Coffee with Love (Chapter Twelve: Masquerade Ball) by Jet

In a sleeveless silver gown and a glittering silver mask which covers most of her face, Lee was standing next to a corner sipping her first-time-ever alcohol drink, Dry Martini, gin and vermouth garnished with an olive. Fancy drink by the look of it, Lee told herself. But the taste is not bad. Would I drink it again, I have no idea. Alcohol drink is not my thing. Only a class of it could send me to sleep until tomorrow noon, Lee continued to murmur to herself, while she was looking around for Sothea, who had invited her to join this charitable masquerade ball in order to support children with disabilities, who are in need for support to go to school.

Sothea told her that he did not want to come alone to this event and would be glad if Lee could join him; and yet, she would not need to worry if someone would recognize her because everyone would be wearing costume and mask. So no one would ever notice the other person if they did not come together. It would be fund, Sothea whispered into her ear, plus it is about a good cause.

Lee thought that it was not a bad idea. Finally, she decided to come per Sothea’s constant request. And here she was in a gown and mask borrowing from a friend of Sothea’s. Lee was still looking for Sothea. But how could I ever find him? Lee gave up searching. We did not come together. We each made our own separate way to this event because we wanted to see if we could really spot one another in this crow of people with all-time favorite movie costumes. Sothea did not tell me what he would be wearing, how can I ever find him.

Looking around, Lee spotted a familiar face of a guy standing next to the stairs. He was in the Princess Pride’s Dread Pirate Roberts with a sword on his waist. She recognized his costume right away because the Princess Pride is her most favorite childhood’s novel. The Dread Pirate Roberts was talking to a girl with a glass of champagne in her right hand in Cinderella’s dress, except she wore a mask. How beautiful she is! Lee uttered to herself. I would love to wear that Cinderella’s dress and experience Cinderella’s fate, dancing with her prince; even it would last a very short time.

Suddenly, Lee thought about Yong. Is he Yong? Lee asked herself. No, he can’t be him. How can he be here? There is no way he is Yong. Who is he with that familiar face then? Lee continued asking herself. Maybe I am drunk now, by the power of this mixed alcohol drink that they call Martini. Anyhow, what is Yong doing now? Will he be looking for me all the time I am gone?

For no reason, Lee continued to stare at the Dread Pirate Roberts guy until finally he noticed that she was looking at him. Lee turned away to avoid his eye contact. However she was too late. Their eyes met one another, which made unexpected lightning effect across the ballroom, and the Dread Pirate Roberts started to walk through the crow of people in masks.

Lee started to feel nervous. She wished he were not walking towards her. What should I do now? She blamed herself for looking at him too hard, too long. No wonder people would catch your glare. Her hands shoke and got sweat. Her heart beat faster as if it was going to burst out of her chest. She tried to stay calm and breathe as normal as she was when the Dread Pirate Roberts was step-by-step nearing her. His step was handsome. Every girl stole a look at him when he walked pass them. He kept walking, straight and steady, as if he had only one goal—to reach the girl who was looking at him from a corner of the room.

Being unable to control herself, her legs started shaking, giving her body a hot-summer-sweaty steam. With her handkerchief, she wiped the sweat off her redden face, of shyness, of embarrassment, of anxiety, of confusion. She could not walk away, though she wanted very much to escape to get some air, which she felt suffocating, and to hide herself from this awkward situation.  Yet, her legs were no longer hers. They were strongly stuck onto this sparkling marble floor.

Would you like to dance with me? The Dread Pirate Roberts inquired.

Lee looked around to check if he were really talking to her, asking her to dance with him. When she found out that no other women were around, she hesitated a Yes, but… She wanted to continue to tell him that she by no means knew how to dance, he already grabbed her hand, and now they were at the middle of the dance floor under the blinking light.

An arm around her waist, Lee leaned forward and whispered that she could not dance. Follow my steps and you would be fine, the Dread Pirate Roberts smiled at her as they moved along the music. Before she realized it, her sweat had all gone. Lee danced along with him freely and happily. You’re a good dancer, she told him. So are you, princess, he answered. Who said you cannot dance?

You called me Princess? I am flattered by your words, Lee blushed. No one ever called me Princess before, except my father, Lee thought to herself. Yes, the Dread Pirate Roberts responded, because you’re beautiful even with a mask on. What else can I say or comment?

Whatever, thanks, Lee politely replied to his compliment. Tears almost welled up in her eyes. She tried to fight it back. She did not want this stranger she had never met before saw her weakness—easy to drop tears or anything. She had to stay strong and fierce and independent and that was what she was made of.

By the way, why were you looking at me? The Dread Pirate Roberts enquired out of blue.

No, no, I did not, Lee declined, I was looking for my friend who was supposed to be here.

Are you serious?

No. No. I mean, yes, i am. Wait! As if suddenly remembered Lee asked, are you saying “you’re beautiful” to every woman you met? Did you say the same things to that Cinderrella woman?

Who is Cinderrella woman? The Dread Pirate Roberts confused.

The woman you talked to earlier? Lee sounded jealous.

Wait a minute! You just said that you did not look at me, how did you know i was talking to a woman?

Guilty charged. Lee had no word to respond.

Awkward silence fell between them.

Seeing things were not going anywhere, the Dread Pirate Roberts continued, that's ok. You dont need to answer me for now, and maybe you were looking for your friend whom I do not know. But if you did not look at me, I would not have notice that there is such a beautiful girl like you in this boring ball.

Thanks again for your nice compliment, Lee smiled.

Now, let’s go back to your previous question about that beautiful Cinderrella woman. She is my sister, the Dread Pirate Roberts revealed.

Oh, your sister. I thought she was... Lee paused and managed to swallow back what she was going to spill.

She was...what? The Dread Pirate Roberts inquired.

Nothing, Lee said.

Seriously, I am glad that I found you, the Dread Pirate Roberts exclaimed. This charitable masquerade ball is damn boring. Why don’t they just make it a normal event that has no costume or mask or anything?

You think it is boring, Lee repeated as if to make sure.

The Dread Pirate Roberts nodded, somehow yes, but not anymore. You don’t think so, do you?

I don’t think like you do. I think it is fun because we won’t know whom we are dancing with or talking to with our mask on. We can talk whatever we want to another person behind their mask and we won’t worry that the other would find out about us.

You think so? The Dread Pirate Roberts asked.

Yes, Lee confirmed.

Now the music stopped. Both of Lee and the Dread Pirate Roberts stood in front of one another in the center of the hall. They looked at one another straight into each other eyes.

Do you want to see my face? The Dread Pirate Roberts offerred.

Lee reluctantly nodded a Yes.

Slowly, the Dread Pirate Roberts took off his mask. It was YONG, Lee exclaimed…

"Wake up," someone is knocking on the door of Lee's room.

Awaken by the noise, Lee opens her eyes and walks towards the door. Before she opens it, she looks through the peephole to make sure the person knocking is someone she knows. It is Sothea.

I hate you, Lee tells herself when she realizes that what she was experiencing was a mere dream—a dream of her being Cinderella and Yong a prince. Why do you have to interrup my dream? Why do you have to show up at this time? Lee murmurs alone.

“I have something to tell you”, Sothea announces.

“What urgent news that you have to tell me now?” Lee slips him a smile.

“There is a charitable masquerade ball this evening at the school, do you want to join with me?” Sothea requests.

“Wait a minute,” Lee stops him, “you’re asking me to join a charitable masquerade ball this evening?”

“Yes,” sothea says, “is there something wrong?”

“No,” Lee answers, “it is just coincident”, Lee tells herself.

“What coincidence? Is there anybody else asking you to this event?” Sothea looks suspected.

“No,” Lee hurries to correct what she just said. “How come? I know no one here.”

“So?”

“So what?”

“Are you coming then?” Sothea repeats his question.

“Yes, I would love too,” Lee says, “but I have no dress.”

“Don't worry about that. My friend has. She can borrow you.”

“That’s awesome. I will go.”

“That's great, I will see you then.”
“But... are you…?” Before she manages to finish her question, Sothea has already left.

To be continued….