Esmeralda finished changing, and Sosuke stood outside the door. She wore her handmade costume for her dancing performance. There was a knock. "May I come in?"

"Yes."

Sosuke entered but stopped midway as he saw Esmeralda in her new clothing. Sosuke slightly opened his lips. "I-Is it too much!? I've been practicing a new dance I've been developing! I also thought this costume would-"

"Esmeralda, it's fine. Don't worry." Sosuke let out small smirk. Deep down, he felt his heart beating rapidly. "Are you nervous?"

"Yes, but more so for my friends. They are good with music, and I hope they might attract someone to help them with their career."

Sosuke's heart began to feel calm. Esmeralda was indeed very innocent. She didn't know the secret world of the wealthy and famous. Many didn't get into their position out of hard work, but one had to sacrifice their morality and self-respect to gain what one wanted. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw his uncle Bradley get on stage with the rest of his uncles.

The show was about to begin.

The guests began to sit on their seats as they eagerly awaited their host to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen. My family and I welcome you to our annual festivities. This year we have two performances. The performers are from Los Angeles and have wonderful talent. We hope you enjoy."

Cheers were heard as Bradley and the brothers got off stage; the men sat on their seats with their families. Yhwach, however, sat far from his brothers. He didn't want to see his family just yet. He wanted to see Esmeralda dance and didn't want his family to bug him. He saw Esmeralda's friends get on stage with their instruments. He rolled his eyes as he knew that he had to wait.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we first would like to thank Mr. King Bradley and his family for giving us the wonderful opportunity to perform for all of you tonight. We hope you enjoy it," said James. He then nodded to the other members and began to play and sing.

https://youtu.be/fagkvfyhna0

When the song was finished, everyone began to applaud. James and the rest of the members bowed as they got off stage.

Meanwhile, Sosuke led Esmeralda out of the room and to a secret room leading to the stage. "Your friends played better than anticipated. I know my uncles are pleased."

"You think so? I hope so. I know they practiced hard. I'm proud of them. Sosuke felt his heart skip a couple of beats. He didn't know why, but he shook it off.

"Well, it's now your turn. Try your best, and I look forward to seeing you." Sosuke walked away as Esmeralda stood behind the curtain. It was time.

.....................

Bradley stood on the stage again. "We thank the band for such a great performance. We all agreed their music was unique. Our last performance is a young dancer who can sing and dance from different cultures. She is a street dancer who was noticed for her unique and special talent. We now welcome the young Esmeralda Metztli."

The curtain opened, and everyone saw the stage light dimming. Sosuke got to his seat with his uncle Bradley and his family. Yhwach, on the other hand, his icy blue eyes widened as he saw Esmeralda. "What is she?"

John and Xavier were in charge of the music since they all planned their performances together. All the stage lights and the party's lights were dimly lit. Bradley permitted them before the performance since he wanted the event to succeed. Even though most jewelry was fake, Esmeralda wore jewelry handmade from some of her belongings.

She wore a long red dress that made her skin stand out; it clung to her beautiful figure. She also had a purple scarf on her waist and her shoulders. All eyes were on her. Sosuke's lips had a small smile as he saw Esmeralda. To him, she looked even more enigmatic and beautiful. Bradley glanced at his nephew, and a chuckle escaped his lips. The older man leaned toward his nephew. "Quite beautiful isn't she?" he whispered.

"Yes, she is."

Bradley looked amused as Sosuke's eyes never wavered. "Many men here seem to agree."

This seemed to get Sosuke out of his trance-like state as he glanced at his amused uncle, who then shrugged his shoulders as he looked ahead. Bradley then felt a small yet gentle hand on his arm. It was his wife, Amelia. Her dark blonde hair was in an elegant braided bun with some pearls as decorations. She wore an elegant dark blue dress with a peacock as decoration. Amelia also wore a black sweater to help her keep warm. "Darling, is she the one you were talking about?" she asked.

"Yes, my dear."

Amelia looked at her nephew, even though he was not blood-related to her. She was a mother figure to him and helped her husband raise him. Amelia viewed Sosuke as her son. "He likes her, doesn't he?" she giggled.

"Without a doubt."

Amelia then hugs her husband's arm. "Reminds you of someone?" She wiggled her eyebrows while looking at her husband.

Bradley slightly blushed as he held onto his wife's hand; the couple focused on Esmeralda.

The music began; Esmeralda began.

https://youtu.be/Ok0ijgLG5uo

The audience had their eyes glued on the young dancer. Among them was Yhwach. Yhwach didn't blink at least once as he watched the young woman dance. He had to admit that Esmeralda had beautiful olive skin that looked soft. Yhwach watched how she danced. Her long dress flowed elegantly along with her movements. It was soft yet sensual. Esmeralda knew what she was doing; her movements mesmerized the audience.

It made his desire for her burn even more. He felt his groin twitch. The older man was grateful that he was far from the other guests. He didn't want people to notice his excitement. However, Yhwach maintained control. The older man watched how sensual Esmeralda's dance moves were, how she moved her body. Yhwach also watched her hips and back. It made him imagine how she would use her moves to please him.

How he wanted to touch her body.

Esmeralda made her final move and knelt on the ground, smiling at the crowd as the song finished. Everyone stood as they cheered for the young dancer. Esmeralda stood as she bowed and threw kisses at the crowd. Then, she saw Bradley get on the stage with the microphone. "May we have another round of applause for Esmeralda Metztli!"

The crowd was even louder than before. Bradley then handed her the microphone and whispered to her. "Say something."

Esmeralda got a hold of the microphone. "Hello, everyone. I would like to first thank Mr. King Bradley and his family for giving my friends and me this wonderful opportunity to perform before you all. We are also thankful to you all for being here. Ma totahtzin mitzmopieli. May our father take care of you?" With that, Esmeralda bowed again and gave the microphone to Bradley.

"There you have it! We all hope you enjoyed today's performances. Please enjoy the rest of the festivities!" Bradley motioned Esmeralda out of the stage as the crowd got off their seats. Once they left the stage, she saw her friends and Sosuke, who held a bouquet. "Esme, you were awesome!" said Xavier

"You practiced that dance forever!? Dang, it was as if you were break dancing," said Zachery.

John went to her and hugged her. "You were great, Esme. We are proud of you and thankful for bringing us here."

Elana watched John and Esmeralda but said nothing. John and Esmeralda separated, and Sosuke walked forward with the flowers. He motioned them to her. Esmeralda gasped. "Daffodils. They're so beautiful! Sosuke, you shouldn't have."

"I'm glad you like them; besides, you were wonderful. I was amazed."

Esmeralda blushed as she and Sosuke looked at one another. Everyone noticed, and Bradley smirked. "You should have seen my nephew. He was so entranced with your dancing." Sosuke glared at his uncle.

"Well, I should change so we can all enjoy the party." With that, Esmeralda went to the room with flowers in hand. Once inside, she began to undress and change back into her dress. However, the young woman didn't know that she was being watched.

In the next room next to hers, Yhwach stood by the window connected to hers. The young woman didn't know that the house had many secret passageways that even Bradley and his other brothers didn't know. The house was Yhwach's project, and he let the family use it for vacations and events so he didn't raise suspicions. It was his idea to have the festivities in the building.

The mirror in his room had a small entrance leading to Esmeralda's room through her room's mirror. She didn't notice since the mirror didn't show Yhwach's image. He watched her undress; she was nude except for her underwear. The older man saw her C-cup breasts and her body. He felt himself salivate at the sight before him.

Her body looked so smooth that he wanted to touch and kiss it softly and slowly. Esmeralda changed back to her dress eventually and fixed her hair. She looked at her reflection to make sure that she was ready. That was when she looked at the Daffodils that Sosuke gave her. She got a hold of them. She smelled them and smiled. "Sosuke..." Esmeralda got one daffodil, put it on her hair, and left the room.

Yhwach saw what she did. She called out his name. Deep down, Yhwach wasn't happy that the woman of his interest called out another man's name, especially if it was his son's. Deep down, he hoped Esmeralda didn't have feelings for Sosuke, but his suspicions were becoming apparent. Yhwach decided to see if he was entirely correct. However, she would be introduced to the family, and he had to meet with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Yet, it was going to stop him from getting close to Esmeralda.

The older man returned to his room but released his excitement before heading out.