Chapter: 10
"Whew gals, I feel exhilarated and refreshed after that bath, don't you?"
"Yeah, there were so many twigs and leaves in my hair when I came out of the forest. So, Musa, did you do anything with Riven?"
"No Stella. And stop talking about it, ok?"
"Fine, fine, I was just kidding. After this, we'll go to the mall to find new dresses for the ball ok?"
"Ok.. I can't wait!" Flora said fervently.
That Night
"I can't sleep!" Musa mumbled to herself. "I guess I'll just take a walk."
After walking for quite a long time, Musa spotted a figure sitting on one of the benches nearby.
"Must be a specialist from RF. I'll just check it out."
She went closer. "Oh.. It's Leonardo…"
"Hi Leonardo, can't sleep? Me too."
"Oh, it's you, Musa…"
"Mind if I take a seat?"
"No… not at all…"
"Hey Musa, you got a date for the ball?"
Well, since Riven didn't ask me out, I'll just tell him the truth then. It's better than being partnerless. Musa thought to herself.
With a sigh, she answered, "No."
"Well, how bout being my partner?"
"Yeah, my pleasure…"
"Ok… so, I'll meet you in Alfea hall on the day of the ball then…"
"Ok then, Leonardo, I gotta get going…"
"Bye Musa…" God, heaven must be helping me. The hottest fairy in Alfea agreed to go to the ball with me!
"I must be the luckiest guy on Magix!" Leonardo said, while walking back to Redfountain looking forward to his beauty sleep after his problem had been resolved.
Day of the Ball
"Musa, I still can't believe what you did! You agreed to go to the ball with Leonardo? Instead of Riven?!" Stella said, while putting on her make-up. She looked absolutely gorgeous that night, with her hair neatly bun up, letting a few blonde strands fall of the bun deliberately. She wore an elegant dress, which was orange in colour and it suited her perfectly.
"Well, since Riven didn't ask me to be his partner, I had to accept his invitation then. What's more, Leonardo's not a jerk, like Riven and he's quite good-looking, too."
"Sweetie, you're going to hurt Riven, you know that? I went with Helia to the mall last Sunday, and he told me Riven's been going to him because of you. Just forgive him for everything he did to you, he truly loves you, but he's shy. Give him one more chance, won't you?"
"Yo, Flora. How am I gonna tell Leonardo then?" Musa asked with a shrug, but turned away, smiling. She was apparently happy at what she had just heard.
"Come on, the ball's going to start in 6 minutes and 37 seconds, we better hurry. Ready? Stella?"
"More than ever, c'mon! I'm soooo excited!"
Alfea's Hall
"Hey schnookums! Let's go!" Stella called out to Brandon.
"Wow Stella! You look beautiful!"
"Thanks… Let's go and dance!"
"Whatever you say, Stella! Let's go!"
"There you are, Techna! I was looking for you for ages!"
"Hi! Timmy!"
"Here's the new software you wanted! Come on, let's dance!"
"Hey Sky, wanna dance?"
"Your wish is my command, Princess. You look lovely tonight."
"You're making me blush… Let's hit the dance floor!."
"Hi Helia." Flora said sweetly, and gave Helia a peck on the cheek.
"So… er… you wanna dance?" Helia asked shyly. After months of dating Flora, Helia still could not believe that Flora was his girlfriend.
"Ya, of course, sweetie! I wouldn't dance with anyone in the world except you! By the way, where's Riven?"
"He's helping Saladin carry the presents."
"That poor guy… Musa must have hurt him really badly, anyway, let's dance, shall we?"
"Hi Leonardo, wanna dance?"
"Right, Musa."
Musa was not enjoying herself thoroughly. She wished that she was dancing with Riven, although he could be conceited and a jerk, but she knew, deep in her heart, that he was the only one for her, and she would love him forever, although her affections may not be returned. Well, she'll just let nature take it's course and let fate decide for her then. There was nothing she could do, with a guy like Riven.
"Hey Leonardo, I'm gonna take a rest for a while, ok?
"Sure, fine with me."
Musa wandered off, into the park near Alfea, the park where the Winx Club always went for their morning run.
God, I really needed the fresh air… Hey… Isn't that Riven, sitting on the bench? Alone?
"Scoot over, Riven."
Riven looked up. Usually, if strangers asked him to scoot over, he would ask them to go and find another brainless bench to sit on, or else sit on the floor. But this time, he felt inclined to obey Musa's commands, for the sake of his love for her.
"Why aren't you at the ball?"
"I didn't feel like going… You have a problem with that?"
"No… Just curious."
"Well, I suggest you better go back to that pig-headed Leonardo or he'll be jealous." Riven snapped back.
Musa froze. Did she heard correctly? Riven's tone made it obvious that he was violently jealous.
"Jealous?" She asked him, sweetly.
"My foot! Why would I be jealous?" He asked, although he knew the reason clearly enough.
"Fine Riven, I'll just let fate decide. I'm going back to Leonardo."
"Go! By all means, go! I don't care!"
"You're right. I'm gonna go back to him. He's a much much much better guy than you, jerk." Musa said, tears threatening to fall down from her eyes.
"I vowed never to trust another woman again, in my entire life."
Shocked at what she had just heard, Musa whispered, "Why?"
"My mum left me when I was 6, all because of that damn bloody stupid sum of money my father left behind. Saladin was kind enough to take me in."
"That's so sad… Riven. I'm… I'm sorry."
"Don't need to be. This wasn't your fault…. From then on, I had this mentality that all women are the same. And that's why I never trusted women, let alone talk to them. But… but you were the first… the first to… to tell me I was wrong. I guess I'll just have to break those vows, because, Musa, you were the one. The one and only that I truly love and will love forever. Musa, I love you."
"WHAT!!!???"
"I know, many people consider me a jerk and someone who is arrogant and vain. But… I'm willing to change, for the sake of you, the love of my life… But I doubt you'll……"
"Shhh…." Musa shushed him, putting a finger on his lips.
"I know what you're going to say… Who says I don't love you? I do too… seriously…"
Riven, with a smile playing on his lips, said, "Really? I'm a jerk, ya know. How come? A girl like you, a princess, to be precise, falling in love with a commoner, and what's more, a jerk?"
"I fall in love with anyone I want, it's none of your business." Musa pouted.
"Well, I do care you know, since you're falling in love with me…"
Before Musa could reply, she found herself lip-locked with Riven. This time, she did not refuse the kiss, but just enjoyed this magical moment with him.
It was irresistible. He was irresistible. He kissed like a dream, she thought, letting out a throaty little purr. As if it was all he'd ever done, all he ever wanted to do.
His mouth was soft, and hot, his hands hards, and strong. Was there anything sexier in a man than strength? The strength that came from the muscles and the heart.
He made her mind spin a dozen lazy pirouettes, with her pulse throbbing thick to the beat.
She wanted to send that rhythm speeding, wanted it more than she had anticipated. And floating on all that lovely mix of sensation, anticipation and desire, she let her head fall back.
"That was nice… Now wh…"
They could hear whoops of joy coming from the bushes.
"Can't I even kiss my girlfriend in peace, let alone spending time together with her?" Riven muttered under his breath, only audible enough for Musa to hear.
"Did you say girlfriend? Who's your girlfriend?" Musa asked cheekily.
"You are, love. Come on, I'll bring you to someplace special."
"Where, Riven?"
"It's for me to know and you to find out!"
"Hop up!"
Together, the couple drove blissfully into the wonderful moonlight.
THE END