Bella Notte (23 page)

I dried off and
wrapped the towel around me. That is when I remembered the dress. The
garment bag hung innocently on the back of the door. I walked over
and pulled the zipper down.

I noticed that it
was black. The material was a black satin, and it was long. I pulled
the dress forward so that the bag slipped behind it. It was
strapless, and had an A-line waist. The bottom had black stones sown
into it that crept up along the bottom and then up the side. It was
like a rose bush climbing up a wall- only it wasn't roses. The stones
were black but gave off the aura of stars. I noticed that around the
hanger hung a necklace with similar stones and a pair of diamond stud
earrings. This
is
all too much. I don't belong here. I don't like big gatherings and
such.
I sighed and pushed the dress back in and zipped it up. I heard the
shoes hit the door from the bottom of the bag.
Way
too much.

I walked downstairs
with a cloud hanging over me. I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd
woken up with. The dress was lovely, but I didn't feel like I was
part of this world. I had grown up in a small town and we did not
have big events or live in a freaking castle. This castle was too
much and all the functions that they attended. My life back home was
easier for me. I was a wallflower by choice and an outcast by action.
Mike understood that. Well, he did before he found out that he was
betrothed.
Stupid
Acacia … what kind of name is that? It means thorn …
well; she is one in my arse!
I sighed and walked into the kitchen. Come to think of it, the
kitchen was the only room that was normal. It didn't have any special
décor, it was a kitchen. I enjoyed that. I loved how beautiful
the house was, but it was over the top and called attention to
itself.

I sighed and put my
head into my hands. I sat on a stool with my elbows on the cold
quartz. I sat there until my head felt less fuzzy. I ate quickly for
fear of it coming back up. I didn't want to go tonight, but I knew it
was something I wanted to see.

I found Dominic in
the library and thanked him for the dress. He told me it was a gift
from his mother. I asked him to thank her for me. I asked when we
would be leaving and he said noon, it took two hours to get to the
estate we were going to. I thanked him once more and walked away.

It was ten when I
got back into my room. I lay down in my bed once more and stared up
at the ceiling.
What
is wrong with me today? I know, it's Mike and Dominic. It seems like
I don't get a choice any more. Mike has his betrothed and he isn't
sure who he wants. I am scared he'll choose her. Dominic is here now,
he cares, and he isn't at all what I thought he was. There so much
that we have in common … but I can’t make myself stop
believes in Mike. Maybe, when I get home, this will be easier?

I laid there
thinking and hoping that an answer would come. It didn't. Instead ten
forty-five rolled around and I couldn't sit around any longer. I went
into the bathroom to get ready. I took another shower to re-wet my
hair, and then put my hair into pinned curls once I got out. I
slipped the dress on. It felt like velvet and it fit wonderfully. I
placed the jewelry on, and I noticed that it all shone like stars. I
applied a gentle shimmer to my exposed skin and saw the effect was
like the glittering of stars. I slid my eyeshadow across my lids and
left behind the faintest tint of pink. One must have some color. My
eyeliner was a simple gray that brought out the different colors in
my green eyes. For my lips, I slicked on a clear gloss.

By the time I had
finished everything else, my hair was dry. I unpinned the curls and
let them fall. I gathered them together into a standard bun, but
allowed a few to escape.
I
can't be absolutely perfect, there has to be some sort of
originality.

I found the shoes in
the bottom of the bag and slipped them on they were black, satin
covered, peek-a-boo pumps. I loved them. I knew I didn't bring a
shawl, and it was raining, but I didn't care. I wanted to feel
something normal on my skin.

I met everyone
downstairs at exactly noon. I clearly wasn't overdressed because
everyone was attired in similar themed, yet different styles. The
grandparents of the group were by far the most modest of us. Their
clothes were of a different period. It was beautiful to see. We were
all adorned in black. I'd have to ask Dom about that. My father wore
a basic tux, and my mother wore a simple black slip dress. Dominic's
parents wore similar things. But Dominic, he was dressed to kill. He
was in all black again, except for a blood red tie. I could see the
older members of our party eyeing it cautiously. His suit fit him
perfectly, and the black shirt under was a perfect match. I was
impressed at how easily he glided through the different roles he
held, something that I had never had to do and wasn't sure it was
something I even wanted to have to do. He offered me his arm, and I
took it.

The front door was
opened and there was now an awning covering the walk out to the car-
which was a limo. How is that going to get across the sea? I inched
closer to Dominic and felt better than I had most of the day.

“
Why are we
wearing black?” I asked as we walked out to the limo.

“
It is the
color of life. It is often worn at weddings, births, and these kinds
of celebrations. It is common in our culture. It is only in death
that we wear all white,” he said as he helped me into the car.

“
Oh,”
was my brilliant comment.

The ride was long
and I felt cramped even in the large space everyone was taking up as
much space as would allow with so many inside the vehicle.

I stared out the
window and watched the world go by. Time ticked by, but I did not
notice. My mind was filled with questions and self-searching.

When we arrived, I
wasn't surprised to find it to be another huge estate. It wasn't
shaped like a castle, but it implied the wealth of such. It was a
large tan villa with Terracotta tiles. I enjoyed getting out of the
car and stretching my legs. I was completely intimidated by the
vastness of the home in front of me and the show of their wealth. The
rain still poured out of the sky like a running faucet, but they too
had a covering.

Dominic escorted me
up the stairs and into the main hall. We were directed as soon as we
reached this room, I assumed it was to keep the flow of traffic
going.

The next room had
three people that we were supposed to talk to before advancing.
Dominic quickly told me that it was Amelie on the end, and her mother
and father. Amelie was the girl celebrating her change. I watched and
waited as the rest of the entourage walked gracefully up to them,
shook each hand and said something. Dominic led me up after.

“
Mr. and Mrs.
Boucher, may I have the pleasure to introduce Miss Emma Hutchinson.”
He smiled as he gestured toward me.

“
Oh, most
welcome, Emma. We hope that this affair will make more sense to you
later, after your change.” The tall white haired woman said.
She wore a very simple black dress that covered her arms, and legs.

“
Thank you
very much, Mrs. Boucher. I am honored to have been invited to such an
occasion, under the circumstances. I know that some alterations had
to be made due to my presence.” I smiled and bowed my head.

“
I requested
that certain things be changed for you, Emma. I do hope you don't
mind. But your family has always held one of the oldest traditions
and I did not want to impose on it, even though I very much so wanted
you here,” Amelie said and I picked up on the French accent
instantaneously.

“
Well, then
thank you very much, Amelie. I am terribly excited. I wish you a
wonderful evening. I do hope that we will be able to talk at some
point tonight.” I once again smiled, bowed, and moved on.

Dominic led me
around the room pointing out people, some of whom I was sure I had
seen at the club. The room was very full and everyone was wearing
black. It felt like some really fancy funeral.
This
is so weird. Black everywhere!
The decor wasn't black, and it was definitely influenced by France,
but it was different. There was lots of stuff that looked like it
might have belonged to Louis the XIV. I found it far more interesting
to look at my surroundings than look at the hundreds of people that
were packing into this huge room- I did not like being in large
crowds.

There was an
announcement of some kind, but we could not hear anything from where
we were- then I heard the music. I sighed.

Dominic reached out
his hand. “May I have this dance, my lady?”

I smiled and
accepted.

We glided around the
room in a circular pattern with everyone around us doing the same
thing. It was like something out of a planned movie scene. Perhaps it
was more of an old black and white film than anything else. The
problem with everyone wearing black was how easily it all flowed into
a large black blur as we swirled around the room.

The song ended and I
stepped out of the dancing floor.

“
Do you think
that you could find me something to drink?” I asked through
parched lips.

“
But of
course. I will be right back.” He smiled and disappeared into
the crowd.

I backed up into the
wall and stayed there. That is where Amelie found me. Her gown was
like a fluffy princess dress, but, instead of it being a pretty
pastel, it was midnight black. She wore a small tiara with the same
stones in it as my necklace.

“
Ah, Emma. I
am glad that I have found you. I wanted to know how you were feeling?
I heard things that make me suspect that your change is near. It can
make you feel a bit ill before it happens.” Her brow crinkled
with worry.

“
I feel fine.
Thank you for letting me know though. I, unfortunately, have not been
told anything.” I forced a smile for her.
What
the devil is this change? Are we gypsies that turn into werewolves or
witches that come into our powers at a certain age?
My thoughts raced once more through the hundreds of possibilities
that had all come from my vast knowledge of monster flicks.

She smiled back and
I saw what I thought to be fangs. My mouth hung open. She noticed and
closed her smile slightly. “What do you think of the party thus
far?” She inquired.

No. Freaking.
Way. There is no way she has fangs too.
I thought back to my birthday and my memory of Dominic with fangs.
Vampires?
No, it couldn't be. There is no way I've lived my entire life with
vampires and never noticed, it must be something else- something more
logical.

“
Well, it's
quite festive. The dancing is fun.” I turned my head to search
for Dom.
What
did she want me to say? I've never been to one before and it seems
like it is just starting.

“
Oh, wait til
later.
C'est
très
bon.
There will be entertainment- fire breathers, palm readers, you know,
that kind of thing. I wanted my celebration to be of my choice.”
Her hazel eyes lit with excitement.

“
I am sure it
will all work beautifully.” I was saved by Dominic's
appearance.

“
Hello, Dom. I
must be off. Do enjoy.” She waved as she walked away.

“
That was
interesting.” I sighed.

“
I can only
imagine. She's an odd one. She wanted to be my betrothed for the
longest time. It was just to have the name though- no love there. I
knew her party would be done down enough for you. Unfortunately, I
doubt you will have much say at yours. It will be very traditional. I
think she wanted to say that she had so and so at hers.” He
laughed a hollow sound.

I looked at him and
I could see that she wasn't liked much.
I
wonder why?

“
Thank you for
saving me and thank you for the drink.”

He smiled a true one
and then we talked for a bit.

There was
entertainment- it felt more like a circus than anything else. I was
way too overdressed for this event, I would say- but then everyone
else was. I could see what Dom had meant about being 'done down.'
Many of the guests seemed to be thinking the same thing. Some looked
at me with eyes that begged to be forgiven for even having me here-
others looked at me like I could have been the cause. I didn't enjoy
any of it. I don't like circuses.