Chapter 28

Ana Louella

"Why are you here?" Drake asked and I eyed him for a moment.

Drake is wearing velvet like jet-black tuxedo and trousers along with a pair of fancy-looking black leather shoes. His wavy shoulder-length pitch-black hair was tied up in a classy man bun which made his features appear clearer. He looks very prim tonight and he doesn't look as haughty as he usually looks like on a normal day at the university. I must say, he looks impressive tonight. He will surely catch the attention of the women here but he doesn't look attractive enough for me.

I pressed my lips together as I looked away from him. I didn't answer his question and I pretended that I didn't see him or heard him speak.

"Let's go." I told my friends and we began to walk.

I passed by Ace who is wearing a fashionable white tuxedo matched with black trousers and a pair of black leather shoes. He is wearing a classic slick side-parted hairstyle which complemented his features better. Ace can really look good on any clothing.

"I said, why the hell are you here?!" I heard Drake growled as I felt a hand pressed against my back.

I was about to turn my head to see whose hand it was when I felt the person tugged the straps of my gown and then I heard a snap. I knew that my gown would fall on the floor and I would be seen half-naked but before that expectation happened, someone grabbed my waist and pulled me towards his chest. I saw in my peripheral vision that the person who saved me from the embarrassment is wearing a white tuxedo. I felt the warmth emanating from his body which warmed my whole body and I don't know why but I'm enjoying this moment.

"Hold your gown in place." He said and I looked into a pair of familiar deep set dark brown eyes.

"Ace." I gasped.

"What the hell are you-" Ace cut Drake off.

"Shut up Drake!" Ace yelled.

"Hold it, hurry." Ace whispered to me.

I gripped the gown's neckline with both of my hands. Then, he let go of me and I instantly felt a little cold. I wish we could stay in that position for a while but it has come to an end.

"Stay still." He said and I just gazed at him as I admire him wholly.

He bent his knees as he placed his arm on the back of my knees and then he placed his free arm around my shoulders, and in one swift motion, he lifted my body as if he was carrying a baby.

"Put her down Ace!" Drake commanded as he gripped my forearm and I wriggled free of his hold.

"Can you just shut up for a while? It's not like I'm taking her away from you." Ace said as he narrowed his eyes at Drake.

"What- I don't want her near me and that's the reason why I'm making her leave this place." Drake said as he clenched his jaw.

"You want her to leave half-naked then?" Ace questioned as he simpered.

"No- just get her out of my sight!" Drake grumbled as he let go of my forearm and then, he walked away.

"Lou, are you okay?" Andrei asked and I nodded at him.

I should feel terrified or embarrassed because most of the students are staring at us but unknowingly, I actually feel fine. Is it because of the fact that someone has saved me or is it because my savior is none other than Ace? I honestly feel safe in his arms and I can't think of anything that may cause me to feel unwanted emotions.

"You." Ace started as he turned to Meg.

"Come with us." Ace added and Meg just nodded.

He started walking as Meg trailed behind us and all I did was stare at Ace. I can feel the glares and stares of the students inside the hotel but I didn't mind them. I was so lost in his deep set dark brown eyes that I didn't even notice that Ace had already laid me on the bed and he even covered my body with a fluffy white blanket.

"Wait for me here." Ace said as he moved away from me.

"Okay." I said as I flashed my sweetest smile at him and then, he left us.

"Lou, the straps of your gown were torn. Should I ask Andrei to buy you a new one?" Meg spoke out.

"I think so. By the way, where's Andrei?" I asked.

"He went with us. He's just probably staying outside." Meg replied.

"Why don't you let him in?" I said and nodded before walking towards the door to open it for Andrei.

"Come in." I heard Meg say.

A few moments later, they appeared in front of me.

"Lou, how are you feeling?" Andrei asked.

"Fine." I said as I smiled at him.

"Why does Drake always ruin our days? That jerk is really getting on my nerves." Andrei scorned.

"Don't mention his name again and I don't want to hear anything about him tonight." I said.

I'm certainly mad at him but I can't deny the fact that if he hadn't ruined my gown, then I wouldn't know the feeling of being held in Ace's arms.

"How can you go out of this suite when your gown is torn?" Andrei asked.

"Buy her a new one." Meg answered for me and Andrei scratched his head before replying.

"Wait for me here." He said.

I saw him open the door and I saw a woman in her mid-thirties standing in front of him. She is wearing a white top along with a black blazer, black pants and a pair of white kitten heels. She is holding a sparkly white gown and a pair of nude ankle strap heels on her right hand and a medium-sized rectangular white leather makeup bag on the other hand.

"Hello, Miss Louella. Nice to meet you." She said upon entering the suite.

She laid the gown and her makeup bag beside me and then she held out her hand to me. I was reluctant at first but I still accepted her hand and slightly shook it and then we both let go of the handshake.

"Who are you?" Andrei asked.

"I'm Clara, a makeup artist. Mr. Marquez asked me to do Louella's makeover tonight." She said as she stared at Andrei.

"You and your friend..." She said as she pointed at Meg.

"Will you please leave us for a moment?" She asked.

"But-" Meg pinched Andrei's side, cutting him off.

"Let's go." She said as she pushed Andrei out of the door.

Clara asked me to stand up and I followed her instruction. She helped me wear the gown and then I put on the pair of nude ankle strap heels she is bringing. The design of the white gown is almost the same as that of the black one I was wearing earlier. The only difference is that the white one has a thigh-high slit and it is backless. Honestly, I'm not quite comfortable wearing it but when Clara told me that I look good on it, I felt a little confident.

"Trust me, you look good on it. Take a seat so I can do your makeup now." She said and I sat on a stool reluctantly.

"I will redo your hair makeup." She said and I just nodded.

Clara began doing her work and all I could do is to close my eyes or stare at her because I can't actually see what she is doing to my face. After a couple of minutes, she was finally done with my makeover and she handed me a mirror so I could look at myself.

She did the natural makeup look on me with a shimmery neutral eyeshadow and red lipstick. This makeup look is way simpler than that of what I was wearing earlier but it really suits the gown I'm wearing. She styled my hair in a messy braided upswept hairdo and then she curled the loose strands of my hair. The hairstyle and makeup matched the gown perfectly and my overall look is amazing.

"Are you ready to go out of this suite now?" Clara asked and I nodded.

"What are you waiting for? Come out now and enjoy the night." She said and then she winked at me.

"Thank you so much, Clara." I said before turning back.

I wasted no time and I began walking towards the hotel's enormous banquet hall. As I'm walking, I can hear the harmonious music that the university's orchestra is playing. There is a grand staircase that is covered with red carpet that leads all the way down to the classy well-illuminated banquet hall. The walls were painted white and there are elegant huge chandeliers hanging on the ceiling. The tables and chairs were covered with white linens; the chairs were decorated with sparkly silver ribbons; flower vases with beautiful flowers were placed on each table.

As I'm descending, I can feel everyone's glares and stares but I didn't look down although the devils are looking at me. I felt a little awkward when I saw that there are only a few students wearing white gowns. Most of the women are wearing black and some are wearing gowns in vibrant colors such as blue, purple and red. I feel like I am about to get married.

Ace took a couple of steps as he looked at Drake who made a grimace before walking away. Ace waited on the side as he looked at me. Our eye contact broke when I felt someone grab my hand and I turned my head to see who it was. Dane placed my hand on his arm and he escorted me as I'm descending the staircase. I removed my hand on his arm as soon as I set my feet on the floor.

"Thank you." I said and he just looked at me.

"You-" Ace started but Dane cut him off.

"Shall we go after Drake?" Dane chimed in as he turned back.

Dane walked away and Ace looked at me before he followed Dane. I was about to stop him from leaving but Andrei tugged my arm stopping me from going after him.

"Let them be, Lou." He said.

"But I haven't thanked him yet." I replied.

"You can thank him some other time." Meg said.

"What he did tonight is nothing compared to what he has made you experience, Lou. He doesn't deserve your gratitude." Andrei said.

"But-" I argued but Andrei cut me off.

"Lou, let's not involve ourselves with the devils again." He said.

"Come on, let's just enjoy the night." Meg said as she tugged my arm and led me to one of the vacant tables while Andrei trailed behind us.

There are six chairs around the table and I sat beside Meg while Andrei sat across us. Most of the students are with their friends and I haven't seen anyone alone. This night is such a perfect night for the students to talk and laugh with their friends or lovers, to enjoy themselves without minding the paperworks or other school-related stuff even for a while and to socialize with other students.

"I'm so glad that we're able to attend this event. I feel so great because everything is just so amazing!" Meg exclaimed.

"Well, I'm not happy with what you're wearing, not even a bit. Especially you, Lou..." He said as he eyed us from head to toe.

"Why the hell is there a slit on your gown?" He added.

"I don't know. I-" I paused when I sensed that the orchestra had stopped playing music.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I please get your attention for a while?" The host stated which completely cut me off, and then the voices of the students faded out in an instant.