by Dahlia Lu
He dropped the knife, trying to stop the blood from gushing out over his fingers. It was no use. As the blood traveled down his neck to soak his shirt, the man choked and fell to the ground. Kali felt the blood rush from her own head, and fell to the ground in a dead faint.
The other men watched, shivering in fear. Horrified at what they have just witnessed, they scattered and left the dazed girl and two corpses behind.
A darker shadow materialized from the dim alleyway. He walked toward the fainted girl and gathered her up onto his arms. The corpses, along with the puddles of blood, disappeared into the ground. There was no sign that anything unusual had happened as he turned to walk away.
Chapter 2: Hardly a Debut
She woke up this morning in a cold sweat under her heavy blanket. She couldn't understand how the worlds of her sub-consciousness could feel so real. The horror she felt lingered for several hours after she got out of bed. She didn't want to think about it, but the dream last night was so vivid that she could still remember the faces of those men. Even more disturbing were the bruises left on her wrists. The thought of it made her wince.
"You haven't been listening," Hana accused.
Kali snapped out of her thoughts and turned to her friend. Her brown eyes narrowed, the girl ran her hands through her brown hair and frowned at the neglect.
"I'm sorry," Kali apologized, "I was just thinking about the nightmare I had last night.”
Hana rested her hands on her hips. "We have more important things to worry about than just dreams.”
"You're right," Kali agreed. "Hana, did you go on the school trip a couple days ago?"
"I got a cold and had to stay home, remember?"
"I think I do…”
"What were we talking about again?” Hana pondered on where she had left off. "Ah, yes, the dress! I am willing to lend you one. I have a bunch of dresses that I never even worn.”
"I did mention before that I will not be attending," Kali interrupted before Hana could come to a decision on Kali’s wardrobe. She looked over her shoulder at the other girls in the class and detected animosity. "You know the girls don’t like me. I don't know who I’ve offended, but there are a lot of rumors about me lately. Maybe I should just lay low for now. Besides, I just don't belong there. Their parents are millionaires and movie stars. Where do I fit in?”
"Hush!" Hana waved her right hand. "You go to this school, so it’s your right to go to a school function. We already talked about this. The school only throws a dance once at the end of the year. It would be such a waste if you don’t go. Before you say you don't have anything to wear, I already picked out a dress for you.”
"I don’t really know how to dance.”
"It doesn't matter," Hana pulled Kali closer so she could whisper into her ear. "To be honest, I don't have a date for tonight, but I really want to go. I don’t want to show up alone! You’ll come with me, won’t you?"
Kali thought for a moment. "I suppose I can make it.”
"Wonderful!" Hana exclaimed. "I'll have the dress sent over right after school, and then a driver will pick you up tonight.”
†††††
The door was unlocked again. Chevalier could be careless when it involved trivial things. Kali entered the apartment, and then locked the door. Taking off her shoes, she left them by the door. It would be a pain to remove any stains from the carpet, so they always left their shoes by the entry.
"Chevalier?” she called out to him, but there were no reply. It was too early for him to be home, anyway. He wouldn't be home for another few hours.
Kali dropped her backpack on the sofa, and discovered a large white box on the coffee table. Curious, she opened the box and found a neatly folded ivory lace dress. It must be from Hana, she thought. She held up the garment and measured it against her body. It seemed to be the right size.
"Do you really want to go?" Chevalier asked as he stepped out of the bathroom. He was drying his hair with a towel, and was only half dressed. “I don't think it would be something you’d enjoy.”
“You startled me,” Kali said. “I thought you were still at work.”
“I came home early,” he said without providing an explanation.
"Well, it’s my turn to shower then." Kali said as she walked toward him. He inched back a little to let her through. She took the dress into the bathroom with her, hung it up, and turned on the shower.
"Kali?" Chevalier asked from outside the bathroom. "Do you need a date to dance?”
"No," she replied. "Hana doesn't have a date, so she asked me to go with her. If I bring a date, it would defeat the purpose.”
"Do you need a ride?"
"No, Hana will send someone to pick me up.”
"I see…” Chevalier returned to the living room and took a seat on the sofa. He stretched out and gave a huge yawn. He figured it had been a long day. Maybe he should take a nap. He closed his eyes and let his mind wanders.
Kali didn’t need a dress to show other people that she was attractive; she had always been pretty. Chevalier imagined her shiny, straight hair and luminescent, clear skin. Her eyes were incredibly expressive, which made her feelings evident all over her face. It was hard not to give in to her. Of course, he had dated far more outrageously gorgeous women, but none of them could…
"What do you think?” she interrupted his train of thought. Suddenly his cheeks were burning red, like he had just done something he wasn’t supposed to. "What's wrong? You don’t feel well?"
"I'm fine," he said in a perfectly controlled tone.
The vision of her stunned him for a long moment. The dress hugged and accentuated her newly-developed curves with blissful precision. It looked like it was made for her.
He didn’t know how if he should compliment her.
"You... don't like it?"
It wasn't that he didn't like it, he did! She would still look perfectly beautiful in this dress or any other; but it gave him an unsettling feeling in his chest. He had been looking forward to her maturity, but now that it stared him in the face, he wondered if it had happened too soon.
Kali rushed to the window when she heard car beeping below. "It’s my ride. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
†††††
The limousine slowly approached the driveway and parked at the entrance of the hotel. The driver slid out of his seat, making his way around the car and opening the door for her.
"We're here, Miss," the driver said with a polite bow. He offered a hand and guided her out of the vehicle. As soon as she was safely standing on the crimson carpet, he returned to his driver's seat and drove away.
Many reporters and paparazzi were crowding the sides of the entrance. They gathered every year to catch a glimpse of the children of the rich and famous that attended the prestigious school. It was quite uncomfortable walking down the path, and the crowd murmured with indiscreet whispers asking which famous parents were hers.
Before her grandmother passed away, she had arranged for her to enroll in this school with the tuition paid in full. Her grandmother’s connections were a mystery to Kali, because they weren’t rich and definitely were not famous. What confused her even more was her grandmother’s animosity; she had never seemed to care for her only grandchild. They barely spoke to each other unless it was a necessity. Still, enrolling Kali in this prestigious school was the one nice thing her grandmother had ever done for her. She supposed her grandmother can't possibly hate her as much as she seemed.
She would be lying if she said felt like she belongs here. It was quite difficult to think that way with the constant looks that told her she shouldn’t be here. It didn’t matter anyways. She graduated in only two more years, and she was looking forward to it.
She felt a light tap on her shoulder and turned around. Hana wore a deep sapphire gown that was quite tight in the bodice, but the color brought out her brown eyes perfectly. Her hair was curled with studded with tiny diamonds among the brown curls.
"That dress fits you better than I had hoped," Hana gave her a hug.
"I didn't realize we wore the same size," Kali replied. "Hana, your gown matches your eyes beautifully.”
Hana's attention returned to her gown. "Do you love it? Papa had it imported and tailored for me. Come on," Hana grabbed Kali's hand and to lead her through the crowd, "I want you to meet somebody.”
"Who?"
As they passed through the swarms of students, Kali noticed the grandeur of the interior. The ceilings were very high, domed, and painted with puffy clouds and naked cherubs. In the center of the dome’s ceiling hung a massive crystal chandelier. Rich scents drifted through the air, the perfumes of the other girls’ lingering to mix in an invisible fog of scent.
Suddenly, her attention was diverted to a tall young man standing in the back of the room. His eyes were noticeably and unabashedly fixed on her. He had on a very thick pair of glasses, but she could tell that his eyes were a beautiful pale blue. She had a strange feeling that she had met him before, but she could not recall specifics.
“Who is he?” Kali tugged on Hana’s hand to stop the girl.
“Who?” Hana followed Kali’s gaze to the raven-haired man. “What are you talking about? That’s just Lucien. He’s been in our class since the beginning of school year.”
“Are you sure he’s not a transfer student?” Kali stole another glance at him. “I don’t remember him being in our class at all.”
“Well, I can’t blame you. He practically blends in with the background. If it wasn’t for his height, I wouldn’t have noticed him either.”
"Are you sure we're seeing the same person?” she could not see the person Hana was describing in the handsome young man before her. "I don't think I can forget a face like that.”
"You're right. I don’t think we’re seeing the same person,” Hana resumed tugging on Kali's hand. “Either way, he’s not important.”
Perhaps she had been neglecting her social life. She couldn’t even remember a classmate who had been in her class for the entire year. She stole another glance at him and this time, she caught a haughty smirk from the corner of his lips. She quickly turned around and resumed her composure.
"His name is Velox," Hana introduced a tall, good-looking man with light brown hair. "He's Papa's associate's son. It was a last minute sort of thing.”
"Hello," he took her hand and kissed it in a polite gesture, "you must be the Kali Hana’s talked about so often.”
"Yes, how do you do?” her attention was still distracted by the young man from earlier. She could see him from the corner of her eyes. There was something about Lucien that was both familiar and intimidating at the same time. She was sure they had never met, or if they had, it hadn’t been in a classroom. With an aura like that, she would remember. Without a doubt.
"You’re staring, again," Hana whispered, shaking Kali by the shoulder.
"I'm sorry, what were we talking about?"
"Never mind," Hana wrapped her arm around her date. "Velox and I are going to dance. You should get something to eat.”
It wasn't a bad idea. She hadn't eaten anything since she’d arrived home. As she made her way to the buffet table, she noticed everyone's attention was pulled to the tall young man dressed stylishly for the occasion. He had a charisma that seemed to stir up the crowd. They could only stare and admire his jet black hair and amber eye, which appeared almost golden. As her eyes moved up to his face, she nearly choked on her drink.
She hadn’t even recognized him! The sky must have fallen, because that's what it takes to get him into a suit, she thought. The crowd slowly and steadily moved aside to make way for him.
"You look really good, Chevalier," she complimented him as he stopped before her.
“You noticed that just now?” he laughed softly.
"You are also conceited," she playfully pushed him back.
He took her hand in his, his other arm wrapping around her waist. He led her onto the dance floor. "Just follow my lead.”
"You didn't have to come.”
"I didn’t want to let you go alone," he confessed.
"I would have gone home, anyways," Kali gestured toward Hana and her date.
"I'll be your ride home, then," he said as he pulled her closer, "right after this dance.”
“I’m glad,” she said. Her smiling eyes looked up at him. “You’ve been avoiding me for the past couple of years, even though I live in your house. I thought you didn’t care about me anymore.”
“I wasn’t avoiding you,” he denied. “I’ve been so busy working. We’ve never had to chance to talk much.”
“Don’t lie to me, Chevalier,” she accused. “You have been acting distant for years now. When I still lived with my grandmother, you visited less and less frequently. I thought you were busy, but ever since I moved in with you, you’ve been acting strange. I’m actually surprised that you even touch me now.”
He frowned. “I don’t like your accusations.”
“They’re not accusations, and you know it,” Kali sighed. “I don’t know what I’ve done to upset you. But… it feels nice.”
"What does?"
"Even though you distance yourself, you always look out for me,” she smiled. "It makes me want to get into more trouble.”
He looked uncomfortable at her compliment. "Kali, I…"
"Kali, may I borrow your partner?” Hana interrupted. "You don’t mind, do you?"
Kali looked up for Chevalier's permission. His face was visibly red from embarrassment. "I don’t mind,” she backed away to let Hana sidle up to Chevalier.
As Chevalier and Hana danced to the next song, Kali slipped out onto the balcony. She could breathe easier when she wasn’t surrounded by prying eyes. Taking in a satisfying breath, she noticed the beautiful full moon on the cloudless sky. It seemed so much closer to her than usual, and there weren't any stars in the sky that could outshine it.
"Who is it?” she immediately spun around, convinced someone was approaching. He stood only a few feet away. His raven black hair blended in with the cloudless night, and he wasn’t wearing his glasses anymore. She could see his eyes very clearly now; they were intense, almost mesmerizing. Her eyes usually trailed to different parts of the face to the most noticeable features, whether it was uneven skin tone or slightly larger nose. She didn’t find herself doing that with him. His face was perfectly balanced and harmonious. Her eyes could not see a single flaw. She caught herself staring and diverted her eyes.
He approached her casually, and wrapped his arm around her dainty waist. His other hand reached for hers, and strangely she didn’t pull away. They began to move with the rhythm of the entrancing music.
"Do I know you?” she asked shyly, her voice soft.
"In time, you will,” he said. Even his voice was pleasant to the ear. It was smooth, cool, and lacked the deep vibration she found annoying in most men. However, his confidence was nothing short of Chevalier's. In fact, it was even more so. Maybe all good looking men have a conceit about them because of how effortless they attract women. It seemed to Kali such men should be avoided at all cost.
She felt the impulse to push him away; but when she did, it was awkward to explain.
"The song ended..,” she mumbled lamely. Fortunately for her, the song had ended at just the right time. Something else distracted her. The right strap that was holding her dress up was straining her shoulder, and with a pop, suddenly snapped. The heavy materials of her dress suddenly dropped, weighing it down. As it fell, it exposed her full breast.
She let out a shriek, automatically pulling her dress to cover her chest. She looked up to meet his eyes and felt a wave of heat rose to her face. She was going to die of embarrassment!
"Kali!" Chevalier yelled out her name as he ran toward the balcony. She ran into him as she darted through the door into the ballroom. Her eyes were shiny with tears. He held her by the shoulders.
"Kali, what's wrong?"
His eyes immediately no
ticed her hands holding up her dress. It was enough to make his blood boil. He rushed out to the balcony.
"What did you do to her?” he shouted at Lucien, rage glittering in his eyes.
She held him back before he could physical launched himself at the suspicious-looking man. "No, Chevalier, he didn't do anything!"
He turned to question her. "Then why…"
"The strap broke..,” she said, her voice half-choked by sobs.
He took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. "The strap?” his anger quickly dissipated. "Come on, let’s get you home. My motorcycle is parked just outside.”
A gentle breeze passed through Lucien’s raven black hair as it suddenly bleached to platinum.
"Soren," he demanded an answer.
"I am not responsible, my lord," a voice replied to him from darkness beyond the balcony.
Chapter 3: The Way It Never Was
She was haunted by last night’s scene repeating over and over in her head. Kali had never felt more embarrassed or exposed in her entire life. Fortunately, it hadn’t happened in front of a crowd of people, but still, he saw! She had walked by him today in the hallway and had wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
“You're acting strange," Chevalier said as he parked in front of the school. "You’re distant and your face keeps flushing. Is there something you want to talk about?"
She shook her head and climbed onto the back of his motorcycle.
"It's nothing," she said.
He could tell she was lying. "Is it because of what happened that night?"
"No!" she retorted, too loudly.
She was definitely lying. He shouldn't have believed her when she held him back and said her strap broke. He should have just beaten the shit out of that bastard just because he’d looked shady. He couldn't figure out what she was trying to hide if Lucien hadn’t done something to her.
