Torn Between Twin Brothers

What if she declines, and he takes it to heart and never speaks with her again? 

So, she decided there was nothing wrong if they spoke for a while. At least it will pass the time while everyone's having fun inside. She first took a heavy breath before answering.

"Sure! Everyone's enjoying themselves inside anyway. I doubt they will notice we're not there." She then turned to look around to see if there was a place where they could sit while chatting.

"Come, I saw a bench over there. Let's sit there so we can be comfortable." Ashton offered while gently holding her arm to guide her where he saw the bench.

Ava didn't flinch when Ashton grabbed hold of her arm and ushered her towards the bench. For some odd reason, she didn't feel awkward or bothered by his action; it felt natural and comfortable.

Once they were seated, Ashton took off his mask before gently leaning and resting his back while looking up at the moon.

Ashton sighed before he spoke with sadness heard in his voice, "How I wish that I'm also attending the Royal Academy right now. But, unfortunately, I choose this path, and I have to do my best and make the most of it for now." He then let out a heavy sigh once more.

Ava turned to look at him and saw that he removed his mask; she followed suit and did the same thing. So now their faces were both bare=. Seeing his face, she knew for sure that it was, in fact, Ashton and not James. 

Ashton had a different aura emitting on his handsome young face. When he turned to look at her with sad eyes, something flickered in her heart. She didn't understand what it was.

Something told her that he was lonely in his world of glitter; she could feel it deep down inside of her. Then, while she was in deep thought as she watched him, he began talking.

===

"First thing tomorrow, I will be leaving with Mr. Sato and his entourage to go back to my world. That's why I wanted to have this chat with you now. I don't know when we will see each other again, but I want you to know that I will cherish the moments I have spent with you." His voice was filled with sincerity, and she could feel it.

She wanted to say she felt the same, but she didn't want him to think that there was more to it than what she meant. She thought of him as an older brother as well, same with James. She was still too young to think of any other feelings other than friendship. However, seeing him in agony with the thought of not seeing her anymore made her feel terrible, and she wanted to comfort him.

She procured the sweetest smile she could conjure before speaking.

"Don't be sad; it's not like we will never meet again. Our families have bonds that can't be severed by any means. So we will still see each other when there are occasions such as holidays. Also, if I remember correctly, I'm supposed to marry into your family when the time comes. Hahaha!" She mentioned the marriage agreement as a joke, but deep inside of her, she's worried.

Ashton's head jerked. He wasn't sure how to respond to her. Was she really not taking the marriage arrangement seriously? He was now wondering if she still remembered what James did when he came to visit her a long time ago. As far as he could remember, James was in a hot seat for a long time and was poorly scolded by his parents.

===

Ashton decided to test the waters to see her reactions.

"Ava, do you remember the time when my father came to visit your home when you were about five years old?" He asked curiously and anxiously, waiting for her response.

Ava was looking at the half-moon and turned her head in his direction. She was in deep thought, trying to recall the moment, then...

"Yes! I do remember now that you asked, ``I was a chubby little girl back then and... and... was it you that came with your father?" Her eyes were wide as a night owl looking straight at him filled with questions.

Ashton wasn't sure how to answer her. He wanted to say yes and take the blame, but in the end, he told her the truth, knowing with that information Ava would see that she's betrothed to James and not to him. He let out a heavy breath before speaking.

"No, unfortunately. James was born 20 minutes ahead of me. So, he's the oldest. Why do you ask?" He was so curious about what Ava could be thinking.

"Oh, and here I was about to get revenge on you. Hahaha! Anyway, I was distraught then because I was really excited that my fiance would visit me. For a whole week I was painting a picture to give to my fiance, but when James arrived... He was so mean and called me fat. Well, he did not exactly call me that, but he said that he hoped I would lose all my baby fat by the time I grow up, or he would never marry me." She laughed out loud after that.

"Well, I was upset then, and it made my parents unhappy; they wanted to call off the whole thing. I was there when my dad was speaking with your dad. He was loud and clear when he said just to forget the whole thing. Then he told me not to worry about it anymore." She added in the end, still smiling happily.

"So, are you telling me that the agreement is now void? You are no longer James's fiancee?" His eyes were shining brightly as he asked. 

If she was no longer James's fiancee, it meant she was free to be with anyone when she was old enough. Ashton was over the moon with that information.

However, it didn't last long because Ava sadly informed him that it's still intact.

"How I wish it is what you said. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. Technically I'm still his fiancee except..." Ava didn't get to finish what she was going to say, someone was coming, and from the silhouette, it looked like it was James...

===

Although they knew that it was James who was approaching, Ashton and Ava briskly put back their masks on. Then they both slowly got up and waited for him to come them.

"They're about ready to finish the dance competition, and soon it'll be time to unmask. So I think you two should head back inside before they miss you and send out the bodyguards to search for you both." James said nonchalantly, but his voice was firm and sounded so cold.

Ashton and Ava could tell he was agitated for some reason. 'It probably has something to do with us being together.' Ashton thought.

"Thanks, brother!" He then turned his attention to Ava, "Shall we?" He asked while his hand was on his hip and waiting for Ava to link her arms to his.

She looked at James then at Ashton before hooking her arms on his, "Let's go!" She said happily to cover her nervousness.

However, just as they were about to start walking towards the ballroom, James cut in the middle of them and staked his claim. Once Ashton and Ava were separated, he took her hand and walked with her hand and hand towards the ballroom.

Ashton could do nothing since James was her fiancee, and he was only the brother-in-law to be. He was scratching his head as he followed right behind them.

===

When the trio arrived back inside the ballroom, only three couples were left in the middle of the dance floor. From its looks, it was Crown Prince Philip and Lady Crystal, Jeffrey and Akira, and the last couple were Crown Prince Edward and Pearl. The battle was fierce, and they looked tired already.

"Something happened earlier; some of the dancers bumped into each other and fell down, so they got disqualified. That's why there are only three couples left." Murmured James, it was loud enough for Ava to hear.

Just then, the music slowed to give them time just basically to stand there in an almost embrace. 

However, since Crown Prince Philip and Lady Crystal were betrothed, they no longer felt uncomfortable with each other. They were so close to each other that Ms. Shannon came to tap their shoulders.

"You're out!" Said Ms. Shannon before she continued watching the other two couples.

Crown Prince Philip was going to say something, but Lady Crystal held on to his arm and stopped him, "Let it go! It's only a game anyway. Let those losers win." Lady Crystal said loud enough for the other two couples to hear.

Luckily, the time was up, and the music stopped. 

Ms. Shannon announced to everyone that the two couples were tied. Before giving out the award, it was the unmasking moment first.

Ms. Williams came into the middle of the dancing floor and took the microphone from Ms. Shannon to speak.

"Children, I hope all of you had some fun! It is now time to remove your masks; after I count to 3, I want everyone to remove their masks. Alright?" She said, almost shouting, even though she had a microphone in her hand.

"Ready! 1, 2, 3!!!!" Her voice was so loud that everyone in the room heard it loud and clear.