My stomach drops and so does my mouth, "Pardon?"

"Miss Gale," Leila smirks and lifts my chin up, "Why else do you think he's hardly danced with any ladies? It's to be expected when you have an assigned partner."

"He's engaged?" I turn my gaze to the crowd searching for him. The bundle of people swell and mask his whereabouts with ease.

"Well, not yet technically. This year my brother has been assigned his partner, Bianca Robin. She'll stay with us for some time until they have secured their engagement. From there the wedding will be planned and they'll get married in the next year or two." Leila smiles at people passing by and sips on her champagne. "You should've learnt this in school, no?"

"I did," I caress my thumb over the necklace, "I didn't think he was assigned to anyone yet."

"Oh," Leila must've seen the disappointment on my face, as she reflects a similar expression, "Do you like—"

"May I have your attention!" Mr. Sanders stands on the stage with the band and smiles warmly to his guests, "I am so glad that you all could attend tonight. As some of you may know, a couple of months ago my son, Amell, was assigned his partner. His beautiful, wife-to-be Bianca Robin."

People cheer and I stand in a daze, my mind throbbing as I realize how foolish I've been. How could I think that he could possibly like me? Of course, he's promised to someone of higher standing. I am a Defect... I will never have someone to love or to marry.

I turn to Leila who's eyes lack her usual warmth and flair. Her face looks lost and her attitude remains distant. "Excuse me," she whispers and quickly finishes her champagne.

"Leila," I call in a breathy voice and grab her hand. She pauses before pulling away before dissolving into the enigmatic atmosphere, never turning to face me.

"My beautiful wife," Mr. Sanders gestures to Milly who smiles and raises her glass to everyone, "organized this party, much to my bank accounts regret."

Everyone laughs and Mr. Sanders lifts his glass, "None the less, tonight isn't about us, it's about Amell and Bianca. A toast to love and companionship!"

"To love and companionship!" Everyone cheers and clinks their glasses together, laughter and celebration saturate the room.

A woman with immeasurable beauty and of Asian descent smiles into the microphone, "Excuse me, everyone." The crowd quiets down and she locks eyes with Amell who sits on the piano bench in front of the wall-window. "My name is Bianca Robin for those who don't know me, and Amell and I wanted to play you a song as a little thank you for coming this evening."

Amell puts on a smile and leans into his own microphone, "It's a slow song so I think you know who chose it."

The crowd laughs and grabs partners as Amell begins to play the keys. I make my way over to the edge of the room and close my fist over the pendant of the necklace. Bianca chimes in with the lyrics of the song and it gives me goosebumps, she harmonizes Amell's music flawlessly. She spins off the stage and closes the gap between her and Amell, her sunset golden dress flowing behind her. They sing together in a little duet and it's obvious that they compliment each other in a way no one else could.

The song ends and people part from their dance partners as they cheer and clap. Amell stands up and delicately lifts Bianca's hand as they bow.

Someone in the crowd yells "Kiss!" And everyone laughs until Amell stoops down and kisses Bianca on the cheek. The crowd awes in adoration of young love. My mind catches hold of my heart and I smile and clap along. I am happy Amell has found someone who he can have a future with, I will banish any lingering affections I may have for Amell.

I let the smile sit on my face in hopes it becomes more genuine while I walk aimlessly looking for Leila as a hand taps my shoulder lightly. "Excuse me?"

I turn and use my signature customer service smile, "Hello, how can I help you?"

Bianca reflects my smile, but hers more honest, "I don't mean to bother you, it's just that I love your dress. You look beautiful."

Of course, Amell is engaged to the most beautiful and sweet woman in all of the Generations.

"Thank you so much," I rest my hand over my heart as my smile melts into one of sincerity. "It was given to me as a gift for tonight's function."

"Well you gorgeous, I haven't seen you at an event before. Are you new to the area?" Bianca lights up as the golden candlelight cascades over her flawless skin.

My smile slips a little before I tilt my head, "Something like that, I am a new staff member. Miss Sander's personal maid."

"Oh!" Bianca halcyon smile opens, "I saw your beautiful dresses and assumed you a guest. I'm sorry if I offended you."

"Offended?" I chuckle and shake my head, my guard faltering, "Miss Robin, I am flattered."

"Bianca," Amell approaches behind me, but doesn't seem to notice, "are you ready for our first dance?"

"Amell," Bianca spins me around by the shoulders, "how come you never told me about this marvellous and charming woman before? I had to find out on my own that she's Leila's personal maid."

Amell peers down at me, his eyes soften before he straightens his posture and smiles coldly, "I didn't realize you two met."

"Just now." I pipe in returning his cold smile, I turn around and touch Bianca's fingers on my shoulder, "If you will excuse me, Miss Robin, I must find Leila. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"The pleasure was mine, Miss..."

"Gale. Miss Gale." I finish and brush past Amell refusing to meet his eyes.

Why do I feel angry? Why am I upset? I don't hold any resentment against Amell, I am thrilled for them. I feel ridiculous...

I walk around the room and find Leila slumped over a table in a chair sitting by Rocky and Winnie. She sips from a champagne bottle and is talking blatantly loud. Her words taut and stretched into one slur. Oh no... she's drunk.

"Leila," I whisper and bed down, "perhaps we should get you to bed?"

"Elysia... noooooooo." She snorts and slams her hand on the table. The cutlery and glasses clatter as a few people turn to us. Leila smirks and just holds the bottle in the air. "A toast to liquor!" She laughs to herself and cradles the bottle in her arms.

"Winnie..." I look to her in hysteria, "If Mr. Sanders finds out I'm dead. How long has she been like this?"

"I'm so funny El." Leila snorts again seizing my arm and pulling me close, "Don't you think I'm funny?"

My eyes widen as I keep my gaze locked on Winnie who smiles awkwardly, "Ten minutes maybe?"

"She was out of my sight for 15!" I run a hand through my hair and bend down so I am at eye level with Leila. "Okay, it's time to go to bed."

"No." Leila pouts and shakes her head.

"Yes," I support her up as she wobbles.

"No," Leila yanks away, "I want Winnie to take me."

"Are you serious?" I deride her remark, "She's not working. I'm taking you, let's go."

"No!" Leila shouts.

My eyes widen and my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I snag the bottle from her hand and set it down as more people spin to watch the commotion.

"Is she okay?" One man in a sharp black suit asks.

"Oh yes," I laugh nervously, "she's just had too much fun for the night." I wave my hand dismissively and he nods before returning to a group of guests. I avert my furious gaze to Leila, jaw set and lips pursed.

"Uh oh," Leila turns to Winnie who stands up and takes her other arm, "Elysia is angeryyyyy."

Winnie touches my hand and smiles, "It's okay, I've got this."

"But Winnie, it's your night off. You deserve the break."

"And you deserve one too," she coos and begins to assist Leila in walking away.

"Wait!" Leila calls and points her finger at me, "Kiss me goodnight!"

Rocky stifles a laugh, his shoulders shaking as I approach her. At this point, I'm willing to do anything to get her to bed. I cup her face and bring her forehead to my lips, kissing it. "Sweet dreams, Leila."

Leila takes my hands and whispers into them, "Elysia? Will you promise not to leave me for my perfect brother?"

"I will never leave you, Leila. You are my Lady." I whisper back into our hands and kiss the top of hers.

"Woooo!" Leila breaks away and wraps her other arm around Rocky. "She loves me!"

I can hear her shouts and Rocky and Winnie struggling to escort her down the hall before I turn around and plunk myself at a table. My feet are burning, but a smile creeps on my face as I rest them in the rough palms of my hands. Somehow Leila managed to make me feel better after seeing Amell and Bianca together.

I peer onto the dance floor as the song ends, Amell and Bianca part as he kisses her knuckles. With no Leila to distract me, the pressure on my chest quickly returns. I look around and the party is just beginning to liven. It appears more guests have arrived later, yet there were fewer guards around.

Another song beings to play and there's a plunk in a chair beside me. I turn my gaze up and Bianca is sitting there silently.

"Oh, Miss Robin!" I straighten my posture, "How was your dance?"

"Please call me Bianca." She places a strand of ebony, silk hair behind her ear, "It was pleasant, but I suggested he should dance with his mother and one serendipitous staff member."

"Why a staff member?"

"It's fun to include your staff and get to know them in these events. I suggested that he dances with you since you've looked lost this evening." Bianca reaches for Leila's champagne bottle and I snatch it away.

"Sorry! That's empty!" I hold the bottle close to me before passing her a glass from a passing waiter, "Here, take this." she elegantly claps the thin glass neck and swirls the content inside. "I doubt it's a good idea for me to dance with your fiancé."

"He's not my fiancé yet," Bianca retorts and sips her champagne, "and I want to see you relax a little. Dancing is a great way to do that."

"I don't know..." I hesitate, noticing her eyes shift from me to above my shoulder.

"Miss Gale," Amell stand next to me, "May I have this next dance?" The music slows as a woman approaches the microphone and beings to sing.

"Actually—"

"She would love to." Bianca finishes for me and gives me an encouraging wink.

Amell takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor. He spins me around and brings me close to his chest.

"Bianca seems nice," I avoid his eyes and focus on where I am stepping, "I'm glad you are assigned such a beautiful, kind-hearted woman."

"Elysia..." Amell's voice sounds solemn and conflicted. "I didn't know how I was going to tell you..."

"Why would you need to tell me?" I spin out of his arms before back in. "We're friends, and friends don't have to tell each other everything."

I felt like ripping out of his grasp and flipping a tray of glasses, but I remained phlegmatic and reserved.

"Oh... right." Amell's grip loosens as my eyes meet his. We hold a gaze which neither of us could break as he retightens his grip, his hand clasps mine firmly as my other hand presses into his back.

The tension is released by a bang and screams. I shoot out of Amell's arms to turn my attention to where the gunshots are firing from. Bursting through a large set of doors floods a small crowd of people in black gas masks tossing multiple gas bombs.

"Amell..." I whisper as his arms find their way back around me. Reflexively I cling to his suit jacket, "They're here."