"I'd like to make a toast."

All heads turned to face my mother who was holding up her wine glass in preparation to make a toast.

"To my lovely daughter Katrina as she finally transitions into a beautiful young woman. You my dear, have truly been blessing to me from God, for the past eighteen years of your being."

I could hear people awing at my mothers words, I too gasped at her words, I had no idea I meant that much to her. Then again she really is a good actor.

"Cheers."

The sound of clicking wine glasses echoed in the room as people drank from their glasses after the toast.

I had my brightest smile on for the night, people kept wishing me Happy Birthday from every corner I turn to. Frankly it was getting really trying.

Classical music began to play and I had my first dance with my dad, shortly I danced with my brother mostly because my mom forced him to, the audience clapped after each dance.

After a lot of dancing was done, I took a sit at the far end of the large hall, watching the crowd intently. People were busy socializing with each other, the Jones had arrived but I hadn't seen any sign of Sean yet, most of my dad's associates were in attendance with their wives and children that were my age or older, and a few people I did not recognise at all were also in attendance.

My eyes scanned the area; the fine white walls, the silver glittering chandelier that hung down in the middle of the hall, its bright light illuminated the hall magically.

Apart from the three step cake, - each step having different flavours-, standing at the other end of hall from where I'm sitting, nothing about this gathering made it seem like it was my birthday.

With a little more scanning, I soon spotted Laura dancing with Matt on the dance floor, she was smiling widely in his arms like no one else in the world mattered.

They had been dating for a week now and the boat seemed to floating smoothly. Knowing Laura, she'd soon be complaining and whining to me about how she just doesn't feel it anymore.
"The spark is gone," are her usual words.

"Can I have this dance?"

Is that an accent I hear?
A deep masculine voice caught my attention. I had been to busy staring at the dance floor to even notice the figure in front of me.

"I'm sorry what?"

I looked up to see who it was, I hadn't seen him before. He was lightly tanned with desert brown hair, he was fairly built but definitely good looking.

"Can I have this dance please?" he said again as he extended a hand forward.
Yes he did have an accent, a sexy British accent. I had always been a sucker for accents.

"Um...sure." I placed my hands in his large ones and he led me graciously to the dance floor.

"Happy Birthday."

"Thank you." I say curtly with my gaze still steady on the floor.

"Do I bore you?"

"What? no, not at all." I raised my head to face him.

He chuckled lightly, his chest vibrated as he did. It sounded adorable, really.

"You don't look all to happy to be here."

"I'm sorry it seemed that way. I promise its not you."

"Apology accepted." He said and gave me a heart melting smile, I smiled back at him.
"Though it's a mystery to me as to why the birthday girl isn't all joy and merry at her own party."

I sighed, "It's a mystery to me too."

Just as he was about to comment on what I said, he's interrupted by a tap from behind, I'm guessing someone wants a chance to dance with the birthday girl.
He nodded curtly then leaned in and whispered in my ear,

"Till next time love."

I blushed lightly at his words, I doubt there was ever going to be a next time, he had left without giving me his name.

I watched as the strangers tall frame disappears and brings into view the one person I really wanted to be with.
Sean.
He had been the one that tapped my former partner. He looked devilishly handsome in his black tuxedo and perfectly combed hair.

He cleared his throat, "Would you do me the honour?"

I nodded my head in approval cause my voice seemed to have taken a vacation.

He stepped closer to me and placed his hands on my waist, pulling me closer to him.
My left hand was draped around his neck, the other lay flat on his chest.

We began to dance with rhythm to the slow song that was playing. I was so close to him that I could inhale his sexy masculine cologne, he smelled heavenly.

"You look lovely tonight, red suits you."

His statement only caused me to smile widely and blush. I recalled the text he had sent me telling me about how beautiful I looked at our family dinner.

But then again he ignored me the last time I saw him, he just vanished poof! like thin air.

"Are you going to leave again?" I finally had the courage to ask.

He twirled me around, bringing me to his chest with a forceful contact. Our chests collided on impart, our eyes locked and I stared lovingly into his beautiful eyes. We were really close now, there was no space between us.

"I want to take you somewhere." I could sense he was avoiding my question.

"I can't leave."

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

I didn't reply.

"So there's no need to stay."

He dipped me unexpectedly and my hands wrapped around his neck on impulse, my left leg curled round one of his ,we never broke eye contact as we just stared.

His gaze was intense and I felt my legs weaken the longer he stared. Luckily his arms were wrapped around my waist, steadying me from falling and completely humiliating myself.

It felt like we were the only ones in the world.

"Come with me?"

I found myself nodding in agreement to his offer.
There was no harm in leaving, everyone seemed too deeply engrossed in their own world to actually notice me if I left.

He grinned devilishly at me as he gently brought me up to stand on my feet.

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