Chapter 9: Chapter 9

I never imagined that vintage style looks good on me. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror as I turned around. Two hours before the party starts and I am here in Cristel's room getting ready. Cristel starts to put some light make-up on my face.

"This red lipstick will surely suit your dress," she said then put a color on my lips. This is a vintage make-up for me, and it feels so heavy and uncomfortable.

"Can I take it off?" I shyly asked Cristel because obviously, she put a lot of effort into my make-up.

"Why? You don't like the look I made for you?" Her face became sad.

"No, I-I just don't feel comfortable. It feels so weird wearing make-up." I lied. Honestly, the lipstick is burning my lips and it smells really weird. What company produced this lipstick?

"Okay, but just the lipstick. The glittered-eyeshadow really looks good on you." She smiled. She gave me a cloth to wipe my swollen lips. It hurts.

After hours of preparing, I am already satisfied with my look. Cristel was already finishing her look, she looks so cute with her pink dress and silver sandals.

The door of her room opens, and her mother approaches us.

"Are you two are ready?" she asked then stare at her beautiful daughter.

"Mama, you look very pretty." Cristel hugged her mother.

"You too, darling. I just realized now that you are a fine lady. Soon, you will find the man who will be with you for the rest of your life and then you will leave us," her mother said.

"Mama, you are being too emotional. I won't leave you just yet. You see, I am very single-"

"And ready to mingle." Her mother laughed.

"Ma!" Cristel pouted.

"What? You are at the right age already; you need to find the man who will love you with full of respect. Unless you want to enter the convent and be a nun or be a grumpy bitter old lady." Mrs. Dela Fuente continues to tease her daughter and I'm just watching them.

I sighed and secretly envy them for having a simple yet lovely life. I never had a moment like this with my mother since I left her in the province. My departure left a huge distance between our relationship with each other. I became shy to approach them, it feels like they are not my family anymore.

"Aliyah! You are stunning, my dear!"

I came back to my senses when Mrs. Dela Fuente touched my shoulder.

"Are you okay? You seemed sad," Mrs. Dela Fuente asked.

I shook my head then smiled to ease her worries. "I'm fine, I just miss my parents."

"Where are your parents, by the way?" Cristel asked.

"Uhm, they are in a far place. I chose to leave them for my betterment but now, I am starting to think that separation with them is not really a good idea, after all." I sighed.

Mrs. Dela Fuente tapped my shoulder. "Then come back to them. Family is always your home no matter how long you are gone. I'm sure your parents miss you too, they are just can't tell it because they don't know how."

I smiled a bit. "You think so?"

A little hope grows in my heart. My relationship with my parents is not that good as before, it started when they found out I was going out with this guy that I met in the university I was enrolled in when I was in college. I forgot that I promised them that I won't be involved in any romantic relationship until I graduate. I failed them; they never trust me anymore.

"Parents are hard to understand, their principles are sometimes wrong, but their instinct is unbelievable especially, mother's instinct. Their reasons are somehow different from ours’s, but I believe they are trying to cope up every single time to understand their children more. If you have problems with your parents and that's the reason why you are here, you can always ask for advice to my parents. They will happily help you," Cristel said then hugged me.

Somehow, I felt a little relief. Maybe, this is one of the reasons why I am here in this precious time, where the family is the most important thing that you will have. In this year where the family is the biggest wealth. In the year 1950, where material things are nothing.

We arrived at the plaza at the exact time, the party is almost starting. It is loud and sophisticated at the same time. People are wearing classy vintage-look clothes, they are wearing masks too. Oh, I remember! This is a masquerade party!

"Here's your mask, Aliyah. I almost forgot. You have to wear this the whole time if you don't to be recognized on the next day," Cristel said while giving me the mask.

"Why is that?"

"You know? It is a party that you can do anything you want. You can just ignore the fact that you are a fine lady, drink, dance, curse, and be wild, no one cares, no one will know it is you. Enjoy the party to the fullest because I know it will never happen again."

What?! Seriously?! I think I can't do that. Just remembering what happened the last time I drink alcohol, I will pass out.

"Come on, Aliyah. Wear your mask already, we are about to enter the venue. My parents are already there." Cristel pulled my hand when I finished fixing my mask.

When we finally stepped on the center part of the venue, Cristel suddenly disappeared. Oh no! This is not happening again. I need to find her! Note to self, first; don't drink any alcoholic drinks!

I dropped my shoulder when I realized that finding her will be useless. With all these people wearing their masks. It is just so impossible. I need to find her parents and tell them that Cristel is already missing but... Will they believe me?

I looked around and all are enjoying the big party while I was already freaked out. I am not a partygoer. I would rather sleep or read books than go to a loud place where everyone is out of their minds.

"You seemed bothered, miss? Are you lost?"

I froze when I heard that very familiar voice. I swallowed hard before facing that person. He smiled at me. He is very handsome wearing his military uniform and his half-face mask.

"I-I'm fine," I answered quickly.

"Are you sure? I don't think you are enjoying the party." He stepped forward to get closer to me.

"What made you say that?" I smirked.

"I saw you, getting away from the waiters you continuously offering you an alcoholic drink. You don't want to dance because you rejected the guy who wants to dance with you," he said.

I raised my eyebrow. "You are watching me the whole time, aren't you?"

He chuckled. "Not really, I just can't take my eyes off you. You stand out in the crowd, honestly."

I pouted my lips to prevent myself from smiling widely. "You and your flowery words. What a playboy!" I rolled my eyes.

"I just complimented you and you are judging me already. Why? Are you falling into my words?" He smirked.

My heart started to beat faster. "No freaking way!"

As I said that, a new song started to play. Unlike the other songs, it was smooth and slow. Everyone gathered in the middle with their partners and dancing to the smooth song.

"Can I have this dance, Aliyah?" he asked me while lending his hand to me.

I was about to answer when I heard someone calls the name of the person that I've been looking for.

"Sonia! Come on!" a lady called her name.

I stepped back from this man and shook my head as I remind myself what grandma Sonia told me.

"No, I'm sorry." I turned my back to Lieutenant Henry Dizon.