New Year's Eve. The time for happy endings and good beginnings. Each new year, Beverly hosted apart at her lovely estate. The attire was gold. Not silver, because even though it represented the new year, the rich always wore gold. Amongst the gold theme, she insisted on it to be masquerade-themed.

Something that she would do.

Tobias sported a classic black suit. He hated the charades. He refused to do anything out of the ordinary, but his mask was gold. Valeria and I stayed up late creating a dress that would for sure direct attention to S&W. We were planning to announce the date for the fashion show.

All though we didn't have half of the pieces created, it gave us enough time to make them.

Tobias reached out his hand. I grabbed it while stepping out of the car. Paparazzi were lined up behind the velvet rope snapping pictures. Thankfully they couldn't tell who we are.

We walked into the estate. I was in awe. Beverly always went out for her party. She placed panels of gold to create a dance floor. It reminded me of the French.

We were pretty late. Tobias insisted that the parties start an hour after their set time. Pretty much, everyone was here but us.

He'd still been frank with me. At times he would crack and sit and talk to me about his day, but then he'd disperse in his room for the rest of the night. I tried to ask him what's wrong, but he gave me no answer.

"I know those curls from anywhere, my lovely daughter." My dad said. "Tobias, how are you?"

"I'm well Mr. Solana. And you?"

"Call me Vince, I'm good as well. Do you mind if I dance with my daughter?" He questioned.

"She's all yours."

I grabbed my father's hand and he led me to the dance floor. I smiled as the tune of "la vie en rose" began to play.

"Did you request this song?"

"I ran to as soon as I saw you here. We use to dance all night to this." He smiled while I placed my hands on his shoulder.

"I remember. Can you still pick me up?"

"Of course not."

I let out a small chuckle. He had been drinking, merlot to be exact. That wine always made him happy and turned him into his old self. It is not quite the wine for a New Year's Eve party, but my father always manages to break the rules.

I smiled before resting my head on his shoulder. We stood, swaying back and forth for the rest of the song. I didn't want to leave. His arms felt familiar and like home. I knew I wouldn't beg this version of my father back. On occasions, but those were rare occasions.

It ended and he stepped back.

"Why don't we hang more often?" He questioned.

"I don't know dad."

"Oh, I forgot. I have to sweet talk some more investors."

"Can you not promise them a marriage this time?"
I questioned. He let out a loud laugh.

"Athena! You're hilarious. I'll try not to." He chuckled before walking away. I smiled.

I searched the crowd for Tobias. I squinted my eyes as he danced with another girl. Lauren, of course, would come.

I mingled with others for an hour. I recognized Valeria and we stood and talked about how beautiful the dress turned out. Now, I found myself on my second glass of wine.

"Lovely seeing you here." I heard the English boy. I smiled immediately knowing who it was.

"Luca. Why didn't you come to my mixer."

"Did you miss you?"

"Did you miss me?" I questioned.

"I did." He mumbled. "Dance with me."

I nodded before placing my glass on a random tray. Luca lead me to the dance floor. His hands found it's way to my lower back.

"Don't be too reckless. Someone's gonna know it's me." I whispered.

"Then what's the fun of that?"

"An all gold suit?" I questioned.

"I'm not basic, love."

"Luca?"

"Hm?"

"Do you know how to dance and I mean like really dance?" I questioned. "Do you know a simple waltz?"

"Of course love, I'm like royalty in England. You're born waltzing."

"Good. If you know Mrs. Landon, she's gonna make us waltz."

I heard the orchestra play and I chuckled.

"Right on cue." He nodded. "Viennese waltz?"

"You do know your stuff." I smiled. He grabbed my hand and positioned his arm around my waist.

We bang dancing around the dance floor while avoiding the other couples who joined. Luca twirled me out before pulling me back in.

"Nice."

"Thank you, love."

He dipped me down before continuing our waltz. As he pulled me close, I caught a glimpse of Tobias. I couldn't tell if he was staring at us, but his focus was fixed. He knew how to waltz, why wasn't he dancing with Lauren.

I saw him walk over towards us. As Luca spun me out, Tobias grabbed me. We continued to waltz leaving Luca in his place. He sooner or late found another girl.

"You need to be careful."

"The lights are off. It was a dance and we're masked."

"You're dress is identifiable."

"You're identifiable as well. I see Lauren has made a lovely appearance." I said.

Tobias remained quiet. He spun me out. I let go of his hand and crashed into a tall woman.

"I'm so s-" I stopped myself. I looked into those familiar eyes. I knew who she was, but the mask prohibited me from identifying her. "Sorry."

"It's okay, beauty." She said before walking away.

I tried my best to keep after her, but I found myself outside. She was nowhere in sight.

Tobias found me with a confused look.

"Are you okay?"

"I think I just saw my mom."

"What?" He questioned.

"Maybe I've had a sip too many."

"It couldn't possibly be. You think she'd show up to such a packed event?"

"I don't know. I'm imagining things. Hey, do you by chance have Anteros contact?"

"I do. What's up?"

"The night of the mixer, I had some displeasing words with Eros. He won't talk to me about my mom so I was wondering if Anteros would."

"Displeasing words? What happened, is that why you were so upset."

"Yeah. He told me that my mom was miserable when she was with my dad. I found some journals that my mother had written in my fathers' manor. The writing matched the writing on the notecards from the bouquet."

"So it could be her. But why show up now?" Tobias questioned.

"I don't know. I've been reading the journals but all she does is tell her stories through Greek mythology or she writes it like a poem."

"That explains the names."

"I know. I just believe that they could still be in contact with her."

"Eros has never mentioned that they were, but then again we don't talk about that kind of stuff."

"But do you think he would tell anyone if he was? My mothers' disappearance was a hot topic for almost two years. The way he puts it, she resented me and my father. Who's to say that she only left us?"

"You don't think your mother resented you."

"Maybe. She wrote it in a journal. She loved, but resented me."

"Countdown to midnight! Everyone grab a glass of champagne and gather to the stage!" Beverly's voice was heard outside of the estate.

"Remind me to give you his contact information," Tobias said. "Let's head in, she'll know if we are missing."

I nodded.

~

"Are you nervous to contact him?" Tobias questioned.

I nodded while staring at the phone. His number was typed, but I was too afraid to connect the call.

"He's nice. I promise."

"That's what Valeria said about Eros. I believed it until he told me off."

"I promise. Anteros is shy and to himself. He wouldn't have the heart to utter anything mean. Just give him a call, I'm right here for support." Tobias gave me a small smile.

I nodded before pressing the green button. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Hello?"

I paused while quickly looking at Tobias. I shook my head.

"Hello?"

"H-hi! Uh hello." I responded. I closed my eyes while shaking my head in embarrassment.

"Hello."

"Anteros?"

"This is him, may I ask who's speaking."

"Sorry. It's." I paused. "Athena."

"Athena! Hi!"

"Hi! I was wondering if you would like to talk. If you aren't busy."

"I am right now, but can I call you later on tonight?"

"Yeah of course!"

"I appreciate you calling. I was hesitant to reach out. Talk to you later."

"You too!"

I hung up the phone before tossing it away. I shook my head.

"You did well." Tobias touched my shoulder.

"Thank you."

It was an awkward silence. He cleared his throat before picking up his phone.

"Hey, I just want to apologize for my behavior. I was being distant because of." He paused before shaking his hand. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." I smiled. "Thanks for giving me Anteros number."

I attempted to hop off of his bed but felt my foot be caught by the blanket. Tobias quickly caught me before furrowing his eyes brows.

"Are you all right?" He questioned.

I didn't respond. He stared deeply waiting for my answer. Was he always this cute? I noticed how piercing his blue eyes were. It felt like he saw right through me. Flustered I gathered my balance and shook my head.

"I'm so sorry. I'm gonna go." I nervously chuckled trying to hide my blushing cheeks.

God. Why was my heart pounding?

~

"Anteros. Hi!"

"Hi, Athena. You wanted to talk?"

"Yeah. I was a bit nervous. I just wanted to ask you about mom." I started. I closed my eyes waiting for him to curse me out.

"Sure! What about her?"

"Are you guys still in contact? I was talking with Eros, which ended badly."

"He told me about that conversation. I apologize for his behavior. He truly isn't like that."

"It's okay. This may be weird, but have you been receiving bouquets or anything with note cards attached."

"I haven't."

"I think mom is sending me flowers. I know this sounds crazy, but almost every day, I receive white roses with a card attached. The other day, I went to my fathers' manor and found journals that she used to write in. The writing from the notecard and journal are identical."

Anteros sighed.

"I just want to find her. The point of this call is me asking if you know any detail? Do you know where she could have possibly gone? Eros said that when she was with my father and me, she still wrote to you guys. Did she say she was leaving?"

"I'm sorry Athena, but I can't help you."

"Anteros please," I said before he hung up the phone. I sighed. Why was everyone being so secretive?