I.
Lachie tried his best to avoid the weirdo who's been eyeing on him the whole night. He really really tried.
“Have we met before?”
Shit. What should I do.
Pria bertopeng emas itu melihat gerak-geriknya yang gelisah dan sorot matanya seketika menunjukan rasa bersalah. “Sorry. I’m not trying to spooked you or something. I admit I’ve been staring at you, but I don't have any intention.”
“That's what most people would say.”
“Sorry. I should've introduce myself in the first place. Pardon my bad manners. I’m Valentino.” Sodoran tangannya hanya dibalas dengan anggukan kepala. Valentino kembali menarik tangannya sambil tersenyum kikuk. “I’m wondering have we ever met before?”
“I don't think so.”
Jawabannya menimbulkan kerutan pada alis Valentino dan membuat Lachie semakin merasa tidak nyaman. Tanpa sadar ia menggaruk lengannya yang terluka. “I’m pretty sure I’ve seen you before.”
“No. We're not.” Lachie menancapkan kukunya pada lengannya dengan kencang. Ia benar-benar dibuat tidak nyaman oleh pria di depannya ini. “Excuse me—”
“There you are. Dari tadi kita cariin.” Isabella dan Elena bagaikan datang bagaikan malaikat yang hendak menyelamatkan nyawanya. “Bella!!! Lena!!!” Lachie berseru dengan lega.
“Kita kira kamu ngilang kemana gitu— eh kok bajunya merah? Ketumpahan wine? Kok kayanya bukan,” Elena memeriksa lengan Lachie dengan seksama. Isabella menyentuh bagian lengan yang terluka dengan sengaja membuat Lachie meringis kecil. “Babe, I don't think it's wine.”
“Gosh. C’mon sweetie let's get you treated.”
“Mi dispiace interrompere, signorina. L'amico di suo padre è arrivato 5 minuti fa.” (Sorry to interrupt, miss. Your father's friend arrived 5 minutes ago)
Isabella menghentikan langkahnya. Ia bingung dengan situasi sekarang. Isabella tentunya lebih mementingkan Lachie di atas segala hal, tapi di satu sisi ia harus menunjukan tata kramanya juga kepada teman dekat sekaligus client ayahnya.
“I’m fine, Bell. Just go.” Isabella masih terdiam dan menatap Lachie dengan sorotan matanya yang sedih. “Lena, you go with her. I can treat the wound myself.”
“I’ll go with him.” Suaranya menyadarkan ketiga orang sahabat yang dari tadi tidak menyadari kehadirannya.
“Vale? Lo sejak kapan di sini?” Isabella melepas topengnya. “Dari tadi sih,” Valentino juga ikut melepas miliknya.
“Signorina?”
“Sì, ci sarò!” (Okay, I’ll be there)
“Vale, gue titip anak kita dulu ya. Tolong bantu obatin lagi lukanya.” Setelah mengucapkan kalimat terakhirnya Isabella dan Elena kembali menghilang dari pandangan.
“So, you understand bahasa indonesia. Indonesian too I assume?”
Lachie giggles at the last word. “Only half and you’re Bella’s friend?”
“Sort of. Our family are close.” Valentino grabs the alcohol and cotton from the medkit. “Give me your hand. I’ll clean them.” Lachie put his arm on his hand and let the man do the job in silence. They don't talk much afterwards until Valentino is done cleaning and treating the wound.
“Thanks—?”
“Valentino.”
“Right. Thanks, Valentino.”
The man gives the most sweetest smile Lachie has ever seen even though the mask covers half of his face. He can still see his gorgeous face.
“Shall we go back to the party?” Valentino holds out his arm for Lachie to hold. “Let’s go.” Lachie takes his arm without hesitation.
They dance and talk all night long. Turns out Valentino wasn’t a creep at all. He is so nice and gentle. He doesn’t get angry at all every time Lachie steps on his foot and between the break of their dance Valentino is the one who always insists on getting the drink. He fixes Lachie's hair making the butterflies in his stomach dance.
It’s almost 1 AM and Lachie needs to go back. “I’m sorry to end our conversation, I really need to go now.” Lachie wants to stay longer but he can’t and he needs to find Elena. “Wait. You haven’t told me your name,” Valentino desperately holds Lachie's hand. Giving the boy in the red mask sad puppy eyes.
“I’ll tell you when we meet again,” and with that Lachie leave the man longing for his name.