Inside the ballroom, decorations of white and gold adorned the place: tall windows framed by gold embroidered curtains, long tables at the outskirts with white tablecloth and gold tableware. Smaller round tables had been placed following the pattern of the long tables. They followed the same decorative style.
The dome ceiling hung various chandeliers in different sizes. The lights brightened the room like the inside of a star.
Soft classical music composed by Alma Deutscher played from the speakers. Her Piano Concerto livened up the place, bringing in something unique from the usual music pieces played by others. If someone listened carefully, images of a story may unfold in their minds.
The guests loitered around standing. As per old tradition, no one could sit until the main star of the evening arrived.
Logan stood near one of the round tables. He had one hand tucked in his pocket and one hand held a glass of sparkling water. That was what they told him but he had a feeling it was a soda. There were a number of kids around which surprised him. He expected a more serious event.
Then again, it was a birthday party.
Jae came up behind him and clapped his shoulder, “Did you really have to bring up the boyfriend comment?”
He stood behind his brother, still holding his shoulder. He raised his glass of soda and sipped.
The corner of Logan’s lips lifted up. Not taking a glance at Jae, he said, “Did the both of you have to bring up the contest?”
“I would have thought you handled that better.”
“A certain someone didn’t.”
“Saving the damsel in distress” Jae grinned, “Smooth, bro.”
Logan merely shook his head and finished his drink. He lifted the empty glass to a waiter. Once the waiter reached him, he placed it on the tray and took another.
“Man, I would have thought I’d get away with some wine. Maybe even just sparkling wine” Jae remarked, also replacing his glass for a new one.
“Let’s not put Angie into trouble for inviting us” Logan patted his hand and peeled it off. The weight of if started to drag him down. If it kept up, he’d be walking with one droopy shoulder.
“Right.”
“We also told dad and mom that we would behave” Logan added further.
“Oh, dad. Yeah, that doesn’t sound important.”
Logan shifted his head to glare at his twin. Jae merely looked around the ballroom, casually sipping more soda. If he kept drinking more, his stomach would fill up before he could eat. He only noticed his brother’s stare when his eyes passed him by.
Jae held up his hand, “I’m joking. I’ll behave.”
Soon, the music flowing out of the speakers escalated in volume. It caught the people’s attention and the chatter soon died down. All of them glanced over the main entrance. Since they stood near the tables, a wide walkway had been made for the incoming guests of honor.
When the music was about to hit its climax, the thick wooden doors slowly opened, enough for two people to enter together. Some craned their neck to obtain a better sight. Kids had been brought to the front or placed on shoulders. Their guardians whispered to them about what was about to happen.
Everyone began to clap softly in anticipation.
The moment had come. Violins, cellos, pianos, flutes and more sped up the tempo. Collectively, they filled up the ballroom with grandeur musical notes that made everyone’s heart race.
Two people walked in.
Both girls held their heads up high. Their arms looped together to showcase their close relation. One of them held up her skirt. She walked with grace and beauty. A soft smile on her plump pink lips. Add a tiara on her head and she could pass off as a princess. Her companion kept her back straight. She moved in a more stiff manner, cold and unshakable. Her eyes stared straight ahead. Compared to the warm aura of the princess, this girl had a more intimidating one. Almost as if she was untouchable.
Logan almost dropped his glass. When he felt it slipping off his hand, he gripped it tight out of panic. He could have crushed it if he had the strength. He spotted silver shoes peeking out from under the hem of a chiffon skirt. Under the applique beaded chiffon skirt was another made from peach with pink undertone satin. It hardly moved as the wearer walked, maintaining its A-line shape. Both of the cloth materials hugged the torso. The satin only reached up to the chest in a straight-across cut, ending around the armpits. The chiffon with its beading covered the rest of the way up to the shoulders and the upper arms.
A simple dress and yet… his eyes could not look away.
The frosty gray eyes shifted reflexively. They instantly met green ones. It happened in less than a second that Logan wondered if it had been real.
Did Alex just wink at me? He thought.
Beside him, Jae frowned. Emily swept some of her hair over her shoulder. It did good to cover up her skin. He waited until he could see the back to make his assessment. She would sometimes let go of her skirt to wave at familiar guests. Since Alex was the one who was positioned near them, the blonde elf’s attention focused on the opposite side of the ballroom. Not once did she glance at the other side.
Then, Emily sent out a flying kiss.
Just how many people did she know?
Behind the 3rd generation of Greenwoods, Angeline and Hachi walked into the ballroom. The pair of women that married into the family. The room began to whisper. Neither woman paid it any attention. As the odds one out, they had received mixed comments from the past.
Hachi rose up to top management from her hard work. Money could buy various things and someone’s reputation could open doors but she gave something into the table that no one could find anywhere else—innovative ideas. New ventures popped up that led to success. Her best efforts earned her respect.
Angeline had come from another well-off family. Rumors had sparked previously that her background was the only reason she had been able to marry a Greenwood. Her brothers mostly took over her parents’ business which left her with a lot of freedom to relax. After her marriage, the Greenwood wealth soon flourished. She became the woman behind various stock and bonds investments to expand their resources. Her inquisitive eye and extensive knowledge of the economy and finance markets had resulted in millions of dollars returns.
Now that years went by, they had been able to prove their individual worth. It didn’t matter what people said before nor did it matter much now. As long as they were treated right, they wouldn’t retaliate. Their eyes focused on the two girls, the only ones inside the room that mattered to them.
“Why does it look like Alex is escorting Emily?” Hachi whispered.
Angie chuckled. She tilted her head towards her partner, “I’m starting to think she was a boy in another life.”
“Well, that will surely raise standards for me.”
Angie raised an eyebrow, “Are you gonna use my daughter as the ideal boyfriend for Emily?”
“Maybe” Hachi laughed, “Oh, Alex is just too good. Both excellent in academics and sport. Emily is a firecracker. I think she needs someone level headed around to keep her from getting into trouble.”
“Well, what about Jae?”
“I don’t know much about him yet but I do plan on changing that later on” Hachi replied, “And what about Alex? Are you really setting her up with Logan?”
Angie held Hachi’s hand on her elbow, “It’s hard to find someone who wouldn’t feel betrayed from keeping a secret like Alex’s. I was there when Ethan told him about who she is. There were a lot of flowery words but he handled it well. He sees her as Alex. I think she could grow antlers and he’d still accept her.”
“You mean he could handle all sides of her? Even the ones he hasn’t seen yet?”
“Well, they’re still teenagers. They’ll constantly change. Soon, they’ll enter a phase in their lives where they need to discover who they are. I just want someone who could accompany her all the way.”
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