Chapter 5

In that ordinary moment when their eyes first met, little did they knew it was the start of an extraordinary love story.

-Unknown.

|A L E E Z A|

Among the dazzling lights of the party, that is being held in a penthouse. Yeah, no shit, the host is the son of a great businessman, who I know nothing about.

A lot of people filled the huge penthouse, everyone dancing to their own tune, some getting drunk on their issues and happiness. Between all those people, I felt like a lone star in a glittering sky. It's been a few days since I shifted here from my country, my home. But still I miss them, I miss them like I never wanted to get away from them. As much as it is true, it is not the whole truth. I knew the cost of my freedom would be this.

In this huge city, even bigger university and the crowd of thousand people, there was only one person who stopped to have a conversation with me. The boy who bumped into me like a hurricane just to be my saviour from this ache of loneliness.

Lev King.

He invited me to his grand party, yesterday, when he bumped into me. I found out that I share classes with that handsome man. We got along, thank fuck, because I can not for the life of me bring myself to make any friends here.

The room buzzed with laughter and chatter and the infectious energy. But, beneath the shimmering black off shoulder dress that I wore to the party tonight, I carried a quiet solitude. I left my family behind to live this life, to taste the freedom freely and not just on the tip of my tongue. But I did not realised that loneliness will be the price I would be paying to get the freedom I always chased. Their absence always settled like an ache in my heart, even when I am surrounded by a crowd of hundred people.

Yet, amidst the crowd I did not failed to recognise him, when I saw him with two boys and a girl, clinging to his side. Lev, with those mesmerising brown eyes that seems to hold the joy of the world, a sharp jawline that exuded confidence and a sharp pointed nose, looked as handsome as ever. His tousled, dark brown hair framed his face, in a simple white t-shirt and sleek black jeans, he looked effortlessly stylish. I battled inside my mind between if I should go and greet him or just stay here to enjoy the party.

The battled did not lasted long as I saw him, noticing me from the distance before he waved at me with a wide smile. I returned the gesture, gladly, cutting through the crowd to reach him. We both covered half distance and met halfway.

"Hey," his smile looked like a ray of the warmth for a person who has been shivering in cold for long enough to appreciate it.

"The party is incredible." I tell him, homestly, my gaze wandering around in the penthouse that shone with colorful bright lights.

Lev let his gaze scan me from bottom to top before his eyes returned to my face and he complimented, "You look breathtaking." It's the way Lev says it like he meant every single word that made Aleeza feel more beautiful than she did before.

Like a gentleman, he seems to be, he extended his hand towards me, bowing slightly as he asked, "Shall we dance?"

A light chuckle escaped my lips before I put my hand in his large one. He took a hold of mine and guided me through the crowd to the dance floor. So many people danced to the beat of the music, lost in their own world not giving a shit about anyone else around. It spoke volumes about the freedom they must be feeling.

Shape of you by Ed Sheeran filled the air as I stood in the middle of the dance floor with Lev. I locked eyes with him before nodding in a silent agreement, only, we two seem to know about. The pulsating rhythm coursed through my body, setting my heart elate. I felt alive, free, like all other people on the dance embrace in the soothing embrace of music.

We moved in sync, his hands lightly resting ony waist, guiding me through the swaying crowd. Every step was effortless as if we have danced together a hundred times before bringing it to the eyes of audience.

With a sly grin, he leaned in and shouted over the music to be heard, "You call this dancing, Aleeza?"

He twirled me twice and when I faced him again, I shot him a playful glare, matching the volume as I answered, "I have got my own style."

He chuckled, twirling me once again with a flourish, "That's one way to put it." He said.

As we twirled, swayed, and continue to groove to the music, the sound of us laughing filled my ear like of music. And, in this moment, right here, I realised that sometimes the best conversation happens on the dance floor which later, leads to a great friendship.

A few minutes later, we got down the dance floor and Lev excused himself to meet some of his friends. I took it as a chance to take myself towards the bar and get myself a drink.

While I was heading towards the same, my eyes caught the sight of something, more like someone. A man sat at the stool near the bar, a glass of drink in his one hand and his eyes as disinterested and distant as one human's could be. Yet, there was something alluring and magnetic about him.

I decided to approach him, taking large and bold steps towards him in my pencil heels, I stood right next to him. His eyes did not wavered from the drink as if the world can go to hell for all he cares.

"Hey," I said, greeting him, with the hope to find out more about his enigmatic personality and dig deeper about the mysteries he is hiding in those gorgeous eyes of his.

The boy, slowly but surely turned his head to me. But, when I took a clear look at his face, my mouth gaped at the sight.

I do not know what I was expecting from him.

But this was definitely not it.

Interesting.