Waiting for that Promise

13th Chapter: Enchanted

Why am I so nervous?

Limousines and designer cars lined outside the Thompson family's mansion. People dressed in elegant clothes and jewelries go to the main entrance where a butler checks their invitations.

Ryuzaki Sakuno's nerves won't stop panicking. What do you even do in these kind of situations? She's currently sitting inside a limousine with Echizen Ryoma who is just napping on one side. Holding the invitations in her hands, she wondered how intimidating the inspectors were. This whole ordeal of flashy place and tight security screamed like a really high-end Hollywood event. Truth to be told, she expected that everything would be fancy the moment she was given their invitations but she never thought how familiar-looking the people who queued the entrance. She can recognize most faces from television, movies and commercials. Realizing that she would be inside the party too, made her dizzy.

"Sometimes I forget that Ryoma-kun is a celebrity himself, so he's not really anxious at all." she thought, observing his sleeping form.

The boy wore a black tuxedo with a blue tie. His hair was styled so that his bangs were coolly swept up, showing his forehead (courtesy of a certain Mr. Smith). He looked so dashing that when Sakuno saw him, she can't quite believe that he can be any more handsome than the usual.

A slight knock on the car window made her tense up. The windows were put down and a strict looking guard gestured for the guests to come out and proceed to the gates.

Immediately, Ryuzaki tapped on Ryoma's shoulder, where the boy is unexpectedly easy to wake up. He frowned at first, but seeing the uneasy eyes of the girl, he kind of just knew the situation. He sat up and with a yawn, he was the first to come out.

The girl was surprised when Ryoma reached out a hand to her, assisting her when she comes out of the limousine. Her hands were shaky, and she can't help but be nervous as she clutched unto the gift bag in her other hand.

"Don't be nervous." without looking at her, he spoke as he squeezed her hand a bit. Sakuno nodded, trying to not be nervous, as she feels a comfortable warmth in her heart.

Trying to tuck away her shyness, she took a deep breath. With a determined smile, she told him, "We should hurry up and greet Kate!"

Side by side, they walked upstairs to the gate where they handed the invitations and were welcomed by the butler-in-charge. Going inside the mansion, everything felt like the scenario outside is just a small deal.

Like those castles in fairy tales, there was a huge space as wide as a small gymnasium perhaps, designed with styled royal blue and golden items. There were large, ebony windows at the sides, where you can oversee the garden. The chandeliers literally look like the ones fit for a castle. There is a dance floor on the center, and at the sides, are all the guests on their tables, chatting. At the other side of the room are the food preparations, where chefs and waiters work.

Sakuno felt dizzy by standing upon such a huge place. She felt so little, and it was all overwhelming. She followed Ryoma and the butler who accompanied them in finding their table. "Are those actual celebrities?" she thought, seeing the other tables starting to get filled up.

A squeeze on her shoulders, is what made the shy girl startled. Having quite the shock, she looked over and saw the face pretty face of the birthday girl who immediately hugged her.

"I'm glad you came, Sakuno!" Kate Thompson's tight hug made the Ryuzaki gasp for air. When the girl let go, Sakuno flashed her a genuine smile as she handed the gift she had for her.