An act of betrayal cross the path of two devoted teens whom yearn for one another in the midst of their heart. Hidden beneath the love of friendship lies a love that is unforgiving. A love that cannot be answered by words, but have been resulted by lust. Once longing for each other soon turning them into a demeaning pair has led them far to the edge of where there is no turning back. Is their hunger amidst each other worth continuing? Or does there need to be an end to their infatuation?
It was a late evening when my brother and I entered the masquerade ball he was invited to. The event began not long after we arrived. He went off to greet several guests, leaving me behind. Everyone was in black and white, silk and lace, leather and fabric. The ball was quite revelment. The music was festive. Everything around the ballroom was just cultivating. Every participant there was lively as ever-drinking, eating, talking, and most of all dancing. It looked timeless like a music box when all attendees danced the night away.
I admired the exquisite appearance from every guest in the ballroom, but there was one that captivated me once my eyes landed on the silhouette figure that was just across the dance hall. A tall slender man in a black suit, his face covered by a white mask while his bangs from his silver hair draped over it. He leaned against a pillar, gazing out to all the dancers that waltzed their way across the floor as the soothing music performed for our very ears. As my eyes continued to gaze at him, his eyes soon met mine. My heart jumped out of my chest once I saw his lavender eyes glimpse over at me.
I felt paralyzed by his fixed stare that I just couldn't look away. My heart was beating out of control. My whole body tensed to the very core. I couldn't stand the stun any longer. I tore the gaze between us and pretended to observe the guests just to calm my racing heart. Once I did, I could feel his presence approach me, decreasing our distance as his gaze never once left me. I wanted to bolt when he was coming nearer and nearer, but I knew that would ruin my chances of meeting him. So I just stood there, still falsifying my stare at the other attendees as he drew our distance to a close.
"Hello." He began with a gentle tone, "You look fairly familiar, have we met?" The man looked into my eyes as he asked, my ears suddenly recognizing the tone.
"Zero...?" My heart beat quickened by his voice.
"Yuki...?" It was as if our tone of voice towards one another was familiarized quickly once we both spoke.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, bewildered by his presence.
"I'd like to ask you the same." He asked in confusion.
"My brother was invited to this masquerade and he wanted me to accompany him." I responded, "Why are you here?"
He looked at me for several seconds with no aspect on his face before answering, "I was invited."
"By whom?" I was puzzled by his response.
"It doesn't matter for me to explain my reasoning of attendance, does it?" He chuckled, evading my question.
I laughed under my breath by his response, "Always being secretive." A light sigh escaped, "You haven't changed at all." I smiled faintly, shaking my head while I looked down.
"Several things of me has changed, but there is one thing that has stayed dear." He placed his index finger under my chin, lifting my head up to gaze at him as he placed his free hand gently on his chest.
My heart fluttered by his reply. I didn't understand the reasoning behind it, but I didn't mind the way my body reacted towards his action. Blood rushed to my face, making the peach tone of my skin turn red as a rose. My heart beat quickened as my eyes were glued to his. We stood there in silence for who knows how long. It felt like everything was slowing down around us. The only thing I could hear was my racing heart that was calling out to the one that stood before me. My chest tightened once it recalled the yearning I had for this man. Zero... the one I've wanted to protect and have loved so earnestly.
"Such a beautiful rose, glistening into the light of the full moon." He chuckled lightly, giving a pained smile, "If only I had the boldness to observe the beauty of it as it bloomed." Zero placed his soft, tepid hand against my cheek, increasing the rapid beating in my chest.
"Quite eccentric of you to convey in such a receptive manner." I giggled, hiding my bashfulness.
"Well, I have stated that several things of me have changed during our time apart." He sounded amused, but sorrow hid behind his smile as he responded.
"Fair and quite true." A faint smile came across my face.
"Do you care to have a dance with me?" He removed the hand that rested on my cheek, soon holding it out towards me, giving a small bow, awaiting my response.
I peered into his eyes, calming my speeding heart. My mind knew I shouldn't accept this man's offer, but my heart couldn't deny my desire to be in this man's arms. I slowly reached out towards his hand and a gentle beam appeared on his face while he escorted me towards the dance floor. A new song began and we gracefully swept across the ballroom. It amazed me once he took lead. I never expected him to move serenely along with the song. Last I recalled, he kept tripping over his own feet. A small giggle escaped my lips before I could even stop it.
"I assume you're remembering the first time we danced?" He asked with a chuckle.
I locked my lips tightly together, not letting another laugh withdrawal. My face became flush once he caught me off guard. I didn't know how to respond. I distracted myself with each step to ignore his question. He sounded amused by my reaction that it made my face ignite from embarrassment.
"Adorable as always when embarrassed." He snickered, still taking lead on the steps.
"Oh shush..." I looked down, concealing my red cheeks.
"Never look down, always look up when dancing." A look of delight appeared on his face when he lifted it.
My eyes were glued on his once again. The purity in his violet eyes. The paleness of his smooth skin. The shade of light pink on his lips. All of it being surrounded by the scent of copra blended with ginger. I was breathless by his appearance that it felt like I was in a trance I once broke out of. After recalling my moment of resignation with this man, my heart faltered by the thought of it happening again. I didn't want to break away, but I didn't want to be bound by this man I can't even express my love to. A faint sigh escaped, one only I could hear, as I awaited for our moment together come to an end. The music slowly came to a halt and we separated, bowing as a sign of farewell. I plastered a genuine smile on my face before turning it back to its saddened form when I started to walk away.
A sigh of grievance left my lips as I walked away into a quieter room. I wandered into a dim area, hiding away from the party. I leaned against the wall closest to me, resting my eyes while I was catching my breath.
"Leaving the party so soon?" I heard that same tone that entered my ears not long ago.
"I don't do so well in crowds." I smiled faintly.
"That's the first I've ever heard you say such nonsense like that." He was taken aback by my elucidation.
"Well, I've changed quite a bit myself." I chuckled lightly.
"Of course, everything does change in time." He chuckled in turn, leaning beside me.
"May I ask you something?" I glanced over at him.
"Hm?" He replied, not looking towards me.
"What did you mean when you said,
there is one thing that has stayed dear?" I questioned.
His face suddenly became flustered by my question. It appeared he froze for a moment before sighing lightly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, looking like he was calming himself down. Zero opened his eyes slowly, peering over at me for a considerable amount of time before responding to my question.
"I feel... I feel the only way to understand is by..." He repositioned himself to where he faced me, standing tall in front of me.
"Is by...?" I leaned towards him, anticipated to hear his disclosure.
He didn't respond by voice, but by brisk action. Zero leaned in towards me, his lips meeting mine. His body leaning against me, pushing me lightly against the wall as he rested his arms on the barricade. My eyes widened by his motion that I just stiffened, processing the enactment before me. While I did, the kiss slowly intensified, fundamentally exposing his craving. My eyes bolted shut by the action that I had the imperceptible clue on what was going on, but my body didn't push him away. I just cherished the moment of cupidity as if we were both longing for this occasion.