"Uggh."

"Ouch-"

"Can you at least be gentle?"

"Ahh...you..are hurting me."

"Just do it, and get over with it already."

"I swear that if you don't slow down I am going to kill you." 

"Ahhhhh.....oh god."

I couldn't help but shout. It was hurting so much. 

"I think you are doing this all wrong." I said stubbornly.

"Oh am I? Sorry but I don't do things like this on a daily basis. I am new too." Ace said sarcastically.

"Can you just move away from me?" I said annoyed.

"With pleasure. I have no intention of pulling the strings of your corset." Ace said.

"You were the idiot one who got invited in this stupid-ancient-vintage party Mr. Apathetic." I said sassily. 

"First, don't you dare call me that. Secondly, you were the one accepted their invitation after jumping five feet up." Ace said and I tried to ignore that fact. What? I was excited, or rather I am excited but who the hell keeps a theme party of '19th Century Europe'. 

But I was excited for this party because honestly I have never been to any such theme party and I have always dreamt of wearing those vintage dresses and hats.

This town, Franschhoek is definitely a beautiful place located in Cape town, and I was going to make the fullest. 

"Fine. Then get lost. I will do it myself." I said annoyed even though I knew it would take years before I will be able to do it. Yet my ego is something which finds its peak when I with Mr. Apathetic. One of the side effects of being around the hot-jerk.

Did I just call him hot-?

Well, he is. Anyone who is not blind can see that. 

I huffed in annoyance with my conscience. 

"Yeah sure, I would love to get away from your incessant buzzing." Ace said and went to get ready himself. Oh god. Why did I ask him to leave? It took so much of my sweat to get him to help me in the first place. I am officially the most idiotic person on this Earth. 

I tried to tighten the strings of my corset which was so damn tight. I guess there is some problem with this corset, it is definitely not made for me. Else why would it hurt? I pulled the strings here and there till it looked as if it was done. Only if I knew.

I had just finished with the makeup and accessories when Ace entered the room again. And oh - 

"Holy crap." I said shocked.

Ace just stood transfixed, disturbed by my behavior as I stared at him without blinking. 

Avert your eyes Eva. My conscience urged me.

I can't! 

Avert your eyes, you idiot. Again.

"I fucking can't." I shouted aloud.

"Do I look that bad?" Ace asked scratching his neck, probably due to the awkwardness. 

"Yeah you look so bad that I can't breathe because of the fact that you look so hot yet cute at the same time." I said sincerely which of course came out of my mind without me realizing. But it was true. He did look hot and adorable in that white shirt and pants with the retro tailcoat which stuck to his muscular body, giving him the sexy look. But having seen him always in a three-piece suit, I couldn't help but find him adorable in the attire. Well, I brought the attire so it was bound to look good. 

"uhh...okay." He said averting his eyes...... embarrassingly?

I finally came to terms with my stupidity and hence averted my eyes from him. But he looked as embarrassed as me. 

"Well, you have to compliment me back. That's the rule." I said in matter-of-factly tone. 

"And who made that rule?" Ace asked. 

"Of course me." I said proudly. Ace just looked at me while I tried to decipher his weird actions. 

"Do I look that bad?" I asked myself the same question that he asked himself. Talk about having something in common, bruh. I looked down at my red off shoulder gown which had exquisite lace work making it look royal. The cage crinoline and the corset gave me a very beautiful feeling of confidence, which doesn't make any sense though. The black gloves and the choker accessorized my look thereby completing it. Overall I really felt like a princess or queen. 

"Umm...no, of course. You look-" But before he could say any further, his stupid phone butted in by ringing as if the whole Ric Hillwood was on fire. Someone teach this phone to ring at the right time and not when something which hasn't happened in history is about to happen. For god's sake, he was going to compliment me for the first time in human history but no- 

This incessant phone had to ruin the freaking moment. Buzz kill. 

"Yes, we are coming. Keep the car ready." Ace said and hung the call.

"Let's go, we are getting late." He said as he started walking and I started following him. 

"Oh no - wait." I said stopping when I saw that Ace's outfit was not complete. 

"What?" Ace said turning around.

"Your outfit isn't complete. Let me see......Yeah! Where the hell is your top hat?" I asked.

"What? I didn't feel like wearing it so I tossed it away. I was -" I cut him off by shouting.

"Mr. Ace Estevan Parker, that hat was supposed to be a part of this outfit that I bought for you. You will wear it. Now." 

Ace was surprised for a second as he said "you can't order me like that. I won't wear it." 

"You will." I fought back.

"I am telling you to back off. I don't want to wear it." He yelled.

"You will wear it because if you don't you would look like a Fried Egg Jellyfish." I lied.

"What? Is that even an animal?" He asked me and thanks to my nerd self, I knew the answer.

"Yeah it is. It's scientific name is Phacellophora camtschatica. And it definitely exists and the facts say that it -" I was cut off by Ace's hand closing my mouth with his hands - I know how that sounds but yeah he did that. He put one of his hand around my neck and the other one remained on my mouth/lips which made me feel hot. 

Someone tell me please - Why is my life like a romantic novel? 

Oh devil. Remove your hand before I kiss the hell out of you. You are already looking so tempting. 

"Just shut up. I will wear that fucking hat but you do not speak a word now. Do you understand?" He asked calmly but anyone could see how frustrated he was. I nodded instantly to avoid the explosion that would happen if I do something stupid. 

He let go of me and went to take his has as I stood there, trying to calm my cheetah-fast-accelerating heartbeat. 

---------------------------------------

The party was just so beautiful. Everything and every arrangement made it look as if we were back in the 19th century. I was in awe with the whole themed party and the best part was that it was hosted in a castle which was decorated with all the brightest lights ever made in the world. We entered the castle and were welcomed by the most adorable people who showered us with flowers as I and Ace walked on the carpet which paved the way to enter in the main hall. Everyone was dressed in their fanciest vintage clothes and all my nervousness of being the odd one out was slowly fading - keyword being slowly fading-not faded. I don't think I would ever get used to the stares of the people around as I walk with my arms locked with the richest businessman. 

"Greetings Mr. & Mrs. Parker! Welcome to the gathering!" A man with thick accent said, and I recognized him as Mr. Waltz who I had met earlier when I 'accepted their invitation after jumping five feet up.' as Ace quoted earlier. 

"Everything is really very beautiful Mr. Waltz." I said trying to compensate for the monotonous nod Ace gave to the amiable man in front of me. 

"You have got a very beautiful wife Mr. Parker, you really are a fortunate one." Mr. Waltz said smiling kindly and I blushed hard. Well that was really a good compliment.

"Oh I wish you know how fortunate I was Mr. Waltz." Ace said as he squeezed my waist gently. Oh hot-devil. 

I got the double meaning, Ace. No need for the freaking volcanoes and fireworks. I thought. 

After meeting a few more people and receiving their compliments of how adorable we looked together, we finally were able to make it to the dance floor where many other couples were also assembling for dancing. It really looked like a royal ball room flooded with women wearing gowns and men with smart suits. 

Just as I thought Ace was going to stop as we reached the center of the dance floor, he started walking away from the floor. 

"Woah, where are you going?" I asked him trying to catch up in the bulky gown of mine.

"Going to sit there." He said shrugging as if it was the only thing normal people do it parties like this.

"Sit there? Did the hat stop your brain from functioning? We are supposed to be dancing because that is the sole purpose of this vintage thing." I said trying to talk some sense into him.

"I am not dancing Eva. I think we have had enough dances in the last few days to last for lifetime." He said.

"That's not fair! I dressed up and tied those stupid strings of the corset for nothing?" I whisper - shrieked.

"Yeah, for nothing." He said as he started walking. Before I could say anything further, some men joined him midway as they started talking. No way in hell I am going to get him away.

"Time for some sassy behavior Eva, get ready." I said as I walked towards them with all the grace I have got in me. I reached them and every one of the men looked at my way while Ace just closed his eyes, massaging his temples - In annoyance. Well good to know that he knows me enough to know that I am going to do something which is probably stupid and will definitely annoy him. 

"I -" But I was cut off by a man who was of the same age as Ace and almost as handsome as him, keyword being almost. 

"Let's follow the ancient etiquettes. The man introduces himself first. I am Ezra Gerald." He said in a hot thick British accent, following all the rules about ball dances that I read about. He bowed down and removed his hat from his head. Such a gentleman.

"Pleasure. I-" I was again cut off, this time by Ace. Everyone needs to stop cutting me off and let me introduce myself!

"This is Eva. Eva Parker, my wife." He said coming to my side and putting his hand on the small of my back. Well, that was quite an introduction. All of them smiled at me and I smiled back. 

"So Mr. Parker, I think I will accept your offer of dancing now." I said sweetly, making Ace look bewildered. Well, he never asked me for a dance so yeah that expression is quite apt.

Ace seemed to realize my intentions as he gracefully said "I can't dance Mrs. Parker, I have an injured leg remember?" 

My jaw almost dropped to the floor.

Oh-devil-save-him. Or I will rip him apart in frustration. I really felt like either banging my head on his or banging his on the wall. Both the options are tempting.

"Well, I guess then the lady shouldn't be disappointed. May I have the honor of dancing with you, Mrs. Parker?" He asked again bowing and extending his hand. 

Well, talk to sassy behavior. If not Ace then Ezra only. I didn't even look at Ace before I accepted his offer because no way in hell was Ace going to be okay with it.

"My pleasure." I said bending my knees while bowing my head and holding out the skirt of my gown. I gave my hand in his as we proceeded towards the floor just as the trumpet marked the commencement of the ball. 

We danced with the music that was playing and Ezra was definitely a very good dancer. He was very good at it as it directed me also.

"I hope your husband there doesn't mind me dancing with you." He said chuckling. 

"I am sure he won't. Plus, I am enjoying myself." I said honestly.

"Well then it's fine. You look beautiful by the way." He said smiling. I smiled back at him and said "You don't look bad yourself."

We talked about the weather, books, music, and all those things we could think of. He seemed like a nice man but there was something about him which seemed off. I don't know if I was being paranoid or it was true. But not wanting to ruin anything, I stayed quiet. He seemed to be very curious about knowing me. Maybe it was just harmless curiosity, so I brushed off my doubts and danced with him. The tempo changed and I was twirled around, only to crash into something or rather someone. And the someone- felt similar and also smelled familiar. 

"Ace." I said and looked up. It was him only.

He surprised me by dancing with me and trust me, he was awesome. He glided me in the air, then we danced back and forth with my hand in his. 

"So did your 'injured leg' heal, Mr. Parker?" I asked taunting.

"Fuck the injury. Why were you dancing with him?" He asked and without him doing anything I could sense the dancing butterflies in my stomach. Talk about effect.

"Uh...Umm.." I was tongue tied due to the fact that he just acted as if he was jealous. Was he? No chance in hell.

At that very moment he touched my forehead with his and I was not able to breathe. We were so close that I could feel his minty breath on my nose. His one hand was wrapped around my waist as he used it to hold me close to himself while his other hand held my cheeks as he caressed them. He tenderly stroked my cheekbones and pushed the tendrils of hair which fell on my face. Oh my god, I am allergic to 3-touch gesture of Ace.

One on the waist.

One on the forehead.

One on the cheeks.

I am going to faint, like right now only. 

I closed my eyes as I breathed into his touch while he continued to draw soft lines on the side of my face with his fingers. His thumb soothed the area on my cheeks which, I am damn sure, would be red by now. Well, his intoxicating touch makes you blush - hard.

After a few moments, his hands stopped as he seemed to realize what he was doing. He froze and I opened my eyes to find him at staring me. I kept his gaze as we looked at each other but then he lowered his eyes, not meeting mine. I let go of him as I realized that he had realized what he was doing and then the frustration caught up to me.

"Stop fighting it, coward." I said angry, frustrated, needy, and disappointed.