Chapter 16 - Cinderella Goes to the Ball

Arriving at Emily's house, Lucy was greeted almost immediatley by her best friend. Cursing her for wearing red too the two girls hugged affectionately.

"Let me get you a drink dear girl and then introduce you to some of my guests!" Emily replied warmly.

"Oh Em, after the day that I've had, please make it a straight scotch!"

Following Em, I couldn't help but notice a dark ahired guy standing behind Reed. He was divine. I had never seen him before in my life but knowing Em, he was probably just acquaintance of some sort. Emily is a social butterfly and with her father, Daniel DeVille, the Chief of Staff at the hospital, money has never been issue for Emily and her twin brother Caleb. I can't picture her ever "working" except to put together functions like this.

Em seemed to be tied up with her latest squeeze, Reed Gray. A socialite that she no doubt had met at one of daddy's party's. So much for that drink and introduction to some of the people here. But it seemed that she was about to meet her first guest anyway. The stranger that Luch had noticed but 1 minute ago was now approaching.

The handsome stranger introduced himself as Zachary Benavides. The name sounded familiar but Lucy was so taken with his fine features, soft grey eyes and charming manners that she didn't think any further about his name, but rather enjoyed his interesting conversation. They hit it off immediately.

Heading over to the bar to get a drink and mingle with other people, Lucy didn't notice that Zachary was close behind, transfixed with her every move.

He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was the most beautiful, elegant creature that he had ever seen.

They all drank and talked.

Talked and drank...

and admired...

each other.

Alot it seemed.

Everyone was having a good time and that was all Emily wanted. She was most pleased by the fact that Lucy was having a good time and hanging with her new friend Zachary. He always appeared to be such a stick in the mud, but not tonight. Emily was seeing a whole new side to him, particularly with his pre-occupation with Lucy.

Lucy could do a hell of alot much worse Emily surmised. That boy had old wealth. The type of money that is earnt over more than just one generation.

Zachary and Lucy danced and danced. They talked, laughed and then danced some more. Neither noticed that the crowd was getting thin and that people were starting to leave for the night.

Emily was preoccupied with Reed Gray to the extreme Lucy thought. Wonder were this relationship is heading. Last Lucy remembered was that Emily was head over heels in love with George McCarthy. Oh well, as Lucy learnt today, situations can change pretty darn quickly.

For the first time Lucy noticed that Joshua DeVille was standing, near the table, all alone. For some background, Joshua is the eldest son of Daniel DeVille and Autumn DeVille. His mother is the most beautiful woman in Pleasantville and his father the most handsome. Joshua is also Dylan's best friend and by the way he was carrying on with Marie Bertino tonight, he is probably also the ex boyfriend of Nicole.

Greeting him almost with caution, I was moved by the fact that Joshua immediately tickled me and started playing our childish game from uni, rock, paper, scissors. We have a long history together. For as long as he and Dylan have been friends, I have also been Dylan's girl and therefore Joshua's partner in crime too.

It was unclear if Joshua knew about Nicole and Dylan. He never mentioned Dylan to Lucy. He did however observe the body language and obvious heat between Zachary and Lucy but again, never mentioned it. Joshua wasn't the most talkative fellow but he wasn't blind or stupid either. He wanted the best for Lucy and he knew Dylan. Simple.

Checking the time, Lucy realised that at 2.36am, it was time to go. Giving Emily a big warm hug and a big thankyou for tonight Lucy left. It wasn't til she was halfway home that she realised in her excitement from seeing Joshua again that she hadn't said good bye to Zachary.