7 May I have this dance?

A grand and splendid ballroom had been intricately arranged for what appeared to be an immensely significant and upscale occasion. Chandeliers hung gracefully from the ceiling, casting glimmers of light that spanned the room, bestowing an ambiance akin to a luminous, star-studded night sky. Throughout the room, numerous round tables were strategically placed, adorned with an elegant blend of red and gold—  colors which represented wealth, prosperity and good fortune. 

This masquerade ball was undoubtedly a showcase of luxury, evident in every detail from the gleaming crystal champagne glasses to the resplendent silver and gold cutlery. The walls adorned with exquisite paintings and decorations added to the lavishness of the scene. However, it wasn't just these opulent elements that caught one's attention.

Inside the ballroom, clusters of individuals were adorned in clothing, jewelry, and accessories that collectively amounted to millions of dollars. The women's adornments—earrings, necklaces, bracelets, tiaras, and rings—radiated a brilliance even more dazzling than the room's luminosity. A mere glance inside revealed that this was a gathering of the most influential, affluent, and powerful individuals. Naturally, in keeping with the masquerade theme, each attendee, male or female, concealed a portion or the entirety of their face behind a mask, adding an additional layer of enigma to the already mysterious identities of those present. 

Walking in, her arm intertwined with Mr. Black Leather Jacket's, this was the scene Abi beheld.

Her eyes widened as her jaw dropped in sheer amazement. She had never before encountered such extravagance in her entire life! The lavish tables, the intricate decorations, the assembled guests—it was almost overwhelming. No wonder Mr. Qinn had sent her the dress, jewelry, and shoes. Clearly, he was intent on avoiding any embarrassment on his part at this luxurious event. She was now immensely thankful that she had asked Kelly's aid in getting ready tonight; otherwise, she would have felt conspicuously out of place—though, in truth, she already did. This was a world she didn't belong to.

She snapped out of her daze when Mr. Black Leather Jacket  guided her towards the champagne fountain. He took a glass and gave it to her before taking one for himself. 

"Thank you," she said, taking a small sip. 

"For the nerves," he replied as a smile formed on his face. 

She was about to look for a particular handsome man when she sensed a familiar presence behind her. Her skin tingled, and she instinctively understood that searching was unnecessary. A sizable hand alighted on her shoulder as he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered.

"May I have this dance?" His deep, seductive, masculine voice sent shivers down her spine. Before she could react, Mr. Qinn had already retrieved her drink and set it on the table. He grasped her hand and led her toward the dance floor, where several other couples were already swaying to the music.

Guiding one of her hands, he placed it on his lower back while firmly holding the other in his grasp. His arm slid around her, drawing her intimately against him, leaving no gap between their bodies. Abi's mind seemed to have ceased functioning, and all she could do was follow his lead.

She was glad that her grandfather taught her how to dance back when she was a teenager, but she never would have thought that she would have to use her skills on a night like this and with a person like him. She never thought that it would feel like this—exhilarating, intense, magical and so much more. 

Her heart was beating so loudly, but strangely, she didn't feel tense.  She was dancing with him so smoothly, just following his lead, and she  knew she shouldn't be amazed but she was. He was just so good at this.  The way he touched her, the way he led her, the timing of his every movement were all perfectly in time with the music. He was extremely graceful that even she could tell that his movements could only be formed  from constant training from a young age. Not only that, she was sure that it could also be from the constant attendance with other noble people of  similar backgrounds at events like this. That gracefulness in his  movements, and that hint of arrogance were most probably drilled into him from birth.

Abigail could not think of anyone else who drew everyone's attention without trying.

Now that she was this close to him, Abi finally had the chance to study his face. 

His nose, his lips, his jaw and every contour of his face was just...  perfect. Even though he was wearing a mask, she could still see his grayish eyes through them, and they  were simply spell-binding. She felt like if she ventured close enough, his  eyes would pull her in like quicksand, where there was no escape, and she felt like that was what was happening to her right then. 

"Penny for your thoughts?" the man finally spoke, startling her from her reverie. 

Abi somehow quickly regained her composure as she responded, "I  didn't expect that you would bring me to a party like this."

"Don't you like it?" 

"I wouldn't say that, but… This is my first time attending a party like this, so I feel a little overwhelmed," she confessed, and he gave her a soft, enchanting smile, flashing a set of perfect, ultra-white teeth. If only his eyes would smile as well... 

"You find the party overwhelming, but not me?" he said, seemingly quite amused before his mood shifted yet again. "Tell me about yourself," he added, now serious. 

"I am an only child, and I'm currently living with my grandparents and my father." 

"Are you a student?" he queried.

"No, I graduated last year." 

"What was your major?"

"Music," she disclosed.

"What do you do now? Create music?" 

"No. I am currently working in my relative's orphanage. I assist the teachers, read stories to the kids and teach music lessons as well." Abi thought that she might be really boring him right now. But when she looked closely into his eyes, he continued to stare at her with those penetrating gaze, as if her normal life's story was somehow  interesting. She knew it was far from interesting. She really didn't have  anything exciting enough to tell him, now that she thought about it as she had spent most of her life peacefully in the orphanage, in their quiet home, and in the hospital. Yes, her life was normal and peaceful, so much so that her peers often referred to it as downright boring.

So, before the man could ask once more, Abi swiftly took the initiative and beat him to it by asking a question of her own. "Mr. Qinn, what's your full name?"