The artists are:
VICKI ZHAO
ALEC SU
NICKY WU
KRISTY YANG
LOUIS KOO
The music drew her toward the room, like a moth to a burning flame. It had been a long time since she`d been here in this room that was to remain sealed forever more. But today, she had come back here without knowing why. Something was drawing her back, back through time and back through the memories of her tortured past. No one seemed to be around and Vicki slipped across the hall from the parlor and opened the double doors there, catching her breath at the sight that lay before her.
It was still the most beautiful room she had ever seen. A ballroom. Painted completely in white and ivory; it was a place that she had once loved the most, more than any room in the house. It was a magnificent chamber, the doors that would normally have connected the two oversized rooms having been removed. Even though the dust had settled thickly over every inch of surface, the faded whiteness of its walls and floor reflected softly in the gloom, giving the whole room a radiance that was seemingly ethereal.
Vicki stood enchanted, unable to move. The memories came flooding back to her, though she willed them not to. The memories were too painful for her to bear…too painful for her to bear even after all of this time of absence…
Sheer white curtains hung at the bay window before her while white Corinthian columns stretched from the floorboards to the vaulting ceiling above. There were friezes and medallions, archways and hand-carved moldings, all of them white, and a marble fireplace with a gilded mirror above, the room lying hushed and secretive, deep within, frozen like time in the shining glass.
Vicki approached the mirror and gazed long, long into its pristine stillness. Her reflection stared back at her --- the image of a woman with large melancholy eyes and a sweet face was reflected back at her. Gone was the innocence of adolescence; gone was the joy that had once shimmered within the darkness of her wide eyes. She was now only a broken woman who could do nothing to change the past, but just grieve for it.
A slight breeze drifted through the room through the open window and Vicki braced herself back up against the mantel and her eyes rove slowly across the contained windows, taking in the sight of the high, round columns and the doors that led out into the hall. She suddenly gasped. She was sure that she`d left those doors open, only now, they were closed…
"May I have this dance?"
"Oh God, who`s there?" Vicki cried, whirling around to scan her frenzied eyes over the room.
She looked wildly around, seeing nothing and no one - but the voice was so soft and so polite, smiling in the air just beside her, and she KNEW she hadn't imagined it. It was his voice, his familiar, deep and sensual voice reaching out to her, even after all of these years. She knew that she hadn`t imagined it, though she knew within her heart that this couldn`t have happened. She was alone in the room, deserted and utterly alone.
Whirling back to the mirror, she gripped the mantel with both hands, leaning forward until her face touched the smooth glass. Her fevered forehead was placed against the smooth coolness of the glass and the coolness comforted her raging hot skin. No, this wasn`t happening; not after all of these years. Why was this happening now?
"May I have this dance?" He whispered again, in her heart and soul.
Somehow, Vicki knew that no one else could hear him, that she was the only one who could. He had come back for her, hadn`t he?
"Don't be frightened, don`t be afraid…" His soft warm breath was brushing against her cheek, the touch of his hand shy and hesitant upon her shoulder. "May I have this dance? May I?"
She could see the room reflected behind her, shimmering with a brilliant white light, caught for an eternity between his silent question and her answer.
And, "Yes," Vicki murmured, her eyes growing misty as she began to remember the past --- the night when she met him, the night that changed her life. Slowly, her memories came back to her, back to that night….
Music flowed through her then, sweet and full, whirling her out into the room, around and around, in a dizzying dream. She spun and twirled, and there was girlish laughter and clinking of crystal and the deep echo of men sharing stories. She glided past the windows and the lace curtains where the wind was blowing warm, gentle air and outside, the scent of sweet magnolias was flowing through the dark, endless night. Oh, the joy as she floated past the mirror, the faces reflected there, the smiles, and the glorious future - and HIM, tall and gallant in his crisp ivory shirt and black coat, boots gleaming at his knees, dark hair glowing in candlelight. All of the promises that they had shared flowed between them at that moment, all of the unspoken affections that remained buried within their hearts.
"It`s nice to meet your acquaintance," His rich voice flowed through her senses and he smiled at her, that shy and almost fleeting smile. It was like a dream, how beautiful his smile was, how so very touching.
"And I you," She found herself murmuring back to him over and over again, her voice echoing in time. "My name is Vicki. And yours?"
"Alec Su." He told her, the smile never wavering. His eyes seemed to glow in an ethereal light that bathed him in its whiteness before his image vanished before her eyes.
"Alec." The single name fell from her lips that were curved into a timid smile as his name became engraved within her heart. "Alec."
Suddenly, she opened her eyes.
The magic and the nostalgic memories were gone. Faded away like the dead leaves of autumn. A dry and cold breeze shattered the glass upon the bay window and sent shivers up her spine. Her eyes opened to a world of silence and ghostly emptiness. No one was here; no voice had called out to her. Vicki found her hands pressing against the mirror. As she pulled them back slowly, she saw the dusty imprints of her fingers left there upon the glass. She stared for a moment at her dirty palms, and then wiped them on her skirt. She leaned forward once more and studied her pale reflection.
She had been crying. There were long, wet streaks down her cheeks, and her hair was wet where it lay against the side of her face. Had the past truly affected her so much? She hadn't cried in so long and released her pain in so long.
"Alec," She whispered the name again, though she knew that she was never able to reach now. Her voice was softly wistful, gently sorrowful.
Behind her, she heard the doors to the hall shut softly. She heard footsteps coming toward her, slowly, across the floor. Vicki whirled from the mantel, her heart racing. The doors to the ballroom were abruptly swung open, and she could see shadows in the hallway beyond. Gasping, she turned around to an empty room, and then back again, chilled and sullen, to the mirror. The footsteps paused in back of her. The soft pressure of a hand rested lightly on her shoulder.
Vicki stared wide-eyed at her reflection.
But nobody was there. She was alone, as she always was.
In her grief, Vicki allowed herself to remember the past, to release her hidden pain. In her mind, she remembered the faded photo that had been long ago buried in her mind. The photograph was taken so long ago, its sepia edges haven gone worn through time. Alec, Nicky and Kristy`s images flashed before her, their voices and their laughter echoing in her ears. She wanted to reach out to them but she could not. Her tears were blocking her voice, causing a constriction in her throat. She could hear Nicky`s voice whispering beside her, and she could feel his gentle gaze upon her.
"Memories are like a river of time. Let it flow from deep within you and then you will be free. Remember, Vicki…remember…."
Alone in the ballroom, Vicki`s knees crumpled to the floor as the tears slipped down her cheeks. Hot and furious tears burned behind her eyes as her shoulders hunched in wrenching sobs. To cry again, to feel again; she could finally grieve openly and without shame.
It was time for her to set herself free.
And so, Vicki allowed herself to remember what had happened that very day so long ago…and admit to the realization of just how it had changed the course of her life….
SIX YEARS AGO:
That night was a night that Vicki knew she would always remember. The crescent moon that hung abouve the dark night seemed to shimmer even more brightly than ever before and she knew that this night - of all nights - marked the beginning of the change in her Destiny.
Even as she was getting dressed into her gown meant for the evening, her mind could not help but drift toward the nostaligic post. The image of a young girl about the age of nine was clutching her mother's hand and she was being lead toward a grand estate that was nestled in the upper class part of their town. Dressed in rags, the little girl and her mother had been taken in to care for the health of a frail little boy who was twelve years old. The little girl had grown up among the splendour of the house and after her mother had died, she had promsied to always care for the little boy always. It was her vow to her mother; her mother's final wish. Even in the final hours before death claimed her mother, she had whispered those words to Vicki, like an omen sealing her fate.
"You must always protect and love him, Vicki. Promise me please. You must do what I could only dream of doing so long ago. Take my place and become his, as I could not have done with his father."
The words that made no sense to Vicki were her mother's final pleas. And she had agreed readily, wanting anything in the world to ease her mother's pain in those hours of desperation. And gradually, as the years slipped by, she had matured alongside Nicky Wu, the master of the estate and Kristy, his flamboyant and beautiful younger sister. They were both orphans led astray by the cruel twist of fate that had destroyed the lives of their parents. And Vicki had never forgotten her vow to always love and care for Nicky, whose health had never been well. It was her mother's final plea, as well as Destiny's fate for her.
But now, Vicki pushed aside the sadness of the past and began to focus on the event ahead of her. It was the night of the grand Ball and Kristy had been invited to attend. Nicky had been too ill to attend, having insisting that they go on without him. Vicki had been reluctant to leave him alone but his quite determination had convinced her to leave for just that brief night to enjoy herself among the aristocrats of society. Just that one night, Vicki had adorned Kristy's borrowed jewels and navy velvet dress and if she closed her eyes for a moment, she could envision herslf as a lady and not simply as a girl from the lower class dreaming to belong.
Light spilled out of the ballroom windows and the orchestra was playing a lively tune which stirred up all the liveliness in Kristy's nature. As she leapt lightly out of the car, she turned a delighted face towards the ballroom. She could see couples twirling about and she could hear the laughter emerging from the brightly-lit room. "Oh, Vicki, do hurry!" she said impatiently, eager to enter the merry scene as soon as possible.
Vicki stepped out of the car, slender and elegant in her glittering white evening gown. Her eyes brightened as she, too, took in the delightful picture before them. Her ivory cheeks flushed in anticipation as she looked at Kristy, who seemed equally as enchanted.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Kristy cried before holding up her skirts from the dirt on the road and running lightly towards the ballroom.
Vicki's entrance was much more dignified and stately. Walking slowly across the lawn towards the ballroom, she allowed her eyes to travel round the room. What a lovely room it was! Quite the most alluring she had ever seen. She stepped into the room, and was instantly greeted by her friends and acquaintances. Everywhere laughter could be heard. Suddenly, she felt shy in her dress, with its soft sleeves brushing agaisnt her elbows and the neckline dipping gracefully downward to reveal smooth ivory skin. She didn't know if she would fit into this crowd of aristocrats…she would never fit in…
"Vicki! We thought you would never come!" exclaimed her best friend, Carmen, rapturously. "Oh my dear, you look wonderful. Absolutely ravishing," Carmen gushed. "I'm sure you won't be without a partner the entire night." Linking arms with Vicki, she drew her friend to the long tables situated on the right side of the room. "Do get yourself a drink, Vicki, and I shall introduce you to some of the young men I have met tonight," Carmen said, full of enthusiasm.
Vicki permitted herself to be shoved and pulled around by Carmen, who was unusually animated that night. She was introduced to half a dozen young men at once, every one of which seemed to fall under the spell of her beauty the moment they saw her. Vicki was beautiful in a natural and sweet way, and that night, she truly shone. Her face was lightly powdered and with her glossmar hair piled in a loosely on top of her head in an elegant fashion, she was the image of innocence and womanly sweetnes at the same time. She had never considered herself beautiful but that did not mean that others thougth so either. She promised dances to at least four, and was immediately brought out to the dancing floor. Being an excellent dancer, Vicki could let her feet and body take care of the dancing while she chatted lightly to her partner. She had been taking dancing and piano lessons alongside of Kristy,even though she was only the hired help at the estate. Nicky's father was generous that way with his servants but especially with Vicki. Her education and her upbringing was just as luxirious as Kristy and Nicky's though her lower class blood that ran in her veins was a different story.
As she stood to the side for a moment, her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes even larger than they normally were, she felt someone's presence beside her. She turned slowly and looked into the face of a handsome, distinguished-looking young man, tall and gallant in his tuxedo, his noble mien and flawless features making him undeniably one of the handsomest men in the room. Bright brown eyes and dark hair was embedded into a gentle, lean face that was luminous with masculine strength. He eluded wealth and power from him, but not in an intimidating way. He bent over, took her hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving his face. "May I have this dance?" he said courteously.
"Yes," she answered, smiling at him. Her heart fluttered queerly as he straightened himself and gazed into her eyes. Then he whirled her onto the dance floor and she reveled in the pleasure of being in his arms. "It's nice to meet your acquaintance," he said. He smiled at her - a wonderful, breathtaking smile which captured her heart almost instantly.
"And I you," she murmured, looking deep into his eyes. There was so much in them…so much magic and hope and mystic beauty. He was by far the most handsomest man at the ball, and yet, she sensed that his inner beauty surpasses his outter appearance. He mesmorized her with only one glance. "My name is Vicki. And yours?"
"Alec Su." The marvellous smile remained on his face as a movement in the music separated them for a moment. "I have seen you, I am sure…are you a relative of Kristy Wu?"
Almost immediately Vicki tensed and looked at him warily. He caught the look and understood it at once. "You are the most beautiful girl at the ball," he said in perfect truth. Vicki blushed and lowered her eyelashes, unable to look at him. He was causing emotions to stir up in her…emotions she had never experienced before.
As if he had comprehended her silence, he instantly began to talk about something Vicki could respond to. Half-way through the set Vicki found herself seeing nothing but his face; hearing nothing but his voice; feeling nothing but his arms around her. And by the time the music ended she was totally lost in him and content to be so.
When the fairytale ball had ended, she went back home with her head full of youthful dreams, and heard naught of what Kristy chatted about in the car. All she could think of was Alec Su and what he had told her…
* The most beautiful girl at the ball.*
____________________________________________________________
After the ball, when the sky was dark and the night was clear, Vicki and Kristy arrive home to the Manor and slipped upstaris toward their own bedrooms, their eyes blazing with memorable moments of the ball. Vicki, who seldom leff the estate, was surprised at how much fun she had with the others and even now, her cheeks were still blazing from embarassment from the dancing she had done. But before she slipped into her own room, Vicki glided past toward the room in the far end of the hallway. It was Nicky's room and she opened the door carefully before slipping in.
A single candle had nearly burnt itself out by a nearby table and the yellow, faint flicker of the flame casted a glow onto the figure in the bed. He lay silently still, asleep and for that, Vicki was grateful. Nicky offen had endless nights of insomnia due to the pains that his heart gave him, but for that night, he was resting peacefully and the demons from his illness was not wrenching his fragile soul. She looked down at him for a moment and smiled soffly. He was handsome, even with the pallor tinge to his flesh and the fraility of his bones. He did not possess the charismatic, alluring beauty of other men that had been at the ball, but Nicky's handsome was his own. His was gentle and quiet handsomeness with his tender gaze and fine, aristocratic features. Like a child sleeping, his eyes were gently closed and his breath came out even, without its ragged gasps. Perhaps Nicky was finally improving after all the years of endless suffering over his heart disease. Vicki hoped so, for his sake.
She loved him like she did a brother and wanted nothing but the best for him. He had given her so much and accepted her into his home as though she were meant to be here - she, a poor servant girl - to be living in the splendor and privledge that was his and Kristy's birthright. She would always be grateful to him for that and she would always adhere to her mother's final plea for her to care for him…if not even love him….
Quietly, after she was certain that he was breathing in an easy rhythm and without strain, she crept out of his bedchamber and disappeared down the corridor toward her room. There, she undressed herself quickly and prepare to comb out her hair before bed. The stars in her eyes were still shimmering with the exuberance joy of the ball and her hands still stung with the warmth of the hands of the dancers who had held her palm agaist theirs. Such was a night. It all seemed to very drem-like and unreal. Even now, she wondered if her happiness was real.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and Vicki lifted her head up in surprise.
"Vicki dear, I have something to ask you."
Vicki looked up from her mirror. "Come in, Kristy."
She could not help but smile to herself. Kristy was always in her room, talking to her before bedtime. They were as close as sisters and their close-knit bond was something that Vicki would always cherish. They shared everything. Though Kristy's impish and exuberant nature was different tham her own reserved and quiet self, they were the best of friends. She could never imagine her life without Kristy, as their souls seemed to be one. Just as Vicki was still dreaming of the ball that night, she knew that Kristy would be as well.
Kristy came into the room in her nightdress, her cheeks faintly pink. She sat down on Vicki's bed and frowned as if she did not know how to begin. Vicki kept silent and continued to brush her hair.
"Who was that man you were dancing with, Vicki?" Kristy suddenly asked.
For a second Vicki's hand froze. Then she recollected herself and began to brush again, even harder than before. "Alec Su." Her voice sounded foreign to her, and as she looked at Kristy's reflection in the mirror, she pressed her lips together to avoid any trembling.
"Alec," Kristy breathed and laughed aloud. She turned to Vicki, her eyes shining brightly in the light of the lanturn. "You're so lucky, Vicki, to have been able to dance with him. I'm jealous." She winked playfully at Vicki.
"He should have asked you," Vicki admitted truthfully, her eyes growing wistful at the memory of his face and the warmth of his hand pressed against hers. "You were by the far the belle of the ball, Kristy."
Kristy beamed at the compliment, twirling the soft lock of her in one finger. "Am I really?" A soft smile curved along her lips as she considered the thought of her being thought of so highly like that.
Vicki nodded earnestly. "I thought you were radiant tonight. Alec should have asked you. I don't know why he asked me. But you're the one who should have been dancing with him. I'm just ... a servant afterall."
Kristy gasped at her in protest. "You are not, Vicki Zhao. You are my dearest friend and my sister." She gently chatised, wagging a delicate finger at the other girl.
Vicki smiled in gratitude at Kristy's remark, her heart warming up with a sense of belonging that she had strived to hard to find, even now. "Thank you." She turned to Kristy again and began to blush as she recalled the look on Alec's face as they began to dance and the sensation of being near to him. "He seems like a very worthy gentleman and he's an excellent dancer. Like a dream, it was, dancing with him...." Her voice trailed off in embarassment and it was only then that she realized that Kristy was barely listening to her words.
"He is such a handsome man," Kristy murmured, half to herself. "I would like to get to know him."
She left soon; but Vicki sat before her mirror for a long, long time after Kristy's departure. It frightened her to realize that she would like to get to know him too. There had never been a man in her life before and she had never wanted there to be one.
But now, Alec Su had appeared and ignited emotions within her that she never knew existed. He made her long for love and for the first time, made her dream.
