After All These YEARS

Twenty

THE GARDEN

No One's POV

Irene, her father and Lisa entered the ball. From what Lisa had read, there was a certain formality to how things were done. Such as, one could not ask a woman to dance without a proper introduction.

Mr. Bae promptly went off and returned in a few moments with a small card and handed it to Lisa. He also gave her a pencil.

"Here is your dance card. Irene is engaged, so she is not likely to be asked to dance as it would seem in good taste. But in case you are not familiar, it is a list of all the songs and dances they will play and a line to put down who you plan to dance with."

"Thank you." Lisa said. She had heard the term dance card but never actually had seen one. But that was how things were done so Lisa decided to play along.

Lisa's little play was not due for another hour so she, Irene and Mr. Bae walked around and mingled. Lisa was introduced to several well to do people; Young men, old men, proper ladies etc. They all engaged in polite conversation with many asking about Thailand and what it was like.

Though Lisa had no interest in men, she quickly noticed several of them seemed to be interested in her. Several of the young men were struck by her beauty and just the fact that she was so different. After a short while Lisa had been asked to dance by at least 6 men. Not wanting to be rude, she graciously accepted and penciled them in on her dance card.

Irene wanting to see the food, pulled Lisa aside and took her into the adjoining room where a buffet of light finger foods was presented in a most elaborate manor. The table had Tea, coffee, an assortment of Ices, biscuits, Cakes, Cracker bonbon's and small sandwiches. All of them were on sterling silver trays and each piece of food looked delicious.

Lisa chuckled to herself at the sheer fanciness of it all. She couldn't help but think of some of the parties she attended back in high school. A half barrel in one room, a DJ in another room and sometimes a few bags of potato chips to munch on. This was light years ahead of that.

After nibbling on a few sandwiches, it was time for Lisa to dance with one of the men who had requested. She had explained that she didn't really know the steps but the guy didn't seem to care.

Lisa of course pretended to enjoy the rather formal dance. She did so for two reasons, first not to be rude and secondly maybe it would make Irene just a bit jealous.

Irene spent a lot of her time with her father or talking to some of the older ladies in attendance. All the while, she kept one eye on the mysterious Thai beauty, as Lisa danced with the young men. Irene found herself not liking it one single bit much to her surprise.

Finally it was time to prepare for the small play. Lisa and her costar quickly changed into their costumes as Sir Changmin announced that for his guests he was going to have a couple short scenes from Shakespeare presented to them.

The little play was presented on a small stage that had been constructed in one corner of the ball room.

As they were about to go on, Lisa found herself a bit nervous. Though she was loathe to admit it, she did suffer from stage fright on occasion.

Seeing her nervousness as they were about to take the stage, Charles looked sympathetically at her. "Stage fright?"

Lisa nodded. "I shouldn't. I know, but it happens sometimes. I want to put on a good show for my friend and I'm nervous. I'll bet that something you don't have to contend with."

Charles laughed then leaned in close. "I'll tell you a little secret. Stage fright, I suffer from terrible stage fright. Always have."

Lisa did a double take. From what she knew of Charles Green and his career he was cool as a cucumber before he went on stage. "What? I never suspected. How do you deal with it."