The price of loving you

The room was very bright and perfect. Everything about the night looked carefully designed, from the crystal golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling,casting golden reflections across the polished floors to the soft music tunes that filled the air mixing with the low hum of conversation. It was a wonderful party and everybody looked happy. "hey why do you look so bored" a voice murmured beside her. She didn't turn immediately, instead she lifted her tall glass slightly, watching the way the wine shimmered under the lights. "I'm not bored" she replied calmly, "I'm just observing ." That earned a quiet laugh, now she turned. Her friend stood beside her, dressed just as elegant in her gown though there was something far less restrained about the way she carried herself. "careful" her friend said, people might hear you." "I dont think anyone can hear me,they all look so happy and like they have a lot to say to themselves " she replied. "for starters, look at Mrs Price over there,I am sure she is telling those ladies about how much her gown costs from Italy " her friend laughed sarcastically, then her gaze drifted across the room again, over expensive suit and shiny dresses until she spotted Mr and Mrs Dante in the crowd. "Ah ha...there's Mr and Mrs Dante,wait till they're done scolding Carrie for the long slit behind her gown, they'll definitely scold Annabeth about her gown because that neckline--(she pointed at Annabeth)-- is very deep and there is no more room for her breast inside her corset " she added. "the holy couples" the girls chorused in unison and laughed almost immediately. She exhaled softly,"I hate night like this". "Liar," her friend said."you love the drama." She almost smiled but before she could respond there came a chorus-loud clap just as the host climbed the stage to give her speech. "Good evening beautiful ladies and noble gentlemen. " the host's voice began as the music dipped down. "On behalf of the elite committee,I'd like to welcome you all to this year's winter ball" A light round of applause followed. "Every year"the host continued, this evening brings together the most distinguished families and individuals －" "she means Richest," Ella muttered under her breath. Her friend nudged her lightly without looking away."Will you behave for once Ella?" "I am behaving" The host went on,"tonight is not only a celebration of tradition but a reminder of the connections that shape our future ." Her fingers tightened slightly around the glass in her hand. "...and as the evening unfolds," the host added," I encourage you all to enjoy yourselves." Her friend let out a small breath. "finally, lets get more drinks " Ella turned to her with a raised brow, "are we suppose to be drinking this much,Sasha?". Sasha gasped softly, placing a hand over her chest in fake offense. "Ella,darling, if I have to survive another hour or at least one of these speeches, then yes. Absolutely. " Ella shook her head, though the small smile threatening her lips betrayed her amusement. Together, they moved toward the sideboard lined with expensive bottles and crystal glasses that probably cost more than most of the middle-class people's rent. Sasha reached for a glass first, studying the drinks with narrowed eyes. She wanted something that matched the color of her dress(peach), so she was looking for a peach color drink and also trying to pronounce the names of each drinks from their label,which was not going so well. "Why do rich people always make drinks sound so complicated?" she muttered. "Why can't it just be juice?" Ella laughed quietly as she reached for a champagne flute But before she could answer, Sasha suddenly froze. Her expression shifted instantly. "Oh no." Ella frowned. "What?" Without answering immediately, Sasha grabbed the nearest glass of wine and shoved it into Ella's hand. "Incoming your six o'clock," she muttered under her breath. Ella blinked twice in confusion and then she turned slightly and immediately understood. Mr. and Mrs. Dante were heading directly toward them. No doubt that they were both coming to ask her what a seventeen year old girl was doing at the sideboard!? Sasha gave Ella a look that clearly said good-luck-surviving-this before quickly slipping away into the crowd with her wine that she picked carelessly while trying to avoid the Dantes and also entirely not-peach. Ella stared after her in disbelief. "Hey,come back" she whispered under her breath,the Dantes' eyes were already fixed on her like predators closing in on their prey. Ella straightened slightly,forcing a polite smile onto her face. "Good evening,Mr and Mrs Dante,"She greeted,offering a small courteous nod. Mrs. Dante gaze immediately dropped to the glass in Ella's hand, just as she'd thought. Then she smiled,the kind of smile that never quite reached her eyes. "and what exactly are you doing,miss Ella?" Mrs. Dante asked smoothly. "a young lady your age shouldn't be drinking ." "forgive me, Mrs. Dante, " Ella said quietly." This drink isn't for me. I couldn't possibly drink this." The Dantes exchanged a glance,clearly unconvinced. "then who exactly is it for?" Mrs. Dante asked. "well..." She began awkwardly, her eyes darting around the room in search of an excuse."well..." Then she saw, a young man heading in her direction, completely unaware of the situation she was in or the one he was about to walk into. Relief flashes through Ella instantly. "well..." she said again, her smile returning smoothly. "its actually for this young man." Before he could react, Ella stepped forward and placed the glass into his hand."here you go mister. " The stranger blinked once, clearly confused. He opened his mouth to speak, but Ella cut in before he had the chance. "well,it was lovely speaking with you Mr and Mrs Dante, please enjoy the rest of your evening. " Then before the Dantes could question another thing, Ella offered another courteous nod,then grabbed the young man lightly by the arm and hurried away through the crowd. They moment they were far enough from the Dantes' Ella released his arm. "oh my God," she exhaled softly, "I am sorry ." The young man glanced down at the wine glass now sitting comfortably in his hand before looking back at her. For a second,he said nothing and somehow that made it worse. Ella pressed her lips together awkwardly," sorry I dragged you into my problem." A corner of the mouth twitched slightly. "oh yeah" "you were standing there," Ella defended quickly,"and I needed an escape route away from the Dantes" The stranger looked back briefly toward where the Dantes still stood across the ballroom. His expression shifted with faint understanding. "bad conversation?" "you have no idea." That earned a quiet and unexpected chuckle from him. Ella blinked there was something unfairly distracting and attractive about the sound. Now she was actually looking at him properly, she noticed the details she had missed before. His sharp chiseled jawline, his perfectly arched dark brows and pair of silver eyes, or the way his body looked so masculine and crave-able under that black suit or his dark disheveled hair... "hey, are you alright?" She blinked twice,"huh, you were saying?" "I was saying do you do this often ?" "what?" "kidnap strangers at parties." A small laugh escapes her lips before she could stop it,"well,only when necessary. I'm Ella by the way" she introduced softly,before placing her hand into his. The strangers' lips curved slightly as he shook her hand,"Anthony" he replied. "but please...call me Tony." Ella nodded slowly. "Tony" "so Ella, are you here alone?" Tony asked softly. "I'm not. My parents are her but I can't find them,but I was actually with my friend Sasha earlier" "oh, well I guess that makes two of us. I can't find my parents, actually I haven't seen them since we got here." Tony said and the both laughed. Then suddenly, the soft melody filling the ballroom shifted. The lights dimmed slightly as slow dance music began to play and couples started drifting towards the center of the room. Tony glanced towards the dance floor before looking back at her with the faintest smile. "you owe me a dance, you know" Ella raised a brow,"Do I?" "you used me as an escape " he reminded her calmly,"I think that deserves compensation." A quiet laugh slipped past her lips. And before she could answer, Tony reached over and placed his untouched wine glass onto one of the treats carried by a passing server, then he turned back toward her and stretched out his hand. "well?" he asked softly. "are you going to leave a gentleman standing here alone?" Ella looked at his hand for a moment longer than she probably should have. Then slowly, she placed hers in his.