Vibrant fireworks danced across the midnight sky in perfect synchronicity, and the ebony night sky where the ivory moon and stars were hung seemed to act as its setting, making the stage a perfect one. The uproarious cheers of the agents was similar to a zealous orchestra, playing flawlessly for their main stars as they exulted in an upbeat rhythm.

The celebration was a success and this was largely credited to Tania as it was she who had spent the midnight oil planning everything. If it was someone else in charge, it might not have reached such a spectacular success.

It was a new year now and as Alara reflected on herself, it dawned upon her that she had joined the Agency for a year. Ever since she was introduced to this whole new world, she had been on an endless roller-coaster ride where she was either overwhelmed, baffled, ecstatic and upset. These hysterical ranges of emotions were all due to a constant stream of events that would have rendered a normal person non compos mentis.

Yet in spite of everything, she was still at square one, which frustrated the hell out of her. She had been distracted by the countless errands and missions that Valesque gave her; and the only advantage that gave her was that she executed them well enough to prove to him that she was worthy of her position and work here.

Furthermore, thanks to Tania, she was also able to experiment with herbs and poisons, which helped in finding a cure for her Mama.

On the other hand, Alara had to admit that not everything that had happened to her was awful. She had changed too as a person- physically and mentally, as she matured in the aspects of learning to forgive and forget, to stop whining and become more proactive.

Most importantly, to be more open with her feelings and to start afresh.

Before, she was so caught up in her family's problems that she never spent time on herself, or even let in others to her inner circle of friends. Rather, she had maintained a polite yet distant stance with others and only kept her loved ones close to her.

However, when she entered the Agency, she began to make friends with others. She had resisted much at first, but she had unconsciously taken baby steps and let people in, bit by bit. People such as Tania, Rielle, Keyla, Gabriel and even... him.

Maren.

Her cherished comrade. Her idiotic partner-in-crime. He who had gradually become her confidante. As much as she did not want to acknowledge it, he had unintentionally captivated her by his charisma and sheer brilliance.

Superficially, his aesthetic features had drawn her in. His steel-blue eyes had her swooning internally, but honestly, what began to reel her in was his intellect and wit. Even when all seemed bleak, his humour never faltered. He always cracked jokes, making her giggle and laugh in an unladylike manner and he also managed to use it to give her sage advice.

In a way, Maren's light was what did her in. Perhaps it was how unguarded he was and how he still flourished with his chosen family- his comrades.

By showing her how he lived on without his kin, he had taught her how to grow and accept others. Moreover, Maren was also not innocent as a rose. Somehow, he had maintained his seemingly eternal sense of hope even in this dystopia of a world, where everyone was seemingly born with an iron heart. Perhaps that's why I like him so much.

But I will never confess to him. I'm too cowardly to do that. What if he rejects me?

Really, I am fortunate that neither of us have chosen to act on their chemistry or start anything. If they had... I may have- No, don't go there, don't even think about it! I haven't even bloody found Ren! Maybe when we're reunited, I may consider...

"Alara, are you ready?" Rielle knocked on her bedroom door, where she had retreated to after seeing the fireworks. "Come down to Niveus soon! We'll be dancing all night."

"Okay, I'll be there soon," she responded nervously, giving herself a one-over while gazing in the mirror. She smoothed the wrinkles of her lacy, teal off shoulder dress and tucked in rogue strands of hair.

Something's missing, she thought proceeded to open her pine wardrobe, where it was filled with a wide array of stunning clothing- the fabrics were either vibrant or muted; cool, pastel and warm colours hung from the wardrobe and shoes ranged from boots to heels.

Heels! Mirthfully, Alara grabbed her treasured pair of heels- silver high heels with transparent straps which had sparkly gemstones embedded on it. They were ridiculously glamorous and maybe even a tad exaggerated but she revered them nonetheless, and could never be embarrassed by them.

I shouldn't wear anything else, if not it'll be too much. Alara beamed and finished the last touches to her makeup and self.

Her lips were a light rosy pink, and since not only did her cheeks have a natural blush to them, her eyelashes were naturally long too hence she did not bother trying applying anything to them. She was ready.

Everyone was dressed to the nines and some had even begun chatting away gaily. The overall atmosphere was a blissful one and as the dress code was limited to strictly formal attire only, Alara was pleased for she had never seen her colleagues dolling themselves up in such extravagance.

Tania, for instance, was especially regal. She had braided an intricate up-do in a unique fishtail style. Alara sometimes suspected that she had magic, for there was no way Tania managed to fruitfully weave in such a detailed and immaculate braid all by herself.

"You sure are talented, Tan!" Alara complimented, playfully winking at her. "You look so queenly!"

And she was telling the truth. Tania's dress was a navy two-piece dress in an A-line style, and it emphasised on her curvaceous figure. Moreover, Tania had worn her dazzling diamond ear studs, paired with a glittering gold necklace and was the epitome of understated elegance.

"Stop it," giggled Tania as she ran her eyes over Alara's outfit. "Who are you dressing up for? Maybe..." her friend scanned the crowd and pointed to a guy nearby searching his pockets. "Maren?" continued Tania, winking at her.

"That's Maren? He looks..." Alara glanced at him, and saw Maren who was wearing a baby blue tuxedo, matched with a cream tie and was fumbling around in his pockets. Somehow he pulled off the look amazingly and his eyes even matched with the suit.

"It does, doesn't it?" another agreed and the moment she heard it, Alara smiled. She would know that sweet voice anywhere. Alara glanced up and saw her friend, Rielle, who unlike the others had opted for an unadorned look instead.

Rielle had donned on a grey sleeveless chiffon dress with a raw amethyst gemstone necklace. Meanwhile, her smokey eye makeup that was blended with a little emerald eye-shadow strikingly showed off her green eyes which resulted in a dramatic effect.

"Rielle! You are on fire tonight!" gushed Tania while she swirled Rielle around. "I wish I was you. I will never look that good in a thousand years if I wore so modestly."

"You are a sight to behold. I love how refined and classy it is," Alara echoed her thoughts.

"Don't try and avoid the subject. You literally just swooned over Maren." Rielle didn't give her a chance to deny it. "You were raving about how Maren 'pulled off the look amazingly' and how 'his eyes even matched with the suit'. My goodness! I nearly vomited. You're so in love with him."

Alara fell silent for a moment while she processed her comrade's words. I like Maren? Do I? Her cheeks warmed when she noticed that Maren was making his way towards her. When their gaze locked, she felt her ears reddening. Odd.

"Oooh, Maren's coming. Come, Rielle, let's leave the two lovebirds alone." Before Alara could even utter a single word, her loyal friends had seemingly scattered away.

"Maren," Alara greeted him, and knew he was up to something when he smirked impishly at her.

"Alara. I have something for you."

She's beautiful. Her outfit is resplendent, and so is she.

In his mind, Alara was someone who enjoyed being in the cynosure of everyone's attention, and adored materialistic and luxurious items which were probably things she could never afford in her former life. She was also someone who never gave up, and was stubborn as a mule- a very fit and strong mule at that.

There were even times when her headstrong attitude made him wish that she would change that particular trait of hers overnight for it would certainly make his life a lot more easier, but he had long changed his outlook. If she changed, she wouldn't be the person that he liked- a lot.

"You have something to give to me?" repeated Alara, her chocolate brown eyes widening with curiosity. "Well, what is it?"

"Remember our first fight?" His voice oozed with pride as he recalled that memorable day.

"Indeed I do. I won, you lost. Why were you so arrogant when you lost?" Alara asked him pointedly while her probing eyes studied him intently.

"It all comes down to perspective." he countered while thumbing his pocket delightedly. "I disagree with you. Alara, you definitely lost."

"Me? Lost what?"

"This." With a flourish, he revealed her pearl hairpin, which she had never reclaimed, and gingerly clipped her hair with it.

His heart swelled when he noted that the shimmering hairpin complemented and completed her whole look stupendously.

"Maren..." she sputtered, speechless for once. "I mean... I... where did you find this?"

"I've kept it close to my heart after retrieving it, and have waited for the right moment to return to you ever since. But the timing was never right, until now." he admitted in a crisp, clear voice.

"Thank you," Alara bashfully muttered and threw her arms around him.

That was when time stood still.

There was a reason why he chose to sit faraway, nearer to the end of Niveus. Whenever he was in crowded areas, he tended to sit himself in the back as that was where people would ignore him and he could observe his employees properly.

Near the centre of the room, Alara Berrera and Maren Santos were enveloped in a warm, tight embrace and totally oblivious to a girl watching them intensely. Jealousy radiated off her and the girl's fist clenched upon the sight likely because she was not blind to the fact that the two liked each other immensely.

He knew her well, and knew what the course of emotions she was feeling. Perhaps she may even scheme her next move to get Maren to return her feelings, but will she succeed in it?

She forced herself to look away from the despairing sight, and quickly left the ballroom. There was a reason why she had not really dressed up or attended the party.

It was all due to the fact that she had long suspected that her friend may end up flirting with Maren, and it was something that she and her heart could not stomach witnessing.

Honestly, she had once tried to drive a wedge between them to ruin their relationship as she was frightened that their great connection would lead to something more. However, her attempts were foiled as no matter how furious or irate they were with each other, they would eventually comfort each other in their own way.

Yes, she felt resigned. But she was a determined person, and decided that she would get Maren to like her back by being herself- and if he can't accept that, it's his loss.