A beam of warm, sunlight ray shone into the room and onto my face. I smiled as I let the rays warm my face, but it was soon time to get dressed and so I hurried out of bed.
A smile formed as thoughts about the night filled my mind and creative scenarios and conversations flooded my imagination. I took a deep breath, and with a little grin, I began to get ready for the big night.
I gently took the black box I had received the other night and looked at the beautiful amethyst sparkling in the sun. I had to get a matching dress somewhere...
I took my phone and gave my trusted Irish jeweler a call.
"Declan, I need a favor. Do you know of any pristine and elegant shops that might have a ballgown or two?"
"Ah yes Madame! I do happen to know of some nearby shops that are perfect for a lady such as yourself."
I smiled. "Declan, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you so much! Would you mind to send them over to me with any amethyst-colored ball gowns?"
"Oh, of course, anything for ye, Mrs. Vasilievna! I will send them to your home?"
"Of course, Declan. Thank you so much."
I hung up and then proceeded to make some more phone calls.
A stylist. A makeup artist...
The night needed to be perfect and I would have to go a little overboard for that. I stood at the window, waiting for my ball gowns and stylists to arrive.
"Maria."
I turned quickly and noticed my husband standing in the doorway.
"Have you decided on the ballgown you will wear?"
With a shake, I replied, "No, the ballgowns will arrive soon and I will make my decision then."
His eyebrows lifted a millimeter. "I see."
"But I have decided on the color, amethyst," I added in a small voice.
"Good. We are departing at six, sharp." He left the room.
I shuddered. He seemed cold and distant this morning.
Suddenly, a thought sprang into my head and I quickly called Laureli.
"Laureli, the bouquet on my desk. I need you to throw it out, and don't let anybody know, do you understand me?"
"Yes, of course, Mrs. Vasilievna. I'll do it right away."
"Good, I appreciate it, Laureli."
Tomorrow morning when we would get to work, I didn't want my husband to find the bouquet. Unless he already did, and that's why he was being unusually cold.
"No, Maria, he's not cold... he's his usual self actually," I mumbled to myself I as the doorbell rang.
"He is always distant and unapproachable. He's just been very kind and affectionate the past day... but he's still your same cold husband."
I opened the door.
"Come in, come in."
I guided the stylists and the shop owners with the ballgowns into a nearby room, where all of my preparations would take place.
They wheeled out all of their ballgowns, and I gasped!
"Oh wow, these- these are gorgeous!"
I walked around the stand, carefully observing each ballgown and falling in love with a unique detail in each.
"Oh, I wish I could wear them all! These are truly gorgeous and elegant! Thank you so much!"
Of course, I would love to take them all. But that wouldn't exactly be wise, or necessary, so I wouldn't be allowed to.
"Let me at least try on each one... and then I will choose."
The sweet lady smiled and then took out the first ballgown. It was a pretty pale blue and purple with a sequence of diamonds on the sleeves and shoulders.
I quickly put it on, and then spun in it.
"I love it!"
I walked to the windows to see how I looked in it. I twirled around and then pretended to dance the waltz with someone.
"Let's try the others!" I said with a grin and we began to try on the rest of the ballgowns.
Each one was prettier than the previous, and I didn't know what to choose. Each ballgown had a slightly different shade of amethyst, and they each seemed to fit with the vintage Russian necklace.
Finally, I set my eyes on a dress with a light amethyst, almost lilac, color.
"This one. This is the one."
"Very well, Mrs. Vasilievna. Let's get on with the hair, and makeup then, shall we?"
"Yes, of course."
I sat down on a chair and the wonderful makeup and hair stylists began to work their magic. All the while, I kept making up different scenarios on my head, hoping that at least one of them would come to life at the magical evening gala.
I sat still while they workeed. They would start drawing one thing on my face, and then wipe it all of and start again, always chanigng always drawing, trying to get the perfect look.
They would talk about all the girls they've dressed for ballgowns and listening in to their gossip was as much fun as making up scenarios in my mind.
Finally, after many hours of chatter, champagne, and hard work, they smiled at me and exclaimed, "Mrs. Vaslieva, you look... stunning!"
I looked in the mirror and a smile lit up my face.
"Thank you, girls, thank you so much."
"Let's put your dress on. It's almost six."
"Okay. Could one of you please hurry to my room and grab a velvet black box that's sitting on my bed. It's the finishing touch to this amazing outfit and your magical work."
While a sweet, short girl hurried of for my necklace, the others began to help me on with the dress, making sure that my makeup and hair wouldn't get the slightest bit ruined.
She returned with the black box, and the ladies gasped once she opened it.
"You will be the most beautiful girl in the entire ballroom, Mrs. Vasilievna. That is a promise." She said with a wink and then proceeded to clasp the necklace around my neck.
They all stood back and watched as I looked in the mirror. I twirled around, taking in every little detail about this stunning dress and necklace and hair.
The hair was styled in a braid up front, and pinned in the back with a beautiful diamond and amethyst pin. The rest of my golden hair that hung from the pin, was neatly curled in perfect curls.
My makeup was done in the exact same perfect fashion- it was kept very elegant and simple, a nude color palette, but there was a slight hint of amethyst around my eyes and lips and cheeks, giving off an amethyst glow, but it was extremely subtle.
With a satisfied smile, I admired my reflection in the mirror. "Girls, you have... outdone yourself. This is just perfect, I am stunned by your work. Thank you, truly from the depths of my heart, thank you to every single one of you."
They said nothing and when I turned around, I noticed my husband standing at the door, watching me. The girls were grouped in a corner, giggling and exchanging whispers as they watched with wide eyes.
My husband's suit fitted him perfectly, showing off every single muscle in his toned body. His posture was perfect, his hair was cut in a neat fashion, making him look very fresh. His beautiful brown eyes stood against the amethyst shirt he had, and the gray vest. He had a deep purple tie, and everything was ironed and placed on his body perfectly. It was as if he had been cut from a magazine and photoshopped into perfection.
"Maria, you look.." He walked closer to me and slowly paced around me, his eyes looking over me in extreme detail.
I stood still, afraid to make even one breath.
"You look... alluring... ravishing..." he breathed out each word very slowly as he kept walking.
My cheeks flamed up with a bright red.
"Thank you, Alexander."
My dress was definitely an exceptional beauty. It was a beautiful light-amethyst color with shades of a cotton-candy blue. There was a white portion of the dress, that seemed to be simply placed on top and sewed on at the waist. It was decorated with many, bright and colorful flowers- there was a neon orange, lime green-yellow, magenta pink, and the blue and amethyst. A purple ribbon split the bottom from the top, which was also the same white and flower print. It was tied in a bow, and a corset-type pattern at the back.
"You are exceptionally stunning, my Maria." His fingers reached over and stroked my face.
I nearly melted under his stare and his sweet, honey-dripping compliments.
"It is time for us to go. It's six o'clock, sharp."
I nodded and took his arm. As we left, all the diamonds in my hair and neck gleamed under the lights. I breathed in a happy breath, hoping for a wonderful, magical night.
We rode in silence throughout the city, our hands intertwined and sitting much closer than we usually would. It was almost as though we went back in time to when we were engaged.
I wanted to lean my head on his shoulders, and have his arms hold me against his strong, manly body, but I knew those times were over, most likely for good.
We pulled up to the enormous mansion. Lights were dangling on the trees in the yard, the largest fountain was centered in the middle, and many flowers decorated the front and the sides of the house. Large lanterns hung in some of the trees, like ornaments on Christmas trees. The sweet sound of the violin, cello, piano, and harps could already be heard, and my breath got caught in my chest.
This was it, my first evening gala and ball dance.
"Maria."
Alexander had extended his hand towards me, waiting patiently for me to get out of the car. I took his hand in mine, and we slowly made our way to the entrance, probably because I would gasp and awe with every turn of my head.
Finally, we made it to the large wooden doors. We could hear the chatter and laughter from inside, and with each step and movement, my heart sped up more and more.
The doors opened and my eyes lit up as if I had just received the entire country of Russia.
A vast staircase took up most of one side of the room, with gold railings also carved with extraordinary detail and elegance. The room was lit dimly, with most of the light coming from many lights stringing from the ceiling. The ceiling was high, with a dome-shaped top. There were balconies that surrounded the walls, and the most breathtaking patterns were carved into the marble walls and were lined in a sheer coat of gold that would glisten from the lights. It was as if we stepped back into the era of Renaissance and Michaelangelo himself designed the carvings.
I noticed the tiniest form of a grin on Alexander's face as he watched my face glow with happiness as my eyes took in every detail from this strange and new experience.
"Let's go, my wife." With a slight laugh, he pulled me to the stairs.
"We-we're going up?"I asked, unsure and puzzled with everything around me.
"Yes, Maria. The dance is not down here, it is up, in the ballroom." He placed his arm on my back, and lead me up the stairs, as I grabbed my dress and lifted it, so I could walk easier.
We reached the top and took a turn and my eyes swelled up like birthday balloons. This was even more decorated and enchanted! The architecture in the room was even more imposing; high arches filled the walls that stretched high, full of various carvings and embedded with gems and gold paint. Large chandeliers hung from the ceiling, dangling with diamonds as large as my palms, and lined with golden rings and outlines. This, this was the meaning of a Michaelangelo work of art. The breathtaking patterns in the ceiling made me gasp and weak at the knees- oh, this was beyond anything I had ever dreamt of, beyond any scenarios I could have possibly imagined.
Women in the most elegant and prepossessing ballgowns danced with their partners, who also looked dashing and striking. Servers walked around with glass trays full of glasses with champagne. People lined the walls, talking and laughing. The orchestra consisted of many violins, violas, cellos, bases, harps, a piano, and a few woodwinds and brass and percussion instruments to create the most lively and beautiful music. It was as if Beethoven himself was standing and conducting his symphonies.
"You look like you have received the entire Russian country for Christmas, Maria." Alexander said with a smile that could clearly be seen now.
I returned a smile that was much larger and could light up the room just as well as these giant chandeliers. "I feel as if I did receive it, Alexander. This is beyond amazing... I am well beyond stunned."
"Now, the only thing you need to make it better is..." he grabbed two glasses of champagne as a server walked past us.
"To a beautiful, magical night?" I asked, raising my glass.
"To a beautiful, magical night... and you." He replied and we clinked glasses.
A little while after, our glasses were empty, and we set them back on the glass trays. The music began to play a waltz, and couples emerged onto the dance floor.
"May I have the dance, Maria?" Alexander gave me a hand.
I curtsied, as he bowed. "It would be a pleasure," and taking my hand in his, he hed me onto the dance floor.
Couples surrounded us and everyone began to dance, twirling and swirling, and moving in sync with the music, and their partners.
My husband held me close against me, and I could barely hear his heartbeat. He twirled me and I've never danced before so I just moved along, letting him carry me through the waltz. I could feel my dress moving right behind me.
We went faster and then slower, and then twirled. It felt wonderful, and the music almost made me want to cry, it was just beautiful.
Finally, the music stopped, and everyone dancing stopped as if someone just pressed the 'pause' button. My dress still moved for a moment or two, and my breathing was hard as I looked up at my husband, and he held me against him, our hands together.
After a moment of silence, more music began, but I was escorted off of the dance floor.
"Let me get us some drinks." Alexander left and I stood near the wall, looking out at the beautiful women and their charming partners dancing to the melodious music.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Vasilievna?"
I turned my head to the deep, thick-accented voice behind me.
My eyes met two gleaming, mischevious eyes that looked straight at me, and a smile that seemed way too crooked.
"Yes?"
"You don't remember me?" He asked and then let out a deep chuckle.
I observed him for a second but then shook my head. "Sorry, I do not recall you."
"I'm Ivan Petrovich. Your husband and yourself helped me out one time."
I tried to remember, but I just couldn't. His company would help millions of people, and I didn't particularly keep track of any of them unless they significantly stood out.
"Ah, it's alright. You and your husband were very nice to me, and you just about saved my life. I'm not even kidding, your work was the only reason I was able to come to this country." He looked around and raised his hands. "It's the only reason I am able to attend such evenings and with such company."
I smiled at him. I loved to hear when my husband's company could help change the lives of people for the better.
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Vasilievna? I would be very much honored." He said as a new composition begun playing.
I shook my head with a sweet smile. "No thank you, Ivan Petrovich, I wouldn't want to anger my husband."
"Ah... he's the jealous type?" He asked with understanding.
"I don't want to find out if he is."
"Very well. Well, Mrs. Vasilievna, it has been a pleasure to see you once more. Enjoy your evening," he simply stated and then left.
I looked around. I couldn't find a glimpse of my husband anywhere. I decided to stroll around and perhaps find a few faces that I recognized.
As I walked through the pool of strangers, I realized I really didn't know anybody except for Laureli and Amy. Even then, I didn't really know them.
I was not allowed to go anywhere, my husband was careful to make sure I would not make any friends who could be of bad influence. It seems like now I didn't have any friends, and I didn't even know anybody.
"Maria, darling!" I turned around to the familiar voice, a smile already forming on my face.
"Mrs. Jonathan. I am delighted to see you." I greeted her.
"Oh, I am very delighted to see you as well and to see that Russian necklace on you. Oh, your dress is just... marvelous! You look absolutely astounding my dear!"
I blushed at her sweet compliments.
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Jonathan, I do very much appreciate your generous and kind gift."
"And where is your husband, Maria?" She asked, looking through the crowds.
"He left to go get us some drinks."
"Ah." She frowned. "Well, I wanted to introduce both of you to my grandson. Let's go see if we can find your husband."
Right at that moment, I felt a hand at the small of my back, and my body shivered at the touch.
"Mrs. Jonathan," Alexander greeted her, as he placed a glass in my hand.
"Mr. Vasiliev! Your wonderful wife and I were just about to go searching for you. Come, I want to introduce you to someone!" She said with a laugh, and then rushed off.
We immediately followed her, Alexander's hand remaining wrapped around me.
"Grandmother. We were a little worried about you." A tall, handsome gentleman in a black suit stood next to Mr. Jonathan.
"Oh, Jordan, you never have to be worried about me. Please, I would like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Vasiliev."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Alexander said, as he shook hands with Jordan Jonathan.
"Likewise," he said with a strong, deep voice.
I simply smiled at him and gave a slight nod. "It is very nice to meet you, Mr. Jonathan."
A slight movement behind Mr. Jordan Jonathan, caused me to look away from the conversation between the men. A man dressed in all black was moving through the crowd.
Now, most of the men here were wearing black suits, but this one caught my attention because he also had on a pair of black gloves, and he moved very sneakily through the crowd, with no lady at his side. He turned around, but since he was standing in the shadows, I was only able to make out his piercing dark brown eyes, and long lashes that cast shadows on his eyes.
He gave a subtle wink, and I closed my eyes, hoping I was just noticing things.
I opened them up, and didn't see a trace of any mysterious creepy men. I knew that I didn't imagine it, but maybe I just imagined the creepiness of the situation.
"Maria, do you think it may be time to go now?" I heard Alexander asking me, and immediately snapped out of my thoughts.
"Of course."
As he led me out, I once more looked around the beautiful ballroom, with its beautiful architecture and designs. I took a look at the orchestra, playing with so much passion and giving such pleasant music.
I smiled as I looked down at my dress, and then at Alexander, who looked as perfect as ever.
With a sigh, I knew that this night would remain in my memories, safe and sound, and an evening such as this would most likely never be experienced again.
I took Alexanders arm, and we left.