The convivial atmosphere of the party was contagious. The ambience making one let loose and enjoy the night, without a care for the world.
Under the lavish crystal chandeliers guests openly luxuriated themselves, enjoying the mouthwatering delicacies as well as the fine collection of wine, with tid-bits of gossip. All while swaying to the pleasant but groovy music that was being played by a famous band, beckoning them to move their feet in rhythm.
All in all, it was quiet an entertaining party hosted by the Lu clan's dearest daughter, Seraphina Lu.
But the question bugging every person in the lavishly decorated European style great hall was - "Where exactly is the young miss of Lu family, Seraphina Lu?"
The members of the family Lu were well disposed as they entertained their guests with warm-hearted smiles while eagerly searching for Sera. Not a trace of anxiety on their lit up faces as they smiled oh-so-naturally.
Standing across the extravagant two-way staircase in the great hall, beside the bar.
Eyeing the extravagant two-way staircase in anticipation, Lu Jinan leisurely leaned against the bar counter with a sparkling glass of champagne in his hand. He was mindlessly swirling the glass when Su Yin approached him.
Ordering herself a glass of wine, Su Yin comfortably perched on the stool beside him.
Glancing askew at Su Yin who was lost in thoughts, Lu Jinan quizzed as a slight frown appeared on his face.
"Did you find her?"
Snapping out of her daze, Su Yin gave him a lopsided grin nodding her head in affirmation.
"Uh-huh.. Sera said she'll be here in a minute, stop fussing!"
At the end of her sentence Su Yin gave a harsh pat on Lu Jinan's shoulder, making him frown harder.
Glaring darkly at Su Yin, who was grinning widely as she sipped on her drink, Lu Jinan retorted meanly.
"Look whose talking! Remember? It was you who was freaking out like crazy moments ago!"
Standing up with a start, Su Yin bellowed as she glared daggers at the man whose eyes were fixed on the opposite instead of her. Her temper rising.
"Lu Jinan! You're the crazy one.."
As though struck with lightning, Lu Jinan's eyes popped out of his skull, his mouth slightly parted.
Taking unkindly to Su Yin's strident voice beside his ears, Lu Jinan shushed her with a dumbfounded expression.
"Sshh.."
Without waiting for Su Yin to react, or say anything pointless, Lu Jinan made his exit leaving her flabbergasted.
Regaining her senses, Su Yin called out to the departing man, thoroughly confused by Lu Jinan's weird behavior. Exasperated, she stomped her feet in annoyance.
"Hey! Hey, where are you going.. Ass!"
While Su Yin was going mad, Lu Jinan was tickled pink after catching sight of a familiar silhouette walking hand-in-hand with a handsome man. Her breathtaking smile made his heart soar.
'Are my eyes playing tricks with me?'
'That man.. He! He's that same man who was with her at that hotel..'
Soon, Lu Jinan's face scrunched up as he recalled the face of the man. A deplorable feeling surged his insides while his gaze turned icy cold.
On the other side, a frantic Lu Shanshan tugged at Francis Lu's sleeve amidst the jovial crowd, he turned to glance at her with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He was worried about Sera as well.
Excusing themselves from their guests, the old couple stood at an obscure corner in low spirits.
Forcing a smile, Francis Lu hugged his wife's shoulders. His voice carried a hint of warmth that instantly eased her worries.
"Don't worry, Su Yin called.. Sera will be here soon. She was jittery that's all. Our daughter is really brave.."
Holding onto her husband's arm, Lu Shanshan pursed her lips that had a hint of rose. Her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"I know.. Thank you, I was really scared. It's been so long since Sera had attended such a grand gathering, especially after.."
Widening his eyes warningly, Francis Lu let go of Lu Shanshan as he reminded sternly. She nodded her head meekly, her mouth clamped shut.
"Sshh.. Don't! Mom will hear you.."
Heaving a sigh, Francis Lu hummed a tune as cupped Lu Shanshan's face lovingly. Nodding her head, she curled her lips into a faint smile.
"Hmm.."
All of a sudden the great hall went pitch black, startling everyone present. They all had their hearts in their throats.
"Wha.. What's happening?"
"Oh no! Why is there a power outage? This is the first time that a party by the Lu clan is lacking efficiency.."
"Tsk! Such poor organization! No sense of order at all.. Is this really a part hosted by the Lu's?"
Some began criticizing the Lu's, running their mouths as they please with nothing but derogatory comments about poor organization.
Red from anger and embarrassment, Anna Lu groped her way to where Francis Lu was standing with Lu Shanshan. Her tone fierce.
"Francis! Where's Jinan? Ask him to see what's wrong?!"
Listening to the hint of suppressed anger in Madam Lu's tone, Francis Lu agreed at once.
"Yes, yes.. Mom, I'll go look for Lu Jinan but.."
However, Francis Lu's words seemed to lodge in his throat as a flick of light could be seen somewhere in the room. Catching their eye as well as calming them to some some extent.
The glaring spotlight illuminating either side of the two-way staircase caught everyone's attention.
Shock could be seen on their faces as a dazzling young man and woman appeared out of nowhere, under the scrutiny of the limelight.
"Who.. Who are they? They look so beautiful.."
"Is there going to be a performance..? But they don't look like actors.."
"I know.. It's as if, they've walked straight out of a storybook.."
Murmurs of differing speculations about the duo reverberated from the running mouths of people who were burning with curiosity, fascinated by the sight across them.
Walking down the stairs like a royal couple out of a fairytale, the young man and woman stood with an elegant poise at the middle of the large dancefloor.
All eyes on them.
Anticipation built in the hearts of those, including the Lu clan who stood still like statues made of stone, with bated breath.