The car stopped in front of a certain 7 star hotel. Samantha looked out and could already see a line of paparazzi standing at the red carpet. She had expected something like that after he had warned her earlier not to respond to the paparazzi or turning to them.
"Wear your mask." He said calmly. She quickly and clumsily took the mask trying to place it on but it seems she could.
Darian wanted to chuckle but he knew it would only make her more defensive so he leaned in, touching the mask on her face as he slowly slid the hook underneath her hair, gently restyling it. As his fingertips brushed against her skin, her heart couldn't help but flutter, a jolting feeling lingering on the part of her skin he touched.
Before she could think further, he stepped out of the car, walking straight to her side to pull the door open. The cameras already started flashing before she stepped out, taking his hand.
"Your highness, your highness, over here."
"Who is the lovely lady with you tonight, your highness?"
"The king has hinted at your marriage a few times, is she the one, your highness?"
"What's your name, miss?"
"How would do you feel being with a man with high standards with yours?"
Samantha gripped Darian tighter. He looked down at her and could already tell she was beung overwhelmed, making him take quicker strides as she followed next to him.
The voices drowned out as soon as they stepped into the hotel lobby. She let out a shaky breath as Darian stopped, turning back to look at her. "Are you okay…?"
She didn't respond and just took a deep breath, looking towards the large mirror on the wall in a distance. She could see her masked face. The mask was covering her forehead down to the bridge of her nose and she fancied her looks.
Darian seemed to pause till she was done before holding out his arm again. Without question, she wrapped her arm around his as they made their way towards the venue.
They stepped into a magnificent ballroom which had been meticulously decorated for what seems like an high class event. Samantha could already tell it was from the crowd of paparazzi. The chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, creating a unique line of glow in the entire ballroom. Many round tables were dotted around the room, decorated tastefully with red and gold or purple and golf motif.
It was like a public display of wealth, from the crystal champagne glasses and the silver and gold cutlery, stunning and expensive looking paintings on the wall. But that wasn't the only thing that caught Samantha's eyes. The room was filled with groups of people wearing millions dollars worth of clothing, jewelry, and other accessories. The women jewelry – their earrings, bracelets, tiaras, rings – all seemed to hold a unique glow in the room. Even a blind man could tell that this was a gathering for the rich. And it being a masquerade ball, each person, men and women wore a mask which covered part or all of their face.
Walking in with Darian, Samantha noticed every single detail. Her eyes were wide behind her mask, her face displaying total awe. She had never seen so much extravagance in her life. She could see the reason Darian had to send her a dress or she would just stick out like a sore thumb. He didn't want to be embarrassed at an important event like this. Now she was grateful she haf Kaia dress her up because she couldn't do it herself. She would have felt left out; not like she doesn't already feel left out.
She knew rich people threw all these kind of lavish party all the time. Kaia had told her stories a few times since she had experienced it from her kind of background. Samantha had imagined what it would be like but never in her life would she have thought she would be attending one. Even this exceeded her imagination.
She soon snapped out of her daze as Darian handed her a glass of champagne from the waiter who just walked by. "T-thank." She mumbled, taking it.
"Just relax." He whispered calmly. "No one will bite you here."
Yeah, but she was feeling like she was already. They headed towards a table where he pulled out a chair for her to take a seat. He sat opposite from her, staring at her from across the table. Samantha could feel his gaze but her eyes darted everywhere except from him. The only reason she was here was for her debt. She just wanted this to be over so she could disappear.
Samantha was already lost in admiring her surrounding when she felt a presence behind her. Large, smooth hands landed on her shoulders as he whispered in her ears. "May I have this dance?" His deep, sexy, masculine voice sent shivers down her spine.
Her eyes darted across her but he was no longer there. She didn't even notice he was now behind her. Before she could react, she was already up, her champagne glasses in his hands with him gulping it before handing it to the nearest waiter.
Her stomach fluttered as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down. 'Quit thinking about how perfect he look, Samantha. He is a dangerous man.' She whispered in her thoughts.
He took her hand and left her towards the dance floor where other couples were also dancing.
He took one of her hand, placing it on his shoulder, while the other one held his hand. He then slipped his arm behind her, pulling her closer to him, leaving nonpace between them. "I-I can't dance." She stuttered, her heart beating erratically.
"Then follow my lead…"