The night was unusually dark with a crescent moon illuminating from the sky.
I couldn't describe how dazzling I was in the blue ball gown president Leo gifted me with the pretty tiara.
My car is waiting outside with the escort. Head maid Ophelia shone in a black long sleeveless gown and five maids were lined to receive me into my black glowing limousine.
"Have you bade Mr Gilmore goodbye?" She asked.
"Yes, a while ago." I gracefully entered the limousine and the head guard, Morrey, signalled to the driver and we drove off.
The hall was filled with elites and people of power. Princes and princesses stared at me as I entered, aided by the head guard.
I sighted president Leo coming with a cup of wine in his hands.
"Princess of my heart! How happy am I to see you in the dress I picked for you. You look so dazzling." His smile was radiant.
Damn! He was one hell of a handsome man, built differently from the average man because he was tall and had an athletic build. I knew behind the black tuxedo suit and panties lay a hairy sexy skin, muscular and seductive. But for now, he had these ocean eyes that seemed to draw girls to me, long attractive smiles and hair swiping at his brows.
I noticed some girls ogling at him and I scoffed.
"Thank you president Leo but I'll rather you call me by my name." I said.
"Oh don't be so formal, I looked forward to seeing you here, now here you are. Come, let me show you to my friends and business partners." He extended his hands to mine.
I reluctantly took it and he led him into the crowd.
I heard head maid Ophelia yelled, "Don't stroll far, I'll be at the buffet!"
"Hello, hi, hi." He greeted some groups of people.
We joined a table of two elderly women and a man.
"Hi mom and dad. This is Miss Lila of the Hearlto group."
"Oh my good lord! You look a lot like your mother." President Leo's mum exclaimed.
I smiled shyly. "I never get to meet them."
"How is Mr Gilmore?" His dad asked.
"He's the sweetest, I'm sorry he couldn't make it here because of his health."
"That's okay love. Just enjoy the party and I'm sure our son, Leo, will take care of you."
"Sure, he will." I clasped my hands and Leo took me out of their midst.
I cleared my throat. "Uhm, president Leo?"
"Yes Princess?"
"There's something I need to tell you."
We stopped walking and stood in the center of the ball.
"What could that be my princess?" He asked with a creased brow.
I tutted and placed my hands on my head to mean frustration.
"For the upteenth time, can you stop calling me that?"
"Oh, I'm sorry that made you angry. Miss Lila."
"That's better." I sigh.
Then I noticed Mason passed back with sets of drinks on a tray, apparently, he snuck in like a waiter. I gasped and took a better stance.
"I don't want to go out with you Mr president." I announced the matter of fact.
"Why princess? Sorry, miss Lila?"
I could see worry build on his face and he was getting sad.
"B-because I don't love you. I'm not interested in you."
"Oh." He seemed to give it a thought then he nodded his head.
"I'm sorry president Leo, and this dress…this dress is beautiful."
"I won't want to alter your decision even though it's hard for me. I loved you the first time I set my eyes on you when we met at the community shelter gathering. You're so decent, kind and humble unlike the others. Your choice princess, but do remember that whenever you need me, I'll always be there."
Wow!
I wasn't expecting the speech and that left me dumbfounded. I caught Mason staring at me from the other end of the room and that made me stop my second thought.
"If you will excuse me, I'll like to take some fresh air." I dashed away from him and hurried toward the entrance.
"Oh if this isn't Lila!" A voice exclaimed from behind me and I looked back.
Fiona, one of my childhood friends and more of an enemy than a friend, strutted towards me smiling, she was in the company of two other girls dressed in rainbow gowns, they weren't particularly my friends.
I pushed a smile and jogged toward them. I prayed Head maid Ophelia wasn't around to see my acting like a savage.
"Hi girls." I greeted.
"Quite the lucky girl with the most loved man in town." One of the girls sang.
"Don't be ridiculous. President Leo has such poor taste, it's not her fault." Fiona commented.
I chuckled. "Poor taste you say? Says a girl that begs a peasant for a mere kiss because she's starved of sex!"
Tit for tat, I said in my mind.
"How dare you?"
"Don't you lay your hands on me! Who knows, dear friend, you might not see it tomorrow. Tread carefully." I walked away with victory, behind me I could hear mutterings, hisses and killers stares at the back of my head but I care less.
Outside was very cold due to the flakes falling. Fireworks played judiciously with people gathering around a small fire to warm themselves, I caught lovers smooching themselves on a corner of the street and I wished Mason was here with me. I wrapped my hands around myself and walked farther to where I wouldn't even see a single human. I loved to stay on my own and think.
Besides, since Mason's eyes had been following me around the hall, he probably would follow me here because I sensed someone was walking behind me, but when I looked back, I found no one.
I deliberated going back in but on a second thought, it might be Mason playing tricks on me, so I strolled on, into a dark lonely path.
I know I shouldn't be here but I wanted the perfect spot for Mason and I, beside, nobody would guess I'll be here.
"Mason, you can come out now, I know you're here." I yelled.
No reply.
"Mason? Mason!" I yelled again.
My voice echoed through the dark and it took me a while to realize I've wandered into a deep forest and alone. There was no Mason, it was just me!
Fear began to grow in me. I shouldn't be here, I needed to go back!
I quickly turned and started running toward nowhere in particular, I heard wolf cries and this heightened my fear.
The weight of my ball gown slowed me down, I stepped on it, fell, got back on my feet and continued running.
I must have missed my way because I had run to a cliff, and all I had to do was turn back. I stopped for a minute to catch my breath, the wolf cries got more intense and they seemed to be approaching me.
"Hello! Who's there?" I shouted.
I heard rustlings but no one and I assumed it was the wind.
About to get back up and run back, a hand held my dress and I screamed.
"Who are you and what do you want with me?" I tried to free myself but the hand couldn't bulge.
The person was silent and it was hard to make out this person in the dark, I couldn't even turn to look because of the way I was held.
"Please, spare my life, I'll give you anything you want." I begged with tears.
But the person wouldn't yield, he
or she, I didn't know, grabbed my dress tighter and tossed me off the cliff.
My scream rented the whole space and I fell into darkness.