Out in the grand hall, the chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow over the crowd, the soft clink of wine glasses and laughter filling the air.
Aeri stood near a high table, sipping a glass of sparkling cider, the bubbles fizzing lightly on her tongue. Her light blue dress shimmered as she shifted her weight, and she glanced at the delicate silver watch on her wrist, its band matching her outfit perfectly.
Her brow furrowed slightly. "Umm?" she murmured, her eyes drifting toward the hallway where I'd disappeared to meet Sara.
"He's late," she thought, a flicker of unease creeping into her mind. "Wonder what they're talking about." The hallway was dim and it felt like it was hiding up whatever was happening behind that closed door.
