Aarav's POV
I was already there.
At the Royal Rylan Gala, hosted in that ridiculous glass-domed palace they call "just a venue." Chandeliers the size of a truck. Violinists playing as if angels were paying them.
The place smelled like imported roses and generational wealth. Not that I cared.
I was at the snack table, munching on exotic cheese I couldn't even pronounce.
The guests? Boring. Rich. Talking business. Buying companies with one sentence. Nice, right?
Then the Rylans arrived.
You could feel it.
Silence fell. Everyone turned.
First came Rian Cathel Rylan — grey suit, silver cane, eyes like he could see your tax fraud just by blinking. Btw, he's not a detective. But still.
Beside him, Avery Claire Rylan — silk grey gown, diamonds like frozen tears.
Behind them — her daughter, Euna Soo Blackwood, elegant, poised, carrying a matching purse and legacy.
And her husband, Lucas Cole Blackwood — all-black suit, jawline so sharp it probably signed business deals.
They didn't walk in. They arrived. Like a storm in tuxedos.
Of course, they were the ones who organized the Gala.
My parents went over. I stayed where I was, chewing a stuffed mushroom. I had no business with Mr. Rylan. I'm not one for theatrics. And besides—
I had eyes for someone else.
The doors opened again.
And there she was.
Noor.
And for once… I had no words.
She wore a gown in a color I couldn't name. Maybe blue. Maybe lilac. It shimmered like moonlight dipped in amethyst. Off-shoulder, delicate, with sleeves so soft and long they looked like they were floating. Gloves to match. Hair shining like the morning sun after a storm. A mask on her face — ivory white with silver vines curling around her eyes.
Btw, this is a mask party.
She looked like royalty. Like magic. Like the last page of a fairytale.
Then I saw Liza beside her.
My mood? Murdered.
Liza = Road breaker. The speed bump of dreams. The barrier between me and my moment.
Arg...
But then — opportunity.
Liza was gone. I couldn't see her within a 7-meter radius of Ara.
Ara wandered off. Holding orange juice like a two-year-old toddler. She didn't even flinch. She was calm. Composed. Acting like she belonged here more than anyone else. Of course, she's cute.
I walked up.
"You look…" I paused. "Honestly, you look amazing, Ara."
She blinked. Gave a polite smile. No butterflies. No sparkles. Oof.
"Not a fan of compliments?" I asked, half-grinning.
"I just… don't know what I'm doing here," she muttered.
I chuckled. "Then we're both in the wrong place."
There was silence. She looked away. A little sad. A little shy.
I cleared my throat.
"By the way… about Yaori."
She turned to me quickly.
Why did I even mention Yaori's name in front of her?!?!
"She's just a childhood friend, nothing more."
Her eyes didn't blink. Like she was searching for truth in my voice.
But what kind of truth?
"And I'll bring your notes tomorrow morning. In front of your house."
And that—THAT made her smile.
Victory.
She needs notes!
Even if it was small.
She smiled.
And for now… that was enough.
I don't know why, but I grabbed her hand. "Come with me."
"Where?" she asked like a toddler again.
We weaved past ladies dripping in sapphires and uncles who smelled like deals and expensive disappointment. Once we reached a quiet nook near the dessert spread, I finally let go.
Yah, I wanted her to taste that exotic cheese I couldn't pronounce. Maybe she knew something about it.
But why am I doing this?
"Here we are…" I continued, "Taste this," I said, handing her the plate of exotic cheese.
"Hm…" she was kind of shocked by my behavior. "Haa…" she finally took the plate.
She took a bite. "Can you name this cheese? I couldn't pronounce it."
"What's special? This is cheese, and enough for me. But if you're that curious about what type of cheese it is, then look behind you — you'll see a tag below the tray."
Oh yes! White Stilton Gold! Contains gold flakes and liquor in some amount.
I'm dumb.
"You're dumb," she added.
Then I don't know why but I looked at her neck.
She wasn't wearing a necklace.
"Hey…"
"Hmmm..?"
"Why didn't you wear a necklace? Everyone here is covered in gold. So why?"
"Did I do something wrong by not wearing a necklace?" she looked up at me.
"No, I mean… I'm just asking…" I was still looking at her collarbone… But why?
I continued, "Suits you."
"Ohh…" and she continued eating.
Her collarbone is so so so sharp. But why am I noticing it? I'm stupid!
Suddenly, someone announced that the couple dance was going to start — but with a twist.
They would need to change partners randomly to their left every time the music beat changes.
I thought, should I take Noor there for the dance? Should I ask her?
"Why are you staring at me? I'm… I'm not good at dance!" She knows…
"But still, come with me!"
Again, I grabbed her hand.
But why?!??!
"I don't even know how to write dance and you are asking me to do dance with you?!?" she added.
"Don't worry — if our steps go ultra wrong, then we'll just act like we fainted. Nobody will judge us."
"You're super dumb!!"
Okay, we reached the dance dome.
And yes, I offered my hand to her, waiting for her response.
She looked at me, then at the people around us, then back at my hand.
And yes — she agreed!
Now her silvery, smoke-like hand was in mine. That's what I needed.
Yah, the dance isn't perfect.
Even we're not perfect.
But the moment… the moment is perfect.
I guess I like her because of her toddler-type behavior every time.
And guess what — we knew we weren't perfect. That's why her pointed heels slipped on the floor.
She grabbed my coat — and I grabbed her by the waist with one hand, and her other hand with mine — pulling her toward me.
Even our chests were touching.
We were too close… Too close…
Our faces just inches apart.
She loosened her grip on my coat.
"Ahh… Sorry… and Thank you," she said.
"Nah nah, it's okay. Are you okay, by the way?"
"Yah…"
"Nice."
We continued dancing — and this time, our dance was better than before. Perfect enough for us.
Good thing, right?
I know she's upset from Yaori's behavior, but still… she's nice.
Yaori is my childhood friend. She's super sensitive and sometimes feels insecure if I talk to anyone else during her reserved time.
Haha.
But tonight… it's not about Yaori.
It's not about the gala.
It's not about what's right or what's supposed to happen.
It's just me, and Noor…
In a dance neither of us rehearsed…
She's a nice and loyal friend...