EBONY
Hilary took forever to get ready. It took her the whole day to get ready whilst it only took me a couple of hours. I was in the same dress I wore to the school dance but Hilary had bought another dress. My hair was straight down my back, I nearly throttled Hilary when she tried to put gel and spray in my hair . I really couldn't care and I knew Kai wouldn't either, that was all I cared about.
We got a lift to Kai's place from Tyson's grandpa. He let out a long, low whistle when he saw Kai's place.
Most people had found partners and had started dancing. Hilary and Tyson dumped their presents in the huge pile by the entrance being held up by a table. The happy couple were on the dance floor very quickly.
I stood there near the entrance hoping to see Kai. There were so many people I couldn't see him and I got a nasty surprise instead. "Are you enjoying yourself Miss. Hokinowa?" I turned to see Voltaire looking at me in some very refined clothes. Most of it was covered with a black cloak making him look even more formidable. I nodded clutching the present close to me as a security blanket. "May I have a word?" I would probably put my life on the line if I said no so I nodded. I followed him in to his office, which was less than welcoming.
"Please sit down." I know I said I'd dealt with kids back at my orphanage worse than him. But now I was willing to take it back. Voltaire was nothing less than frightening. He closed the door and took his seat on the other side of the desk. "My Grandson has taken quite a fancy to you…I take it…you feel the same way?"
"Yes I do." I spoke with caution and he smiled. Did I really give off the smell of fear? "I wish to apologize for my actions with the tape recorder. Do you accept?" This was getting really weird. Voltaire, the same man that scowled at me through a window so long ago was now being civil towards me? I nodded just the same and he smirked. I wonder why he was being like this, but I thought it best not to ask…for about three seconds. "Excuse me sir, but, why are you…um…"
"Doing this?" His smirk increased and I really felt a strong urge to hit him. "If you are to be Kai's future wife then I want to know you. I wanted to see if your feelings for him are genuine. You two have a lot in common… like, not talking a great deal."
"Well I can promise you sir, my feelings for Kai are genuine. Your little stunt with the tape recorder tore us apart, but we came back together. If that doesn't prove our feelings, then I don't know what will." I sounded defiant and he turned to look at me. "You're right, and that's something I can't fight." Whoa, did he just admit he was wrong?
KAI
I found Hilary dancing with Tyson when I finally came down to the party in a new tux. I was face paint free and wished I could wear something less formal. "Where's Ebony?" Hilary looked at me and pointed towards the door leading in to Voltaire's office. "She went with your grandfather." I ran as fast as I could to the door. If he had hurt her then I'm going to kill him.
EBONY
His smirk turned in to an evil smile, evil, but a smile nonetheless. He came towards me and held a hand out for me to take. I did and he shook it. "I think Kai will be very happy with you." He is giving me his blessing…damn he's creepy, even when he's trying to be nice! "Oh, and do keep this between us. Not a word about this to anyone, especially my grandson." I knew why he asked me to do this and I nodded with a smirk on my face.
Just then Kai came running in to the room. He looked kinda funny running in with a tuxedo on. Voltaire's smile vanished and he glared at his grandson looking at us with utter puzzlement on his face. "It may be your birthday Kai, but you still have to knock to enter a room where people are clearly in it." He grabbed Kai by the back of the neck like a kitten and escorted him out.
Everyone stared as he pushed Kai out the door. Kai stumbled but didn't fall. It was very embarrassing with all the people looking at him being treated like a bad dog in front of his guests. His cheeks turned pink as he glared at his grandfather.
I slowly came out of Voltaire's office, noticing my approach he stepped aside to let me pass. He closed the door behind me and I saw Kai's face turn back to its usual colour. Kai looked at me and offered me his arm. I wrapped mine around his and we walked off to his garden.
KAI
We sat near the fountain watching the moonlight hit the falling water. It was then I noticed a parcel in her hands. A small black box with a white ribbon tied around the box making it look very elegant. "You didn't need to do that." She shrugged. "I wanted to." I opened the box to find half of a necklace attached to a golden chain. Ebony took something from around her neck and put the other half to mine.
It was a yin yang symbol. I had the black half whilst she had the white. It wasn't one of those tacky things you'd get in a flea market but looked very well made. "You see me as the yang?" I asked and she smiled. "I thought the yang was supposed to be the male half and yin was the woman. So there you have it."
"This must've cost you a lot." Ebony shook her head and acted a bit strange. "No, no…not really." Usually she was a good liar but sometimes she was terrible. "What's it made of then?"
"Was I really that bad?" I nodded and she smiled. "The black is made of…jet I think, and the white is made of pearl."
"This must've cost you a fortune." I gasped and she just laughed. "Only half my savings, but you're worth it. And besides, I can make it up in no time with my job at the stables." I let her put my half of the necklace on around my neck. She put hers back on and smiled as we watched the water sparkle together. She kissed my cheek and put her head on my shoulder. We sat there for hours not caring for the party going on behind us.
But then that butler found us. He still looked at me like a piece of dirt but was quick to change his face with one glare from Kai. "You're guests are missing their host."
KAI
I sighed in disbelief, that old fart just wanted me away from Ebony. He wanted to put a more noble (rich) girl on my arm to look good to my guests. I invited those that were under the drinking age, except Irene of course. But the adults were invited by Voltaire to show off his wealth. "No their not. I don't want to be in there, so just leave us alone."
"But master Kai-"
"Leave us!" Kai ordered and the butler complied. Ebony looked concerned but smiled when she noticed me looking at her. "What is it?" I asked but she just shook her head and her smile was failing. I sighed and held her close. "You can tell me." Ebony shook her head. "Forget about it, I already have."
"Why do I feel like I've missed out on something very important?"
"You haven't." She kissed me and we embraced. I knew she was doing this to silence me but I would never forget the look on her face. The music started to die away and the night became silent.
People were leaving but I didn't want Ebony to go. "Stay at mine tonight, please." I asked and she sighed. "Do I have a choice?" As luck would have it Hilary came walking by and spotted us. "Come on Ebony, it's time to go home." Ebony went over to Hilary to tell her what was going on. It felt empty without her in my arms not to mention cold. I shivered and she came back over with her warmth. "And?"
"I can stay the night." I smiled and kissed her forehead. "Can we go inside? It's cold." She said as I felt her shiver. We went in to my room and I did the same thing as before. I took the couch whilst she took the bed. But the temperature really started to drop in the night.
EBONY
I woke to the cold and looked over to Kai. It didn't take me long to make decision as I went over to him. He seemed to know what I was doing and let me sleep on the couch with his arms around me. I felt so safe and warm I didn't want to leave.