The Belle of the Ball

Elena’s red dress accentuates her elegant curves. Eligible bachelors swoon, and jealous eyes follow her. She drifts effortlessly from one mundane conversation to another. Her smile never fades, but the onlookers avert their gaze when her expression changes. A man in a black tuxedo has captured her imagination. Her admirers roll their eyes and gulp their champagne.

Elena loses sight of the mysterious man in the crowd. Her eyes scan the room intently. The crowd parts and the dark-haired man walks toward her. His green eyes disarming. The light from the chandeliers highlights his sharp jawline. Her eyes fall to his lips. “Harden East” He holds out his hand. Elena blushes under the heat of his stare. “Elena. Pleasure”. He kisses her hand. “Let’s hope so”. Her heart quickens.

As the night ages, Elena loses herself in his company. Her admirers have retreated their stares. Her eyes now taken. Her lips about to be stolen, along with her heart, but at midnight, everything changes. After an intense kiss, Harden left to retrieve his car. Elena waits on the steps, alone, concerned. Her hand rests on her chest. She’s in shock. Her diamond necklace is gone, and her heart with it.