18 D-day

Noah

I was on the phone with my father the other day, and he’s pissing me off. He called, and the only sentence he said is, and I quote, “I approve her to be my daughter-in-law.” I didn’t like the fact that he visited her. Now that he said this to me, I don’t know what he told her. He can say pretty dumb stuff. I would’ve killed him if he wasn’t my father. Why am I still thinking about this? Today is the day. I went to the music classroom every day for the entire week to see her practice. I come to where I see her more talented than I am. The way she changed the song was mind-blowing, and knowing that she didn’t mean do it, I felt prideful that I propose for her a share of the profits when we release the song. I didn’t want to show much admiration for my sake, I guess. I am trying to push her away, so I can’t explain how much I like everything she does. I am doing this for her, so I can’t get attached to her. Shocking, I know. But, she has the character to make you want to be next to her. Sarah is the only girl that makes me think about my behavior and regret it even.

“Hey, are you ready?” Liam storm in my room with grinning. I was wearing my blazer. “Put your mask quickly. We got to go!” He said with so much excitement in his voice.

“I don’t recall you being this excited, last year,” I frowned at the enthusiastic kid in front of me.

“I had to perform a contemporary dance routine last year. I was nervous all the time. This year, I am going to enjoy myself and have fun. Plus, I am supercurious about Sarah’s performance,” He chimed.

“Where are the others? We have to go together.”

“They’re in the car waiting for you. And yeah, grab an umbrella. It’s going to rain late at night.” He said before disappearing. I grabbed a black umbrella from the shelves and went down to the guys.

It’s going to rain today.

We took the SUV to the ceremony venue. The guys were loud, especially Liam and Ethan. The enthusiasm they have for a boring ball night is something. I sat in the front with Daniel driving. He’s mostly the one that drives us around. We can’t let anyone know anything about us, so we can’t hire a driver or anyone that can enter our house. We do everything alone, even the laundry.

“I am sorry that you’re going to the ceremony as a guest,” Daniel’s soft voice was heard between Ethan’s awful singing.

“You’ve been saying this every ceremony for the past years. No need to fret; we’re all in this together,” I said, turning my face to the window so that Daniel won’t add anything.

I am living up to what the rumors say. I am a spoiled kid that lives in gold and never spare his dad a single night to celebrate the achievement of the hospital he’s going to take over soon. I feel apologetic to my father, trying always to cover up for me every single gathering. All because of this money thirsty competitors and the gangs behind them. We have nothing linked to our families in our daily life. Even for the ceremony, dad sends us money in the group’s bank account, so it looks professional between us. We will get rid of the rats following us, and I’ll play without a mask, and as Noah Luke Hunter is the hospital ceremony and makes my dad proud. I’ll make sure of that.

As always, my old man did his best for the ceremony. The decoration of the venue screams luxury. The second, when stepped on the red carpet reporters, rushed to us with their annoying mikes. We let the security do their job and proceed on our way because talking to them or not; we’ll find nasty rumors about our group the next day.

We headed directly to the room where Sarah and her family are. She refused to go out to the ball until she got to perform. Ethan said that she assisted no social event since her father’s death, and she hates to be obligated to fake smile or small talk with business people. I laughed at how Ethan imitated her pout. I kinda agree with her in this.

Masks were an excellent concept. I know people will recognize us as the F.A members anyway, but I feel better with a cover on my face. At least, we won’t have teenagers and even middle-aged woman staring at us. Once, a woman that has her husband standing next to her kept winking to Liam the entire night. Poor Liam he was traumatized at sixteen. I got to thank my father for his party spirit. The man never looks like a doctor when he’s organizing an event. He turned to a ceremony planner with all the ideas of fun he can have.

I walked behind the guys to the green-room. They opened the door and started chanting. The second I get there, I knew why. I lost the composer and the straight face when my eyes landed on her. She was on an Indigo colored dress much as her eyes. I was fascinated with her eyes color since the first time I met her. Her blond hair was over her shoulders, and even with the mask on, she was looking dazzling. I am losing the game, damn it!

✨✨✨

Sarah

Being engaged in a schedule is exhausting for someone who wasn’t that active for a long time. I had my mother acting like my designer for the entire week. She tortured me to try every dress she brings, and I had to beer it because I needed to. It didn’t end up by me choosing a dress because I disagreed with every color and cut she suggested. She had to tutor her tailors to finish a gown for only four days. I bet they were working day and night for it, and I am here hating even to remember the time her people wanted to take my exact measures. We settled at the Indigo color when I saw the fabric my mom showed me. I instantly loved it. I’ve grown to like my eyes color being the rarity of it. I hated it when bullies used to call me a freak, but now I know that people don’t like to see someone different.

Practicing was hard, yet I was improving every time I play the song, and I was proud that I got to return playing with this challenging piece. My arms’ techniques are now better, and I am confident to let Noah hear me playing. Speaking of him, I was surprised that he never came to the music room and saw me playing. I told him I am going to practice there. I think that his father said to him I played well, so he didn't bother. Despite that, it’s good to know that he’s trusting me with it finally.

Sitting here at the dressing room in the early morning is hell. I didn’t sleep all night so I can have a last practice, and my mom made me come here to her studio at 8 AM, saying I should get ready. For what? The ceremony is after 10 P.M! Why are women like that?

You may all be asking about my relationship with my mother. Well, she said that things are not like what I am seeing them and she’ll tell me on my birthday. I don’t know what I am expecting, but I’ll wait. I guess I only needed for her to tell me she has a proper reason for what she did, and I’ll come to an understanding line for her. I won't forgive her right away, but I’ll wait for what she’s going to say. Now, for the sake of the ceremony, I am going to forget about other things.

“Oh, dear lord! Young lady, you have wicked black bags under your eyes!” I was sitting in front of the mirror when my mom’s makeup artist came running the room entrance, yelling dramatically. Well, it’s normal I didn’t sleep for the entire week do to nightmares at night and practice all day in the music room. I chased the music club members from their own place.

The day went by quickly. The makeup artist put on me a bunch of beauty masks, scolding me for ignoring my skin. We ate what my mom orders for us at lunch in silence, not wanting to talk to anyone about anything. Uncle Oliver brought the kids, and their formal clothes were super cute. Aiden was wearing a baby blue suit with a pink bow and Nadia a soft pink princess dress with a little blue bow in her waist. They were excited to see me playing, but they were more enthusiastic when they knew they’d stay late playing with their friends in the toys room that Mr.Hunter made only for kids. So considerate of him to do that. Parents must be happy for having their children right in the room next to them with their nannies.

We took the limo to the venue. We went early than predicted. I don’t want to reporters lay their cameras my way and I have to change and get things ready.

When my mom brought the dress for me for the first time, I was amazed by how they designed it. I am not the kind that likes dresses, but I fall in love with this one. It is a long dress, fit from waist and flare style. The indigo color shone from the top and faded its color to white gradually to the up. It wasn’t so sparkly yet not boring. My mom brought me white elegant gloves, and I was thankful that she did without me asking for them. I did my best to hide my scars for the past days.

I had two girls working on me: one doing my hair and the other putting makeup on my face. I was clear when I told them I wanted light shadows. Still, I can’t recognize the girl in front of the mirror, especially when I've put my mask.

“Wow, you look elegant!” I turned, knowing that it was Liam. “Thank you; you don’t look bad yourself.” He came in, followed with the other guys’ cheers. I don’t know what they’re cheering for while they look like princes. The four of them were wearing tailored tuxes. Liam’s was Floral Violet Tux with black fitted pants. Adam was wearing Gold Slim Fit Tuxedo. Ethan went for his favorite color Royal Green Slim Fit Tux, and Daniel had Sax Slim Fit Tuxedo. I stopped breathing when Noah came in. I never thought that someone like him goes for white. He was wearing White Slim Fit Peak Lapel Tuxedo. His hair was neatly made to the back rather than his usual messy hair. He looked flawless that I didn't realize I was staring at him until Adam fake coughed.

"The ball is starting, are we going to stay here?" He asked. "You guys go, I am going out when it's time for me to play." I spoke.

"So you're telling me you're going to hide this beauty to only play for like five minutes and go," I know I am blushing under my mask now from Daniel's words.

"I don't want to interact with business people, especially if they know my father. They'll ask much, and I am not ready for answers," I quietly respond. They nodded understanding, and Noah's eyes were pressed on me all the time. I don't know why since I can't read his face. I notice that they have umbrella's on their hands, and I hope they won't tell me what popped up in my mind. "Guys, what the umbrellas for?"

"Uh, these. We wanted to leave it here. It's going to rain later this night, so we took them as a precaution," Ethan spoke. I froze at my place, and fear started rising in my body. Why now? Why today? I won't be able to function if it rains before the show.

I fake smile for everything said to me. The guys stayed until they've been called for their entrance. They have pretty serious fans here since I heard people clapping from this room. But it's not the time for this. I need to find a sharp thing before I went out. I will touch some other place in my body when it doesn't show that I am bleeding. I am only going to be out there for minutes so I will be fine. Will I? I am panicking and it’s not even raining yet.

Turning the room upside down and still found nothing that could be useful. I know I look pathetic and desperate, but I am too weak to support pain like that. I went out for a bit. Liam mentioned that'll be a big buffet, so I guess they'll have some sharp stuff their. I am going to support people's eyes on me so I can be relieved from what comes next.

The ball was full of guests, so I went pretty unseen. Everyone was chatting and laughing with their glasses of wine in their hands. I was glad that I didn't counter any of the guys since the ballroom was a huge one that you can get lost in it. I hope that won't happen to me, and I'll find my way out when I find what I want. I pass through people, and they glance at me, admiring my dress then go back to their conversations until I stopped in front of the buffet. My eyes weren’t on the food, which looks delicious, I was searching in the table items, and I found a steak knife. It will do, and it was the time for it. I looked at the window, and it was raining. It's like my brain knows when to look at the window. Every damn time, a single glance at the water dropping, my heart beats uncontrollably, and my chest gets tightened bit by bit.

I run to my room. Gladly, I didn't get lost. Tears fall from my face, and I was ready to tear up the flesh in my tight. Everything around me went silent; only the sound of rain was vivid in my brain and my breathing sound. Before the raw material touches my skin, a hand stopped me. I looked up to the disappointed face looking at me. "Don't do that to yourself, Sarah," He said. AT the instant, a voice rang on my ear, "think of me as the angel your dad sent to save you from your sick mind."

"It was you, Adam! It was you!"