Chapter 108 - The Ball
I love you
because the
entire universe
conspired to
help me find you.
—Paulo Coelho—
***
I stared at the silver watch on my wrist and smiled. Phoenix had given me an expensive gift and it was beautiful. She must have entered my room when I was inside the bathroom and slipped the gift on top of the bedside table. She's kind enough to offer me a gift and it's such an embarrassment on my part that I couldn't give her something in return.
My gaze shifted to the empty stairs and waited for Phoenix to emerge. I've been waiting for approximately thirty minutes and I'm getting anxious.
Nervously, I paced back and forth. Hands thrust inside the pocket of the black slacks I wore. The same exact events this afternoon keep playing inside my thoughts.
I wonder if Phoenix was still mad at me. I should have come to her room earlier that day and explained everything but I just couldn't. Trust is not an issue between us. I do trust her but I just don't want to add up to her worries.
It will surely make her extremely worried if she knew I was the son of Lady Ravenwood. Phoenix was well aware of the indifference I had with my mother and it will bother her to no end if she finds out.
This night is special to both of us…. So damn special that I don't want to ruin it. Phoenix may have forgotten it but I don't. Tonight is our sixth wedding anniversary. I need to make it as memorable as possible.
Soft footsteps sounded on the staircase. My heart skipped a beat and I snapped my head to where the sound was coming from. Disappointment hit me when it was Madam Stella descending from the flight of the stairs.
Upon reaching the bottom she gave me a reassuring smile. "Beatrix would come down soon. Elisa was just doing finishing touches to her hair."
I nodded, wishing Phoenix would be here soon. I'm excited to see her again. I also want to make sure she's not mad at me.
"You love her, don't you?" Madam Stella said softly. When I shifted my gaze to her, she was looking at me intently as if she was able to read my thoughts.
"I do," I replied, looking away. I don't want her to have a glimpse of the sadness in my eyes. "I love her more than she will ever know. I love her more than I will ever show." I added, the words sliced my heart to shreds knowing I couldn't have her forever.
"Marry her again, show her how much you love her for the rest of your lives." She replied as if it was the easiest thing to do.
I shook my head. "I'm no longer the man I used to. I won't be able to provide her needs. I will just make her life more miserable. A poor man like me doesn't deserve someone like her."
"Beatrix is not asking for a perfect man Ace. Can't you see she only has her eyes on you?" Madam Stella looked at me sternly, trying to make me see her reasons.
'I wonder if Phoenix will ever look the same way at me once she recovers her memory. She will be reminded of how I'd been an asshole. I dreaded for that day to come. If ever that time comes I would rather choose a quick death than live the rest of my life hated by Phoenix.
"Alexander Crawford will beat the shit out of me if he discovers I was still in love with his only daughter. The man hated me. He will surely crush me like a bug if he finds the truth. The worse he will do is take Beatrix and Faith Vienne away from me. I don't know how that strange man's brain works. He does something unpredictable most of the time."
"I never knew you could be this coward, Ace. Loving someone means you need to take risks. And that includes risking your neck to fight for the one you love. If you're not willing to make some sacrifices then accept it, you're not worth it."
Silence lapsed between us. I wanted to respond but I was lost for words. Madam Stella was right, if I don't want to lose the woman I love then I must fight to keep her with me.
The soft whisper of movement from the staircase caught my attention. When I lifted my eyes, I caught a glimpse of the goddess descending from the stairs in her enigmatic scarlet gown that made her skin appear as if it were glowing.
I heard myself take a quick intake of breath when her eyes met mine. She has the prettiest eyes I have ever seen. I found myself falling madly in love with her all over again. Then she smiled at me, it was warm and bright, it made my worries and fears fade in an instant.
Soft curls cascade beautifully to her slender shoulders and it framed her stunning face. She looked like Aprhrodité, the goddess of love and beauty descending from Mount Olympus.
I was nailed to my place as if I turned into a statue. I blinked my eyes several times, spellbound by her ethereal beauty. I wasn't able to say anything. I continued to stare at her even after she reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped right in front of me.
"Ace?"
Her fingers flew to my neck to adjust my necktie. She was so great… so beautiful...I don't even know why she chose me when she deserves someone better.
"You looked handsome tonight," Phoenix remarked, her flawless cheeks burning. She looked at me from head to toe with a smile on her lips. Caught off guard hearing her praise me for the first time, I took another quick intake of breath.
It was supposed to be my line but I forgot to say it out loud after facing her. It took me a moment to recover my voice and when I did, I cleared my throat. "Thank you. I wasn't expecting it from you. And you… you looked stunning."?The blush on her cheeks deepened.
"T-thank you." She said, embarrassed.
Somehow, knowing that Phoenix wasn't mad at me made me feel ten times better.
"Shall we go?"?Phoenix hooked her arms around me. I gave Madam Stella a nod before I led Phoenix to the door
***
Ravenwood Mansion stood proud and tall under the peaceful night sky. Bright lights spilled from the glass windows. Expensive cars were lined up in the parking area. Guests wearing their best attires were moving towards the door where the ball is held.
Phoenix's hands tightened around my arms as she surveyed the crowd. I could tell she was slightly nervous. Her shoulders were obviously stiff. "Calm down," I whispered close to her ears.
Her anxious eyes landed on mine.
"I couldn't help it, Ace. We don't know anyone here." She mumbled. Her eyes looking around
I pulled to a stop and captured her cold fingers into my own. "We must enjoy tonight, Phoenix. Just think that we are having a date. For once, forget that everyone existed. I am here with you so you don't need to fear anything. Do you trust me, Phoenix?" I asked without tearing my eyes off her.
"I do trust you, Ace." It took her a while to respond but I was thankful to hear her response.
I let go a huge sigh of relief when her stiff shoulders eased a bit. I rubbed my hands into her palms until they were warm. "I promise to take good care of you tonight, Phoenix."
"Thank you very much, Ace."?She replied and gave me the sweetest smile she could muster. It took me an incredible amount of self-control not to kiss her on the lips.
Finally, the butler pulled the door open. Recognition sparkled in his eyes when we walked past him. Perhaps he remembered who I am.
The elegant lights from elegant chandeliers greeted my vision first. Visitors wearing their best ball gowns were scattered in the room.
The room fell into a deep hush when we walked down the red carpet in the center of the room. Heads turned in our direction. When I looked at Phoenix, she seemed not to notice the attention we are attracting.
She walked beside me like a tall, regal queen. Each step she makes, her high slit gown parts open, exposing shapely flawless white legs any woman would kill to possess.
She looked so beautiful that no woman in the room could be compared to her.?She has fire in her soul and stars in her eyes. Whoever looks at her could clearly see not only her beauty from the outside but the inside as well.
Phoenix moves with the grace of a queen. The scarlet ball gown Madam Stella made exclusively for her was attracting too much attention since she looks so damn good in it. The fierce color complements the color of her smooth, alabaster skin.
My trail of thoughts were cut short when my eyes shifted to the woman standing not far from us, wearing a lavender gown. My jaw clenched when her eyes met mine.
***
To my wonderful readers,
I apologize for lack of updates this past two days. To compensate for it, I shall update two chapters?for the next two days.
Thank you for being patient.
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