"Don't make promises that you can't keep."

– Elizabeth Hoyt

8. His Promise (Zero)


"Don't you want a lady with you, Mr. Kiryu?"

A beautiful Baroness solicited with interest as she and her friends waited for me to ask one of them to be my lady for the night. The ball hadn't even started and I was already being preyed upon by the female guests. However, unbeknownst to them, I didn't find it a pleasure to be accompanied by a woman. After all, I always liked the presence of men since I first knew.

"I'm afraid to say that I prefer to be alone, for now," I replied with a smile, not crushing their hopes but not giving enough too.

"Please do excuse me," I freed myself from their lustful eyes and went to the east side of the room, passing by a gathering of nobles. The high sconce on the wall hailed me in and I graciously pressed my back against the concrete.

The grand ballroom of the Cross estate mansion immediately assaulted my sight. Inhaling a deep breath, the cool scent of the night invaded my body and spread chills inside. It must be dark now outside since the crystal chandeliers on the ceiling was appearing brighter than an hour ago.

The giggling noises of women gossiping and the sweet-nothing words from gentlemen filled the air around the ball, overwhelming the calming melody of the classical orchestra which was playing on the other end as the conductor continued to steer the music into his command whereas the attention of the people were directed elsewhere.

Colorful gowns wore by the women were creating many rainbow reflections on the marble floor, fashioning the already quaint atmosphere picturesque. I proceeded to cross my arms to my chest and merely allowed myself to be at ease with my mind drifting away from realism.

Today was Lady Yuuki's birthday and I was obliged to attend as part of the Cross' household but instead of celebrating with delight, here I was spending my time alone, quite depressingly. It was all because of a fine reason that tonight she'll be in her ripe age to be married.

Indeed, she will finally be able to marry Kaname, the man we both loved.

Pang of ache punched me square in the chest at the mere thought of it. However the saddest part was the fact that I can't help but have this little hope in me. This little hope that there might be a one in a million chance that he'll choose me over her even though I knew that it was simply close to impossible. I tried to persuade myself to stop hoping for it but my foolish heart just refused to listen. Such a silly tale, I swore.

"But it's not silly of me to hope for something right?" I questioned to no one as I bit my tongue in grief.

Besides, he himself said that he liked me so that was enough promise that there was a possibility in the future, a thin possibility, that he'll return this love I had for him. I could feel an ember of hope tethering in my heart tightly as a sad smile formed in my lips. I was about to dismiss myself when the hairs on my skin suddenly stood, sensing someone's eyes focusing on me.

I guided my eyes through the countless figures ahead, searching the other pair of eyes that was looking at me and there I saw a young man standing on the same posture as I on the opposite side of the ballroom.

The distance gave me difficulty from assessing his facial features other than messy hair in shade of ash-brown and his habiliment which was a black lounge suit similar to mine. But the only thing that enticed me of him was how handsome he was even from afar. I looked away, hoping to not be attracted to some stranger.

Was there a need to stare at me? I frowned, deciding not to ponder into it but to my own surprise, I found myself looking back again at the man. He caught me looking at him and he smiled. Before I could react, the loud applause rang into my ears and I was instantly drew to the source of excitement. Turning my head, there I saw the man I deeply loved dressed in a gray English suit and looking more charming than I remembered.

My heart raced a thousand miles when Kaname turned to my direction as he walked through the entrance door. There was a blissful joy comprising me that I failed to notice the tight smile he had.

I was happy to see him until I saw the one walking beside him, marching like a princess. She was the luminary of this event and his fiancée, Yuuki Cross. Her red gown whirling with gracefully into her derriere.

They both made their way towards the orchestra and my heart promptly leaped in delight the moment he stepped closer to a grand piano among the other instruments. He was finally going to play the music I taught him and it almost made me dance in rejoice knowing that I was about to see his progresses in performing a piano.

It made me happy too because seeing him play a piano will bring me the memories of the time we spent together in those days, passionate days if I might add. I dropped both my arms on my side as I joined the smiling crowd. I wanted to see him closer.

Kaname sat in a straight posture as he lifted up the fallboard, taking a deep nervous breath upon seeing the untouched keyboard. He seemed restless about something but I simply chuckled since it was kind of amusing to see a noble like him seeming uptight. I thought that he might not be used being the center of these many attentions.

Before he could start on his music piece, he turned his head to my direction and confusingly sent me an apologetic smile. What was he sorry for?

He retreated his smile and went to brush his fingers on the smooth piano keys before pressing on the first note. The small happiness I had faded from my lips, my heart losing its own beat the second I heard the rest of the music he had started playing.

It was Autumn Rose.

The same song I composed for him, the same song I serenaded for him and the very same song he promised to play only for me but now he was serenading it to his woman. The familiar melody didn't sound so sweet and beautiful like what I had made it to be rather it sounded so plain but bitter enough to cut painful slit on the walls of my heart.

The euphony was no longer producing a soothing feeling in me like before however instead, it brought this burning feeling in my heart and in my eyes. Tiny dew of tears escaped them and a silent cry was all that slipped past my parted lips.

He broke his promise. He broke my heart, yet again.

That understanding itself slapped me in the face and somehow I felt pathetic for holding onto his promise. I should have known that he'll never play that song to me just like how he'll never love me back. But despite that, it was my fault for believing, for wanting something that will never be granted to me.

I wanted to be angry at him but I couldn't bring myself to. I loved him so much to hate him. The music continued on like an endless record of painful sounds and it was killing me further deep inside.

I simply closed my eyes, surrendering myself to the denial that Kaname wasn't the one playing the piano however the bitter tunes was proving me wrong, that until it disappeared from the air and something warm pressed on both sides of my head.

Huh?

I reached to feel the foreign sensation and upon my touch, it dawned in me that it was someone else's hands. A pair of gentle hands was covering my ears, stopping me from hearing the rest of the music piece. I didn't try to free myself from the hold because the lingering ache inside my heart made me vulnerable against the kindness of the hands.

Then I felt the hands pulled my body back and someone's beating chest pushed me from behind. Somehow, it seemed broad compare to my built. Broad? A woman surely doesn't possess such a broad chest so that meant it was a man whom I was hampered to. Whoever this man behind me was no doubt a kind gentleman, kind enough to save me from the pain.


Author's Note:

Hello everyone. Who might that gentleman be? Any guess? Hahaha.

Your thoughts please…

I'm so excited to post the next chapter. I can't sleep so I might post another chapter.

A treat for y'all.

Should I do it daily? Haha

Reviews please! :)