The Taste of Wine

{ Chapter 2 ~ An offer }

The ball was designed in a more classic european way, but the dress code doesnt have a specific style since its just a celebration and nothing else, since the part is just beginning everyone is more focused on building up conversations and expected new partnerships, everyone is so busy doing what they do that only Xierra is blankly gazing at the crowd, quietly sitting at the corner without even a thing to accompany or entertain her.

She left her phone at her room since the Armani parents doesn't allow for both her and Vy to bring their phone since its just in the way, and they prefer them to be more social, though to be specific only Aviella.

The ball has just began and she's already bored to death, but she has no choice because if she did left early at the ball Vy's mother might find out and scold her for it, even knowing well her presence isn't needed, she's not entirely degrading herself, she simply knew the obvious facts, and also because of experience and her past regrettable moments she's used to it..

Now thinking back again, bringing her phone isn't useful for her either since she doesn't have friends to talk with or any hobbies on it, just a bit of doodling on the app she sometimes use.

' I wish some music would be played right now' she wished for something to make her mind go with the flow with instead of making her tense and overthink.

She lowkey stretche her back slowly when its already starting to stiff. 'How long till this party go the main part of the celebration?!' She complained inside her had when 30 minutes has already pass and the people around is still busy talking business especially the host of this ball which look a bit bothered, they must have noticed how much time has been consumed already, finally after a few more minutes Mrs. Armani walked at the middle on the hall with a mic on her right hand with her husband beside him and also a few individuals close by their side, must be the main VIPs that contributed more on the project.

As how any party or ball start they would blab around about their introduction and thanks for others.

"Ladies and gentleman, May i please grab everyone's attention and please stand for i will start now." Mrs.Armani said making the whole hall fall in silence, like what her mother said she stood up meekly, her hands holding each other as a comfort defense when she felt her anxiety go up because of a few stares individuals are giving her.

'Look away, look away, look away'

She chanted repeatedly at her mind, she could not only feel it but she could seriously catch someone on her pheriperal vision of a tall person who had its eyes striking at her, And because she could barely catch who the person is because of its mask, she doesn't any idea why its seriously looking at her, must be someone new and curious about the adopted? Anyways, staring is rude she would appreciate it if the person would stop it already.

Because of her hard time growing up normally with a normal family, it couldn't avoid the influence of making her build up an anxiety and fear, it affected her personality and every little thing.

After a few minutes of-

Speech

Speech

Speech

Speech

Speech

Finally Mrs. Armani took a break and let everyone to take a drink and eat first, the last session of the ball is prolly another clash of business related conversations, after she eat a bit she would go back to her room and sleep, this is very tiring and boring that she just wanted to sleep right there exactly at her sit.

As she was about to take a plate of chocolate cake Aviella approached her with a 'im so done' expression, Xierra greeted her with a smile which Vy immediately give back, Vy hugged Xierra's right arm which her sister responded with a sarcastic tsk.

"If you don't want your mom giving us an hour of her scolding about acting properly, fix your posture sis" Xierra reminded her as she walked back to her sit with Vy following her still with her hands around her arm, Vy let out a heavy sigh and listened to Xierra, now they are walking back side by side.

"I feel so spent up sissssss, i badly want to get drunk right now" she expressed freely with Xierra, Her sister laughed at her complains however she also did agree with her.

"How was it though?" Xierra asked, sitting down at the single chair, Vy paused for a second realizing she's not sitted with her sister earlier, and that made her feel guilty.

"Oh Xierra i'm sorry by the way that i forgot to invite you to sit with me! I was so busy earlier i didn't notice you weren't at the table with me" She sincerely apologized, which Xierra just responded by raising an eyebrow.

"Well i'm thankful you have forgotten me and i didn't have to sit awkwardly with others" she nonchalanty said which is true, Vy pouted at her even tho half of her face is covered by her white mask, Vy asked for a butler to get her own chair so she could sit beside Xierra, which was done by just a minute.

They chatted a bit while at the same time a few young ladies is asking for Vy's company while giving Xierra a spiteful look, but Vy would always refuse saying she doesn't feel well when everyone could clearly tell she's well than ever. They both stopped chatting when Vy's mother passed them giving them a warning look, and just by that look the both of them understood what it meant, Vy stood up and said would later catch up again with her sister or tomorrow since they are sure they are tired as hell.

She finished the small slice of chocolate cake at her plate that even though its a simple thing it made her delightful that she could get to taste the delicious cake, after asking for a maid to take her plate she sat quietly again waiting for the ball to have its last moments and for her to finally go to her room in peace.

To make herself less bored, she observed around the people that visited especially the people she know already.

'Looks like everyone did attend the celebration, it said it would be a fifty plus visitors but it seems like it exceeded more than that number.'

'Luke Hemilton the one which has the longest relatioships with Vy's parents' She pointed out at an old man wearing a simple blue navy suit talking with other sponsors, looks like the host also took a break outside the hall seeing that Mrs. Armani who just passed by to warn them is out of site.

It is annoying but nice to observed people, But the thing is, it would hit different if the person you have yet lay eyes with are already observing you, and just like that Xierra finally caught the young man she felt sending deep gazes at her earlier, she immediately averted her gaze acting as if nothing just happened.

The young man is tall and handsome with its black and white tuxedo, the first thing that Xierra has noticed at the man is that he's completely surrounded by other people, yet why does he remain he's eyes right at her?

In instinct she checked the location of the young man once again and she amost flipped when the individual has already attempted to walk towards her way, a wine held at his right hand while a cigarette at the other.

'Argh pls go away, go away, go away' She chanted again as if the man was some sort of ghost but everything is too late when the guy took a sit beside her, and at the same time Xierra fixed her posture and looked straigh.

...........

There is a silence that Xierra prayed won't fade because of someone.

"Need some company?"

The young man asked with its deep but sweet voice reaching her, she was suprised how gentle and soft his voice is despite being low and deep, he expected a cocky one that would throw an insulting question at her like any other people would.

She didn't want to answer but it would be rude and he looks pretty important despite having a dark violet highlights at his pitch black hair.

"Thank you, but i'm fine alone" She simply answered hoping it would leave her alone- But unfortunately, the young man has no intention of doing so.

Mrs. Armani is back and now hosting the ball again which made everyone's attention back at her again, which leaves the two of them alone in a private world of their own. And Xierra curses inside her head because of this unexpected situation, She heard the young man let out a quick laugh before responding to her cold reply.

"Too bad, the party has tire me out and i would like to have a normal conversation with someone without a single mention about business proposals" He said letting out a brief sigh.

'Sucks for him, of all this many people, he chose someone like me who literally doesn't give a damn and its getting all anxious and nervous at every second.'

As much as she want to stop herself to, she couldn't help but take a quick glance at the person beside her and almost made herself fall in surprise to see the individual already looking at her straightly, she averted her eyes immediately catching the way a small smile formed at his perfectly shaped lips.

'Oh god, this man's audacity'

"Do you drink?" He asked, making Xierra glance at his way but because of the black mask covering half of his face she couldn't make up what expression his making but even with a small smile she could tell at his eyes, the boredom.

He asked even though he's not offering one, not that he has to.

He's dangerous, just by the way of his speaking and actions its obvious he's one of those rich guys who goes around for fun with all the money they earned, no matter the consequence is, not that she's immediately judging him but his intention is suspicious.

"Unfortunately, No" She simply answered, a bit tense. She bit her lip as she felt uncomfortable, in the corner of this huge mansion where her family the Armani held the grand ball for celebration of the successful project V is held, out of the 50 visitors that came this unknown man approached her, and the problem is...

She doesn't know him, she's an i***t who got lazy to check the guest names and because of that she has no idea who the person is sitting at her side, everyone here knows her and she know no one would attempt to talk to her, but the problem here is that.

If she, the adopted daughter of The Armani disrespected this gentleman that might or might not be one of the VIP overall she would be in trouble, she has to be cautious for this man seems to be cunning.

In the end this man might be way too cunning that he would do something to ruin her rig-

"Have you ever tried drinking?" He asked, shutting her thoughts.

"No.."

"Really? Or is it that no one has ever offer you one?" He playfully said, which unfortunately is true. To be honest she doesn't even know what the taste of wine is.

"Yes"

"Well then? Would you like a taste of it?" He then said offering me the glass of wine he's been drinking at, is he serious?

He laughed at my expression.

"Dont worry, as you saw i've been drinking at this glass so i assure you there is no poison on it" Thats not it tho???!! Your offering me a drink? A stranger??

She let out a heavy sigh and showed him a forced smile.

"Forgive me, but i have to respectfully decline your offer" I said gently but still kept a stern tone to let him know i'm serious.

"Dear maiden, just a sip won't hurt" He stubbornly said offering the wine glass in front of me.