among the contestants.
Luna, with her composed and witty demeanor, replies with a playful smirk beneath her mask, "Thanks! I figured I might as well bring my 'A' game, even if the competition is fierce." Her tone is light-hearted.
"Oh, you know I'm always up for some friendly competition!" Rosalie says, leaning in slightly, her expression bright but her eyes narrowing just a touch. "But seriously, how did you get the invitation? I thought it was for, you know, the established names in the industry."
"Maybe they wanted to mix things up a bit?" Luna responds, crossing her arms with a confident air. "I hear surprises can make the best stories."
Rosalie laughs, but it feels slightly forced. "Absolutely! But just remember, this isn't just a fun little game. People can be... unpredictable." She tilts her head, her smile still in place, yet her words hang in the air with an unspoken challenge.
Luna raises an eyebrow, with a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, I'm all for a little unpredictability. After all, I've had my fair share of surprises, like being chased by my boss for work I didn't steal or like someone bawling her eyes and shamelessly saying i-i'm sorry luna, all i did was taking a mere idea"
Miso, who was just beside Luna, covered her laugh with coughing.
Rosalie 's smile falters for just a moment before she recovers, "Well, I hope you're ready for whatever comes your way. I mean, it's a dating show, and things can get a little... messy if you keep this up and d-don't you-"
"Messy? Me? Nah, I like chaos!" Luna retorts, her playful confidence shining through as she straightens up.
As Rosalie glances around the room, Luna catches the momentary flicker of concern in her eyes before she masks it with another smile. "Just keep your eyes open, Luna. The spotlight can be blinding."
As Rosalie walks away, Luna couldn't help but feel excitement but also alarmed.
She knew that she was in crosshairs and it was clear that Rosalie wasn't just there to make friends. She was ready to play the game.
Miso nudged her shoulder and mimicked I'm sorry Luna. They bursted into coordinated laughter about and pissed Rosalie who walked away with furious steps.
Miso's dress was shimmering with every step she took.
She had a smile on her face as she was worried about something, her eyes darting around the room looking for something or someone amusing to find.
While she turned her head around, she said softly, "But tonight feels a different kind of night. I don't know how but it feels like there is so much that is about to happen."
"I mean it Miso if you keep up with this pace keeping, you will have met every person in the first hour," said Luna as they were almost tending to a bar.
Miso opened her mouth to pout but couldn't because she laughed at how ludicrous the situation was. "Come on, someone has to be optimistic around here! You all seem so moody!"
The energy in the room seemed a little exaggerated but then Miso's attention scanned the whole area and stood still at a figure near the staircase.
He wasn't like the overly dressed people attending the party. 'He must probably be bored,' she thought to herself looking at a man dressed in a very tuxedo with an aloof look on his face.
The man seemed not even to try to be a part of the surroundings.
"Luna," she said, whispering her name as she tried not to be loud. "I think I should go over to that side. Just going to check something."
Miso walked away, even before Luna could make head nor tail of the situation. As she walked towards the man in the tuxedo, her confidence wavered as if she felt her heart skip a beat.
Quickly pacing up she grabbed two glasses of wine and gestured dew to take it.
"Enjoying the view, or just hiding from the dance floor?" she asked, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
"I don't mind the background," Dew said "But every now and then, you meet someone worth stepping into the foreground for."
Miso's heart did a little flip at that, but she hid it behind a smirk. "And what makes someone worth stepping forward for?"
Dew's gaze held hers for a moment longer, and then he said, almost casually, "I guess that depends on who's asking."
"what do you think of this place" miso said waving off the topic
The man turned his gaze toward her "The view's not so bad."
Miso raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. Someone who just looked simple and calm was flirting "Not bad?"
He chuckled, the sound soft but genuine. "Depends on what you're looking at."
Miso blinked. Okay, this wasn't the usual banter she was used to. His words weren't flashy, but there was something behind them…something real. She tilted her head and grinned at him. "And what are you looking at?"
He hesitated, his eyes followed hers.. "What do you think? Miss- " he replied simply.
For the first time in a long while, Miso found herself caught off guard. She was used to leading conversations, making people laugh, and keeping the energy high. But this man had turned the tables in such a subtle way that she wasn't sure how to respond.
Although his smile was barely visible but his eyes softened for a moment looking at her "I'm Dew Scott"
"Well," she said, regaining her footing, I'm Miso…Miso Lux.
For a second, the noise of the ballroom seemed to fade. She wasn't sure if it was the setting, the masks, or something else, but she felt... drawn to him.
While miso was engaged with dew, Nearby, Rosalie spots Luna, an opportunity flashing in her eyes. She moves closer and nudges Luna's elbow, sending red wine splashing onto her own dress while Luna stumbles to a tall figure who holds her hand preventing the fall.
It was Ryu. "Are you okay?" he asked, holding her straight gently.
Rosalie was feigning in shock , her voice was loud enough to catch nearby guests' attention.
"Oh no! Look what you've done to my dress!"
Luna, startled but instantly gains suspicion ,tries to keep her composure.
"It seems accidents happen to the best of us, don't they?"
Rosalie gives her a saccharine smile, pretending to dab at the stain with exaggerated motions as murmurs ripple through the crowd. Just then, Ryu passes a handkerchief to Rosalie.
Ryu chuckled as he enjoyed Luna's boldness, his attention was already on her.
Rosalie watched it being visibly annoyed by Ryu's lack of concern for her ruined dress rather he was asking if she was okay.
A pair of sharp eyes landing on Rosale first, with mild reprimand and indifference.
A tall figure who wore a silver mask approaches behind luna. "Perhaps we can leave the dramatics for the cameras, don't you think?"
His voice seemed unknowingly, known to Luna.
Rosalie's face reddens beneath her mask as his pointed words strike a nerve. She opens her mouth to retort but thinks better of it, biting back her frustration.
When Luna turned to look she felt him stepping a bit closer and tripped one of her heels. Just when she felt an arm around her waist holding her.
The man in the silver mask then turned to Luna and his eyes visibly felt a softening expression.
"Are you alright? Miss."
Luna nods, she felt an unexpected warmth and concern, though his face was mostly hidden behind his mask but his eyes were expressive.
"Thank you, there's nothing that I can't handle.." she says, waving at the atmosphere.
Iseop's mouth curves just slightly, impressed by her resilience. Yup it was Iseop Morgan who was blended in the pre-filming event.
Ryu, sensing the unspoken air,raises an eyebrow.
"Well, looks like the lady has all the help she needs. But still I'm here if you need anything."
Miso was observing her for quite a time, around two of the knights to save Luna, she seemed in a tough spot.
"What happened, are you okay?" Miso grabbed Luna by hand and took her to another spot away from them.
"nothing much, but you look like you're head over heels…huh.." she said nudging miso
Before miso could proceed further a woman in a mask comes holding a phone on her selfie stick and makes her way between both of them.
She was a well known influencer , who was always conscious about herself and would update almost every day she spent on stargram.
"Hey, ladies! Loving the vibe here, right? It's like a real-life fantasy party. I'm Quinn. And you are?" she was streaming from the show and she held her phone covering everything and was equally excited
"Luna. And that's Miso."
"So nice to meet you both! Aren't we all lucky to be here? I mean, come on, who gets an invite to something this exclusive? I bet we're going to be BFFs. Follow me on stargram later, okay?"
Miso covers with a smile "Definitely."
"Yeah, sure." luna followed
"I'm SO ready to bring some sparkle to this show. The others don't stand a chance, I can feel it. This is going to be the season of Quinn, you'll see!" She spoke to her followers and moved to another spot as she got busy again in her live broadcast.
"What was that just now?" said miso, recovering from it.
Later the pre filming came to an end after secretly filming the contestants interview Before the show one by one. Since Luna was tired she immediately rushed to her home after her turn of interview.