I still feel the fast breathing sound of my heart...

"Are you serious?"

"Do I look like I am joking?", Ashlene said as she placed a mug of hot coffee on the table in front of Rain.

"Well considering that he is a respected CEO and I just outright insulted him, yet I recieved an invitation from him, it definitely seems like a joke", said Rain calmly taking a sip from her mug. Her insides churned at the thought of meeting the CEO again.

"It doesn't matter! What matters right now is that we are going to that party so that I don't lose my job and to actually going there means that we have to look presentable so get up after you finish that coffee. We need to go shopping"

Rain sighed and continued taking sips of her second cup of coffee since that morning. A second cup was needed considering the fact that Ashlene had a brought on a headache by giving her the invitation to the CEO's stepping down party. It was already embarrassing enough that she had left such a first impression on him and to go to that party just meant she was taking the bait for another embarrassing moment.

Deciding that Ashlene's job was worth all the embarrassment she had to face, Rain quickly downed her coffee and went to get ready for their shopping spree.

~

With a black bag that held her gown and shoes for the event in her hand, Rain stepped out of the car and bent down to listen to a nagging Ashlene.

"You better be ready in time and take a taxi there, I won't be able to pick you up as I have to reach there early as a part of staff"

"But wouldn't your staff clothes be different from the dresses that should be worn to such types of events?", Rain asked, a bit too confused.

"Yeah they are different but we get to change in the rooms there and enter the party as guests", Ashlene replied.

"That's a pity, I would have loved to see you in staff clothes in such an event", Rain said with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Yeah that wish isn't gonna be granted now off you go and I better see you there or else consider yourself dead", Ashlene said as she revved the engine to drive back home.

With a laugh Rain bid Ashlene goodbye as she drived away. For a few moments she just stood there seeing the back of the car get smaller and smaller until it turned around a corner and disappeared. 

As she stood there and looked at the empty street she wondered whether she is going to regret going to the party or not. Shaking her head in an attempt to get rid of the thoughts she went back to her house.

~

Hoseok stood at the top of the grand stairs, leaning against the banister and looking casually at the bustling party beneath him. With his crisp all black suit and red tie with his newly dyed glossy black hair pushed back to expose his forehead, he looked ravishing. As he looked at the party he couldn't help but notice his brothers spread throughout the party. Jimin in his all black suit and golden neck tie was speaking to a group of men near the entrance of the ballroom. His golden irises flickering to the entrance every now and then. Further to his right stood Namjoon, sporting a black suit with a soft blue tie, leaning against a wall; his cobalt irises admiring the flowery ceiling while thoughts raced inside his head. 

Jin stood in the centre of the party talking cheerily with a few of his business partners and introducing them to the new CEO. With a suit of the colour of fresh snow and a bright pink tie matching the pink lock of hair, Jin practically stood out amongst all that were present there. Yoongi and Jungkook, both were practically invisible in the crowd while Taehyung with a royal green suit was chatting merrily with a few of the guests present there. His emerald irises were lit with childish excitement but his deep, mature voice said something entirely different about him.

Just as Hoseok was about to take a sip from his glass of wine his eyes caught the gleam of lit embers on the pitch black gown and his hand holding the glass froze right in front of his mouth. She stood at the entrance of the ballroom wearing a floor length evening gown which started with a illusion neckline made of black net eventually morphing into pitch black tulles framing her curves and ending with the embers. Her eyes roamed the crowd until they caught Hoseok's fiery irises. Her blood red lips curled into a dazzling smile as she made her way to him.

Hoseok kept his eyes on her as he placed his glass on a plate carried by a passing waiter. Taking swift strides he went down the stairs as she came up to him. 

Staring at her Hoseok leant down by her eyes and whispered," You set the whole party on fire didn't you".

He leaned back as she laughed, a beautiful tinkle of a sound for him. He smiled as he pulled her into a hug and said," You look stunning!".

"Talk about yourself", Ashlene said as she reached forward straightened his tie. In response he winked at her making her laugh.

"Let's go to the balcony, the view is spectacular", Hoseok said as he took Ashlene's hand and turned around to climb the stairs again.

"The decoration is really beautiful, yesterday Jin couldn't stop talking about how it really fit his taste and kept praising you", Hoseok said as he caught sight of the glass decorated with flowers.

"You got it wrong, I didn't do anything except arrange the placement of tables and lights"

"Well, he kept referring to a lady when he rambled so I thought it was you", Hoseok said as he led Ashlene to a table in the open balcony. Pulling out her chair, he seated her and went to the other side to sit. As she admired the stars in the clear night sky, he admired her with both their eyes lit up like city lights. Reaching forward he took her hand and rested their intertwined hands on the table. 

Just like their eyes, the party below them lit up with the arrival of newcomer. Rain stood at the entrance of the ballroom with the lights around her giving her a halo of an angel. She was wearing a gown starting with an illusion of a blue net, merging into delicate dark blue embroidery across the expanse of her chest and waist and flowing down to the floor in multiple layers. The colour shifted from a shade of pastel blue to a brilliant white as the gown flowed. The embroidery continued from her waist in a pattern of falling petals until it completely disappeared and her net sleeves extended up to her elbows completing her look. 

The shades complimented her pale skin and her dark locks were a striking contrast to the light colours she wore. Her hair was tied up with loose strands framing her rosy cheeks. Her blossoming lips and sparkling dark orbs made her the centre of attention. She adorned hanging pearl earrings which reached her chin making her look like an angel.  

Fiddling with her fingers Rain looked around the room to catch any sight of Ashlene but the girl was nowhere to be seen. Just then she caught Jin's eye and her expression turned apologetic. Jin gave her a reassuring smile before returning to his conversation with the guests. Now that her annoyance was pushed aside she saw him in a new light. His hair contrasting with the pink lock made him noticable amongst the crowd. His eyes crinkled as he laughed while his full lips curled upwards into an enchanting smile.

"Will you dance with me, pretty lady?", a deep voice cut through Rain's daze. She turned to the voice to find another attractive man in a green suit, his emerald eyes twinkling. His angular jaw was complimented by a single earring shining as it caught light. His hair was styled back like a royalty. 

"I don't think there is going to be a dance", Rain said as she took in a sharp breath while absently looking at the crowded ballroom.

"Ohh it will begin soon beautiful", he said making her blush a deep red.

Just as he finished talking the music changed and the crowd parted making a space in the centre of the ballroom. Rain looked at the man who stood beside her with a hand out. She looked at his emerald eyes and then at his hand. After a moment, she took it. He lips curled into a boxy smile as he guided her to the dance floor. Spinnning her around he placed his other hand on her waist just as she whispered," I can't dance"

"Just follow my lead, m'lady", his deep voice whispered into her ear as he leaned towards her. Up close he smelled of nature and cologne. As they twirled and danced in the moonlit night, Rain held his intense gaze in an entrance, breaking off only when she twirled. 

I'm definitely not nervous.

"Call me Taehyung", he whispered as he held her going back to swaying along with the music.

"You dance really well Taehyung, I'm Rain"

"As in the phenomenon that occurs when the sky cries?", He asked.

"That's a really unique way to put it but yes that", Rain said as she smiled at him. His boxy smile returned as he saw her smile. 

"Will you follow me Rain?", he asked, to which she nodded. With the change in music he led her out through the dancing pairs. Holding her hand he took her upstairs to the balcony. Once they reached the outer balcony he let go of her hand as she gazed up at the sky.

"It's very cloudy isn't it? The weather forecast today said otherwise", Rain said.

Taehyung hummed in response making Rain look at him. He looked lost as he gazed at the sky. His eyebrows were drawn in and his finger tapped mindlessly against the railing. Just as Rain opened her mouth to ask him, lightening struck. The sky lit up, drawing Rain's attention in the mere seconds of it's occurrence. She then glanced at Taehyung only to realise that he wasn't there anymore. She looked around but couldn't find him. Sighing she was about to step away from the railing when someone grabbed her hand.

"Get away from here right now, take this and drive back home. Don't stop for anything on the way", Ashlene said as she handed Rain a car key and left her standing near the railing as she disappeared into the crowd.

Rain looked at the key in her hand, puzzled at Ashlene's actions but she knew better than to ignore her. Tightening her grasp around the key she broke into a light run weaving through the crowd and climbing down the stairs. Stumbling she skipped the last step and fell forward, right into someone's arms. Apologising immediately Rain glanced up into his violet irises shimmering with concern. Ashlene's words rang across her ears as she muttered another apology and left the man standing there with his eyes following her back as she dashed to the ballroom's entrance.

Pressing the key she looked around until she noticed a car's headlights lit up right in front of her. Standing in front of it she couldn't help but notice it's beauty. There stood, illuminated by the street light, a Citroen GT concept, midnight blue in colour with dashes of silver complimenting the car. She was awestruck by it's visuals while being confused at the same time as this car did not belong to Ashlene. She opened the door and admired the attractive interior with cream leather seats customised with the iconic 'R' written in silver on the black steering wheel. 

As she revved the engine she couldn't help but think about Ashlene. She had asked her to get out of there but where was she? What was it that made her anxious? Did something happen?

Driving through the almost empty streets Rain glanced at the clock on the dashboard and let out a troubled sigh as it read fifteen minutes past twelve. As she looked back at the road, the first few drops of rain fell on the windscreen. Minutes later it was pouring. The streets were empty except the silhoutte of a car driving through the stillness of the night. 

Rain jumped as something heavy thudded against the roof of the car. Slowing the car she was about to stop when she noticed a silhoutte standing in the middle of the road with only glassy eyes shining through the sheet of pouring rain. Stopping she was about to open the door when the silhoutte stepped into the light provided by the flickering street light. Rain's mouth opened as a silent scream left her mouth.

Hello Lovely Readers!

It definitely has been quite a while since I last updated but one can't help it when they face a writer's block now can they?

So Ashlene, quite an interesting girl isn't she? Definitely beautiful but quite mysterious too. I wonder what happens next though.

Will update soon. 

Love you all!

~RV