A Lavish Company Party Was Held In The Calloway Mansion. Charles Had Organized It To Honour The Recent

A lavish company party was held in the Calloway mansion. Charles had organized it to honour the recent success of his company, which had risen significantly over the past year. The guests consisted of both work colleagues and family members and the atmosphere was enthusiastic as everyone appreciated a reason to celebrate.

The only one who didn’t appreciate the festivities was Esther, who despised big parties like this. She watched with distaste as her brother Charlie tried to befriend their father’s subordinates and ingratiate himself into a future position in the company. She looked at the expensive champagne and how arrogant everyone around her seemed. There was no place for her here.

Despite the freezing cold, Esther got out and placed herself on the steps up to the grand house. She shivered, but it was better than being in the same room as the partygoers. Just as Esther was down in her deepest, angriest thoughts, she heard footsteps approaching.

Esther looked up and saw Ruben standing in front of her. She hadn’t expected to see him, especially not after she told him about her father’s ban. Even so, he was here and she instantly felt better by his presence.

“What on earth are you wearing?” he asked with a laugh. “I had to,” she said and shrugged. “I was passing by and thought I’d see how the party was going. I know you were worried about it, but never thought you’d be sitting out here sulking,” he said. “Shouldn’t you be dancing and having fun with the others in there?”

“I’ve never been a very good dancer,” she said.

“I don’t believe that for a second,” Ruben opposed. “Give me your hand. Let me show you how to do it.“

After a moment of thought, Esther put her cold hand in his.

"I think you’re supposed to put your hands here…”, he said, carefully placing her hands against his back. Suddenly they were remarkably close to each other and Esther felt a shyness overcome her - something she wasn’t used to.

They put their arms around each other and swayed back and forth together, in a slow and intimate dance. It might not have been a very proper way of dancing, but they both had stopped caring about that a long time ago. She was warmed by his body heat and comforted in his arms. As a child, she had always thought of Ruben as her best friend but now she felt that he might be something more to her.