Sorry for the wait. Here it is!

Ch 40

Diana was trying her best to complete her last Myth report as well as trying her best to not see the train and plane tickets lying on her bedside table. She had taken the train ticket this morning only. Professor Beckor lived in Yorkshire and he had called her last night that he wanted to give her his last Asian Myth book. It was a coveted edition that the Professor gave only to his really good students. She knew that going to Russia or not she had to take that book.

All this thinking as well as all the 'Oh my! I have a date with Kai' thoughts was not going well with her report. Her phone beeped and a huge smile appeared on her face. Ever since she had told the girls about her date they were texting her non-stop. It wasn't them this time though.

It was Kai. It said-

Hi :* Decided to swap the dinner for a dance-ballroom style-I hope you don't mind. I thought you might like that. Would have picked you up but have to arrange special surprise for you :* Meet you at seven.

The address was given too.

Diana jumped. It was five already. She didn't even have a dress. What was she gonna do? She tried Mariam's number but remembered that she was away on some 'architect' business. Hilary and Tyson were busy introducing their parents (formally). There was no way she could distract them right now.

Mariah? She was having major fashion issues but she wouldn't turn down an opportunity of dressing up someone. Diana packed a small bag and made off to Mariah's.

"Unbelievable! Kai actually asked you to the Royal Masquerade Ball. Only the A-listers are going to be there. You are so lucky!" Mariah was very happy with Kai.

"Is it a famous thing?" Diana made a face. "I don't understand what was wrong with a simple dinner."

"Diana, this is way better. The Majestics are going to be there. It was all over the newspapers. Enough with the talking. Let's get you all dressed up."

Luna was ignored by both of them. She liked it that way. She picked up Diana's mobile phone and purse from the table and pocketed them. The message from Kai had of course been her doing. She had seen the morning newspaper announcing the ball and it seemed too good an opportunity to waste it. All she wished was that it would rain. That would be amazing.

Diana got down from Mariah's car with great difficulty. Her red, sequined dress was getting stuck here and there. Her head hit the door. The mask came off. She tumbled over her heels. Everything happened.

Still, she regained her composure, waved Mariah goodbye and walked to the door. The two guards stopped her, "Invitation please, madam."

"Umm," Diana smiled, "I don't have one. My-" Boyfriend? Date? What was Kai? "My date asked me to meet him here. Kai Hiwatari."

They checked their lists and shook their heads. "Sorry, ma'am, there are no Hiwataris on the invitation list. You'll have to step aside."

Diana nodded unconsciously. What the hell was happening? A single thought danced through her brain. Kai had stood her up. How could it be? But what else could it be?

She tottered to a bench nearby. Maybe Kai was late but the guards had said….They had to be lying. Why would they lie? She could wait for fifteen minutes. Kai would come, surely. Wouldn't he?

An hour later Diana was still sitting on that cold bench feeling very cold and incredibly stupid. She had waited and waited for Kai with no avail. She had no money. She couldn't even take a taxi home because there were none to be seen. Everyone was arriving in their own cars. She wished she had remembered to bring her mobile phone so that she could have called someone. There was a phone booth but she had neither money nor the memory of anyone's number, not even her own.

It started raining and that was when Diana lost it. People had stared at her, her dress was totally wet, she was heartbroken, she was angry with herself for having fallen for such a trick and to top it all she had no idea how she was going to get back. Big, fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

A hand rested on her shoulder. "Diana?"

"Let go," cried Diana angrily.

"Hey, hey," the person held her arm, "its me."

Diana turned to look at the person. Her eyes widened.

"Its me. Johnny! From Ray's wedding party?" Johnny brushed back his wet red hair and made gesture to his driver, who handed him an umbrella. "Now, would the beautiful lady tell me why she is crying outside the ballroom, getting all wet?"

Diana half-smiled. She wiped her eyes and stood up. "I remember you."

"Come, sit in the car," Johnny said.

Diana sniffed, "Thanks, Johnny."

They got in the car and Diana shivered. She thanked God that Johnny had come along. It was a stroke of luck. She had been so scared of what was going to happen.

"So, what happened?"

Diana told him, her eyes filling with tears at the embarrassment and betrayal.

Johnny burst into laughter. He wiped his eyes and went on laughing.

Diana glared at him, "It's not funny, Johnny."

"No, it is," Johnny laughed. "I never knew Kai was such a prankster."

"I'm getting down, right now," Diana's tone was dangerous.

Johnny stopped laughing, "No need to get angry with me. Sorry about laughing, okay?"

"Okay."

"Where should I take you?"

"Do you know Kai's place? I need to have a talk with him."

Johnny nodded, hoping Kai would have a good excuse because Diana looked really mad. Poor Kai.

I feel bad for Diana :'(

Do tell me what you all think of this chapter and Luna's tricks. Thank you each and every one of y'all who take their time to read, follow, favorite and review. It makes me soooooo happy and soooo grateful. I wish I could thank you all in person :D You all make my day!

Thanks for reviewing the last chapter fellows: susan sewell, Rangerapprentice, BadmanTing, SMRA (thanks for the support...i love your reviews...RR), Omegaxis1.

-zak