Secret Doors

Prologue

I feel the warm breeze of air as it hits my face. I’m loving the salty smell of air coming from the nearby beach. The sun is kissing my skin like it is my lover. I look through the clouds for a while before I drive again. “How lovely?” I questioned myself in astonishment. I look at the photo in my locket. If mom was here surely she’ll tell me stories about dad.

How she met dad one summer night and how the stars are watching them lit the fire of love. She tells their love story as if it was just the wildest dream she had. I drove again smiling as I remember how she will squeal like a high school student falling in love.

I dropped by at the nearest Cafe before heading to my hotel reservation. The Cafe looks cozy with its vintage accent and a touch of bohemian vibes. The song playing was cool too. It’s classic that sounds peaceful to my ear.

I ordered a caramel macchiato and sat down near the view of the beach. It’s so beautiful. I checked my phone and it was near 4 pm. I make myself comfortable in my seat and look around the shop when my eyes spotted a man weirdly holding his cup of tea.

He’s holding it at the mouth part of the cup, not on its handle. He’s reading a newspaper on his other hand. His dull eyes suddenly looked at me as if I were a prey He was slicing me into pieces so I looked away. Those eyes look so enchanting despite that deadly glare he gave me.

And man that face is perfectly sculpted to make him so handsome. He looks so sexy in his neat attire. How fascinating that I can smell his perfume and how manly he is by just staring at him. He looks so neat and fine.

I blushed as my heart raises its heartbeat as I heard him talking. The voice sounds so glorious that it makes me flinch from my seat. It’s cold that sends shivers to my spine. It’s so dignified that it makes me feel meek. I search for my phone and look for the time. I snatched a glance at him again and took all the courage to take my leave as his whole existence make me feel weak.

When I get on to my car I can’t help myself but smile. “Mom, is this the feeling you had when you saw dad for the first time?” I asked and look at the sky. I looked down and saw him riding his Bugatti Divo. This man got his taste. I drove away too as he takes his leave.

I drive away blushing hard straight to my hotel reservation. Wonderstruck and wondering if you ever noticed me. Praying that this was just the first page of the story. Hoping you are not in love with someone else, hoping we will meet again. You filled every empty spot of my brain with the thoughts of you.

——–

(Ball Dance)

7 pm @ the Ballroom of Le Grande

Portia’s P. O. V:

I arrived at the party exactly at 7 pm. I’m wearing a white 18th-century type of ballgown to match the vintage Victorian Motif of the party. My hair is in an updo with pearls and gold pins. I wore a pearl and ruby necklace to match the outfit. This necklace was from my mom. I wore a white flower pearl-studded stiletto for my footwear and a lacy bracelet for a more chic look. I am wearing a red mask to match my ruby necklace.

This party is being held every year for every visitor to the hotel. They call this matchmaking party or a ‘Get to know you’ party.” Everyone looks so fancy when I stepped into the room. From the maid, escort up to the visitors it looks so luxurious. I look around each corner of the place. It’s very magical and majestic.

The classic instrumental music is very soothing to the ears. A woman in her 40’s step up the big staircase and calls for everyone’s attention. “To all the visitors of Le Grande Hotel, Welcome to the 67th year of the Royal Ballgown party. Thank you to all the sponsors of this party for making this possible. May you find love at the end of the evening. Again Everyone good evening.” She happily said and with that instruments start playing and everyone gathers to meet someone to talk and here I am being left alone.

I roomed around as I didn’t know how to start a conversation as I feel so shy. The bell rings as it was time for eating but I didn’t find anyone to talk with. Everyone just looks so intimidating to me. I got some food to my plate and sat at the table near one of the windows. I put down my plate and look around. Everyone seems to find a match for the dance later.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“May I sit with you?” A man in a white pearl stud mask said. His ocean green eyes are very calm and soothing his tone of voice is deep but feels impulsive. His musky scent lingers in my nose it’s calm. “Sure. I’m all alone.” I answered. “The name is Jacen.” He said after he takes the seat in front of me. “Hey, you ruin the guessing part,” I said jokingly and he laughs a little.

“It’s fine. After all, I’m still hiding under this mask.” He said and smiles at me. What a beautiful smile showing up. “Portia.” I informally introduced myself. “Nice name.” He compliments and grabs the wine beside him. “Oh, I forgot the shaking hand part.” He said a little of a joke. “It’s fine I don’t mind informal talks,” I said. “Me too. I like informality better than the old way like they did.” He said giving another round of a soothing laugh.

We ate and had fun talking. Then the lights went off and were replaced with dancing lights bouncing everywhere. “The dance already starts.” He informs and I nodded. I’m being shy again. “I guess I’ll have your first dance.” He said and stand up. “Shall we dance Portia?” He offers me a hand that I gladly accept. We got to the dancefloor and the classic music began.

“This dance will last 25 minutes before the main dance. Dancers will switch places to their left side at the first turn and will turn on the right side at the second turn before scattering again. I’ll leave you my number so we could be friends in case we won’t end up meeting again.” He informs me again. “Thank you for informing me Jacen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I said and gave him a smile. He slides his phone card to me.

“Let’s talk sometimes.” He said and I nodded. “Don’t be shy okay? I’ll hope you get the main dance.” He said smiling. “Yeah! thank you.” I thanked him. “Good luck Portia.” He said and pass me to the next dancer. He has blonde hair and I can say that it is a bit of apple-cut hair. “H-hello! Hope you had a nice evening.” The guy introduced the talk. This guy is a little timider than Jacen. “Hi! Thank you. I’m having fun. How about you?” I said and smiles at him as he is like me shy and timid.

“Doing good. What’s your name?” He asked. “My name is Portia. What’s yours?” I introduced myself to him. “My name is Aleksei.” He answered me. “Nice to meet you Aleksei,” I told him and his thin lips smiles. We dance for a few more minutes and it’s time to take turns again. “See you around Portia.” He whispered before handing me to the man next to him.

“Oh! Hi! I’m Conrad.” He immediately introduced himself. I giggled at his quick remorse. “Portia. Nice to meet you.” I respond. “Feel comfortable okay?” He said and I nodded. We had fun talking while dancing. The music is so soothing as it turns slow. Another turn hand will take mine again.

He handed me to a tall and undeniably handsome man. His haircut was undercut and it was blonde like the guy from earlier. I have the guts that I met him somewhere but I can’t remember. His icy blue eyes are so dominating but he’s wearing a calm and collected aura.

He looks deeply into my eyes which made me wanna free myself from his lock-gazing challenge but I was drowned by his eyes. He’s lovely. “My pleasure to meet you I’m Erin Kaito.” He formally introduced himself. “My name is Portia Zira. It’s also my pleasure to have you dancing with me tonight.” I shakingly answered back. A smirk just curved from his lips. His hand grabs my hips as the new set of music played.

We are both quiet. Nobody wants to talk also none of us wants to miss every inch of the moves we are sharing. He’s like a price from the heaven-sent above. The music stops and I hear him whisper into my ears. “Until next time my lady.” He said and escort me to the front as the light start dancing surely the spotlight is picking its victim.

The light stop at the man with a black diamond stud mask in a black tuxedo with a rose on his left chest. And the next spot stops at the top of me. The guy looks so majestic in his suit and cape. My heartbeat fasten so much that it raises my temperature as we started to move and meet each other.

As soon as my eyes falls into his trap I felt like I was caged. His sea grey eyes look deeply onto my soul, his gazes are sharp that it pains me. Why does it feel sad? Those eyes are dull and very intimidating. His aura reminds me of a deep-sea very calm and dangerous. He’s not so tall compared to Erin but he’s taller than me to think that I’m only 5 flat in height. I’m only under his chin.

We started to move our feet and dance. How magical that from the moment we take the first steps everything seems to vanish into thin air and I was the only one left for him. Rose petals are falling like rain drops from a rain shower. In a split moments, everything turns red as the petals field the place.

Our eyes are locked and none of us dare to break the thread. No one wants to end the silent war between us. Seems like both of us are already trapped in each other’s thoughts. Who are you to mark me like a blood stain when I only met you here at the haunting forest?

“Hey, Brat.” He sinfully calls up my attention. “Hmm?” I hummed suddenly like I’m a submissive cat. “Levi’s the name.” He said and without another word, we continue to dance. “Portia.” I whispered. “I thought that I need to pull out your tongue for you to talk.” He said with vulgarity. My heart beats fast as I can’t hold a word because his eyes are locked with me again.

We continued to dance like we are some kind of royals very majestic and elegant to the eyes of everyone. We both heard a glass clinging sound. I looked up at the crowd back to him. “Hey, lady those pigs want us to kiss.” He irritatedly told me. I was about to say a word when…

He bluntly kissed me. That was so vulgar and shameless. His skillful lips sinfully devouring my lips and everything that I am. His tongue didn’t ask any permission to enter like he is. He gave me an unforgettable first kiss that will prison me for a lifetime. I will be convicted after this kiss for longing on his lips. Yes, that first kiss will be my bad habit.

He left my lips with a smirk that perfectly match that very gorgeous face. “I want to meet you again.” He whispered at my ears and he slid a card into my gloves. I was left hanging still drowned in cloud nine. We take a vow but I was soulless. This man take my soul and he chained my heart.

That was the day I met Levi Everett.

The man that turns nightmare beautiful and makes every dream the wildest.