As the yellow lights goes dim and a slow magenta light starts to flicker I approach Levi.
"Time for the awaited dance." A voice announces in the speaker. "When the dance ends we will receive the special announcement for which we've been waiting in anticipation for weeks. Now, e everyone must dance with their chosen partner. Let it roll."
The low dreamy music starts to settle in my senses. His body presses up to me from behind.
"Dance with me Loretta." His warm whisper lingers on my neck.
The dispersion of the party lights and the lava lamps successfully conceals my blush. I put my hands on his shoulders but he slides them up positioning them behind his neck and now his face is locked between my arms. My waist fits perfectly between his hands. A warm tingle spirals upward making knots in my system. We, locked in our own universe, separated from the rest of the world, move simultaneously.
Levi twirls me then pulls me against his chest.
"Loretta," his faint mumble of this name just below my ear. "Why do I want this moment to stand still?"
I can't see his face but his voice is deep... As if he cannot ever lie to me. Ah! Wby should it make me this unsteady? So distracted? But also, very right. Like I'm right where I should be.
I push my thoughts to something else. And then I locate Aiden, dancing with Anne. He's wearing a smile that's wrecked. Her smiling face gives me a jab as she kisses Aiden lightly on his lips.
"You okay?" Levi holds my chin up.
I didn't even realise that I stiffened. Everything feels hazy and uncertain. I'm unsure of my own desires.
The music comes to an abrupt end. But the dimness persists. Suddenly a shrill sound starts to reverberate throughout the room. Is someone messing with the record player? Wait it almost sounds like a recording...
Levi gives me a what's going on look.
Suddenly some voices echo. All the people in the room become silent but also a sound whisper begins to rise.
"What's happening?" A woman asks in the dark.
"Is this a prank?" Her friends ask.
"Shh... Let's hear it." Someone else voices. "It sounds like an argument."
A female voice shouts in the recording: "You cannot possibly do that!" Saying that she laughs hysterically.
Everyone tries to find the source of the noise. We turn in every direction to pinpoint the where it's coming from.
That man from earlier whispers something to Anne who's now holding Aiden's hand with a proud smirk. Aiden's slightly bulged chest pocket catches my attention. That's the ring there!
"Dear guests and our friends who joined us this evening—we love your presence very much and appreciate the joyful energy you've brought to us. The long waited moment has finally come," he speaks in a clear loud voice.
The middle aged man hands the mic to a girl standing not far from Anne. "Laia, if you please? As Anne wishes you to break the news."
So that's Freya's cousin. she looks quite professional. But as a person who has already seen what lies behind that facade, I can say she hates her guts too.
Laia begins with a smile. "Working with Miss Dalton is both an adventure and pleasure. She discovered my potential and therefore let me assist her." She pauses to look at the crowd then goes again, "It's an honor for me to stand beside her on a special day like this and I'm delighted to express my happiness and blessings to this wonderful news which she entrusted me with. Anne Dalton and Mr. Jordan who were seen together on some occasions before and therefore have decided to be entangled in a bond of love."
As she stops we hear cheers, shoutings and whistles. All the congratulations are being showered on them.
But a commotion still goes on behind the front row of people.
"Look what I've found!" Someone says from a corner. Some other people follow them. They return with a small cell phone which was behind a pot plant.
The recording conversation continues: "But you can't guarantee that Anne!"
??? I–I know that voice. Why can't I find the strength to look at Levi?
Everyone seems utterly confused. Their eyes take suspicious glances at Anne who bites her lips.
"What is this all about?" A woman gasps.
"Really now? My dear Nero. Are you going to make this hard for me now that we both are close to our goals?"
Nero!
"I realised—you're not really in love with Aiden. Neither you're having his baby."
Her laughter cracks in a wicked way. "Now now that's not true. And neither you have proof."
"So Dalton, are you admitting it in a way now?"
Where's Nero? Is this what he meant by everything will be over soon..?
Not a blink hits the floor. Everyone glares at her way.
"Is-is this true Anne?!" A harsh mixed reprimand rings out.
I notice her signing at Laia to do something about it. But nobody can stop the murmurs now.
"I don't understand your sense of humor Nero. Neither can I see the benefit you'll have if you sympathize with Jordan."
"Stop-stop it!" Anne comes forward with hasty steps. "Noo!! Someone's playing dirty tricks on me! It's all lies!"
"Still it'll be fun to watch your plans go down the drain. After all, remember what you said to me one time? That I am a wicked seed."
"Don't stick it on me as 'Your plan' Nero! Or are you giving up on her already?"
"I say turn off that bloody thing!" Her fury adds more doubts to the situation.
When she's about to snatch it away a young moves her hand away.
"Don't! We gotta see the end of it." Another man adds.
I flinch—not sure because of her present voice yelling or the one in the recording which metioned someone.
"Haven't you dreaded about what her reaction will be once she finds out? Why suffer so much for someone who never cared about you?"
I feel my body going stiff and cold.
A low chuckle. "If you keep your pretty little mouth shut, I promise I'll make you shine."
The voices finally comes to an end but a cold deep silence passes over us. It really is the peace before turbulence— like he said.
Suddenly the hall breaks into loud curses and unavoidable clamour.
"So it's not Aiden Jordan's child?!" Freya asks with raised eyes.
"She got us fooled!?!" They shout again.
"All this for fame and fortune?"
"For Christ's sake! As huge as an engagement?? That young man was being deceived all this time!"
They circle around her more viciously. Reporters begin to throw themselves at her, clicking pics from all sides. The onslaught of never ending questions make the room fall into total chaos.
No one really knows that Nereus is Nero other than us. So for now he's safe. But that doesn't bother me. Right now I don't want to know anybody's secret anymore. It feels like my purpose is being wrenched out.
I try to whizz past Levi, not wanting anyone to give me any kind of attention at all.
Levi grabs my hand pulling me out of the horde of hissing people.
He shoves me in his car slamming the door. "Guess we'll be missed at home again today." He sneers.
The long road stares at me vacantly. I feel my mind groping for something it doesn't even know about. Nero planted it behind that pot. No doubt. But is he still there? He should be hiding now. What if she unzips her mouth? His name will come out eventually...
I recall Aiden's stunned expression among the horde of faces. He is out of her web.
About rest of the night? I don't want to know.
Giving up on her? Why suffer for someone who doesn't even care about you?
It's her, isn't it? Anne was talking about Loretta.
It should all make sense but... why did he—? Nero clearly hated her. Then why this game of lies? And why betray her in the last moment? It wasn't just her. They both were involved in this ploy.
"Guess tomorrow's plan will have to start from today." Levi breaks the silence. "Just blink once Loretta! Damn you've been staring at nothing for a long time."
He doesn't even try to hide his frustration. But we both know that it's not on me.
All three of them were obsessed with her... But who really cared? Despite knowing her true colors... who didn't care whether she had a pretty face or not... Ugh!
"Why?!" I cry out in anger without realising.
He doesn't say a word.
When we reach there it's past 9.30p.m. After throwing my shoes carelessly I hop on the bed.
I look at the ceiling and the upper half of my body pulls itself against the soft old mattress of the bed.
Levi comes in as well.
We lay side by side for an uncertain amount of time. Silence descends upon us. Closing my eyes I try to relax my head.
A warm breath falls on my face. I find him hovering over me with an intense gaze—keeping his hands on both sides of me. "It's already 9p.m. We should go change and then get some rest huh?"
Your shoes landed like a crashed aeroplane when you entered. One of then in Korea and the other in china."
I know this is him trying to lighten up the mood which I'm not sure if its working.
"eah, I think we should do that. I'll take a bath too." I sit up saying that.
He copies my gesture.
He puts a hand on the left side of my cheek. "Don't make a face like that please. It'll give you fine lines."
This guy!
"When he warned me about calm before storm I didn't expect to receive a blow like this."
No sooner had the words left my mouth than Levi pulled me in his arms.
I soak myself in his embrace leaning into his scent. Up until now I didn't realise how much I needed it. Feels like I'm getting smaller in his hug.
"I...have been deceived."
My body quivers without a warning and I feel a pang of heaviness on my chest. I thought my eyes will be wet but no drop of tears. Just the corners sting a little.
"No... Loretta. It's not..." He soothes my back. "I can't say I was prepared for that either."
He cups the back of my head. "Perhaps I can understand why he..."
Despite having a vague guess I ask, "Why did he? You have been friends...a team. Why Nero... If he hated him... Then why this sudden change of heart?"
"Nero took a brave decision, Loretta. He took the risk knowing his own reputation is on the line."
"All this for..?"
He doesn't answer. Only one possibility drums in my head. Me? A girl given a second chance to have full taste of life's miseries. I know I'll have to face Nero. But right now I don't know what to feel.
Levi perhaps could guess what I was thinking. His next words doesn't confound me much. "I know it won't be easy."
Staying in his embrace I whisper, "I know I have to face him. And I know I will. Both of us needs to have a talk. But... Can I get some time before that?"
I tip my head back to get a closer look of him. "That's right. I'm glad you have chosen the correct words for it. Everyone..." He takes a strand of my hair. "Wishes to have a second time deep down."
Not everyone.
Why's his voice so dense?
I shiver wondering how much of it is true. Did Arkan too feel that I deserved a second chance? But I never asked for it. If her and my roles were reversed, what would she have chosen?
"Loretta?" He says my name again. "Can you put it all aside for now?"