Chapter 30- The Enchanted Ball

When Hunter and I got back to the Academy, we immediately went back to our dorm to get ready for the Ball. We only have two hours to prepare.

As I entered the dorm, my forehead furrowed when I saw a red off-shoulder pencil cut dress with a slit on the left side.

I looked at it and I couldn't help but worry about what I would look like when I wore it. Until now, I'm still not capable of wearing dresses.

I picked up a rose that was also placed on the bed and had a sticky note attached to it.

This is for you, Althea - Hunter I smiled, maybe this is one of the reasons why he asked me to come with him to the falls. He asked someone to put this dress while we're not here.

I took a bath, then I immediately straightened up and put on the dress. I somehow feel comfortable, it is not that daring, and my skin isn't that exposed. It has sleeves and it's below the knee. Hunter knows I'm not into dresses that's why he picked a dress where I will feel comfortable.

After I got dressed, I just put a little make-up on my face, I used some that Lydia and Cath gave me. I wore black heels. When I was satisfied with my appearance, I looked at myself in the mirror and was completely stunned. I'm much more confident now.

There was a knock on the door, and I knew it was Hunter right away so I immediately opened the door for him, and he could not speak when I opened it. He was just looking at me. He's wearing white long sleeves with a black coat on top and slacks. He's so handsome and stunning.

"W-Why? Is there dirt on my face?" I touched my face, I just looked in the mirror and I didn't notice anything dirty on my face or anything.

Eventually, a smile flashed on his lips. "I can't even describe how beautiful you are." I averted my eyes and I could feel my cheeks heating up.

Hunter offered his hand. "Let's go. My date is the most beautiful woman tonight." I put my hand on his arm and we walked toward the grand hall where the Enchanted Ball will be held. As we approached, all the nervousness in my body went up.

Hunter turned his gaze on me. "I'm here, Althea. Don't be nervous." I smiled and breathed in. Hunter is right, I shouldn't be nervous.

As we enter the grand hall, I was amused as to how they value this event so much. Round table with a maroon cloth was everywhere, there are chairs where students are sitting. There is a stage on the right side of the hall and there stand the two emcees speaking and announcing the significance of this event.

The grand hall is kind of dimly lit and the only light that illuminates the whole room was the party lights. There is a red carpet on the floor where newcomers walk.

On the left side of the hall, there's a buffet, some students are taking some food. The whole hall is so beautiful, and you can tell they prepared so much for this.

"Let's go." Hunter pulled me to our designated seat. I was busy roaming around my sight when a man wearing a gray tuxedo caught my attention. His expression was serious as he sat at a table not far from us. Isaac.

I averted my eyes when he also looked away from me. Hunter took our food and the program started. They announced a tournament that would happen tomorrow morning.

The emcee announced, "The dancefloor is now open for those who want to dance."

The speakers started playing while I was just eating. Until Hunter stood up and offered his hand to me.

"Can I have a dance?" He smiled so I couldn't help but smile. I was about to shake my head when he whispered, "I won't take no for an answer."

So, I got up from my seat and he led me to the dance floor where the other students were dancing along with the music playing.

Hunter held my waist with his two hands, I wrapped my hand around his neck, and we started dancing along with the song.

"Hunter, they're looking at us--"

"So? I'm with the most beautiful woman here. I'm proud." He shrugged so I just laughed at him. We just danced and danced but my eyes saw Isaac looking at us and he seemed so angry that made my eyebrow furrowed.

"What are you looking at?" Hunter asked. I just shook my head and ignored Isaac. The dance floor was crowded, and I had pushed away from Hunter when some students were dancing. I lost sight of Hunter for a second and when I saw him, he offered his hand.

"Hey come here--"

Before Hunter could pull me, a hand yanked me out of the grand hall and when we finally got out, I pulled my arm. "What the hell--"

I was shocked when I realized it was Isaac. I stared at him. What does he think he is doing? A few minutes later he was still looking at me and he's still angry based on his furrowing eyebrow and the glint of rage on his green eyes.

"What's your problem? Dragging me here and now you're just staring at me like a creep?!" I asked him angrily. He just looked at me until he shifted his gaze to the dress I was wearing.

"I'd spent my whole day staring at you," he said which annoyed me. "Don't make me jealous, Althea."

I was silent for a moment when I realized what he had said. "This is going nowhere." I was about to enter the Hall again when he pulled my hand that made me step back.

"Althea--" My hand went through his face and I slapped him again that made him silent. Tears welled up in my eyes and the pain returned. Great. Just by seeing him makes me cry.

"You can't have me both ways, Isaac. I'm not a duplicate, not a fucking dummy! You can't pick me up whenever you want! Stop torturing me! Just stay away--"

"But I can't!" He shouted back at me. "You're right, I don't know anything about love! But I get hurt when I see you with someone else! It kills me knowing that I'm slowly losing you and I can't afford that; I don't want to! Losing you means losing my sanity!" Tears welled up in his eyes. "If this is what you call love, then I'm fucking deeply in love with you, Althea!"

I laughed, drastically. I pulled my hand he was holding and looked him in the eye. "I'm tired, Isaac. I'm tired of filling in the loss of the woman you first loved. Just please... stay away."

I walked away but he said, "Ten steps, Althea. If you leap ten steps away from me, I will not disturb you ever again. I will let you go as you said, but if you come back... I'll stay. No matter what the cost is. I will fight for you, baby. Just please... don't leave."

My heart started to break again. Every word he says, makes my heart ache even more than it already has, but no matter how painful it is, I have to walk away from him. I need to think about myself first.

"Baby, please. Come back to me," I heard him said. But I managed to leap two steps again. Up to just two steps from the ten steps he requested. My heart and mind are arguing. My heart says, "Step back, forgive him and accept him again." while my mind says, "Two steps and all your pain will drift away."

I don't want to turn my gaze back because if I do, I will regret everything. I love him so much and it hurts like hell to let go. But what Hunter said made me stop. My mind and heart have to say the same thing before I make a decision. I closed my eyes for a moment and thought about everything.

Isaac, please. Run to me and make me stop walking. I want to tell him that. I wanted him to stop me from taking the tenth step, but he didn't.

"I love you, baby..." He uttered enough for me to cry my heart out. "... Goodbye." He left me there and he walked away.

I looked at him as my tears were falling. I just want him to fight for us. I want him to ask me to stay because I will. I love him so much, yet he didn't fight for us.

"I love you, too. I guess this is the end," I said even though I knew he would never hear it again. I ran towards my dorm and cried.

I know he's tired pleading and asking me for forgiveness, but I didn't know he'll give up that easily. I know to myself that I don't want him to give up, but he did. And I guess it is the right time to move forward and never look back.

I think this is for the best. Maybe we're not meant to be together. Isaac and I are just a moment in the book of each other's lives.

Isaac Villanueva will always be the reason why I know what love feels like.