Chapter 11 Lift Your Mask
1130 Words
Mia's POV
"You look gorgeous tonight." Ryan says to me while escorting me to the dance floor.
"How do you know? You're not looking at me. You are looking at the ground like I do." I bite my inner cheeks, trying not to die of embarrassment.
We could be the weirdest partners on the dance floor. When most dancers are staring into each other's eyes with intense stares, Ryan and I are both dying to avoid eye contact by keeping our heads down. I am sweating when he holds my hand, but feel much better when I found he is as nervous as me.
"Hmm, perhaps I wasn't not talking to you. I was talking to your heels." Ryan chuckles.
"Really?" I laugh at his excuse and drawl, "What did they say to you?"
"They encouraged me to lift my head so I can see the second most beautiful woman tonight," Ryan smirks and raises his chin.
My heart skips a beat when our eyes eventually meet. He has piercing eyes, and almost like they can look through me regardless of my mask. I swallow the sudden dryness in my throat and casually ask, "Who is the best?"
"Do you happen to know the girl wearing the pink mask? I saw you two were having a chat."
"We did have a chat, but she refused to tell me who she is, saying it would spoil the fun. She promised me that she would formally introduce herself after the ball. To be more specific, after she set off the fireworks. She is so cute, like a chatterbox." I can't help but smile, "Are you saying she is the most beautiful woman tonight? If so, I probably will agree with you."
"Alas, don't spoil that child. The only reason I call her the most beautiful woman is because she claims so and I don't want to get myself into trouble. The price of pissing her off is too high." Ryan chuckles with his eyes lingering on my bare shoulder.
My body is tensed up and he seems to sense that. He clears his throat, averts his eyes, looks back to me, and says softly, "I couldn't help but notice you are wearing a strap dress. When the waltz starts, I am going to place my right hand on your left shoulder blade, which means my hand will touch your skin. Are you fine with that?"
Ryan's words makes me recall what happened last night. He touched the small of my back to console me yet I shouted at him in return. I blush fiercely and answer quietly, "Yes".
"Good." Ryan places his right hand on my shoulder and gives me a mischievous smile, "You are still nervous."
"I am not." I retort despite that I know he was telling the truth.
"Show me." Ryan smirks and challenges me.
Provoked by him, I raise my chin, standing with my upper body straight. I place my left hand on his shoulder, trying to use my body language to prove myself. I c**k my head and ask him, "Now what?"
"I am fully convinced." Ryan reply with a delightful chortle and suddenly step with his left foot forward without warning me in advance.
There is no doubt that he launches the sneak attack on purpose, for the corners of his lips are moving up. I narrow my eyes and step my right foot back swiftly before he can step on my foot. Ryan is amused by my dodge and end with his right foot placed next to his left foot. I follow his lead by placing my left foot next to my right foot. We repeat the steps several times using the 3-count until we gradually form a smooth tempo. When the first song is near to its coda, Ryan places his left foot at a slight turn and leads me to the same direction. Then he releases me by dropping his right arm and raising his left hand, spinning me in a clockwise turn He eventually puts his arm around my waist and draws me closer to him.
We are close. Dangerously close.
I find it so difficult to maintain my breath under such circumstances. When you've just finished the movements, it is already not easy to breathe when your lungs are longing for air. The closeness worsens the situation and makes me hold my breath despite of my eagerness to pant.
"I want to kiss you." Ryan whispers to me. Sensing I don't push him away, he leans forward and his voice turns husky, "If you don't reject me now, I'll take that as a tacit approval."
I wonder what kind of creature can say no to him. I nod and breathe, "Yes, it is a yes."
With my consent, he grins and leans to capture my lips. I close my eyes yet what awaits me is not a kiss but a clinking sound. I open my eyes in confusion and realize that the sound comes from the crash of our masks.
"Sorry, er, I totally forgot this. How stupid I am." Ryan hurriedly takes off his mask and lets out a nervous laugh. Then he looks at me with eagerness.
I am about to lift my mask when it occurrs to me that there is still a scar on my left cheek. My hand is frozen in the air and the sudden stop catches Ryan's attention.
"What's wrong?" He asks softly.
"I—I, I don't want to expose myself. Not now. I accidentally got a facial wound and I don't want you to see it." I lower my head, averting my eyes.
"But you were alright last night." Ryan frowns and asks, "What happened? Did you have a fight with your pack to come here?"
His instinct surprises me. I fake a smile and trail off, "Kind of".
Ryan's jaw clenches. He reaches out his hand and lifts my chin, forcing me to look at him, "Did they hurt you?"
"I am fine. It's an accident. It is just a small cut. Not a big deal."
"Show me."
"It is ugly and I—"
"It won't change my feeling for you, if that's what you are afraid." Ryan interrupts me and smirks, "You owe me a kiss no matter what."
I fail to argue against him and feel helpless when he lifts my mask.
Please, please, please, make him stop. I pray to the moon goddess and she ignores my appeal, like always.
My mask is taken away and my face is exposed to the air. I can feel the gentle breeze caressing my cheek. I shut my eyes, unwilling to face the collapse of my pathetic romance, which hasn't formally started and now is going to be ended eternally.
- Writer
