Today’s the day of the ball and I’m excited but nervous at the same time. The last time I played the piano was like 8 months ago on my birthday. I haven't even practiced! I sat in front of Sierra, an officemate, as she put my hair in a braided bun. She told me that she was a previous hair stylist and make up artist but sadly she had to quit because her job paid less.“You look beautiful! Damian and Ryu are totally gonna fall head over heels for you!” She squealed and I blushed. “Oh shut up. You look just as beautiful.” I said and turned to her. She wore a pink dress that show off her curves and he had her hair down.

“I heard you were gonna perform with Mr. Salvator. What instrument are you playing?” She asked while getting a bobby pin and sticking it securely in my hair. Ouch that hurts. “I’ll be playing the piano. The piece though is on spot. He thinks we can pull it off and I hope we do.” I said. Damian really insists we could just pick something on the spot and I’m freaking out because what if we don’t perform well? It would be very embarrassing for us but Damian mostly. CEOs of other companies might mock him or look down on him because of that.

“Overthinking again aren;t you Ash?” I looked up in the mirror and noticed that Sierra was not here anymore and that Damian was behind me. I turned around facing him. “No I’m not.” I said and he smirked. Damn why does he have to be so hot? “I know when you lie Ash. We’ve known each other for many years.” He said and we both froze. Many…years? Is this a sign? “Uhh I mean a few months.” He said and silence fell over us.

This is…weird. I don’t know what should I feel. Should I be happy? I think so. “Well how would you know if I’m lying Mr. Salvator?” I asked poking his chest. He smiled and grabbed my hand. “Well Ms. Horris, when you lie your lip twitches and your voice gets higher. You would take a sharp breath after and then you would grip something like a shirt.” He said and I let go of my shirt instantly. How does he know so much? I only lied a few times. “Don’t try lying to me Ash. It’s no use.” He whispered in my ear and pulled back smirking.

I was as red as a tomato. How dare he! Getting so close like that and embarrassing me to myself. Hmph. He’s grown into an annoying jerk who’s so full of himself. “We better get going. We perform in 10 minutes.” He said and I gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me so?” I yelled at him and grabbed my purse. He just laughed and led me to where the event is held.

The guards opened the doors and I was met with a huge room full of people dressed in formal clothing. I can’t see anyone I know. Where’s Sierra? Where’s Shanelle too? She said she’ll come here representing their company. Her father had other businesses to attend and he also wants her to experience something like this before she takes over their company.

“There you are! Hurry and get yourself on the stage.” Jessica popped up in front of us and pushed us towards the stage. “Woah mom! You should introduce yourself first.” Damian said but Jessica still kept on pushing us. “Oh I already met her. Now go!” She gave us one strong push and I stumbled forward. I regained my balance and walked up the stairs along with Damian. There sat a piano and a violin.

Wait a second…this is my piano! How and why is it here! I gasped as I saw my name engraved on a hidden side and luckily no one can see it. “You okay? Feeling nervous?” Damian asked as he picked up his violin. I shook my head and sat infront of the piano. My fingers lightly grazed the keys and I pressed one.

“So what are we playing?” I asked and he shrugged. I face palmed. Decide on the spot he says. We’re so gonna screw this up. A song flashed in my mind and I smiled. “Do you know Chopin’s ballade no.1 in G minor?” I asked and he grinned. “Of course I do.” He said and we both took our positions. This piece was the very first piece we learned and played together. I remember all those hours spent with our instructors as they tried to teach us while we cause chaos with our instruments. Ahh…the memories.

The room was awaiting for us to start and so I did. I pressed the first keys on the piano and everything went by flow. This feels so nostalgic. I miss playing with him. Even if he lost his memories we still play perfectly together. I smiled and looked up seeing him concentrate on his violin. He looks so….handsome. I blushed and looked away. Stop thinking about that Aphira! Get a hold of yourself. I focused back on the piano and soon enough we finished. We both stood side by side and bowed. Everyone erupted in cheers and applause.

“Why you’re good Ms. Horris.” Damian said smirking. “I could say the same for you Mr. Salvator.” I said and he ran his hand through his hair. Damn… that was hot. He placed his violin in it’s case and said, “Of course. I am Damian Salvator.” Oh what an egotistic jerk. We both went down the stage and I was tackled by Shanelle.

“Aphi~ You were great!” She squealed and I heard Damian cough. Shanelle broke the hug and looked at him .” oh..you too I guess.” She said and I giggled seeing Damian fake a hurt expression. I soon noticed Ryu standing there smiling and took a hold of Shanelle’s hand. My eyes widened and I gasped. :”No way! You two are dating!” I exclaimed which caught some people’s attention. They both blushed and nodded slowly. “Ehehehe yeah we are. Since yesterday.” Ryu said and now it’s my turn to squeal.

Though it did hurt a bit since I had a crush on Ryu before but I’m happy for both of them. “Hurt my best friend and I won’t hesitate to hunt you down, chop off every part of your body and feed it to the stray dogs.” I threatened and he nodded nervously. Good, he’s scared of me now. I remembered something and then leaned closer to Shanelle. “How is my piano up there? I’m sure mom and dad aren’t here. They never do attend these events.” I whispered and she smiled shrugging innocently. She dragged Ryu away to the dance floor. That little devil.

“Let’s grab a drink.” Damian took my hand and dragged me to the bar. A few people were already drunk and reeked with alcohol. I sat on a stool and Damian sat behind me. “What do you want? Drinks are free.” Damian said. Woah! Free drinks! “Surprise us Mr. Bartender.” I said and he smirked nodding his head. Damian raised a brow and chuckled.

We watched as Mr. Bartender, as I’d like to call him, mixed different bottles and shake them up before pouring them in a wine glass. “Thanks!” I said and clinked glasses with Damian. “Cheers!” We both yelled before chugging down the drink. “Woah! This is great. Get me more!” Damian said and slammed down his glass on the counter. “Thank you.” Mr. Bartender said and poured us more.

“What did you mix to get this fine drink?” I asked and he smirked. What’s with guys and smirks? “That’s for me to know and for you to find out.” He said and I pout. I really am curious. Shanelle and Ryu joined us and ordered their own drinks. Soon enough we’re all tipsy and yelling random shit we don’t know while the adults have their auction in another room.

“Shouldn’t you be in there with them?” I asked Shanelle and she giggled. She swayed back and forth as she chugged her bottle. “Heck I don’t know what they’re talking about. Psh father should be the one doing that.” She said and chugged down another bottle before demanding for more.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around. Sure enough a drunk Damian was standing in front of me. “Aphira.” He mumbled my name and hugged me. I was shocked by the sudden act but hugged him back. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” He said and I stayed silent. I felt like I should not say anything.

“Every time I’m with you it all seems familiar, like it’s supposed to be normal…that we’ve done this before. And I don’t know why. It’s so frustrating because I want to know why I’m feeling this way but something is stopping me.” He said. I couldn’t help but smile knowing this is what he feels. “So Ash… help me..” He whispered before his body shut down. I held him up and dragged him to a couch. I sighed and smiled looking at me.

“Don’t worry Ian, I’ll help you.”