The Romanov Jewelries celebrated its 44th founding anniversary in the fabled grand ballroom of The Plaza Hotel, New York. The lavishly decorated 4800 square feet hall accommodates 500 esteemed guests of which came from rich and influential families. A male crooner, one of the famous in the entertainment industry, entertained the guests with lovely, classic music. Everything was well done. Each guest has nothing but praises towards the hosts and the hotel management. The Plaza Hotel did uphold the culinary mastery and personal service only they could provide as they turned their home of landmark events into a place where they redefine luxury.
Black and white ball is the theme for tonight's event. As expected, the guests display their wealth and power on their expensive, stunning gowns and customised suits. They also wore their own Romanov jewelry. Each piece cost a fortune that it became a status symbol of today's cream of society.
On cue, the orchestra stopped playing and the lights focused on the man at the middle of the stage. The 74-year-old Russian Business Mogul, Mikhail Romanov, appear before the crowd. The known jeweler behind the success of Romanov Jewelries wears an authentic designer tuxedo and Oxford leather shoes.
He looks younger than his actual age, the lines across his face added to his inborn charisma. Strict and compose, Mikael had been appealing to woman. And it appears that his way never fades. The wealthy matrons and even the young ladies couldn't help but get awe of the man of the hour.
He had his metal cane on his side as he made his introductions.
"Good Evening, everyone," Mikhail greeted in thick Russian accent. "Welcome to the 44th founding anniversary of the Romanov Jewelries. As we commit ourselves to deliver to the world our top of the line crafts made by our skilled artisans, we still remember our humble beginnings."
"We were never a big name in the industry. We started from scratch, made a few then it grew to thousands. With your trust and continued support, we are able to make this big. And we even conquer the rest of the world." Mikhail raised his left hand, offering the wide-screen to the guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, the Romanov Jewelries through the years..."
He couldn't be more proud of what he had attained. As he watched the short film with the guests, Mikhail thought of the very same words he said when he earn his first million.
He did the right thing back then. Romanov Jewelries became his bread and butter that lead him to where he is today.
Romanov was just a household name way back in Russia. He came from a long line of jewelers whose talent was never acknowledged in the motherland. Hadn't he took the gamble and fly to America to introduce his craft, the succeeding generations of Romanov will still be at the bottom of the chain. Irrelevant. Unrecognised.
One of his men came to his side and whisper to him, "Everything is ready, Sir. They are waiting for your cue."
He nodded the same time the film ended. The spotlight was then returned to him. Several covered boxes were presented in front of the guests. Each box holds the finest creations of the Romanov Jewelries. Every year they made pieces of jewelry solely for this event. It wouldn't be replicated. Only one of its kind.
The anticipation excites the crowd, especially the woman patrons. Their eyes aim for the most beautiful piece among the rest.
"Now we shall begin the main event," he uncovered the first box and display a set with top tier stones and studded pink star diamonds. The pink diamonds were considered the most expensive diamonds in today's market. It is 20 times the price of its counterpart, the white diamonds.
The bid rise to millions of dollars in just a minute. It was closed to half a billion. And the bidding continued till everyone is satisfied.
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Song of Sienna by Brian Crain filled the entire hall after the most awaited bidding came to an end. While the guests have their own agenda, searching for prospective partners or clients, others chose to enjoy the music. On cue, the floor opened to the pairs who wanted to dance in the rhythm. And the pairs with background to Viennese Waltz was applauded by the crowd.
One of them is the granddaughter of Mikhail Romanov, Tatjana Ireena. The only heiress to the Romanov Jewelries possessed the grace and glamour of a true regal queen. Everyone was mesmerized by her, the way she moved along the rhythm with expertise. His partner was envied by the rest of the bachelors while women her age was jealous of her. She was made to perfection.
A beauty and talent combined.
After the performance, Tatjana changed her dress to a crimson red long sleeve long gown with a thigh-high slit on the side. The plunging neckline gives a generous amount of cleavage that no man hadn't take a peek at. From the tight bun earlier, she let those natural curls down, covering her bareback. Black pumps completed the look. She's no longer the ballroom princess, she's a fine, elegant woman dressed in red.
She keep things sultry, has perfected the irreverent pout in front of the guests and even photographers. When she found Mikhail, she excuse herself and approached him.
She joined her grandfather who's savouring his food on the VIP table. Mikhail, who's always aware of his surroundings, noticed his granddaughter approaching from his peripheral vision. He finished the last piece of his honey lacquered salmon dip with coriander coconut sauce. He wiped the side of his mouth with the table napkin before he stood and welcome Tatjana. "I thought you would never come, Tatjana," He hug his granddaughter and kissed her on the cheeks. "That may be Maldives has held you up and decided to extend your vacation."
"I wouldn't miss this for the world" she smiled and sat down on the chair beside him with poised mastered since she was a kid. "Although I'm a little bit late. At least I compensated it by entertaining your guests."
"You can't fool me, child. You love dancing. It's one of the many things you can't live without," he summoned the waiter and asked for a full platter. She reprimands him, telling him that she needs to diet. Mikhail arched a brow. "You need meat. Lots of it."
"But---"
Barely nineteen, Tatjana has seen all sorts of people in her life. She had a keen eye for people, a natural observer like his grandfather. And she's attracted to people with the kindest smile and actions with no lies. With purest intentions and no will of deception. With who's face shows contentment and nothing else.
In her world where everyone wanted to be in her favour, Tatjana noticed the man sitting behind the grand piano in the middle of the floor. He sit up straight, but his neck and shoulders were not stiff. She followed the movement of his arms and his slender fingers touching the keys. The moment he hit the notes, she was engulfed into another dimension.
It was powerful. Massive. Complex. His emotions were pouring into her, drowning her till she couldn't breathe. Every fibre of her being wanted to reach out to the source of all this. Tatjana did what she had never done before. She run to that same person and pulled his hand from the keys. The music came to a halt. And everyone's eyes were on them. Including Mikhail's.
"I'm sorry," she released her hold onto his hand when she learned she's still holding onto it. The color of shame flustered across her cheek as he stood from his sit, overtowering her. She step back, eyes pinned on his broad chest. Hands tightly clutched on her gown, Tatjana could feel his eyes on her, assessing her, "But why?" She managed to let those words out that almost came a whisper. A question that's too broad to answer.
"It was the favourite song of my wife." He answered as if it was nothing. As if he was dealing with it every single day.
Was. She never missed that word. Tatjana watched his retreating form till he disappeared into the crowd. The event continued as though there's nothing happened in between. She didn't get his name although she realized one thing.
That person had the loneliest eyes she'd ever seen.
