27 Old Lover

{P.O.V. Jennifer Ross-Ryans}

Tonight is the night of the charity ball. I am in my gorgeous dress, wearing my mask. My hair is done up in a beautiful bun with few pieces hanging down in the front. Then my golden queen crown with rubies is on my head, along with my matching necklace around my neck and earrings in my ears. Kendrick is wearing a black suit with a red dress shirt with a black tie with red roses design to match my dress. His mask is a devil mask; how ironic is that? The nickname that I have for him he dresses like it. We are on our way to the ball in a limo with Nolan and Cass. Cassidy has a beautiful white dress with white and blue feathers and gems on it. She going has a good queen, and Nolan has a dark navy blue suit and matching tie on and a white shirt. His going has an angel. I'm just glad he didn't get the huge fake wings because it would be tough not to laugh if he did have them.

The limo pulls up in an incredible huge mansion. It looks bigger than the one Kendrick, and I live in. The ball is at the Rills Mansion; they say it is so huge that they have an incredible ocean view. Everyone puts their mask o in the car and steps out. Nolan helps Cass and Kendrick helps me out. All kinds of reporters were outside trying to get the inside scoop about tonight's ball and who was here. One Lady stops in front of all of us.

"Mr. Ryans, rumors have spread that your company's top rival is here. After your fall out with one another, you have never attended the same party. However, tonight's ball is a completely different situation. You are both here, and we all would like to know if Mr. Mongomery and Your conflict with one another will cause trouble tonight?" The reporter asks.

"If Mr. Mongomery is here tonight, there will be no conflict with one another. After all, this is for a good cause, not whose company is better. That question and conflict are left at work. For tonight I am not the hardass boss and company owner. Tonight is me just taking my Wife and my COO, Mr. Brackets and his Girlfriend, out for a fun night." Kendrick replies. She asks more questions, and Kendrick and Nolan answered them.

After answering a few more questions, we go inside the Mansion. Walking into the foyer, a huge table sat with greeters. Giving everybody their auction and donation numbers along with their coat closet number. Kendrick and Nolan walk up to get their numbers. After getting their numbers, they hand us one.

"Why are you giving me one?" Cassidy asks

"Because you are here with me and not just that you are my date and girlfriend," Nolan replies.

"But I don't have any money."

"The number is assigned to my account. Whatever you buy will be charged to me, and I will pay for it. And to save us some time, let us not argue about the whole spending my money argument just for tonight."

"What about Jen.." Before she could finish that sentence, Kendrick answers.

"Same goes for Jennifer," Kendrick replies boldly.

"Really?" Asking him.

"Yes, really."

Cassidy and I just smiled at each other excitedly. Nolan holds his arm out to her, and she takes it. Kendrick hands me a number taking it from him. He holds his arm out to me, putting my arm in his, we enter the ballroom.

The room was decorated with black, red, white, silver, and gold. The serving staff members were serving food and drinks. Tables were surrounding the dance floor on the top floor. The dance floor was on the floor below us, along with an alive band playing and singing music. Dancing right above the dance floor was dancers dressed in costumes and makeup dancing on these huge black and dark red ribbons of cloth. Everyone was wearing either funny or huge masks and hats. To the left of the entrance was a room for an auction and a bar. On the right was the room for donations and also led to the restrooms.

"This place is absolutely amazing," I say in awe.

"Mrs. Rills really knows how to plan a party," Kendricks says.

"What do we do first?" Asking how these kinds of things work while feeling a little nervous. I was going to meet more people from Kendrick's world, including Mr. and Mrs. Rills. I haven't always had any good experiences with rich people. Like for example, Kendrick's Father hates me for no damn reason. Another example is some of the girls Kendrick interviewed to look for a wife looked and talked to me like I was beneath them.

"Remember to breathe." He takes me by the hand to help me feel not so nervous. Taking a deep breath and letting it out.

"Now what?"

"Now, just follow my lead."

"What if I trip and fall on my face?"

"I'll catch you." I know for a fact he would.

Finishing going in all the way, Kendrick introduces me to a few people I don't know. What was interesting is that Kendrick's parents were here. Kendrick explained that Mr. and Mrs. Rills are old friends with his parents. He also explained how three out of five sons of Mr. Rills took over the family companies.

After meeting a few people Cassidy and I went to the auction and bought a few furniture items. Lets me say some of it was kind of expensive. Felt a little bad for spending so much money on furniture. After that, Cassidy and I went to find the guys, and when we did, they both dragged us to the dance floor.

"Kendrick, I don't know how to dance." Telling him didn't stop him though he continues to take me to the dance floor.

"And?" He asks.

"What do you mean and? I will fall and trip on my face." Getting onto the dance floor, Kendrick held me in a dancing position with one arm around my waist, and the other held my hand.

"Do you trust me?" He asks

"Yes."

"Then trust me when I say I'll catch you. Besides, dancing isn't that hard will take it to step by step."

"You're going to teach me how to dance?"

"Yes." The music was slow, and we took it step by step.

A few times, Kendrick had to catch me from my small stumbles, and I also stepped on his foot a few times. But after a few tries, I was able to catch on, and I learned how to dance. I am no pro at it, but I got the hang of it. After getting the hang of it, some of the songs we danced to were fast tempo. Every moment that we danced with each other made me want to fall in love with even more. The way we danced with each other was like we weren't meant to be or something. The next song was called I Fell In Love with the Devil, and it made me think about what Cass said at my wedding about how he is the beast, and I'm the beauty. It was like the moment we were having was where the beast and the beauty have their special dance. It made my heart open up even more, and I realized something.

After the song ended, I excused myself, saying I had to use the ladies' room also told him I would meet back with him at our table when I was done. When the truth is I didn't need to use the restroom, I needed some air, Finding an exit that led me out onto a balcony. The view was gorgeous; it was the ocean, and the beach was all lighted up. Different people from the ball were enjoy taking strolls along it. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, I had to process what I just realized. Asking my self over and over if I was sure. And every time I would answer myself, it was a yes. I have done and realized something I know I probably shouldn't have done. I have fallen in love with Kendrick Ryans. Even though I know, I probably shouldn't have done it, even if I know that there is a risk of getting hurt. I couldn't help the way I felt, and I don't regret feeling this way. In fact, it feels right to me.

The door of the balcony opens, looking back at a man with dirty shaggy blond hair. Tall but not quite as tall had Kendrick. White-skinned and slightly muscular and he wore nerd like glasses. They framed his dark brown eyes, and he had these dimples in his cheeks as he smiled at me. Old feelings I have never felt slightly revealed themself. How I was speechless to see him again the way things ended with us didn't end well.

"Hey, Jenna." The guy speaks up.

"Car...Carson?" I was stunned and confused about why he is here and how he is.

"It's been a long time," Carson replies. I didn't know what to say to him besides.

"What in the hell are you doing here?" Asking him.

"I know that it weird to see me here, but I got something to say to you." He takes a deep breath while he was. I kept saying a little prayer, hoping that he would not say what I think he would say. "First off, I know that you are married and pregnant. I saw the news online, and it made me realized one thing." Please don't say it. "I'm still in love with you and think that you should not be with a man like Kendrick Ryans. The day I proposed to you, and you said no, that day you made a mistake. The life you are living now, the marriage you have with this guy should be with me. The baby your having should be with me. We were meant to be together, I know that, and I know for a fact you know that. So please hear me out when I say this... Leave him and come back to me. If you are worried about what would happen to the baby? Don't worry about it. I will be the baby father, and I will love him or her, just the same as if it was my own. I love you, Jennifer, and I miss you terribly. Please come back to me?"

"Your kidding, right?" Why do I get this feeling that everything he's telling me he wasn't kidding. I was feeling angry that he would ask this of me after all these years of being apart. Also, the moment when I realized I loved Kendrick. Carson answered and shook his head no. I couldn't help but yell at him quietly as I could. Telling him how crazy he was to ask this of me. What really pissed me off he had the nerve to kiss me to stop my yelling. Before I could push him off and slap him, somebody rips him off me.