Chapter 17

" Theo, always a pleasure "

You can imagine the shock on everyones face including Helenas father, her oldest sister and her best friend James who happened to be theos younger brother. She didnt even bother to look in the direction in which charles stood in disbelief of what was unfolding in front of him. Helena just allowed theo to to lead her deeper into the ball room as others seemed to have cleared a path for the two. He couldnt keep his eyes off of her for he has always known what a beautiful woman helena always hasbeen but tonight with the color of the gown she chose to put on and the way she glowed on his arm, it was safe to say that theo was feeding off of her confidence and even going as far to say it was helping him develop some of his own as well not that he needed anymore. Seeing as he had the most gorgeous woman in the room mater of fact of the ton at his side.He began to hold his head high just as she did, some would even say in a more arrogant or cocky manor.Whilst theo was too consumed by his own thoughts and obssesing over being the center of attention. Helenas was too busy trying to maintain this fake ego she had cloaked herself with she had not noticed or even bothered to try and take notice of theo being so deep in thought and basking in all of the eyes that were set uponn the pair. Both however were too pre occupied with themselves that niether of them had come to the realization that they had come to a stop in an opening of the ball room beside the dance floor. The room fell completely silent as the others surrounding them awaited to witness whatever the two were about to say or do. Once they did take notice however Helena and Theo turned their attention to one and other, they could also feel the energy shift around the room from admiration to judgement. Sharing a small yet slightly awkward smile before a quiet laugh escaped their lips and they both opened their mouths to speak at the same time.

" So would you like some punch ? "

" They decorated so lovely "

" Oh my apologies, please "

" No no please you first "

Sharing one last small smile before they both cant help but to allow their laughter to sneak out from their own awkwardness that was lingering between the two. Niether of them could contain themselves, eeryone around stood confused and most if not all deciding to move their attention else where seemingly bored of the couple already. Helena could no longer help the laughter that continued to grow from inside her but yet found it so relieving from the flood f emotions she was begining to feel.

" You have a beautiful laugh "

Theo had not wiped his entire playful demenor away but did grow just a bit more serious as he meant what he said. Helena just gave him a smile but before she could respond or thank him, music began to play signaling to the surrounding couples that the dancing was about to commence.

" Shall we ? "

Before I could even respond theo had swept my hand away with his in one move and we were taking a spot on the ball room dance floor. While I was not opposed to dancing with theo... I didnt appreciate how he nearly dragged me to dance. I shake my head in attempt to clear my mind once more of the unpleasant thoughts wiping away my overthinking to the best of my ability and re focusing on living in the moment. The music began to pick up and our feet moved moved almost naturally, I felt so free and so for once allowed myself to let go. Theo kept his eyes on me as I kept mine on his and niether of us dared to look away. Before I knew it theo had moved in closer to place one hand in mine and the other on my back just below my shoulders so I placed my free hand on his shoulder. Looking up to him I felt there was nothing more captivating in that moment, or so I thougth infact more so trying to convince myself. As well as I was doing keeping the negative and overthinking thoughts at bay, my focus seemed to have gone to the odd feeling that came from dancing with theo. Although his hands not placed improperly they still felt, wrong. This was all so wrong. While im trying to shake these odd feelings and thoughts from my mind we begin to spin, as we are spinning my eyes catch a specific part of the room. He was standing exactly where he stood before but seeing as we began to dance the motion would not allow me to see the expression he had on it face, more so a fuzzy version of him and his body. Forcing my eyes to focus back on theo whom had seemed to be very much consumed once again by the moment. It was like a pulling sensation, there were imaginary strings that were pulling and tugging at my head to look in his direction, calling for my eyes to look upon him once more. It took everything in me to continue the dance with theo as much as not only my mind but my body fought me on it. I had to refrain from visibly having a grimace on my face anytime theo moved his hand even slightly or squeezed my hand just a little bit tighter. He was not doing anything intentionally or even morally wrong, just everythhing about this felt so so wrong but I just could not understand why. I was too pre occuppied with my own thougths to realize the dance had come to an end, I joined in and clapped along with everyone else before exchanging the proper bows/courtseys amongst each other. Once I was able to shift my attention elsewhere I seemed to have subconciously begun to search for him once more immediately looking in the directon of the room he seemed to have consistently occupy before and to my dissapointment, he was gone. Looking around the room nearly frantically I began to search for him with my eyes until I had realized he was nowhere in the room.

He was gone.