Halfway down the path the ground started to rumble. I stopped in my tracks and froze. An earthquake? This is it I'm going to die. Now I'm certain the gods were against me today. If there's one thing I'm scared more of than spiders, it's earthquakes.
I have a deathly phobia of earthquakes, if there's even the smallest sign of an earthquake I feel like I'm going into cardiac arrest. My mind was beginning to spiral as I looked around to see if the building were trembling when I heard a loud group of whoos, cheers, and congratulations followed by clapping. There could have been at least 100 or so different voices with how loud their voices traveled through air.
My mind finally acknowledged it was in fact not an earthquake and my feet began to walk down the path. If it was loud half way, you can't imagine how loud it was once I reached the door. My ears were ringing to the point where it began to sting, I covered my ears hoping to muffle out the noise but it only helped a little.
The door was wide open revealing a crowd of people in formal attire, they all looked incredibly rich and compared to what I was wearing at the moment let's just say they might take me as one of the servers, or worse a burglar. Where in the hell did they all even park. I gulped, and continued to look at their movements and the way they carried themselves. Yup, the moment I walk in I'll be surprised if there isn't a crowd of screeching screams.
The doorway caught my attention as an arch of silver and gold balloons covered the frame with two gigantic balloons probably as tall as me on each side of the arch with some writing I couldn't read. Now that I noticed, all over the entrance and down the path was covered in variations of ballon design each growing in size as you go down the path. They ranged from a simple one balloon to a flower design, to a medium sized giraffe, and even an elephant! Each single design made out of single balloons.
My eyes wandered off to the lawn away from the path and it put those designs to shame, a bounce house sized lion, hippo, and every other animal you could possibly think of. How did they do that! I should really get my eyes checked because how in the world did I miss all this. In my defense it was starting to get dark and my mind was somewhere else but I was baffled. What did I just walk into.
I turned back around so I was facing the door again, the giant balloons about the same size as me grabbed my attention once more. I like balloons. So what. Where in the hell did they get that from. I bet it was pricey. I wonder if rose would like one of those for her birthday. Hell she'll probably fly away. It would be cool though. Not the her flying away part. I'll make sure to ask char-.
It wasn't until I heard someone clear their throat until I realized how long I actually had been standing there looking at the balloons. My cheeks flushed red, I must of looked like a little kid. In my defense they are huge! I can't imagine how loud it would be if one popped. The chaos it would bring. The temptation to do it was real. It was at arms length, if I just-.
The sound of someone clearing their throat reached my ear again. My arm shot down and my cheeks flushed even more, surely I looked like a tomato by now and if they didn't perceive me as childlike before they sure as hell do now.
"You stare at those balloons like a baby's first reaction to a new experience. You do know those are called balloons right?," the voice unfamiliar to me spoke. It was deep but not Nathanial level deep. I bring my attention to him and make eye contact with this person and I almost gasp.
He was handsome. His hair was black medium length, but his eyes is what caught my attention not that the rest of him was ugly because oh no, not one bit. But his eyes were a vibrant combination of green with hints of blue. They weren't your regular green and blue eyes however they were the type of eyes that got you a modeling career simply for having such vivid eyes.
The rest of him was just as eye appealing. He had plump lips that looked well moisturized and so soft. I wonder if he uses a balm, or an oil, maybe a scrub? He had a neat beard around the perimeter of his face, mustache as well. His eyebrows were trimmed and honestly they looked better than mine. I'm starting to hate this guy. Don't get me started on his full lashes too, similar to Nathaniel except a little fuller. Now that I'm thinking about it him and Nathaniel looked very similar. He also looked to be around our age. Hm.
I rolled my eyes, "Really? I thought they were called air stored in rubber." He let out a chuckle. "You got a sense of humor, cute." He tilted his head and squinted his eyes keeping eye contact with me, his eye twinkled a little as he looked at me with amusement. His eyes traveled up and down my body but not in a disturbing way that I felt uncomfortable. However I did realize just how tall he was compared to me, it was a good distance between us height wise. I practically had to break my neck looking up and him down.
"Are you one of Thalias friends?" He asked, not once breaking eye contact but I noticed he was wearing a blue baby pin with its a boy! on his suit. Hearing her name almost made me throw up. Of course! How did I not connect the dots, this must be a baby shower for Thalia. They sure know how to throw a party, or make it look good at least.
I must have made a faced when he said Thalia cause shortly after he answered his own question with a chuckle, "That would be a no."
"Well aren't you observant. How about you help me find someone who has about yay big-"I opened my arms wide, "head, thinks he's better than everyone, acts like he's better than everyone, has a big nose-," he must have found what I was saying amusing because he was actually laughing at my words that is until I said,"- His name is Nathaniel if that wasn't obvious." That's when he rolled his eyes and it was now him making the ugly face.
"Mhm, I'll take you to him." Was all he said but his whole demeanor and mood instantly changed. Looks like they don't get along. He turned and gestured for me to follow him which I did, every now and then he would look back to see if I was still behind him.
I made it through the large crowd without anyone screaming to my luck, the decorations on the inside were so elegant and beautiful it was unlike any baby shower I had attended. This was surely the dream baby shower one could wish for. I couldn't take in the scenery all too well as we zoomed past the crowd and into a secluded hallway which had quite an eerie feeling to it. Now second thinking if perhaps me mentioning I knew Nathaniel might have ignited something in him as well and he was in fact leading me to my death and not Nathaniel.
"He should be in there," he motioned towards the double door infront of me. I nodded and said thank you. "And that's my cue. It was a pleasure to meet you,-" he raised his eyebrow. "Lilian," I relied. "Ah, Lilian. Beautiful name, it compliments you well." He smiled and grabbed my wrist leaving a kiss on my hand all while keeping eye contact. My stomach fluttered and I felt my cheeks starting to warm up. A charmer. His lips were indeed so soft! "I hope we cross paths again." He smiled at me before walking away in the direction we came from.
What just happened. He didn't even tell me his name! It was like I forgot what I came here for as I relived everything that just happened and why it made my heart feel warm for a split second, that is until I heard him.
It wasn't coming from behind the double door however, it was coming from the main area so I marched my way over there.
I scanned the crowd of heads until I finally landed on his, he was talking with only one other person but his back was turned to me so I couldn't put a finger on it. I walk over to him and stood in-front of guy, catching both their attention and those who were around.
A few whispers circulated along the crowd with some gasps followed by my help would never behave like that and I hope he fires her. I knew I wasn't dressed for the occasion and I joked about it but to hear it! Ouch!
His eyebrows were furrowed as he glared at the person who rudely disrupted his conversation, his gaze immediately softening once he seen me. "Lily?" He smiled, "What are you doing here?" He said innocently. I've about had it with these men acting clueless! "What am I doing here? Really!" I said my voice growing a little, having no energy for some snarky remark this time.
I heard a small laugh from behind me which caused my head to snap so fast I was almost afraid I sent myself to my own funeral. Sebastian stood there taking a sip from his champagne, "Oh don't mind me keep going. I want to see this, I'll be a good child and keep quiet." He winked at that last part referring to our conversation from earlier. Great.
I just scoffed at him. I was in no mood to deal with him again so I turned back to Nathanial who had a smirk on his face. That smug look almost made me grab the champagne bottle off the platter from the server walking by. "I see you've met Sebastian, charming isn't he?"
"I'm in no mood for this Nathaniel. Can we talk somewhere more private?" I rolled my eyes, if there was a couple people looking at us before, I want to say at least half the party was looking at us for their next fix of entertainment. I swear even the music was turned down!
"Well doesn't that sound familiar. Oh come on lily, we're celebrating! Ain't that right everyone!," his voice boomed bringing a chorus of cheers. "Celebrating the gift of life and welcoming my child into the world, into my life-" he smiled and made sure to emphasize my life, the smug look still on his face. His kept his eye on me as his voice boomed over the crowd not once breaking it or even blinking for that matter.
Then he leaned in to where his mouth was beside my ear. I could hear his slow breathing, and feel the warm air against my ear. By now everyone's eyes were on us, I simply nodded and smiled to those who I made eye contact with already regretting coming here and becoming part of a spectacle. Ignoring how his breath slightly tickled my ear every time he took a breath I kept my composure. Then he whispered, "Well two."
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Figured you guys wouldn't want to wait another year for a chapter so how about a day? :)
As always feel free to comment whatever you want! I want to know what you guys think.
Things are getting real.