On the night of a crescent moon two days later, Ruby stepped out of the dressing room in a sleeveless champagne dress that hugged her body in the right curves, her luscious hair twirled into a neat bun.
It was a choice that Aaron had made in her stead after considering for so long. Not too exposed nor modest, it left just enough room for imagination to wander, and weapons to slyly stay hidden.
"Woah! Mommy is so beautiful, as beautiful as the fairies from the legends. Is Mommy dressing up to find Danny a new daddy?"
A little head suddenly popped out of the open door, the innocence of a child who didn't know better nearly causing her to trip.
Ruby's natural bare face immediately heated up as she hissed softly, "Danny! Stop talking nonsense! Have you opened the door for your Grandma Freya?"
The mischievous little boy didn't answer and merely stuck out his tongue, running away after leaving a series of giggles. Ruby could only shake her head out of helplessness.
As she heard another set of footsteps approaching near, assuming it belonged to the older woman, she tried to reach for the zipper behind her dress for one last time, before giving up and opting to call for help.
"You're here! Can you help me with this? It'll be quick!" Ruby's voice was coquettish as she turned her exposed back toward the door.
A moment of hesitance later, a hand closed in to pull up her zipper in a single motion, the slight brush of callousness against her skin causing her to tense up.
"Thank you–"
As she turned around, her voice faded as her eyes widened in horror.
There, Aaron stood with an awkward smile, his hand half-raised as if unsure he should say hi or not.
"I-I'm sorry! I-I didn't know… I thought it's someone else…"
Ruby immediately bowed an apologetic 90 degrees, internally screaming at the same time. 'Did she just act cute to ask for a man's help with her dress?! Oh no!"
"It's fine." Aaron cleared his throat, the tips of his ears evidently beet red. Though the moment was brief, he couldn't help but reminisce the softness under his touch, uncontrollably wanting for more.
His gaze slowly took in every inch of her mesmerizing figure, not realizing how deeply enchanted he was until he heard a cough.
Aaron went still as if he was a naughty child being caught red-handed, not daring to take another extra glance at her.
His taste never went astray. She was truly one beautiful woman, so stunning that he was reluctant to bring her to the ball party for the others to gawk at.
And yet, he didn't dare to entertain this dark thought of his. He clenched his jaw, fighting the boiling desire inside him.
The time isn't right yet.
"I brought a gift for you."
Aaron suddenly said, breaking the awkward silence as he fetched an item from his pockets.
Smiling mysteriously, he approached close, raising his tightened fist and releasing them before her curious eyes.
Cling!
A necklace of the moon and the stars, studded with numerous fragments of fine white sapphires, dangled in between his fingers, shimmering brilliantly under the light.
Ruby gasped at his extravagance, refusing hurriedly. "I can't take it, it's too expensive."
However, after preparing for so long, Aaron couldn't possibly take "no" for an answer. He wordlessly stepped behind Ruby and attached the shimmering necklace around her swan-like neck.
"Take it, it'll be too late for a refund anyway." He cleverly assured, "If it burdens you too much, you can just return the favour someday."
Ruby looked at her own reflection in the mirror, caressing the shimmering moon and stars on her neck with a thoughtful look.
"It complements well with the dress." She whispered out, her gaze casting downwards as her delicate lashes casted a fan-like shadow over her pale skin, "How am I supposed to afford a proper return gift for this…"
"Don't worry, I'll like anything that you give me."
The ambiguity in his words heated the atmosphere between them. For once, her heart skipped, beating faster and harder solely for the fine man standing behind her.
The light in his eyes was incredibly bright and gentle, as if gazing at a longed future that was finally within reach, until his gaze landed on the moon-shaped birthmark resting along the delicate arch of her exposed shoulder blade.
A flash of something dark and dreadful hooded his vision. Without warning, his hand shot out to yank at the tiny flower pin holding her bun in place, prompting her loosened black curls to cascade down her back like a waterfall, covering the mark entirely.
"What have you done?" Startled, Ruby failed to hold back her shriek, her previous good impression of him shattering into dust.
As clarity returned to his mind, Aaron quickly recovered and explained himself, "I-I just thought that you'll look better with your hair down. Moreover, the air is cold and–"
"Don't." Ruby cut him off, her firm voice sharp as a knife. "Don't repeat this again. I don't like it."
"Yes… it's improper of me. I'm sorry."
Aaron lowered his head in a sincere apology. Still, he had only excused himself after making sure she didn't plan on holding her hair up again.
After applying her makeup and perfecting her disguise, Ruby stepped out of her room, a pair of glass heels in one hand and a tiny Gucci bag in her other hand.
In the living room, she found her mother, Freya, chatting with Aaron.
"Mom, thank you for taking the time to help me take care of Daniel." Ruby hugged the older woman from behind.
"No worries, you can take your time."
Freya gently replied as she patted her lovable daughter's arms.
"Let me send you off."
Nodding slightly at Aaron, Freya walked the two to the door with a warm smile.
"Have fun, Mommy! I'll be waiting for the good news."
Daniel followed up from behind Freya, waving his hand with so much energy that it only brought more embarrassment to Ruby.
Struck speechless, she could only wryly smile at the Aaron, who feigned his ignorance with a shrug of his shoulders despite the huge smile on his face that he just couldn't wipe off.
Moving on, the drive to their destination ended in a quiet and peaceful note.
As the black maybach came to a stop before a grand red carpet, spotting numerous camera lights blinking left and right without stop, a pair of glass heels and polished black shoes made its grand entrance.
"Please."
The fine gentleman in sparkling black tuxedo offered his arm, to which the beautiful woman in champagne gold took with an enchanting smile.
"Let's go."
Their arms linked, marking the beginning of their secret mission.