"Something is off." I said "Everyone here is trying to hide themselves."
"It's nothing." he said while offering me red wine in a wine glass.I took a sip.
The wine spread slowly across my tongue velvety and warm leaving a faint sweetness mixed with something sharp.
I scan the area. Everyone here looks deadly mysterious and strange, but why?
The room glittered with New Year decorations, but nothing felt joyful. Laughter sounded forced, smiles lingered too long, and conversations disappeared the moment I looked over. Something about this party felt wrong - I couldn't tell what. This wasn't a celebration at all; it was as if.... everyone is waiting for something or someone which isn't ordinary.
My gaze shifted, scanning the room again.
"Xey...?"A soft ,yet powerful voice called out sending a chill down my spine.
I looked at him, confusion written across my face.
"...Yeah?"I replied
A tiny curve appeared on his pinkish lips as I met his gaze.
"Is something bothering you?" He asked, his voice calm - but searching.
"Eh...no.."
He slowly looked away, and my gaze followed his without thinking once. But before I could fully follow him, a soft voice called out.
"Long time no see."
A warm smile curved his lips."I was kinda busy."
He offered her a handshake and arranged chairs for us to sit.
I was looking at both of them, wondering why the party felt so different - and who this women was.
"Xey... She's my friend." He said softly, his gaze lingering on me a second to long.
I gazed at her, quietly noting every deatail. She wrote a scarlet, fitted dress with black trims, sharp as warning. Her ink- black hair was tied in a half ponytail, giving her a commanding, almost predatory air, yet her almond-shaped eyes held no trace of innocence or mercy-only a quite, unreadable confidence. She looked at me, said nothing, but the weight of her gaze was deliberate, almost teasing.
I cleanly said,"Hi,I am Xayer."my voice steady and measured. I didn't force a smile, didn't try to charm-my presence was enough. Polite, reserved, yet confident, I let my gaze meet her without flinching, showing her I was attentive, present, but not the type of overshare.