The birthday dance

Frank conversed with his allies, rotating his attention from one to another, but always keeping his gaze directed at the entrance of the hall on his property. Everyone there wore formal attire, men in their suits and tuxedos, women in their beautiful dresses, all wearing masks, including Gold. His impatience had reached its limit when he signaled toLouis, who was a certain distance behind him, and he quickly approached, stopping by his side.

"Where is he? Why is he taking so long?" Frank asked.

"I'll check, Mr. Gold,"Louis replied.

Louis walked away and Gold turned his attention back to the couple approaching. He greeted them and they began a conversation about business, while the woman looked around, like the others, bored with the men's talk.

Suddenly, a presence appeared at the door, causing Frank to stop and look. He recognized Leonardo, who stopped and looked around the crowded hall. Frank recognized him not only by his appearance, but also becauseRobertwas escorting him.

"Excuse me, Mr. Moretti," he said, distancing himself from the man who looked at him confused. Frank walked up to Leonardo, who was walking among the people. Leonardo was amazed by everything around him, the decorations, the people, the music, which despite being somewhat depressing, was loud. Frank stopped in front of him and Leonardo looked at him with confusion. Gold was wearing his usual black suit, but the mask hid part of his face, leaving only his mouth visible, just like Leonardo.

"Why did you take so long? Are you trying to provoke me, Leonardo?" Frank said, holding Leonardo's arm and pulling him toward a door. They entered the room and Leonardo saw it was a bathroom. Frank took off his mask, revealing his somber face, and Leonardo knew that Frank was furious. But he wasn't going to let it go. It wasn't his fault for being late. He didn't even know about the event.

"First, I didn't know about this ball, second, it's not my fault. I was being treated by an egocentric and perfectionist person who made me try on twelve, twelve damn suits, of which I couldn't see any difference," Leonardo said.

Frank took a deep breath, trying to control his frustration, but he knew that if they were alone, if it wasn't for this damn party, Leonardo's response would have consequences. Despite it not being his fault, Frank Gold hated being answered in this manner.

"Can I leave now? I'm hungry," Leonardo said.

"Go ahead, but stay by my side. Don't say anything unless I allow you, understood?" Frank said.

Leonardo rolled his eyes, making Frank even angrier. He stared at him closely, their mouths almost touching, and Leonardo felt strangely uncomfortable with this. He didn't feel disgust or repulsion, just a strange discomfort. He stared at Frank as if challenging him.

"Do you understand, Leonardo?"

"Yeah, whatever, let's go," Leonardo replied.

Leonardo stepped back, opening the bathroom door and exited, while Frank put his mask back on his face and followed shortly after.

Gold took Leonardo's hand, guiding him back to where they were before, leaving Leonardo shocked by this sudden contact. He still wasn't sure what Frank intended with him, but this gesture chilled him. Leonardo started imagining things and somehow understanding Gold's intentions.

"Mr. Gold, congratulations," a man said, greeting him with a wave of his hand. "I'm happy to be invited."

"I'm glad you came, Mr. Lebanon, but I don't see your wife. Is everything alright?" Frank asked.

"Ah, my dear, she's bedridden. Unfortunately. I hope she can accompany me in a future invitation," Mr. Lebanon replied.

"I'm sorry, I hope she recovers soon," Frank said, curtly. Leonardo noticed that Gold was trying to be polite, but his words came out harshly from his mouth. Leonardo let out a slight laugh that didn't go unnoticed by Frank, nor Mr. Lebanon.

"And this young man?" Lebanon asked, interested and curious.

"This is Guerrero, I'm dealing with some things with him," Frank said with a sarcastic smile on his lips. Lebanon, who knew him well, immediately understood that Guerrero was a suitor of Frank.

Lebanon extended his hand to Leonardo, who greeted him with friendliness.

"Well, I've taken up enough of your time," he nodded and stepped away.

"It's your birthday?"

Frank turned his head to look at him and nodded. And soon another couple came to wish him happiness.

Gold, already tired, waved to Louis who stopped behind him.

"Ask them to start the dinner."

Louis stepped away, saying something into the small microphone attached to his suit.

"I didn't know it was your birthday today. Congratulations, but I still don't understand my role in all of this."

Frank looked at him and, ignoring Leonardo's question, once again took his hand, leading him to the large table on the other side of the hall. Leonardo noticed that each place had a name, indicating where each person should sit. Some were already standing in front of their chairs while others approached, seemingly searching for their seats.

Frank pulled out his chair and sat down, the others copying his gesture. As Leonardo looked at the table, the white plates were trimmed with golden threads along the edges. The various utensils on the table were also golden, and Leonardo couldn't help but smile, which irritated Frank who was watching him.

"Do you know how to use the utensils?"

Leonardo understood the question, not knowing what all those utensils in front of him were for. But he wouldn't back down, he nodded. His plan was to observe and imitate the others, and it shouldn't be too difficult.

Seeing that everyone was taking off their masks and conversing with each other, now more relaxed, he did the same.

An elegant lady, with her hair silver as snow, sat in front of him and removed her mask, looking at Frank. She reached out and touched his face, clearly unsettling him.

"Mama, I was getting worried."

Leonardo was surprised to see Frank call the lady Mama. He stared at both of them, searching for similarities between them.

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