Why is he staring at me?

I hastened toward the front door after the check had been made. There was no bouncer at the door, and I stood still as I wondered what I should do.

This was my first time in a place like this, so I was confused about what to do. Should I open the door and walk in, or should I stand here until the door bouncer comes in?

There should be a bouncer or butler, right? I glanced back at the guards at the gates, but none of them was watching me.

Hmm.

I stared at the door so long, that I seemed to stab holes into it.

“Are you going in, or do you prefer staying outside?” Someone asked behind me.

The voice startled me, and I almost threw the handbag I came with, on the ground.

“Oh, my. Did I startle you?” The female asked once more.

I slowly turned to face her without saying a word. Just like me, the female was putting on a long flowing gown. She had her red hair tied up in a butterfly ponytail, and her black mask complimented her silver gown.

“So, what are you doing outside here?” She asked in an impatient tone.

“I want to enter, but I don't know how to do so.” I nervously chuckled. “This is my first time here, so.....” I trailed off, not knowing what to say.

“Oh, dear.” She closed the distance between us and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Did you come with anyone?” She inquired, sounding a bit gossipy.

“Nah.” I frantically shook my head. “I came alone,” I forced a smile.

“Good, now you have me as a partner.” She linked her arm with mine. “I'm Baddy, by the way, what's your name?”

“Caged butterfly,” I said as I tried not to cringe at the name.

“Caged butterfly?” She pursed her lips. “How did you come up with such a name? Is there any story behind it?”

“You can say that.” I held on tightly to my purse. “There's a story, but it's a long one.”

I saw no use in telling her the reason I chose such a name.

I was here to escape from reality, and not to still dwell on the same reality.

“The name is dope. Wish I thought of it when I was asked to choose a name.” She grinned. “Caged Baddy seemed so dope. Don't you think so?”

“Nah, I like your name. It's simple and sexy.” I grinned.

“Thanks.” She giggled. “I thought the name sounded bland.”

“You are welcome.”

“So Butterfly, I think it's time to introduce you to a new whole world. A world you can do just anything without getting exposed.” She took my hand in hers. “Let's exclude the caged from the butterfly.”

“Okay.”

I followed her into the building.

“Wow.”

Was the first word that escaped my mouth as I looked around the place. Dumbstruck by not only the beauty of the place, but the people in it.

This place looked like it was cut from a movie. The getup, the decorations and the loud classic music playing from wherever it was playing made the entire place lively.

This looks like a classic ballroom straight from the medieval books I love getting lost in. There was nothing different between this room and the ones I'd watched in movies.

It seemed the owner of this place made it look exactly like the ballroom in movies.

Most of the couples were dancing. And each of them had a special mask on their face.

Those who weren't dancing were either sitting on the cushions or speaking with someone.

The bar area was also filled with those who were more in the mood to drink than socialize or dance.

“Wow, right?” Baddy asked. “I thought so on my first day here. Just like you, I was stunned by the beauty of this place.”

“It's more than— wow!” I gasped when my eyes landed on the dessert table. “Don't tell me I am seeing exactly what I think I am seeing.” I feasted my eyes on the table of goodies.

“And I landed myself with a foodie.” Baddy sighed. “Do you want to go over there?”

“Of course!”

Miguel never allowed me to take more than a needed amount of sweet things each day, that was why seeing an entire table of sweet things made me happy I came here.

“Let's go, then.” She took my hand in hers and led me to the table.

I let go of her hands as I devoured sweet after sweet.

“You look like someone free from something. I guess caged butterfly suits you.” Baddy pursed her lips.

“Of course.” I ate as much as I could before she dragged me over to the bar.

“Order whatever you want, butterfly. It's on me.”

“Thanks.”

I ordered a Sprite, something that caused

Baddy to cough when she heard my order.

“You are not taking any alcohol?” She asked as if not taking alcohol is a crime.

“Will you laugh if I tell you I've not taken alcohol all my life?” I placed my handbag on the table.

“Wait a minute, you've not taken alcohol? Before? What are you, a saint?” She asked, probably shocked.

“Nah, my hus… I mean, my mother doesn't support that.” I hastily said as I tried to hide the embarrassed flush on my face. In a bid to escape the questioning look in Baddy's eyes, I met the gaze of a man.

“Who's that?” I nudged Baddy.

“Who?”

“The only male sitting on that red Sofa,” I whispered to her as I discreetly glanced at the man whose entire focus was on me.

“Oh my gosh!” Baddy whisper yelled. “That's the owner of this place.”

“I see.”

That explained why he seems to have a certain aura surrounding him.

The few females around him kept on staring glances at him, but he didn't seem to notice.

“But why is he looking at me?” I whispered lowly, “Could it be he's noticed this is my first time being here?”

“Nah, it's not possible. This is the second time I've seen him here, and the first was when there was a situation in the music area.” Baddy shook her head. “Perhaps, there is something he needed to take care of.”

“But why's he staring at me?” I chanced a look at him, and sure, he was still staring at me.

“I don't know,” Baddy whispered as she too discreetly glanced back. “The owner of this place is said to have a peculiar character.”

“How so?” I asked eagerly.

Something as juicy as learning the secrets of the owner of this place is something I can't pass out. I bet Star will love to know too.

“I don't know.” Baddy took a sip of her drink.

“You don't know?” I sighed, disappointed by her words.

“I don't. I just overheard the conversation, but they stopped when they noticed me listening in on them.”

“I see.”

“Hello, lovely.” Someone slid on the chair next to mine, but I paid them no heed.

“Hello.” He said again, and this time, I turned to face him.

“Hi.” I forced a smile at the man before you turned to Baddy, who was trying not to laugh.

“I've not seen you around here before, is it your first time being here?” The man asked in an irritating voice.

“Yes, it is,” I pursed my lips when my eyes landed on the ring line on his left finger. “Today's my first day here.”

“Wow, I can see that. What's your name?” He grinned. “I will love to know you.”

“But I don't.” I stood up from the chair I was sitting on and took Baddy's hand.

“Let's go.”

I need to leave this place before the married man thinks of saying anything more.

“Oh, okay.” Baddy gulped down her drink before she followed me to the dance floor.

“Wait, I need to get my purse. You—” In an attempt to remove her arm from mine, Baddy mistakenly pushed me.

Like a slow-motion movie, I started free-falling. Expecting to make a collision with the floor, however, I wasn't expecting to fall on something soft.

I glanced up in shock, and my eyes locked with that of the stranger who had been staring at me from the cushion; the owner of the building.