What’s Your Full Name?

A grand and splendid ballroom had been neatly arranged for what seemed to be an immensely significant and upscale occasion. Chandeliers hung gracefully from the ceiling, casting glimmers of light that spanned the room, bestowing an ambiance akin to a luminous, star-studded night sky. Throughout the room, numerous round tables were neatly placed, adorned with an elegant blend of black and purple–colors that represented wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.

This masquerade ball was undoubtedly a showcase of luxury, evident in every detail from the gleaming crystal champagne glasses to the resplendent silver and black cutlery. The walls adorned with exquisite paintings and decorations added to the lavishness of the scene. However, it wasn't just these opulent elements that caught one's attention.

Inside the ballroom, clusters of good-looking individuals were adorned in clothing, jewelry, and accessories that collectively amounted to millions of dollars. The women's adornments–earrings, necklaces, bracelets, tiaras, and rings–radiated a brilliance even more dazzling than the room's luminosity. A mere glance inside revealed that this was a gathering of the most influential, affluent, and powerful persons. Naturally in keeping with the masquerade theme, each attendee, male and female, concealed a portion or the entirety of their face behind a mask, adding a layer of enigma to the already mysterious identities of those present.

Walking in, her arm intertwined with Mr. Man in the black jacket, this was the scene Rose beheld.

Her eyes widened as her jaw dropped in sheer amazement. She had never before encountered such extravagance in her entire life! The lavish tables, the intricate decorations, the assembled guests–it was almost overwhelming. No wonder Mr. Caleb had sent her the dress, jewelry, and shoes. He was intent on avoiding any sort of embarrassment on his part at this luxurious event. She was now immensely thankful that she had asked Amelia's aid in getting ready tonight; otherwise, she would have felt conspicuously out of place–though, in truth, she already did. This was a whole new world that felt so odd, she felt no sense of belonging.

As she navigated through the crowd, the luxurious fabric of her gown clung to her like an unfamiliar second skin. The chandelier cast a warm glow, accentuating her hazel eyes that darted nervously from one elegant face to another.

She snapped out of her daze when Mr. Man in the black jacket guided her towards the champagne fountain. He took a glass and gave it to her before taking one for himself.

“Thank you,” she said, taking a small sip.

“For the nerves,” he replied as his lips slightly curved into a smile.

As she took a sip from the glass of wine, she felt like a lone vessel navigating uncharted waters, a sensation that only grew stronger as a peculiar gaze seemed to settle on her. She was about to look for a particularly handsome man when she sensed a familiar presence behind her.

At first, she couldn't pinpoint the source, but the sensation of being watched lingered, a phantom touch on her skin. Her movement became hesitant, and her skin tingled. Just then she instinctively understood that searching was unnecessary. A sizable hand alighted on her shoulder as he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered.

“May I have this dance?” His deep, seductive, husky voice sent shivers down her spine. Before she could react, Mr. Caleb had already retrieved her drink and set it on the table. He grasped her hand and led her toward the dance floor, where several other couples were already swaying to the music.

Guiding one of her hands, he placed it on his lower back while firmly holding the other in his grasp. His arm slid around her, drawing her intimately against him, leaving no gap between their bodies. Rose's mind seemed to have ceased functioning, and all she could do was follow his lead.

She was glad that she was taught how to dance in the orphanage back then when she was a teenager, but she never would have thought that she would have to use her skills on a night like this and with a person like him. She never thought that it would feel like this–so intense, magical and so much more.

Her heart was beating loudly, but strangely, she didn't feel tense. She was dancing with him so smoothly, just following his lead, and she knew she shouldn't be amazed but she was. The way he touched her, the way he led her, the timing of his every movement were all perfectly in time with the music. He was so graceful that even she could tell that his movements could only be formed from constant training from a young age. Not only that, she was sure that it could also be from the constant attendance with other noble people of similar backgrounds at events like this. That gracefulness in his movements and that hunt of arrogance were most probably drilled into him from birth.

Rose could not think of anyone else who drew everyone's attention without any effort.

Now that she was this close to him, Rose finally had the chance to study his face.

His nose, his lips, his jaw, and every contour of his face was just… perfect. Even though he was wearing a mask, she could still see his grayish eyes through them, and they were simply, astonishing; spell-bounding. She felt like if she ventured close enough, his eyes would pull her in like quicksand, where there was no escape, and she felt like that was what was happening to her right then.

“Penny for your thoughts?” The man finally spoke, startling her from her reverie.

Rose somehow quickly regained her composure as she responded, “I didn't expect that you would bring me to a party like this.”

“You don't like it?”

“No, I wouldn't say that, but… This is my first time attending a party like this, so I feel a little overwhelmed,” she confessed, and he gave her a soft, enchanting smile, flashing a set of perfect, ultra-white teeth. If only his eyes would smile as well…

“You find the party overwhelming, but not me?” He said, seemingly quite amused before his mood shifted yet again. “Tell me about yourself,” he added, now serious.

“I am an orphan, and the only child of my parents, so I was told. I currently live with the owners of the orphanage, they've become a family to me over the years.”

“Are you a student?” He asked.

“No, I graduated years ago.”

“What was your major?”

“Music,” she answered.

“So what do you do now? You're a singer?”

“No. I'm currently working in the orphanage. I assist teachers, read stories to the kids, and teach music lessons as well.” Rose thought she might be boring him right now. She couldn't decipher the look in his eyes to confirm. But when she looked closely into his eyes, he continued to stare at her with those penetrating gazes, as if her normal life's story caught his interest. She knew it was far from interesting. She didn't have anything exciting enough to tell him, now that she thought about it as she had spent most of her life peacefully in the orphanage and their quiet home. Yes, her life was normal and peaceful, so much so that her peers often referred to it as downright boring.

So before the man could ask once more, Rose swiftly took the initiative and beat him to it by asking a question of her own. “Mr. Caleb, what's your full name?”