Where is Gareth?

"Qiu, stop crying. You need to look out for the little one.", Pris pleaded as she pat my back.
"I can't, I need to know where he is. He has not called me in almost three weeks. That bastard left without saying a word!", I exclaimed through my tears.
"At least he left a note.", Pris tried and held up the note. I snatched it from her.
"What good is a note that say 'I have an important matter to handle and will not be able to contact you as often as I can. I won't be gone long, take care of yourself. Love, Gareth.' I hate him!!", I exclaimed.

"Even Nic does not know where he has gone to.", Pris said with a sigh.
"Girls, it's time for lunch.", Mum called out.
'We're coming.", Pris called back.

It was just 2 more days to Gareth's birthday, and he was still nowhere to be found. Gareth has informed his parents that he will be going to Scotland for abit and will be back in time for his birthday party, which his Mum had organised for him, and has not contacted them since. Edwardo and Monique had both assured me that Gareth is fine and he will be back soon when I visited them the moment I stepped off the plane when it landed in London.

Gareth left the Manor on schedule and headed back to London. He called a number of times after he got back. Just 2 weeks back, Mum called Pris and informed her that we were invited to Gareth's 27th birthday celebration. Monique has organised a Masquarade. It was exciting, until Gareth's stopped calling me, which about the same time Mum called us.

I thought that he was busy with work. A week passed, nothing. I tried calling, but was not able to get through to his mobile. I tried calling Nic, even he didn't know where had gone to. Pris and Nic were on talking terms again, but it was only that and nothing more. I was not sure if anything else had happened since Pris informed me of their progress as I was too caught up in my own problems.

"Pris, I'm sorry, I should not even be troubling you with my problems. You're going to be meeting Nic for the first time after that whole Sarah incident.", I said with a sob and wiped my tears.

"It's ok, don't worry about me. I can handle it. We have more important things to worry about, like the baby. Qiu, you need to clam down. It's not going to make things better, and it's only going to stress the little one out. In fact, you shouldn't even be here, but since its--", Pris went on and I held her hand to stop her.

"I know, I know. No one is supposed to know until I'm ready to tell Gareth.", I said softly and went to the bathroom to wash my face and freshen up.

Pris and I headed to the dining room, where we were greeted by our family.

"Autumn, are you feeling alright? You look a tad pale and tired.", Grandmama asked as I settled in. I nodded.
"I'm just worried about Gareth, he's no where to be found.", I explained as I took a sip of water.
"My dear, the Viscount will be fine. He used to disappear like that all the time.", Grandpapa explained with a laugh. I looked at Grandpapa in surprise.
"Darling, don't scare Autumn like that. We want this match to happen.", Grandmama chided him. Grandpapa only shrugged and laughed and went back to his lunch.
"Mum..", I called out to her.
"Autumn dear, don't worry. He will be at the Masquarade. Now eat up, and get some rest. You look awful.", Mum said gently and indicated that I should eat. I sighed and Pris smiled at me.
~~~

I sighed as Rose did my hair.

"Autumn, you should not sigh like that. Its a Masquarade tonight, you should be excited.", Rose chided me gently.
"I know Rose, I've just been out of sorts lately.", I said as I looked at myself in the mirror.

The dress was perfect. A delivery came for me this morning. A note from Julian, citing that it was on Gareth's instructions that this dress was for me. A simple champagne evening dress. It was the only thing that made me smile this whole week.

"Autumn, your hair is done. Do you like it?", Rose asked as she took a step back. I looked up and my hair was pulled back into a simple chignon at the nape of my neck. I got up and looked at myself in the full length mirror.
Oh Autumn, you look perfect!", Rose exclaimed.
"Thank you Rose. I could not have done it without you.", I said and hugged her tight. After gathering my things, I slipped my shawl on and went down to meet the family in the parlor.

"Are you ready?", Pris asked me when we met in the parlor. I nodded. She studied me and nodded and we left the Chateau and got into the limo.

"This is so very exciting! Who would have thought that Monique would put together a Masquarade?", Mum cooed.
"Oh Melinda! You've organised a Masquarade or two before.", Grandmama chided her. Mum only smiled sheepishly. Dad and Grandpapa laughed.
"Autumn, now this is your first Masquarade. Aren't you excited? You might never know who you would end up dancing with, because everyone is to wear a mask.", Grandmama said.
"I guess I am.", I replied her softly, looking out the window.
"Ande what about you Priscilla? You have not seen Prince Nicholas in awhile. He will be there too. Aren't you excited?", Grandmama asked her.

"Mother, Priscilla darling is of course excited.", Mum interjected immediately.
"Well, the two of them don't look too excited to me.", Grandmama pouted.
"I'm sorry Grandma.", Pris apologised. I nodded and sighed.
"We promise to enjoy ourselves tonight.", I assured her, and Pris nodded.
"Good good.", Grandmama said with a smile.

We arrived at the St Claire's home. I looked around, and there were loads of people. Well, the St Claire's are one of the most influential families on London. Theirs is an old family name, rich in history. I remember the stories Gareth has told me about his ancestors once.

After walking past the media, and giving our coats to the staff at the front door and putting on the mask that was given to us, we entered the main hall. No familar faces as everyone was behind a mask.

"Hello there lass.", a strong bur greeted me from behind. It was familar. I turned around to see who it was. Those blue eyes.
"Vincent?", I asked in surprise.
"You remembered!", he answered with a huge smile.
"How have you been? It's been how long since we last met?", I said.
"Autumn, it's great to see you again. I've been fine, what about you? You look beautiful tonight."

"Thank you Vincent, you look great yourself."
"Well then, may I fill you dance card with the first dance tonight? I see it is still rather empty.", Vincent teased and pointed to my card.
"I guess you may.", I said and handed him my card. Vincent took it and put his name down on the first and fourth dance.
"Hey hey..", I said and tried to snatch my dance card away and he held the card above his head as he continued to write his name. Vincent only grinned and he handed it back to me.
"You will thank me for this. I'll see you later lass.", was all he said when he handed back my card to me and went off to greeting the other guests.

I looked around and sighed to myself. I walked up to Monique and Edwardo.

"Ah! Autumn! Welcome!", Edwardo greeted me with a hug. I smiled at Monique who returned one with a nod of approval.
"Is Gareth back yet?", I asked Edwardo and Monique. Edwardo only smiled.
"You are anxious aren't you?", Monique teased. I looked away in embarassment. Edwardo only laughed. We heard the musicians tuning their instruments, indicating the first dance was about to begin.
"Go along now.", Edwardo urged and gently turned me around towards the dance floor.

It was then I noticed Vincent walking towards me. He had been looking for me.
"Go on and enjoy yourself.", Monique urged me along.
"There you are.", Vincent said as he came up to me. He greeted Gareth's parents and excused us. Vincent led me to the dance floor, when I noticed a gentleman in an all black mask approaching us. We stopped, and I looked up at Vincent confused. The gentleman stopped and smiled at us.

"Looks like I have to give up this dance.", Vincent said with a grin.
"Huh? What is going on?", I asked him and looked at the other gentleman.
"But I will have the fourth dance.", Vincent said to the gentleman. The genlteman only nodded and kept his smile. Vincent gently kissed the back of my hand, and handed me over to the gentleman.

He was well dressed in a black suit and a crisp white shirt. His cologne made me dizzy. I studied him, and he kept his smile, not saying a word. The musicians started the introductions of a waltz. This man swept me into his arms, and started dancing when the music started. I had no choice but to dance with him.

I looked at him in the eyes and I couldn't help it. Tears came down from the corners of my eyes. The gentleman's eyes dimmed, and he pulled me in closer to him as we danced. The last note played and the dance ended and he led me out to the balcony.

At the balcony, he held me tight and I returned him the hug. We parted and he cupped my cheeks with his hands and leaned in to kiss me. I returned with equal ardor. It was then I aruptly pushed myself away from him and my hand flew across his left cheek.

"St Claire!!! Where have you been all this while?!", I shouted at him.