Chapter 702 The party (1)
The night had fallen, enveloping the world in its velvety darkness, and the moment had arrived for Erik's party.
As he left his room, the man took a moment to adjust the mask, ensuring his features were hidden. Just a moment later, the door located across the hall swung open and a figure emerged, revealing Mira's presence.
Behind his mask, Erik's eyes widened in surprise. Mira looked stunning, her flawless makeup highlighting her natural beauty. Her face was framed by the cascading soft waves of her long, dark hair, which was usually braided over one shoulder.
With her choice of dress, she balanced elegance and daring, revealing just enough to captivate anyone's imagination. However, the woman wore the usual green she used every day.
Because it was her favorite color, she couldn't resist choosing a dress of the same shade of green that she liked so much. The attire she wore seemed to amplify the brilliance of her already radiant, piercing eyes.
There was a moment during which Erik felt an irresistible magnetic pull, a powerful attraction that he couldn't brush off. The mask he was wearing and the party they had to go to prevented him from taking her there, even though he would have if he could.
Mira, though unable to see Erik's face because of his mask, sensed his gaze fixed on her, as if guided by a sixth sense.
"You might want to wipe that drool off your mask." To Erik, those words appeared as if sung by a canary.
A chuckle escaped his lips, but the sound was muffled because of the mask he was wearing. "Stop it," he said, shaking his head in mock exasperation.
Mira's eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned in closer. "So, Erik, are you all set for tonight?" Her eyelashes fluttered playfully, like the delicate plumes of a secretary bird.
Erik sighed, his posture slumping. "You know how much I loathe these social gatherings."
"Oh, c'mon, how bad can it be?"
"Very bad. What if I do something embarrassing?"
"Then you think you do this for the guild's sake. You smile and go on as if nothing happened." She fussed over his bowtie, straightening it with nimble fingers.
"You'll need to be on your best behavior and make nice to everyone. Noah did a good job by making all these people attend. You it to him." Once satisfied, her hand drifted up to pat his chest. "Perfect," she said, her eyes shining with pride.
Erik looked at Mira, her earnest expression making it hard to argue. "You're right. I'll play the part," but then he said, "Though, a lot of girls will probably try to approach me… oh… what should I do then?"
"You better not tread into dangerous fields, Erik Kay."
"Sorry boss!" was all he could say while embracing her.
Mira smiled, satisfied. "Good. Now, let's go. We have a party to attend, and you're the guest of honor."
While they made their way towards the exit of the guild's headquarters, Erik experienced a whirlwind of emotions brewing inside him.
Without a doubt, there was a sense of apprehension when thinking about the idea of spending an evening in a social setting that was unfamiliar and outside of his comfort zone.
Despite this, there was an underlying sense of anticipation, which was further intensified by the mere presence of Mira and the possibilities that the night had in store.
As they approached the door, Erik felt a surge of anticipation building within him. When the door swung open, he took a deep breath to steady his nerves.
Just as Erik and Mira exited the guild's headquarters, a luxurious black limousine arrived and stopped right in front of them.
With a deferential nod, the driver, adorned in a crisp uniform, opened the door, showcasing his attention to detail.
The moment they climbed into the limousine, it took off, soaring through the sky with grace before finally landing on one of the upper floors of a towering skyscraper, which was one of the few magnificent structures that adorned the breathtaking skyline of Testrovsc's Rest.
Once again, the driver opened the car doors, prompting Erik to walk around to Mira's side in order to offer his help.
With a graceful gesture, he reached out his hand, which she accepted, gripping his arm as they walked towards the elevator.
Erik's finger hovered over the control panel before landing on the button marked "99."
As soon as he pressed it, the elevator sprang into action, ascending with remarkable speed, its movements so flawlessly executed that it was impossible to detect any motion at all.
As soon as the doors slid open, an impressive and magnificent spectacle unfolded before their eyes. The room, with its expansive size and clear design tailored for dancing and social gatherings, was impressive.
The soft glow of chandeliers hanging from the ceiling created a beautiful reflection on the polished marble floors.
A lavish buffet, filled with an assortment of sumptuous dishes and fine wines, had already been set up along the sides of the room.
However, the aspect that captured Erik's attention the most was the large gathering of people.
The room was filled, and it seemed like everyone who was anyone in Testrovsc's Rest high society was there.
As they exited the elevator, they were met by the sight of a young, stylish man clad in a sleek tuxedo.
His attire was tailored, fitting his slender frame and complementing his youthful appearance.
With a well-groomed head of hair and an air of silent confidence, he held a microphone with an ease that suggested both professionalism and poise.
Despite his youth, he exuded the demeanor of an experienced butler, blending elegance with efficiency.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Erik Kay and his companion, Miss Mira Windwhisper!"
As the room erupted with clapping and cheering, expressing their admiration, all eyes gravitated towards Mira.
The moment she entered the room, her presence had a captivating effect on the crowd, catching the attention of both men and women.
With an ensemble that emphasized her figure, particularly around her chest area, her attire was both revealing and elegantly styled.
Her decolletage was framed by the dress, creating a captivating blend of allure and sophistication. The tasteful display, along with the rest of her stunning attire, had the effect of making her the undeniable focal point of the room.
While a flush of embarrassment arose to his cheeks, Erik concealed any visible reaction behind his mask. However, he directed his focus to Mira.
"You did this on purpose?" A tint of jealousy appeared in his voice.
"Of course I did! I'm with Erik Kay! Did I have to look like a zombie?" A light chuckle eluded her lips.
"But maybe this is too much…" A small frown appeared on Erik's face. She couldn't see it, but used to Erik's tone, she imagined him with it.
"Look at it this way. If I look good, this positively reflects on you…"
Erik let out a grumble of frustration. Not only did he dislike all the attention, but he also disliked even more the idea of Mira being seen with those lascivious eyes.
The woman then leaned in closer, her lips almost touching his ear, as she spoke in a voice barely audible over the loud noise surrounding them.
"Don't think about it and enjoy the dinner," she said, a hint of amusement in her tone. "You are also quite the sensation."
Erik couldn't help but let out a chuckle. He couldn't help but feel grateful as he wore his mask, which not only hid his blushing cheeks but also concealed the wicked smile he directed at those who lusted after Mira.
"I bet this welcoming was your idea," he said back, his eyes meeting hers for a brief, electric moment.
As Mira was about to reply, her eyes shimmering with delight, the room was engulfed in another round of applause.
"I swear it isn't!" She said back.
Erik found himself burdened by the weight of the crowd's expectations, the lingering unspoken questions surrounding the man hidden beneath the mask, and the responsibility that came with leading his guild.
Not only did this moment carry immense importance for him, but it also had far-reaching implications for the future success and growth of his guild.
The alliances he could form, the impressions he could make—
everything hinged on this night.
As the applause faded away, Mira leaned closer once again, her voice filled with a hint of urgency that mirrored his own internal thoughts. "Let's go."
Erik nodded in agreement, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. Side by side, Mira and he took a step forward, immersing themselves into the room and preparing themselves for the intricate dance of social politics and personal dynamics that awaited them.
This event marked his official entrance into high society, resembling a coming-out party, and he knew his every action and word would undergo intense scrutiny and analysis.
However, in this moment, what counted was the present—the immediate obstacles of the night and the potential it offered.
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