Chapter 20
The truth is he doesn't actually care about the whole Gala thing that he's attending. All he cares is the fact that Ada started to act a little bit strange ever since they arrived at the extravagant hall. She did accidentally dropped her phone while talking to an important people. He also noticed the fact that she talks a little bit faster than usual.
Sighing in helplessness Leon circle her waist with his arm. He made an apologetic face to the middle-aged pairs that are talking to Ada.
"Excuse me, but can I borrow Ada for a moment?"
The couple made a slight 'I see' before kindly bid their farewell. Leon slowly led her away.
"What's wrong?" Ada asked, seems to be surprised that Leon took her to a corner of the room where it's less crowded.
"Don't give me that. I am supposed to be the one who ask. Are you okay? You don't seem like yourself."
Ada gave him a hard look. "I'm fine," She said irritably.
You know when a girl said that she's fine, but she's actually not. Never before Leon thought that Ada is also that kind of girl. Leon rubbed his temple, huffing in exhaustion.
"Ada, if you don't feel well we can go back early. Don't pressure yourself too much."
"I said I'm fine. If I don't feel well, we wouldn't be here on the first place. Now, come on, let's get this over with."
He wanted to say something about how unfitting it is to say 'get this over with' when you're attending this kind of event. Isn't this event supposed to bring happiness and joy? All he can see is how much this gala put Ada under pressure.
Ada walked in front of him, going back to greet several people whom he doesn't know. Quietly he slipped away, thinking of getting himself a glass of water.
Maybe a glass of water would be good for Ada too.
He's trying to politely make his way to one of the stewardesses when a soft hand land on his shoulder.
"Leon?" A so familiar voice rings into his ear.
He never managed to respond anything, because suddenly he was engulfed in a hug.
"Ashley? Let me go." He told her off, not wanting a weird rumour of him and the daughter of Racoon City governor start to appear. Softly he pushed her away.
"Aww… Why ruin the fun? I missed you." She said her lips forming a bright smile that Leon had known too well.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, not bothering to go along with her teasing.
"Well I'm the daughter of Racoon City Governor and my mom is a well-known socialite. Isn't it you who seems to be off here? What would a booming internet video sensation doing in this kind of formal event?"
"Accompanying someone, I suppose." Another voice replied before Leon could think of an answer. "Really Leon? If we're in a romantic relationship this will be called cheating you know?"
Leon averted his gaze to Ada who's now beside him, her lips forming her sly smirk as she raised her hand to hold his arm.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ada."
"So you're the one that people are talking about. Nice to meet you too. I'm Ashley. I also go to Racoon High, in case you didn't know." Ashley shook Ada's hand, the bright smile never falters from her face.
"I never thought I would meet someone from Racoon here. Are you here on behalf of your family?" Ada asked ever so politely.
"Actually I just wanted to crash the after-party, but my mother wanted me to come so she could introduce me to someone. Will you come too, Leon?"
Leon looked at Ada, giving her the right to decide the answer.
"I don't think I'm going to." Ada tightens her grip on Leon's arm.
"So do I," Leon follow Ada answer. A young waiter approached Ashley and said something to her, Ashley tilted her head and gave him an inaudible answer. Soon after the guy is gone her smile come back to her features.
"I was actually hoping to talk a bit more with Ada, but there's something that I need to do. See you guys around." She said slowly strutted towards Leon then swiftly gave him a peck. Then she was gone as fast as how she had kissed his cheek.
"Geez," Leon said under his breath, wiping his cheek with the back of his hand. Let's just hope that Ashley didn't leave a single mark on him.
"I don't think she like me," Ada said to him as they slowly walk around the large hall. Leon grabbed two drinks from the nearest standing waiter. Handing one of it to Ada.
"That's Ashley for you, I don't think she's actually ever genuinely like someone." He chuckled, sipping on the drink. It tastes a little bit like lemon and leave quite a bitter flavour in his mouth. The strange taste got him stopped walking for a moment.
"First time drinking wine, handsome?" Ada teased him.
"We're underage." That's all that he can say, feeling a little embarrassed because he really thought it was water. It's not that he hates the newly found taste, but a part of him feel a little anxious. If his parents see this from wherever they are right now, they probably disappointed in him. Silently he muttered a slight apology to them.
"Nobody here cares about that. As long as you don't actually got drunk and embarrass yourself in front of everyone. Just look at your flirty friend over there."
In opposite corner of the hall, he can see Ashley sitting on a sofa, chatting excitedly with a dark brown haired guy who looks like he's already in college. It's actually quite far away to see where the guy is looking at, but Leon swore for a moment he could feel him staring back at him.
A slow rhythm music started to heave from the little stage in the room, for a moment everyone stopped talking, taking in the relaxing atmosphere that the music add. One by one, people started to go near the stage with a partner in hand, guiding them to dance along to the music.
Leon looked at Ada who is checking her phone. Leon tidy the tie that he's wearing while Ada is giving her purse back to a young woman who's actually one of her mother assistant that was given a task to accompany them for the event.
He exhaled before moving his right hand to take Ada's hand.
"Shall we dance too?" He almost couldn't hear his own voice because of the beating of his heart who got louder and louder.
Ada smiled and squeeze his hand gently, "If that's what you wish, Kennedy~"
Leon takes the lead smoothly, his arms circling Ada's waist, he keep his gaze their surrounding trying to maintain his focus away from Ada's hands on his shoulders.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" He said in a whisper, making sure just the two of them can hear it.
"No, you haven't. What an amateur you are, Leon." Ada chuckled.
"You see, I wanted to say that, but afraid you're going to take it the wrong way. After all, you're still beautiful no matter what the occasion is." He reasoned cheekily.
Ada laughed. Her voice rang into his ears in a way that Leon loves the best.
"Is that how you got other girls into your arms?"
"No, that's how I got you into my arms."
Ada jokingly pinched his shoulder. "Leon, just for tonight, okay?"
Ada strutted closer to him. Their bodies are an inch closer from each other. Leon nodded, drowning himself in the music. He had lost count on how many songs has passed, how many steps they had taken. Every song seems so short, it feels like he could go on right this forever.
When the band stopped playing people parted away and gave them an applause. Ada gave him a hug before letting him go. "Turns out you're not a bad dancer after all. Thank you"
Leon smiled then jokingly gave her a deep bow. "It was a pleasure for me too, lady."
Both of them went to a nearby table, grabbing a glass of drink which thankfully is a water.
"Ada?" Someone suddenly called from their behind. Leon turned around to look at the newcomer. It's the guy who was chatting with Ashley. His green eyes shine beneath the full framed glasses that he's wearing.
"John," Ada said curtly, her polite composure that she was showing towards everyone tonight is gone.
"I thought you can't come tonight." He kindly said, eyeing Leon for a moment. "Care to introduce me to your friend over here?"
Ada doesn't seem like she's going to respond, so Leon took the initiative and hold out his hand. "Leon Kennedy. It's nice to make your acquaintance."
"Same here, Kennedy. I'm John. John Clemens. I've known Ada since middle school."
"Oh, I see." Leon doesn't know how else he's going to reply to that.
"Actually, there's something that I need to discuss with Ada. Would you mind?"
Leon wanted to say no, considering how strange Ada is acting towards him. But, who is he to tell him off?
"That, you can ask the lady herself."
Ada who was looking down for the whole banter gave his hand a quick squeeze, then unexpectedly a light peck on his cheek. "I'll be right back, okay?"
Leon huffed as he watched the two walked away from him. Trying not to look worried he stepped aside and started to move to one of the sofas that are spread inside the large hall.
"I saw you before. You've met with John, didn't you?" Ashley said, coyly sit beside him.
"You've met him too."
Ashley chuckled, Leon doesn't actually get what she think is funny. Perhaps, she drink a little bit too much. Either way he still sit there, trying not to look at the door that Ada went to.
"He's an interesting guy, that John." Ashley started. "Did you know that he was Ada's boyfriend?"
Leon choked, almost spilling the water in his mouth.
"He did and now he's taking her away again." There's a hint of fake sadness in her tone.
"Shut up, Ashley."
"Leon, I know you hate me, but Ada? You're going to see me as a miracle if you know the truth about her. I care about you, just like how I care about Angela. I'm saying this for your own good. Try to keep your distance from her."
"You only met her tonight, stop saying things like that," Leon said then stepped as far as he can from Ashley.
Leon wandered around, his eyes glancing to the door where Ada had gone every now and then. It starting to take sometimes and they're these feelings that everything is not going well in the other end. Finally making up his mind to go out and find them, he stepped outside of the hall.
At least the building lobby that connects the main hall where the gala is being held from the front gate is not as crowded as it is inside. His gaze wander, but he can't find them. Feeling frustrated he dialled Ada's phone. But the one who answered is not her.
"Sorry, but is Ada with you?" Leon asked.
"I thought she's with you," came the confused answer from the Radames Assistant. Leon hung up, knowing that talking with her would not get him any answer. Then he saw John coming out from the men restroom, his fancy tuxedo is folded on his arm. He could spot a stain on his white shirt.
"Where's Ada?" he approached him and asked.
"Why the hell should I know about that little shit?" His choice of words makes something inside Leon awake. Leon gripped the taller man collar, he yank it until they both face to face.
"Where is she?"
"I don't know. She runs after splashed a glass of wine onto me." He noticed that several man in black started to approach them, "you better let me go, if you don't want to get into trouble, video-boy."
Leon flinched at the nickname. He really wanted to hit him. He probably just imagines this in his head, but he got this itching feeling to throw his fist to the man face. But realizing that it'll not solve the more important problem, he let him go.
"What happened?" The assistant who's strutting closer to them asked him.
"Have you find Ada?" Leon asked back, the blonde woman shook her head. Her hands are still holding Ada's phone.
"I'm going to check with our driver, in case if she actually has gone home without telling us," She said before pulling out her own phone and make a call.
Leon realized that John is still next to him. Annoyance painted all over his face.
"Look, this is probably not the right time, but there's so much about Ada that you probably want to know. We totally can't talk right now because the princess has fled somewhere. Here's my card. Call me whenever and we'll talk." John said handing him a black name card with 'John Clemens' written futuristically on one of its sides. He gave him a simple nod before went out, two of the men dressed in black tailed him.
The Radames Assistant gave Leon a signal to follow her, and he did willingly. They went out and the luxurious limo that they rode to get here already there, he let her goes in first before following shortly. The limo started to speed up.
"She hasn't contacted the driver, but someone said that she took a cab and went away. So here's what we're going to do. I'm going to deliver you back to the apartment, which I hope is where she is. In case she's not there, I'm the one who will go and search for her. Your job is to wait for her in the apartment, okay?"
"But-"
"No buts I'm going to leave her phone with you and you can call up her friend and ask whether they know where she's or not."
They reached the Radames apartment pretty fast and when they found it still empty as how they left it, none of them say anything. The blonde assistant nodded knowingly and left. He doesn't know what to do, so he sit by the window and watched the town at night. The rain started to pour, getting heavier and heavier by every second. He saw an ambulance passed by and muttered a single pray that Ada is safe and sound. He fiddled Ada's phone, filling lucky that the girl actually didn't give a password to protect it. Searching through the contact, he ended up on Carla's name.
Leon dialled.
"Ada, did you remember what I said about not to call me. It's annoying." Came an irritated answer from the other side.
"Sorry Radames. This is Leon. It's kind of important. Well, do you know where would Ada go if she ever runs away?"
"What do you mean by run away?" She shouted.
"Something happened between her and John Clemens, she probably got mad and fled from the event. Now we're looking for her, do you have any idea where she is?"
"I have several, where are you right now?"
"In the loft, keeping watch in case she comes home. Your mother assistant is looking around town at the moment."
"I see. I'm going to call the assistant so I'm hanging up, okay?" she said, not wasting any time to hear his answer the girl hang up.
Leon doesn't know how long he sat there and wait until he hears a knock on the front door.
A/N: I hope the long chapter could make up for the slow update :)
2015 is going to come to an end, Thank you for supporting me this past few years. You guys are the one that got me into writing fanfictions, thank you very much. I really love you guys in every platonic sense :)
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