The King and His Queen.

"Well, how do I look? Makeup, dress, is everything all right?" The girl asked with obvious excitement in her voice, she squeezed the microphone even more so that people around her would not notice her trembling fingers.

The man rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair, the event had not begun yet, and he already felt like a squeezed orange. He lowered the camera and sighed heavily, "Listen, Meg, I already told you, I don't know how many times, that you look great. Let's get it started already, so we can finish our work and go home. My wife will kill me if I am late for dinner again." He flopped down on a chair next to him and stretched out his legs.

And why do people make such a fuss over another charity evening with a bunch of rich people? Although if you think about it, the mistress of this evening is very attractive. He filmed many celebrities, but his colleagues, who were lucky to interview this lady, all in one voice declared her magnetic influence. Well, let's see what comes of it.

"Tim, how can you be so calm? Not only that we are one of only three TV companies that managed to get to this event, but we are also the only ones who got permission to have an interview. And what if I blur something wrong? Damn, I have never been so afraid of live broadcast, as now."

The operator sighed hopelessly and said nothing, he wanted to plug his ears and just sleep, but loud music made it even more impossible.

"Aaaaa, damn, here goes!" The journalist shouted and began to tug at his shoulder, "Quickly, quickly, turn on the camera!"

The operator threw the camera on his shoulder lazily, and counted, "Three, two, one, action!"

"Hello, it's a live broadcast and it's Megan Green here. We are currently at the opening of the annual Lenali Enterprise Charity Evening. The event began just a few seconds ago, behind these huge painted doors." The journalist pointed to the closed doors leading to the hall where the celebration was held. They were trimmed with gold and silver, and it seemed that stepping over this gate, you would enter a whole different era. As if it was one of the halls of Versailles or the palace of the imperial house of the Romanovs.

"As you know, every year the festive evening of Lenali Enterprise attracts a huge amount of attention with its elegance and extravagance. The guest list is classified and only they know what the theme of this evening is. Now we can see what the organizers have prepared for this time... God damn it...," the journalist whispered and almost dropped the microphone when the gate behind her opened and she herself and all those who were on the other side of the TV screen could see the grand hall. Her reaction fully reflected the emotions of all who saw this broadcast.

Crystal chandeliers on the ceilings handed out luminous glare throughout the hall, the live orchestra played light and beautiful melody that would drag anyone to the dance. But the most striking thing was the guest outfits. Long dresses and tuxedos, veils and fans, and most importantly, the masks. It was a masquerade ball, which, in its beauty and showiness, could compete with the Venice Festival, and maybe even surpass it.

The music subsided, and the light in the hall went out for a second, after which it was sent to the stage. The melody began to play with a new force, and to the rhythmic sounds, the dancers filled the stage, creating a bright extravaganza and drawing the audience into their game. Warriors and beautiful ladies began moving, circling in a beautiful dance as if they were from another age and waltz was their daily occupation. The music gradually began to subside and the couples began to disperse to the sides, giving way to a man walking toward the center of the stage with a confident gait.

The black tuxedo emphasized his dark hair and slightly tanned skin, the mask hid his face, but the glint of his eyes, as deep and attractive as the Mariana Trench, was visible to the naked eye. The women in the room held their breath; the men unconsciously straightened their shoulders and backs. Undoubtedly, this man was the King of the evening today.

He raised his hand and turned his head toward the wings. The spotlights were focused in the place where his gaze was directed. A girl was approaching him, she slightly lifted the hem of her long dress, sitting tight on her body on the parts where it was needed the most, making her image even more attractive if it was even possible. She walked with her head held high, her shoulders were laid back, each movement was filled with grace and elegance, and at that moment it was the turn of the men to hold their breath. She did not lay emphasis to a hundred views, looking at her, because at the moment all her attention was focused on the man standing on the stage and holding out his hand to her.

His eyes, full of warmth and tenderness, were the only things that existed now in her world. She extended her hand to him; the man squeezed her palm and brought it to his lips, leaving a light kiss on her. After that, he hugged her around the waist with his second hand, pulled her close and took a step to the side.

The girl gave him a surprised look, but her body obediently followed him. The orchestra was silent for a moment, the conductor, realizing the situation, waved his wand, and a slow and gentle tune filled the hall, accompanying the dancing couple on the stage.

"What are you doing? We should have said a welcome speech now!" Elena whispered, following the movements of her husband. "You yourself said it ten minutes ago how much all this pathos drives you crazy and you want to finish it all quick."

David slyly grinned and pulled his wife closer to him, "It's true, just ten minutes ago I wanted to hit Daniel and bury him somewhere in the back yard, while no one sees. But when I saw you, so amazing and mysterious in this mask and this seductive dress, I thought that his idea was not so stupid."

"But how did you even get the idea to solve the topic of such an important event by playing the twister? How old are you, really?" Elena shook her head, recalling the triumphant Daniel, who had defeated his younger brother and declared that they had to have a masquerade ball.

"Hey, you know that he cheated! If Ashley had not tickled me, I would not have fallen at all! They conspired against me, you know! Moreover, as I recall, you laughed at me no less than Sean. How could you even do that to me? Are you even my family?!" David pouted his lips like a little boy.

"OK OK. I apologized, but it was really funny," Elena giggled, knowing that David himself had a lot of fun playing that game. "If you want to apologize to me, you have to do it like this," he leaned forward and covered her mouth with his lips in a sensual kiss.

Elena staggered back from his lips and shooshed on her husband, "We are on the stage! What are you doing?!"

The man grinned, "Public display of affection," he took her hand and kissed it, then put his hand on her back and, drawing circles on her skin with his thumb, led her toward the microphone, "Let them know who you belong to. In case anyone has any unnecessary thoughts in his head," he whispered playfully in her ear.

Elena turned away from the embarrassment, if not for the makeup and the mask on her face, everyone would see her ruddy blushing cheeks. Probably, no matter how many years have passed, this man will always find a way to make her heart beat like crazy.

David squeezed her hand tightly in his hand and took the microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we welcome you to the fifth Lenali Enterprise charity event. Thank you for supporting our projects around the world and we hope that this evening will bring you pleasure."

David waved his hand, and the solemn music declared the official start of the event, which was cherished by the desire of many. Including those whom he would have never invited.