After the song ended, it was the intermission, and the lights were dimmed making the people in the hall feel like they were under the stars. It was truly spectacular.
Geoffrey did not let go of Serena's hand, but it was her who pulled away. He took it as her still being shocked with what he said. Perhaps he was too forward? Anyway, it still felt good that he was able to get those words out of his mouth.
Although there was an invisible wall between them, they still walked together to the refreshment room. Serena felt her throat was dry and with the her nerves being on overdrive, she took a glass of champagne and drank it in one gulp.
"Careful." Geoffrey said.
Serena did not know what to say so she just kept her silence. Then, she moved to get another one, drinking it slowly this time. They remained like that, Geoffrey peeking glances at her, her, pretending not to see. Things were awkward as can be.
After a while, Serena saw Leonard come in the refreshment room. Wanting to escape from Geoffrey, she excused herself.
"ah, I see my brother over there… I wish to speak with him… so, if it is alright with you…"
Geoffrey understood her predicament. Maybe it really came as a shock to her. Anyway, he nodded his head.
"I will bring you to him."
Serena wanted to say that there's no need, but before she could protest, he held out his hand to help her. Not having a choice, she placed her hand on his gloved palm.
--
"Brother Leonard… here you are, I have been looking for you all over." Serena said a little exaggeratedly. Well, she really wanted to escape from Geoffrey's company.
Leonard took her offered hand and she let go of Geoffrey's.
Geoffrey nodded at him, and then left the two of them together. He knew Serena needed some time away from him to think things over.
Serena saw another glass of champagne and took a drink.
"Have you seen Charlton? I need to speak with him." Serena asked Leonard.
Leonard looked at his sister, she looked flustered and a bit panicky. Did Geoffrey confess his feelings for her? Then all the more that she should stop meeting with Charlton.
"No, I haven't seen him around. Why?"
Serena seeing the look he gave her can only smile sheepishly.
--
Charlton was still in the balcony. After Leonard said those words and left, he felt like the world was closing in on him. He understood every word he said. He did not even need to elaborate.
From the very beginning, he already had those thoughts in mind. The only difference was now, his insecurities where directly slapped to his face.
He did not want to, but he could do nothing at the moment but wallow in self-pity.
"there you are, I've been looking for you all over." Kylo said as he approached him. "What are you doing here outside all alone? You will have a better chance meeting your lady love at the refreshment room."
Charlton just shook his head. He was not in the mood to talk. What will he tell Kylo anyway? That Leonard said the same words that he had always warned him about?
"I understand how you feel. Via is not giving me any attention. She danced with other men instead of me, her partner! Anyway, here. I think you need this more than I do." He said as he handed him a bottle of fine scotch. Interpreting his mood as being pissed because Serena has been dancing with other men.
"Where did you get this?"
"I have my ways." He grinned.
"Thank you."
"Anytime. Anyway, I'm off. Maybe I can still get forgiven and chance upon Via in a better mood at the refreshment room."
Charlton just nodded his head and leaned his forearms on the balcony railing. Drinking the scotch straight form the bottle from time to time.
--
The intermission was about to end when Serena saw Kylo trying to follow Via around. She went to approach him quickly as Leonard trialed behind her.
"Kylo, have you seen Charlton?"
"Oh, hey Serena. Can you help me talk to Via? She's been ignoring me since earlier."
"It's your fault for being late. Anyway, alright." She said as she called Via, hopefully with this, he will help her find Charlton too.
"Via…" she called.
"Yes?" she replied. She knew that Kylo just asked for her friend's help. She too wanted to forgive Kylo but she was holding on to her pride. Thankfully, Serena became the bridge. At least with this, she can pretend that he was only forgiving him to give her friend some face.
"Someone was wondering if your dance card is full."
Via smiled, "I think it still has space for one more dance."
Kylo grinned. Thankfully, the only blank space left on her card was the second waltz, the one he too has been aiming for.
Then as if just recalling Serena's question earlier he said, "I saw Charlton very lonesome at one of the balconies earlier. Maybe you should go and join him."
Serena nodded gratefully. So that was where he was hiding. He must be acting all jealous now. She was about to go look for him, but Leonard stopped her. Telling her that the dances were now about to begin.
Serena nodded her head, anyway, she can look for him later. Their appointment was the last dance anyway.
--
"Oh, sorry, I thought this place was empty." Emily said as she stumbled in the balcony.
Charlton sighed. He wanted to be alone, but seeing that it was Emily, Geoffrey's lover, well he supposed, he should say abandoned lover now, he chose to let her have the space, she needed it more than he did.
"no, it's okay. I don't own this place anyway." He was about to leave when she held on to his arm.
"Wait, I need someone to talk to. So please…"
Charlton sighed. It was none of his business but perhaps he was too melancholic at that moment. Finding her more pitiful than he was, he decided to accompany her. Besides, he was not getting to join Serena until the last dance, and he hated to see her in another man's arms.
He decided not to let what Leonard said get to him unless he hears those words from Serena's own mouth. From the beginning, the two of them knew what they were getting into. Leonard will not understand because he was not the one in their shoes.
--
TBC