Chapter 83: Dreamless Sleep
As soon as Cathryn finished getting dressed, she stood in front of the mirror, admiring the gown. "The style of the dress is like nothing I have ever seen before. It's long and elegant and beautiful," Cathryn said as she turned around and around, looking at the dress.
Dressed in a pink satin evening gown that was a perfect fit for her tiny body. Her fair complexion stood out in the dress. The material was softer than silk, the pink dress she wore pooled at the top of her feet. It was strapless, sleekest, and the most revealing gown she had ever seen.
As Cathryn walked out of her room, her face changed, and something brightened in her beautiful, radiant eyes. Keith surveyed her slender figure with obvious appreciation.
His gaze went to her face, pacing from her eyes to her lips. Unable to take his eyes off her, she approached him slowly. "Cathryn, you look stunning, absolutely gorgeous." He stared at her in amazement.
Keith hardly said a word, he kept staring at Cathryn. Then Cathryn thought, 'What is he thinking?' Feeling a little uncomfortable, she asked him in a low voice, "Does the dress look okay? Or...Is it too much?" There was a slight hesitation in her voice.
"Yes, there are no words to describe how beautiful you look," Keith said, looking up at Cathryn. "Make sure you stay close to me, or someone might try and steal you away," Keith said jokingly.
Cathryn thought about what Keith said, and she tilted her head and said, "Don't worry, I will be right by your side the whole evening." This was her first time attending such an event, and there was no way she was going to let him out of her sight. Then she nodded, "I'm going back to my room to change." Then she turned around and left.
Just as she was about to open the door, Keith suddenly held her hand. Her heart started beating fiercely, and she could feel her face getting hot. She looked up at Keith in confusion.
"Since you already have on your evening gown, Miss Riley, may I have another dance?" Keith asked with a smile.
The music began to play, and with the first chord, her heart started to beat violently. Cathryn stood silently watching Keith. Then she walked towards him with her hand outstretched to take his. "I feel like a princess. Just like in my dreams when I was a little girl." Cathryn giggled.
"In my eyes, you are a princess, and that would make me your prince." Keith gazed into her eyes, and his voice was deep and warm.
They danced to one waltz, and then they both went to their rooms. After taking a shower, Cathryn put on her nightgown. Then she turned and looked at the dress, and suddenly Keith's face appeared in her mind.
Thinking of him sent her heart in a flurry of wild beats. "Keith sweeps me off my feet, time and time again. I have no idea what to expect." Cathryn's physical draw to him was driving her crazy. "I can't stop thinking about him, his warm breath on my neck, the touch of his skin." It left her breathless. She snaps back to reality. "This is an agreement, and Keith don't think about me in that way." Then Cathryn fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When Cathryn woke up, a feeling of excitement filled her. Today was the day of the party. Keith had already left for work, so she tried to keep her mind occupied by staying busy. Cathryn wandered restlessly about the house. Her nervousness grew as she looked at the clock, "It seems like hours, but it hasn't been thirty minutes." She was aware of every minute passing, and as a result, time seemed to drag horribly.
Finally, Cathryn hears the door close, "Keith is that you?" Cathryn asked. Keith
went up to the study and noticed Cathryn was dressed for the party.
"You're already dressed! Are you a little excited? Just give me a couple of minutes, and I'll go and change." Keith said in a calm, soothing voice. Then he quickly changed into a black tuxedo, and they drove to the masquerade party.
Jeremy was having the party on his private yacht. Cathryn had never been on one before and was amazed at the size. "Keith, it's huge. It's so stylish and elegant."
"Yes, it is! It had three floors, and Jeremy told me a Croatian designer designed it," Keith explained.
At the entrance, two bodyguards were standing by the door. As the people boarded, they showed the bodyguards their invitations. When Cathryn and Keith were about to enter, the bodyguards bowed respectfully to Keith. "Come this way, Mr. Clarkson," one of the men said.
"Isn't this supposed to be a party for friends? Why are the bodyguards treating you like royalty?" Cathryn asked.
"They're not. The security knows who I am, and it's just Jeremy's way of doing things."
Keith tried to explain to Cathryn.
Since this was Cathryn's first time attending such an event, she kept a tight hold of Keith's arm. Noticing that Cathryn was starting to get nervous, he said, "Don't worry, we're here to have fun." He put his hand on hers, and it seemed to calm her down.
The party was on the first floor of the yacht. Cathryn glanced around the room. "Keith, look at the chandeliers, they are all made of crystal. They're beautiful." Cathryn paused and looked around some more. "Everyone here is wearing tuxedos and gowns. It looks like a Hollywood party." Cathryn was amazed as she watched the people move gracefully and rhythmically across the dance floor.
They all wore masks for the masquerade party, which Jeremy had specially designed for each couple. There was a wide variety of styles. The masks only covered half of their face.
Cathryn's mask was fancily decorated; there was a thin lace around her eyes with tiny diamonds on it. There was a sudden sparkle as the diamonds caught the light of chandeliers. "Cathryn, you look beautiful!" Keith whispered in her ear.
"Thank you, and you look handsome yourself. In case we get separated, at least I won't have any problem finding you," Cathryn said as she giggled.
"Why is that?" Keith asked.
"Because of your eyes and think you're the tallest man here," Cathryn explained. She turned around and looked at all the people. Cathryn was surprised to see that all of their attention was focused on her. Then her hands began to shake, Cathryn took a few deep breaths and tried to calm down.