Not Cinderella

It was that time of the year again, a time where everyone can be anyone or anything they want to be. The ultimate excuse to play dress up, no matter how young or old you are. It's that time of year, Halloween.  It was Hannah's favorite holiday, besides the candies and chocolates, not to mention the unlimited freight. It's the idea of dressing up to be anyone you want without people judging you, because everyone was doing the same thing!  This year, Hannah plans to be a sexy Daisy duck. It was already Halloween night and Hannah just finished touching up when her best friend Katherine entered her room. She was wearing this green medieval ball gown with a silver mask on.  "What the hell are you wearing?" she asks.  "What?" Hannah asked raising her eyebrow.   "I told you, we'll be attending the annual Masquerade Ball in town square" Katherine exasperates.  "But I don't want to go, come on. It's just a stupid ball that the Mayor always holds. Besides, I heard there's going to be a party across the town"   "Hannah, you promised me, please. I need you there I can't just bail my uncle's ball this year. "   "Not going to happen Kath."  "Pleaaaseeeeeee, do it for me? Just stay until midnight then we can ditch the place and go to that party. I just need my uncle to see me long enough" Hannah let out an exhausting sigh before looking at her best friend.  "Fine"  Thirty minutes later, Hannah and Katherine were walking up the stairs to the ball room where the Masquerade party was being held.  Hannah had exchanged her Daisy duck costume to a white ball gown and a gold mask that Katherine so happens to have at that moment. The doors to the ball room opened and they were met with dozens of people in a tux, ball gowns and different shapes, colors and designs of masks.  A waiter walked towards them holding a tray of champagne, both girls grabs a drink before further walking down. "Hannah, I just need to find my uncle will you be alright?" she asks. "I'll be fine go ahead." With a nod of understanding, Katherine went to find the mayor.  In the meantime, Hannah decided to wander around the halls of the estate. The ball was held in a large mansion like castle that the mayor had rented for the night. The place was draped with red and gold curtains, marbled floor and expensive looking statutes and paintings all around.   "Wandering around the halls while the party is there" Hannah jumped at the sound of the voice. She turned around to find who this person was for bothering her.  But she was met with a very tall man, with a great built wearing a black tuxedo that fitted him in all the right places, his blonde hair pulled back and was wearing a black and silver mask. His stubble that goes around his chin and jaw made him more mysterious and sexy in that outfit. Lost in words, she just nodded her head.   "People might think you're up to something sinister" he smirked, making her heart beat faster. Hannah cleared her throat and said, "Well.. The party was great but then, I just got curious"  "May I accompany you?" Hannah c****d her head, thinking who this man could be.  "Well, sir, then people might think there's a conspiracy happening" she grinned.   "Well, it's best to go then, before they find us" the man winked at her, making her cheeks crimson red. The man held his arm out for her, and she grabbed it without hesitation. Resting her hand on his felt natural, but the sensation was far from usual.  They walked towards another hall, the walls were filled with painting, and at the end of the hall was a door. The man opened the door, walking out, only to be met with a stunning garden, filled with bushes of white roses draped with small Christmas lights creating a beautiful golden glow around the place.   Hannah was speechless, the sight in front of her could only exist in fairy tales, but it wasn't. The soft music emanating from the ball room could be heard from where they stood. There was a small area in the middle of the garden. The mystery man held Hannah's hand and escorted her to the middle.   "Can I ask the beautiful lady for a dance?" he whispered. "Yes" it came out more of a murmur than a solid answer from her. But how can she speak whenever this man looks at her with his ocean blue eyes, her knees turns into jelly. He held her hand, while he puts his other hand around her waist, just above her hips. Hannah places her hand on his chest, she could feel the beat of his heart. It was beating like a drum, was he nervous as she was? They slowly start to sway with the beat of the music. They were silent, only the beating of their hearts could be heard, and it was more than enough where words can't express what they feel at that moment. They looked at each other, she could finally study his face even with the mask on, and his eyes were more beautiful up close, it wasn't purely blue, but has the shade of grey in it. His lips were plump and pink, her defined jaw line with the right amount of stubble.  Involuntarily, she brings her  hands up to touch it. Without thinking, he also cupped her face. They moved closer to each other, only centimeters away, where their lips would touch. He moved closer and closer until there was no more space between them. Their lips met, the kiss was soft and light as feather. She parted her lips where he kissed it more ferociously. By the time they realized they were kissing, they were out of breath, mind fogged, but their hearts was clear as water.   "What's your name?" he asked her, breathless she answered  "My name is Ha—"before she could finish her sentence there was a loud clinging sound telling them it was already midnight, which Hannah remembered that she needed to find her best friend before it was too late. Without any word, she dashed away from him and went inside. The man was shell shock to say the least, he ran towards her, chased her down back to the ball room, but before he could catch up with her, she was gone.   Hannah found her best friend in another room with her uncle, they were both arguing with something when she entered. It was awkward to say the least. Without and question, Katherine pulled Hannah out until they arrived back to their apartment. She did not pry to her best friend's problem, knowing her, all she wanted to do was to forget about it for the moment. And to forget was what they did. But at the back of Hannah's mind was the man she kissed, unable to forget.   The next day, Hannah accompanied her best friend to her uncle's house. She learned that Katherine was to be married to a man she has never met. Even though it was the 21st century, Hannah assumed arranged marriage was still a big deal. Especially, when your family has a reputation to hold. The man that her best friend was to be married, was said to bring political alliance for them and would ensure their family stability for a very long time. Knowing her best friend, she was opposed to the idea to begin with. They arrived at the mayor's house later that day. Hannah went to the living room while Katherine went to her uncle's office on the other side. It was her second time coming here, and yet, the place was still breath taking. Hannah wondered around the room looking at the small statues that were placed inside a wooden case.   "Wandering around the room?" she jumped in surprised not because it caught her off guard, but because the voice sounded all too familiar. She turned around and she saw a man leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, wearing a white shirt and black jeans that fitted the man in all the right places. He looked familiar, the sound of his voice sounded familiar. Hannah could also tell that the feeling was mutual.  He eyed her up and down until, "People might think you're up to something sinister". It can't be. "Well, I just got curious" The man smirked, "May accompany you?" Hannah grinned, "Well, sir, people might think there's a conspiracy happening" The man dropped his hands and strode towards her, before she could say anything. The man pulled her in, cupped her face and planted a soft kiss. A kiss that says a thousand words, a kiss that never felt foreign to her, but felt like home.  He pulled away and grinned, "Well, it's best to go then, before they find us" Hannah smiled ear to ear, realizing he was the man from last night.  He was gorgeous. They pulled away and before they could say anything, Katherine and the mayor entered the room. They looked at them both before the mayor spoke, "Katherine, this is Charles, he's the man you're engaged to"