Unedited.
---(Name this line?)---
The next day, I find myself swept into the madness of the day's event. Apparently, it's not just dinner and a party - the media will be conducting interviews. I sigh to myself as I think of all the synthetic smiles I'll have to produce later on. But for now, I'm helping to put up the remaining decorations in the event hall.
I sit in front of the window as I mindlessly blow up grand gold balloons. My eyes are glued to the lone tree outside. I feel bad for running away from him like that. I should apologise if I see him again. But do I want to see him again? I feel myself developing a little crush, which is the last thing I need right now.
I snap myself out of my thoughts as I start to tie the packets of air onto a string. It's not looking too shabby considering this is my first time making a balloon arch. I smile to myself as my nimble fingers get to work.
But it doesn't take long before I'm distracted. I catch movement outside and my eyes are instantly drawn to the small figure walking up the hill with their hands in their pockets.
It's him.
I frown as I watch him drag his feet then sit under the tree. His shoulders are sagged and his hands are constantly running themselves through his hair. I twist my mouth as I debate whether to go outside and see him. Maybe that's his special spot and he just wants to be left alone. I am the one who gatecrashed on his space.
But I also owe him an apology. I feel awful for leaving so suddenly. Plus... I just want to see him. Urgh.
Before I can rationalise with myself any further, I spring to my feet and bolt out of the hall. It doesn't take me long to find myself standing feet in front of him. He hasn't noticed me yet, though. His face is buried in his hands as he takes deep breaths. I can't tell if he's sleeping or just deep thinking.
Smiling, I decide to scare him. Hopefully, he'll see the funny side. I make my way around to the other side of the tree and behind him. Crouching down to hide myself, I reach out a hand to tap him on the shoulder before hastily drawing my hand back to my sides.
"Who's there?" he asks as he shoots up from his spot. I can't see him, but I hold back a laugh as I picture his face. "I order you to show yourself."
Oh, throwing orders, is he? He must think very highly of himself. But despite that, I stay hidden.
I hear him shuffling around the tree and I move accordingly, staying out of sight. His pace picks up and so does mine as we move in circles around the tree. A slight gasp escapes my lips when I feel strong arms engulf my waist.
"Got ya." A hot whisper caresses my ear and I giggle in the warmth that's trapped me.
I turn around and smile innocently up at him, before saying, "Boo."
"Boo, yourself." He chuckles and pulls me closer to him, rousing the blood in my cheeks. "I thought I was the one who scared you. I didn't think you'd come back."
I look away in guilt as my voice carries my reply. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left like that." He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear as his eyes prompt me for an answer. "It's just that I tell you things and confide in you almost. You're an upper-sector, one of the people that I've always seen as the enemy, and that scares me. I feel like I've betrayed myself by trusting in you when I don't even know who you are. So I ran." I sigh. "I don't know why, but I can't picture you as the upper-sector villain. I just feel like I can talk to you, you know?"
"It's nice to have someone whom you can speak so openly with." He smiles and rests his forehead against mine. "Believe me, I understand that more than anyone." He pauses for a moment, to let out a small breath of air. "And I'm honoured that you see more than a villainous upper-sector in me." He laughs, it's boyish and genuine. I lightly hit his chest and step out of his hold.
"You've still got time to live up to that name." I send him a big teasing grin, before settling on the grass below the tree. I pull my cardigan closer around my shoulders. I hadn't expected to find myself outside when I got dressed for the day. Though the winters are warmer in the upper-sectors, when the breeze catches the cold, it'll send icey shivers straight down your spine.
Suddenly, I feel a warmth drape around my shoulders and I look up to see my mystery man placing his jacket over me. Before I can protest, he silences me with his words. "Please."
"Thank you." I pull the second covering around me and relish the heat that is emitting from it. "Are you sure? Aren't you cold?"
"I'm fine. I'm used to it." His smile is reassuring though it does little to ease the guilt. For a moment, I lose myself in his deep blue and hazel eyes.
"Anyways, let's talk about you today," I say and notice the uncomfortable look that crosses his features, but he doesn't say anything in protest. "Tell me about your job here at the palace."
"It's not that interesting." He rubs the back of his neck and ends his statement as if that were the only answer I'm getting. I narrow my eyes and raise my eyebrow. I'm not sure if my intimidation tactics actually work, but he finally cracks with a sigh. "You're stubborn aren't you?"
"Very." I shrug. "It's not every day I get to talk to an upper-sector who isn't faking everything. Plus, I'm curious about how the royals treat the staff."
"Why do you care about the staff?"
"Why wouldn't I? They're people too." I click my tongue. "I wanna know if they treat everyone like dirt or just the lower-sectors."
"Right." He pauses to mull over my sentence before continuing, "Well, I do lots of odd jobs. Every day is different. Some tasks, I do myself; others, I shadow the, um, senior workers. I attend a lot of networking events and help manage a team of people. Sometimes I work in the palace, but not always."
"Sounds like a very proper job." I nod in satisfaction. "Your clothes finally make sense."
He looks down as if just realising that he isn't dressed in any of the palace uniforms.
"You're sharp." He looks away as he chuckles. "No wonder you were doubting me."
"Well thank you for being honest," I say and his eyes return to mine but they seem unsettled. Like he's forcing himself to look at me as he nods. Well, I didn't think I was that ugly.
"So, what do you think of love?" My cheeks blaze at his sudden question. He notices my startled expression and chuckles. "Since you spoke a lot about it last time."
"Oh." I pause to fan myself. "Well, I want to fall in love and have it be real. None of the forced romantic atmosphere they're surely going to create for The Choosing. I'm so hopeless that I'm scared I'll fall for it and get my heartbroken." But I can't get it broken if I don't give it away in the first place.
"I'm sure he wouldn't break your heart if you gave him a chance."
"Then he'd have to break everyone else's. It's a little cruel, don't you think?." I lick my lips.
To my disappointment, he is interrupted by his phone before he can answer. He excuses himself and stands up, walking a couple of paces away from me.
"Yes, what is it?" He addresses the other person on the line then pauses to listen. Shock soon invades his face and his eyes find the fancy watch that clings to his wrist. "My apologies, I lost track of time. I'll be right there." He hangs up then turns to me. "I'm sorry, I have to go."
I stand up to give him his jacket, but he reaches out to stop me.
"No, keep it," he says with a smile. Before I can open my mouth in protest, he continues, "Yes, I'm sure."
"Thank you."
"Anytime, Princess." He kisses the back of my hand then scurries off down the hill and inside the palace. It isn't until I've watched him disappear, that I realise I have no other business being in the garden.
Damn, I could've walked with him if his mere presence hadn't disturbed the basic functionally of my brain.
"Pull yourself together, Ally," I mumble to myself as I head inside to finish my balloon arch. My preoccupied thoughts drag out the simple task, and I find myself taking much longer than I expected.
I quickly set up the arch at the ballroom entrance, then make a dash towards my room. As I set my feet to autopilot, I pull out the ring and dance it around my fingers - examining its beauty in detail. I am pulled under its spell. But it's soon shattered when I hear footsteps scattering towards me.
"Ally! There you are! It's time to get ready!" I turn my head to look down the opposite corridor to find Lois heaving as she stops to rest at my station. "Come on!" She takes me by the arm and hauls me through the corridors. Her grip is so tight, I would believe she was a wrestler in her past life.
Time to get ready for the ball.
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~ Anneka Rose xxx
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