It has been 5 days after Laila and Alex's first encounter with Mae, the got to know each other more and are friends, however, things in the village are heating up, and everyone is getting ready for the Valentine's Day Ball next week!

In Arfur's Inn, Arfur is explaining to some what the Valentine's Day Ball is.

"Is this thing on?" The Inn keeper said as he adjusted his large barrel mask, he tapped the microphone once more and repeated himself, finally his deep voice echoing through it.

Arfur cleared his throat and said:

"As you all know, the Valentine's Day Ball is just around the corner. But some of you may not be aware of what this is...

Every year, our island holds the annual ball called the Valentine's Day Ball, since most of the people in the village are unmarried or single, this gives them a chance to find the 'one'.

The rules of this event are that, if possible, wear a different mask and a formal outfit. During the event however, there is a competition for anyone ages 17 or over which is a dancing competition and only 1 couple can win." As he continued, a crowd continued to form around the platform, where he was standing, and he continued for a solid 15 minutes until the crowd finally began to clear.

"I'll get the door!" Laila shouted as she ran. When she got there, there was a package which read: For Laila Lavenfire.

The young gardener sat down on one of the bean bags, grinning ear to ear and tore open the package savagely from excitement, she thought it was everything that was inside until she opened the card... and what she found shattered her heart.

Inside, were two white roses and a small wooden box. Laila couldn't speak...

"No..." she weakly said, swallowing the lump in her throat as her tears ran down her cheeks.

"What was it-… Laila are you ok?!" Alex walked over and noticed the sadness from Laila, it was like an aura around her.

"What's that?" The Russian asked, his brows knit together as he looked at the package she held.

"They are dead..." She closed her eyes, and 1 single glistening tear ran down and fell onto the petal of one of the white roses.

"Who?"

"My parents!" Laila said, choking back a sob.

"Come here Laila..." The dark-haired mainlander then opened his arms and hugged her, stroking her hair as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"Its ok... you still have me." Alex let go of her and looked into her eyes.

"What did the card say anyways?" The young gardener shook her head and staired at the note on the table.

"I-I hadn't read it yet..." She sniffed as the mainlander dried her tears with his hands.

They were so soft and warm, she blushed a bit, still looking into his eyes.

"May I read it?" Laila nodded and he picked it up.

'Dear Laila

We are terribly sorry we couldn't visit this year; your father and I are very ill, and this may be the last you hear from us...

While I was looking through the attic, I found a small music box from when you were little in one of the plastic containers.

Yours sincerely

Mom And Dad'

Laila then picked up the small wooden box. She examined it with great care, the young gardener ran her fingers along the grooves of the box. It had an engraving of a hummingbird on the top with bluebell engravings on the front around a fool's gold lock and hinge. The wood was of the purple heart tree which was varnished which made it shimmer in the light. The sides were decorated with heart shaped red diamond gemstones.

"The box is so pretty..." Laila's eyes sparkled as she looked at the box, a smile once again returned to her face.

"See, your happy already!" Alex laughed.

"Look, the flowers are blooming!" He said as he looked out the window.

"Speaking of which, want to help with the gardening. I am working on a pond, it would be a huge help if someone kept the pinatas busy." The young gardener then helped Alex up, and she put her hair into a ponytail to keep it out of her face.

"Sure."

The two of them then walked over to a glass door, Laila grabbed the handle and turned it, making a squeaking noise and the door opened. It was breathtaking; Alex had never truly seen her garden before... there where oak trees surrounded by daisies and buttercups, flowerbeds filled with orchids and roses.

But the most beautiful of all; was a large swannana fountain with a ring of birds-of-paradise surrounding it. "Wow..." Alex said, not realizing it and Laila smiled.

"Welp... let's get to work!"

Meanwhile, Mae lazily slumped on her oak bed and staring at the ceiling.

"Hmmmmm... What to do today..." She thought to herself.

"I'll go to Arfur's Inn!" She then shot up like a bullet and draped her yellow silk poncho over her shoulders and headed out the door, feeding her pinatas and watering plants along the way.

"Hey Petula!" She waved to a young woman in a kittyfloss mask, she was the owner of the shop 'PaperPets' and she was opening the store. She stared for a moment, smiled and waved back

"Hello Mae." A gruff voice said.

"Hi Arfur! How has work been?" Mae asked as she sat down onto one of the stools of the bar.

"It's been fine, not many customers in though..." He laughed, knocking on his barrel mask.

"Anyways. What can I get you?" The Inn keeper lent against the bar still smiling.

"What's todays special?" Mae cocked her head to the side.

"Today's special is the Lavish Sunset drink."

"How much?" Mae then rummaged through her bag to get the coin purse.

"250CC." She nodded and pulled out her money and counted.

"Thankyou!" Arfur then took the required money and put it into the jar at the back, which was next to a large drinks machine. He pressed one of the buttons on it and the drink was made in an instant.

"Here you go, enjoy!" He smiled once again and placed in one the counter. Arfur was one of the most cheerful in the whole village, always has a smile on his face, and he never fails to brighten someone's day.

"Thank you Arfur." Mae then took a sip of the drink, it was the most delicious things she had ever tasted, the mango mixed with the dragon fruit made a bang of flavor, it was so sweet and smooth.

"Hello Arfur!" Ivor bargain said nearly kicking down the door. His voice was like thunder, startling the two of them.

"Sonia's Serenade! you scared the life out of me Ivor!" Arfur yelped as his head darted to look at the purple haired man.

"Can you please stop doing that, at this rate you're going to one of my customers a heart attack." The Inn keeper then masked palmed and took a deep breath, trying to calm down

"Sorry mate." Ivor gave a small chuckle rubbing the back of his neck. The second Mae saw him she froze, her cheeks becoming a deep scarlet under her mask. Even though he was her boyfriend she would still turn shy when he was with her.

"Hello Mae!" Ivor smiled brightly; he had only just noticed she was there and ran over, giving her a big hug.

"What's the matter? Y-You're not always like t-this."

"Oh, it's nothing." Ivor waved off as he let the witch go.

'Something is off...' Mae thought, and she raised a brow.

"Mae, do you want to meet me at the lake in a hour?" Mae nodded in agreement, still blushing. Ivor then skipped out the Inn and strolled off...