With Love Simone

Chapter 5 The Quirky Dance In The Masquarade

When you’re royally messed up then can a Masquerade party do anything good to you? Certainly, the answer’s no because it only adds to your vexation and doesn’t do anything much apart from making you feel like an utter s**t.

With a constant frown on his head, Ashton sat in the bars of the Walkers Abode. He pulled at the bowtie of his tuxedo constantly bored of wearing that suicidal thing in his neck but still not forgetting to maintain his smile for his family’s sake. According to him, the societal parties were as annoying as the melodramatic soap operas of television.

Ironic! He hated both.

His gaze shifted continuously from the dance floor to his cell phone; his heart anticipated the call from his only solace in his hectic life but there was no end to this wait.

Have you ever waited for someone’s call so much and when they don’t call, you can’t help but feel disappointed with everything? The surroundings no longer interest you while you feel like a moving log with no idea of what was going around.

"Damn, this party sucks big time. God knows, why did I even show up here in the first place?" He cursed, discarding his mask on the floor.

It was a red and black mask covering his beautiful features from all but wearing it somewhat highlighted his jawline a bit more. But now the thing ended at someone’s feet.

Immediately, Ashton stood up coming face to face with another tall man, precisely sharing the same features as him and it wasn't hard to conclude the bond that the duo shared.

“If I didn't know better Son, I would have thought that you were trying to disrespect me.” Christian Walkers retrieved the mask from the floor and commented, making his way to him.

Ashton only lowered his head not able to meet his father's eyes.

Christian was a man of absolute discipline; every word uttered by him was the dead end for his kids until his wife Johanna stepped into convincing the old man with her lovable wifely attitude.

Ashton stood there cursing his fate when he heard a low chuckle and he didn't have to think twice in order to know that it was his father who was the one chuckling. He raised his head and gave him an annoyed look, clearly stating his displeasure with his father now.

"Seriously, Ash are you still afraid of me?" The old man joked raking his fingers through his hair. His eyes which were hidden behind his spectacles shone in glee as he scrutinized his son's face which looked pale and upset.

“Seems like your girl didn't called you yet. Isn't it so?” In response, he was only met by a tired frustrated groan. His father patted his back; his lips itched to smile he chose to let his son be in peace rather than annoying him.

“As a matter of fact, I’d like to say all girls are the same irrespective of their age. They love to make us men wait and grow old.” He took his seat next to Ashton’s stool ordering himself a glass of vodka from the bartender who was glad to serve him.

Ashton checked his cell once again, but then his mind debated on the thought that she might have slept off due to the workload.

“All four look quite a couple there!” Christian commented as his eyes travelled on to the two couples—Rex and Alice; Derek and Alison, dancing, lost in one another's eyes.

“Obviously they will look when they are one!” Ashton shrugged his shoulders.

“You are not supposed to drink. Mom is going to be mad at you.” Ashton reminded the senior Walker as he sipped his drink now.

In response, his father furrowed his brows.

Christian gulped the liquid down his throat in one go and stated, "The secret of life is to let loose and be happy. You don’t do it and that’s why instead of enjoying this party where the entire Vienna is invited, you are sitting here with a sullen look. Come on, go have fun. There are so many beautiful ladies here. Ask anyone for dance. It's not like there are not waiting to be asked. Be opportunistic, my boy.”

He passed a wink to Ashton who shook his head. With discipline, his father was one maniac too who became a teenager when he organized any party in their house. If he was to define in one word, then, “Playboy” was the right term to say.

"You are impossible, old man. Be safe always or else I am going to hunt you down.” Christian chuckled at his empty threat.

The man knew he might not live for many years, but he wanted to make up the most of it. That made it an alone reason why despite knowing the terror in the city he called his baby boy in Vienna because he didn't want his wife and daughter unprotected. He was waiting for the right time to announce the mystery prevailing in their city to Ashton.

He was still unaware of any of the things that happened after he went to Hollywood at the age of seventeen. Since then, he was busy making his career by flying to a different destination that kept him aloof from the recent happenings of the town.

Ashton sensed something unusual with his father, but before he can dwell more, a sweet voice interrupted them, "Excuse Me, Sir. If you will allow, may I have the pleasure to dance with you?"

A young girl in a red dress with a matching mask, covering half her face, leaving only her red lips and black eyes on display, stood in front of them.

Her one palm forwarded towards Ashton who was startled with sudden intrusion but as he saw his father grinning from ear to ear, he knew his father was having his own amusement now.

"Of course, My Lady I’d love to dance with you, but since you see my wife is probably searching for me, I will allow you two to proceed to the floor." Christian pestered Ashton in his own witty way, earning a groan from the later whilst the girl in front of them gave them lopsided smile.

“What a bad day to have lost such an amazing dance partner. But no worries, we’ll have many opportunities to dance with the other, Sir. For now, it's my pleasure to dance with your son.” She said in her husky accent confusing the men but anyway they didn’t ponder much, and the old men left the two on their own.

Not having any other choice, Ashton held her palm in his; and they both felt as if a jolt of electricity passed through their spine at the very contact of their warm skin against the other.

Still gazing at her face, he led her to the dance floor not caring for the discarded mask while her lips were twitched into a thin smile.

The soft violin music was being played around accompanied by the piano; the couples were lost in their own worlds.

Ashton felt little weird dancing with a stranger, but he didn't want to disrespect his father's guest in any way. So, pushing aside his thoughts, he draped his one arm around her waist, and boldly she kept her one palm on his shoulder; another hand entwined with the other while their grey and black eyes tried to peek through the other. He couldn’t make out if her eyes were natural or she was wearing a lens, but they suited her flawless face. That much he made out from the white skin on display.

"So, you are a model?" She inquired as they swayed slowly.

He nodded his head feeling little uncertain on being this close to some stranger.

"What about you?" He inquired back for courtesy's sake, pushing her away, and twirling her around, bringing her back in their initial position.

"I kill!" She replied.

"Huh?" Flabbergasted by her reply he left her.

She chuckled lowly not disturbing the others at all. Moving ahead, she took his hand again and kept it on her waist while his gaze transfixed on her.

"For a model Mr Walkers, you are definitely no fun." She joked locking her fingers with his; he stared at her confused.

“Hasn't someone joked with you?”

“Jokes are not deadly.”

“Life's a joke too. The more you dwell on it, the funnier it will turn.” She quoted whom he had no idea. Perhaps, it was her own theory. But he had to say sudden curiosity piped inside him to know more about the stranger female. She surely was one of a kind.

"Sorry for being bad at making conversations. Can I know your name please?" He inquired realizing that he hasn't even asked her name.

She laughed wounding her arms around his neck, taking him by surprise.

“What's the hurry?”

“All names are one and same. Different ways to address similar people. It’s the personality that matters, boy.” She whispered leaning near his ears and rubbing her lips to his earlobes.

For a split second, he shut his eyes as he felt his heartbeat accelerate like never. An unusual first.

Pulling her head away from him, she pushed herself out of his grip, and then forced him to pull her back in his arms, so that he was back hugging her. Having his head in the crook of her neck, and her palms resting on the top of his on her belly, she became elated and mumbled.

“Don’t be sad, Boy. Soon you will know my name as well my work. Till then, let’s enjoy the night because I wish to dance as I’ve never danced before.”