89 First Kiss (1/2)
It was time for battle.
Evening had come and gone, and it was eight in the night now. The entire Palace Jade had been lit up with the most exquisite colours and lights. It was still serene, but its beauty wasn't cold, like the one that Jimmy Hunter personally preferred.
The party downstairs had begun.
Jimmy had announced the occasion to be one of having closed a very important deal with a firm placed in another country. However, the only people in the party were trained security guards dressed as businessmen, friends and close relatives, and every possible enemy of Thad Carver. They didn't know for what purpose they had all accumulated, except for Jimmy and company and a few chosen trustworthy men.
Carver had said to meet at ten.
Jimmy was unnaturally tense.
No, it wasn't Miya's meeting with Carver that had stressed him. He would follow her like her own shadow throughout the Carver ordeal. It was something else.
This party… tonight was supposed to be the big night.
He was telling her today.
As far as this Toby-Freeman business was concerned, Jim personally wasn't all that worried. There were privately hired people from the media all around, trained security personnel and Thad Carver was only one puny drug lord. He wouldn't be that hard to tackle.
This, however… It was the most difficult thing Jimmy was ever going to do.
He was sure.
And now that he thought about it, he was nervous. What the hell would he even say?
Would she remember?
It had happened a long time ago after all!
Jimmy, who had dressed himself in a black tuxedo, paired with a black tie, now shoved his hands nervously inside his pockets, and fiddled with a little box inside.
The ring.
She would like it right?
The young master's mouth was immediately in his throat, when he thought of that. But then he shrugged, trusted his superior choice and calmed down.
It was going to be alright.
In fact, it was going to be amazing.
Meanwhile Miya looked grudgingly at Rebecca who stood in her room, dressed in simple black pants and a crop top. She had an incredible smile on her face as she looked at Miya from head to toe, and clapped her hands in glee.
”Oh, Miya,” Becky was saying, ”If I didn't know you were already married, I'd have said it was your wedding day. You look so beautiful!”
Miya rolled her eyes.
Sis Becky always exaggerated.
But… she really wasn't looking all that bad.
Miya stood before the mirror, dressed in a gorgeous floor length royal blue gown, that looked like it had come straight out of a fairy tale.
She had pulled the same old trick again today, saying that they had to commemorate that incredible night. And Miya had been forced into a similar dress once more.
Only, she liked this one. It wasn't childish. And it made her look really nice.
Becky had used all her superior skills in make up too, and just then, Miya stood before the mirror completely transformed. The alteration wasn't too much, but she looked so pleasantly different, Miya herself found the getup not too shabby.
In fact, if she cared to give herself a careful look, she could have concluded she looked beautiful.
Also, the dress would be a good way to mix in, since most of the ladies at the party were wearing dresses alone. When Miya was ready, she picked up the black lace mask, that was designed as if raindrops were falling from it.
And she rolled her eyes when she saw it, giving Becky an exasperated look at the same time.
Even the mask was the same as from back then.
Becky was frivolous, but she apologized, ”I'm sorry! I just thought it would be so much fun! And later on, if all goes well, we can get drunk like last time!”
Miya chuckled at Becky, and then put on the mask.
Then, she walked out, kind of uncomfortable in the dress but feeling good. But she remembered something, turned around and asked, ”Will you be dressing the same as last time as well?”
Rebecca laughed.
”Of course! Where's the fun if I don't?”
Miya returned her smile.
Jimmy had been hastily shaking hands with the guests, accepting congrats and doing a lot of sh*t that he didn't give two flying f***s about. He was so nervous, his heart was practically bouncing in his throat. He was continuously steeling his heart, reminding himself that he was the great and brave Jimmy Hunter. And yet, it was all no good.
He had even started sweating, and it wasn't even hot!
And then, the missus arrived.
She walked down nervously, clutching at the sides of her gown so that she wouldn't trip on the hem and fall. Her eyes were searching every person in the room outside, and her lips quivered slightly.
Her face was mostly covered with the mask.
But Jimmy could have recognized her with his back turned.
The girl…
She was going to be the death of him.
Right then, in that moment, Jimmy's entire being was stunned, she looked so breath taking. Jim's hands were placed behind his back, and he stared at her with eyes that had sight only for her, as if the entire world came down to just one person.
And that was her.
His steps were an impulse, when he walked to the edge of the staircase.
He had never found anything else so flawless, so perfect.
He knew it then. From balls to bones, through and through.
He loved this woman.
Miya was beginning to feel she would fall straight down the staircase. She hadn't realized it before, but the dress was kind of heavy, and too long for someone of her stature. It was beautiful though, and she decided to do her best to not ruin it.
She was descending the staircase carefully, when her eyes found one person.
Jimmy Hunter.
He stood at the bottom of the stairs, his beautiful eyes looking at her with an emotion she was afraid to understand. But it drew her in, like a moth to a raging flame. She walked towards him, slightly nervous, when he held out his hand.
Like the perfect gentleman he was.
Miya took it, entranced. Jimmy's words were an instinct too, when he said, ”My lady.”
A slight blush crept up Miya's cheeks and she flushed.
Oh. She was perfect.
Jimmy held her hand in his, and walked her to the party room. It was almost an acknowledgment, an announcement to the world that Jimmy Hunter was taken.
He was threatened, broomed out, but finally, he was taken.
The young master had found himself a bride.
The scene perhaps was astonishing to most present, for Jimmy Hunter had never walked to a room with a woman by his side. And he had never looked at one as if she was the most exquisite being alive.
The situation caused a stir.
Albeit, the event was supposed to be low profile, but the appearance of Jimmy Hunter with a strange girl caused a hushed uproar amongst the guests and the private media. It was news they couldn't resist, the evidence of which they wouldn't find again if missed. It seemed as if Jimmy had forgotten about the world.
Simon Hunter stood in a corner, sipping on a glass of whiskey.
He should have expected it.
In his honest opinion, he hadn't expected Miya to appear so beautifully clad, or look so enchanting. For a second, when Jimmy had walked in with her, the old Hunter himself had been entranced. The girl had looked like a different person altogether.
But even if the children had forgotten, he remembered that there was still a plan.
And it needed to be executed.
To put the situation under control, and to prevent pictures from being taken clearly, Simon Hunter ordered the lights to be put out. Instead, the room was lighted only by excessive chandeliers, and blue ballroom lights.
He walked towards Miya, announcing boldly as he did, ”Ladies and Gentlemen, do this old Chairman a favour, and let him have the pleasure of watching you lively souls dance. Let the music begin.”
The crowd cheered at the fascinating atmosphere and the calm music that began to flow through the night.
It was when Miya saw the Chairman approach, that she was somehow pulled out of her stupor. The old man was donned in the deep maroon and brown suit that she had chosen for him, and that made her smile.
”Miya,” the Chairman smiled at her as well, ”You look terrific, darling.”
With that, he bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
That froze the girl, but she calmed down. It must be customary… this sort of thing, among the rich people. So, she looked up at him and said genuinely, ”You look very handsome too.”
Simon smiled.
”In that case, would you care for a dance?”