Chapter 7: Chapter 6-Crystal Ball

The stranger approaches her with grace, power and self-assurance that required one's attention. He was broad shouldered, tall, fair skinned and completely and utterly handsome.

His determination never wavered.

He won.

The same man who bid from the beginning of the auction.  Camelia gulped nervously, offering the blonde haired man a tentative smile.

"Shall we?"   He asked with a kind smile in return.

"Yes."  She replied tightly and allowed him to help her down the steep steps of the stage,  clutching her gown with a free hand.  Her knees were quivering and her cold hands shook nervously.

The gentleman led her to the waiting dance floor located through another set of double doors connected to the ballroom.  High crystal chandeliers hung above them and they were dimmed down so intimately Camelia felt her pupils adjust as her gaze refocus on the intimate setting.

Large bouquets of arranged flowers of purple, white and pink surrounded the walls.  A band was set up in the center—along the edge of the dance floor with two large speakers that stood along either side of the set-up.  A black backdrop was against the wall with white scattered lights meant to represent a star lit sky.

Couples behind them started to murmur amongst one another as they took their positions on the dance floor.  It was large enough to accommodate all the bidders and winners.  Peoples excited whispers hitched as the violinists, a pianist and a drummer started a sensual rhythm.

A announcer appears with a mic in hand.  "Ladies and gentleman as a special thanks for all the proceeds accumulated, we have a special guest tonight to sing his famous song.  Please help me welcome Grammy winner, The Weeknd, singing 'Earned It'!"

Squeals of delight erupted from most of the women and clapping resounded all around Camelia. Her mouth dried up and she quickly slanted her gaze to her dancing partner and witnessed him silently watching her with a quirked eyebrow.

"May I have this dance beautiful lady in red?"  He asks with a heavy foreign accent. Camelia raises her eyebrows in slight surprise, she couldn't ever recall having heard before.

She nods once and allows the mysterious man to sweep her into his arms and started to sway to the slow seductive music in the background.

The Weeknd swiftly appears and takes his position before the mic wearing a black suit and his iconic signature hairstyle, beginning his slow sensual song....

🎤"You make it look like magic

'Cause I see nobody, nobody but you, you, you

I'm never confused

Hey, hey

I'm so used to being used..."🎤

"My name is Kivanç (key-Von-ch) Tatlitug and I'm honored to be in the company of such beauty..."  He started.

Camelia blushed and ducked her head shyly.  She looked from beneath her lashes at him and smiled.  "It's nice to meet you Kivanç.  My name is Camelia St. James."

"Hmmm, Camelia as in the flower?"

Camelia nods.

"How unique, the name suits you I must confess.   Your pronunciation is slightly different, I assume it's spelled as uniquely as you? "

"Yes...I mean it is, spelled differently."  She blushes hotly in embarrassment.

His compliments were smooth and not obviously meant to make her uncomfortable.  The discomfort beneath the surface of her skin eased finally smiling at the handsome stranger.

Glancing around casually  she watched silently as couples danced while making small talk.  Others were dancing silently and enjoying the beat of the music.

🎤'Cause, girl, you're perfect

You're always worth it

And you deserve it

The way you work it

'Cause, girl, you earned it

Girl, you earned it, yeah..."🎤

Kivanç pulled her closer to him and lead her all around the dance floor, leaving a kind, formal smile on his face.  For a man with facial hair it suited him where some would not be able to pull off so very well.  The purple mask he wore stood out against the ice blue of his eyes,  reflecting compassion and sincerity.  His dark blonde hair was swept back and thick.

"Your accent, if you don't mind me asking...where are you originally from?"  Camelia inquired.

Kivanç's smile widened and his eyes twinkled.  "I'm from Istanbul, Turkey."

"Beautiful country."  She noted.

"Thank you.  My family owns a production company and I'm here scouting areas for the next film we are about to partake in."

"How interesting." She murmured feeling so at ease with Kivanç.  It was so easy to talk to him with no prying eyes, no judgments, nothing to prove and above all no pressure.

All of a sudden she didn't know why she was so scared.  But that was her, always complicating things in her head.  She needed to stop wondering, worrying, doubting and have a little more faith.

"How is it a lady such as yourself is here alone, without an escort? I find is hard to believe your heart is not taken." Kivanç asked her, tilting his head slightly, searching her eyes.

Camelia looked away, Her thoughts couldn't stop but drift to Stefan, wondering if he went back to his girlfriend.  She shook her head at herself for thinking he would honestly disrespect his date to win a dance with her.

"I'm here with my family. And no my heart has yet to be...'taken' as you put it,".   It was at one point but she refrained from offering that fact to him, "I'm not very open with people..." She offered sheepishly, than shook her head realizing what she just confessed. "How about you?" Changing the subject quickly. "Do you have somebody waiting for you back home?"

Camelia had to ask. She was sure women flocked around him like birds with how handsome and charming he was. He had a gentleness, a comforting aura that you could easily fall for.

"I never have time to form relationships with women. I am always so busy working, making it rather difficult. But I do have hope for the future. When the time is right I'm sure what is meant to be will find it's direction." He stated simply.

Camelia believed in fate.  It was a power no man nor woman could control as she's learned in the past few months.  Everyone had a mapped out destiny.   How ever far, how ever difficult, what fate had in store was inevitable.

"I completely agree with you."  She replied.

Out of the corner of her eyes she caught a few predatory like stares from some of the men.  A scowl furrows her brows and her mouth turned down distastefully.

It made her feel disgusted, uncomfortable and instantly self-conscious again, causing her to cringe in Kivanç's arms.

"Ignore them." Kivanç observed, noticing the looks she was receiving, pulling her closer. "They are only jealous." He said it, not arrogantly, but in the most nonchalant tone. Most men wouldn't have been so keen and observant.

She was constantly surprised by the opposite sex. The more she spent time with people the more she realized she had much to learn. Here she thought she was never going to enjoy the evening in the arms of a man she barely knew.

"You are too kind, thank you."

Kivanç just smiled again and led them away from the prying stares to another corner of the dance floor. They continued to dance to the slow rhythmic music in silence.

A sense of someone's pointed stare made the little hairs on the back of her neck stand. It wasn't any random stare from the countless men and woman surrounding them, it was someone else.

Camelia could feel it.

The stare was burning holes into her back like a laser searing her skin. No power on earth could deny it. Searching the shadows along the walls, Kivanç twirled her around until she faced the direction she felt the eyes were watching her from. But she saw no one.

It must be my overactive imagination, she thought as a sigh escaped her lips.

The dance ended and everyone applauded The Weeknd just before he exited. Kivanç released her from his arms and gave her a slight bow and a charming smile.

Camelia clasped her hands before her and smiled back at him from her heart.

"Thank you for the dance Camelia. It was certainly worth $3 million dollars." He said, giving her a wink.

Camelia's eyes widened in surprise and the smile slipped off her face.

3. Million. Dollars.

Wow, she thought.

To reward him a dance seemed too little for his generosity and kindness. Camelia was delighted by all the money being donated.  At least the children in need fighting their own health battles benefited from tonight.

Despite the cause It was flattering.

"It was my pleasure." She replied with a genuine chuckle.

Kivanç made a gesture to give him her hand and so she released her tightening hold and placed her hand in his. He brought it up to his mouth, leaving a lingering kiss on her knuckles.

"May our paths cross again...Camelia St. James." He said, holding onto her hand a little longer than customary and staring her directly in the eyes.  She noticed the silent, unvoiced, desire deep within their depths.

The message he relayed did not go unnoticed.

The meaning coming out quiet clear even to her virgin ears.  He had no time to 'form' relationships with women. If he believed she would give him anything other than friendship he'd be in for a big disappointment. She'd never allow herself to be a man's plaything.

He was a beautiful man with a very kind and generous heart but Camelia was simply not that kind of girl and never will be. With nothing to say back she just nodded abruptly, snatching her hand back from his loosening grip. "Thank you again. But I am not that kind of woman..." She trailed off, dismissing him as politely as possible.  "Have a good evening."  She turns her back and starts to leave.

Kivanç grips her elbow and Camelia stiffens.

"Forgive me Camelia....I didn't mean to presume anything but May I contact you, Perhaps for lunch or dinner?" He asks with the hope shining through his eyes.

Camelia felt guilty. He truly was kind and gentle, never coming across as aggressive or prying. Kivanc did nothing more than allow her to feel comfortable in her own skin.

"I-uh...would like that." She said without a second thought.

It was time to start fresh. Time to spread her wings. Time to be more bold. Time to break free from the shell surrounding her. Above all, It was the time to take risks.

"Brilliant." He said pulling out his cellular phone from the inside pocket of his suit. "May I collect your contact information?" Offering the phone in his hands to allow her to input the information.

"Yes, of course." Camelia gives him it back once she finished.

Kivanç tugs both her wrists and clasps his fingers around them. He lowers his head and at the same time pulls her fists up to place a kiss to the pair.

"Thank you." He whispers.

Camelia blushes from the roots of her hair feeling her skin heat, giving him a nod.

Kivanç gazed longingly as if memorizing her features then left without uttering another word.  She released a deep audible exhale low under her breath and the tense set of her shoulders relaxed.  Looking around she found most of the guests departed and the room was nearly clear.  Some of the musicians were packing up and speaking softly amongst one another.  Camelia rubbed her tense shoulders feeling the toll of the evening weighing her down. She began to leave when a voice stopped her.

"Stay for a moment, if you will."

She whipped her head to the left and found Stefan standing silently in the shadows looking dark and intimidating.  He was encased in the darkest shadows in the corner.  If it weren't for his eyes blazing brightly behind the mask Camelia might have mistaken him for a predator waiting to pounce on it's prey.

A shudder ran through her body and her skin tingled with irritation.  "I have nothing to say to you."  She said tightly, feeling the discomfort of his presence and his intense gaze upon her.

"But I have much to say to you." In swift light strides he blocked the entrance.  His entire frame closed the doorway and his fists were clenched to his sides.  "Gentleman if you don't mind staying for a few more minutes so the lady and I could dance...?"   He called out to them.

It was not a formal request. It sounded authoritative much like a order.

Camelia darts her gaze back and watched the men shrug their shoulders, resuming their places before their instruments.   His command was met swiftly without complaint.

They struck a beat immediately—the very same one The Weeknd sang to.  The melody was powerfully attractive, seducing the ear with its warm tones, persuading her to fall like putty in his hands.

"I must get back, I don't have time for this."  She said with a fake bravado she did not feel.

"The least you can do is give me a few minutes, we have a conversation we need to finish."

"I don't owe you anything."   Camelia replied between clenched teeth.

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me...

What could he want from her?  After all these years of hoping to see him again, after all these years of yearning for him she finally gave up while on stage watching him make no effort and try to gain her company.  Sometimes actions speak louder than words and she was not ready to hang onto false hope anymore.

Stefan approached her slowly, ever calculating, ever observant. Camelia took a step back. Before she knew it, he moved faster than she expected, feeling his hands on her waist. She sucked in a breath as her body stiffened, staying resolute, refusing to accept him.

He nudged her against him, forcing her to move along his length.  Her hands which were laying lifelessly at her sides, tentatively and cautiously rested on his shoulders to keep steady.  The strength  emitting from him was breathtaking, attractive and irresistible, nearly enough to make her faint from the rush his touch offered.

Her heart wanted him and her mind kept warning her to be careful.  The man in her mind was no knight anymore.  It was easy to daydream, to pretend but it meant nothing.  The reality was harsher and discouraging.

"You are breathtaking."  He started, lowering his head to smell more of the sweet perfume along her neck.  Camelia shifted her head as he nuzzled her there making her eyes close and roll to the back of her head.  Leaning against him for support, she clutched his shoulders like he was her anchor.

"Why are you doing this?"  She whispered, laying her head against his chest.  It was too heavy to hold.  The warm fuzzy feeling inside her body was desensitizing her mind.  She couldn't form a coherent thought in her head.

"I want you..."  He whispered back along her ear making her toes curl.

"You don't even know me..."  She argued tiredly.

It was difficult fighting something that felt so right.

"I don't have to know you, I feel enough to know that this connection isn't wrong."  His rock iron hold tightened around her waist and bare back molding every inch of her body to his.    "I died a thousand times watching that man making you smile, wishing it were me."  Camelia bit her lip to keep from releasing a moan.  Hearing the seductiveness of his voice nearly made her insides melt.  "I wanted to break his arms as he held you...where it should have been me."

His knuckles brushed over her cheek in a feather like caress. He nudged her chin and looked deeply into her eyes. "I've been dying to taste your luscious sweet lips made just for me to kiss, to bite..." Stefan tilted his head sideways and inched closer, stopping centimeters from her mouth. "...to lick...to devour." His breath fanning her face.

The things he was saying were stirring her insides to mush and she whimpered slightly as she parted her lips in invitation, ignoring the warning in her head. Wrapping her arms around the nape of his neck she pulled him in closer, finding it hard to resist not falling for the words coming out of his inviting lips. She shuddered as he closed the gap separating their faces and pressed his hard lips against hers.

Camelia couldn't imagine a more perfect first kiss then with the man of her dreams.  It was the gentlest of kisses.

He groaned into her mouth and she moaned into his. Camelia felt Stefan cup the back of her head as his tongue stroked her tongue sensually. It triggered a deep stirring down in her core, a feeling she had never felt before and a feeling she knew nobody else but Stefan could evoke.

The hand behind her head began releasing her hair from the high bun atop her head. It resulted in loosening the mask that was secured with pins in her hair. The mask became undone along with her long hair, cascading down the length of her back.

Stefan abruptly pulled up and gazed at her with pleasure filled eyes. "Time to see who you really are." He muttered in satisfaction watching the mask slide down one side of her face.

Camelia stepped back in confusion, pulling her arms up to keep the mask in place. It was still secured on one side but the other side was hanging down lopsidedly.

Stefan made a grab for her hands but she jerked away at the last minute. "You did this on purpose just to see who I was?" She asked in hurt disbelief. "How could you?" She accused.

He hoodwinked her.

"One way or another I was going to find out who you are....Camelia." He revealed in a hard tone. His fists were clenched tightly along his sides and a dark look hardened the plains of his face.

What?

Camelia shook her head in confusion and rubbed her temples feeling a headache come on.

"Camelia!"

Camelia was alone in the darkened room and leaning against one of the walls in a shadowed corner. She blinked away her disoriented vision repeatedly hearing her name called out again.  She searched the small ballroom frantically. The last of the musicians packed their instruments and already left. Cupping the back of her head, she felt the bun was still intact and the mask was still set in place.

"Camelia!"

It sounded like her mother's voice.

She blew out a breath she did not realize she was holding and adjusted her posture on wobbly legs with one hand against the wall for support.

Standing at the threshold she glanced over her shoulder one last time.  Out of desperation her mind involuntarily fabricated a fantasy.   It was an illusion. Stefan wasn't real. It was only a conjuring her troubled mind made up.  She felt desperate, silly even and as cold and hollow as a iceberg.

The images flashed in front of her eyes.

Stefan holding her.

Stefan kissing her.

Stefan deceiving her.

It was all a figment off her overactive imagination. It was like a scene from a movie, not real, made up, acted and all staged from her own head.

He was holding her the way she longed for. He was saying sweet nothings, the way she dreamed about. However sickly disturbing, the dissatisfaction sunk deep down in her bones.

But oh did she long for the romance.

She wanted to feel what she's read.

She yearned to be swept off her feet.

She wished for the hero to win the heart of his heroine.

But not with Stefan.  She was afraid of the daydream. It was a revelation. He was not the man she believed he may be. Not anymore.

"Camelia! Where are you?" Annie called out again and immediately spotted her daughter appear pale, with a pained expression on her face. "What is it, what's wrong?" She asked,  holding her by the waist.

"I-I'm just tired. It's been a long day..." Camelia lied, leaning into her mother's comforting embrace. She was incredibly weak–physically and emotionally.

"Your father and I are just about ready to–"

"Excuse me Mrs. St. James?" A passing waiter asked holding up a silver tray with an envelope laying in center.

"Yes that would be me." Annie replied.

"I was given direct orders to hand deliver this to you." Offering her the envelope placed on the tray.

Annie's hand hovered above the envelope with a look of confusion and reluctance. "Who is the messenger?" She asked the young man.

"I do not know Madam, I was given specific instructions that this be hand delivered to you before the evening came to a close."

"Mom please just take it, I need to get home. I had nothing to eat all day and I think I'm paying the price for it as we speak, I can barely stand." Camelia urged, finding nothing wrong with the situation. But that was her mother, always questioning and alert.

Camelia scanned the entire banquet, finding Stefan with his back turned, his girlfriend on his arm.  They were speaking in loud voices and laughing with another couple far across the room.

There he was holding her hand.  Casting Camelia aside.  As if she wasn't alive.  Did she imagine the want and need in his stare as they stood on the balcony and than when she appeared on stage too? The bile threatened to rise up her throat as a wave of nausea hit her.

She needed to leave. Now.

"Please mother!"  She urged in a panic.

"Very well. Thank you." Annie took the sealed envelope and quickly stuffed it in her clutch with one hand and the other securely around her daughter. "I'll open it when we get home. Let's take care of you first."

As Camelia sat in the back with her head laid back against the head rest of her father's Porsche she looked up at the sky and wished for many things for her future and none of it involved Stefan.  He was a closed chapter in her book.

It was a lost cause that she needed to get over now rather than later. It was pointless to hope for the impossible and look back and say, what if. It was time to hope for the future and make new beginnings.

If only she had a crystal ball that showed...predicted what her future held.

If only.

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