Pretty Stranger

Glitter shimmered across the ballroom, falling like sugar. The sprinkles of gold made the people glisten. The carnival ball had begun.

Esmeralda had made it. Eighteen and free, this moment was a dream come true. While there was dancing inside, there was playing outside. All the rides were as grand as the chandeliers inside the ballroom.

Esmeralda wanted so much to ride the carousel, to be able to careen along with the glossy figurines. Like the ones trapped inside her snow globes back home.

Bubbles floated in the air like polka dots, decorating her red gown as she moved through the crowd. She moved fast, too fast. She didn't see the man in the top hat, bumping right into him.

Both were scrambling, trying to find their balance but ended up on the ground. "Sorry," she apologized. 

A dimple appeared when he smiled. "No, problem."

"Here," Esmeralda offered, dusting off his top hat. As he adjusted it back onto his head, she took the opportunity to absorb his attire: a white button up shirt, a red waistcoat, black jacket and pants, as well as a cape.

His face reminded her of the paintings kept in museums, one of a kind. She blushed when he caught her staring. "Sorry," she echoed.

"Is that the only thing you say?"

"No, of course not." She raised her chin. 

"Where are you heading?"

She gestured to the carousel. 

"Ah, excellent choice. Shall I accompany you?" He offered his elbow. He saw her hesitation and added, "I know this park better than anyone here. I can show you all the best spots."

She wanted to get the best out of her evening, out of this one night. It's all the magic she would have before she would have to go home and face reality. He was beautiful and put together and he appeared to have plenty of knowledge about the carnival. In one step, her arm was intertwined with his.

"Name?"

"Esmeralda."

"A name as beautiful as the woman who has it."

Olive cheeks became crimson. "And yours?"

He hummed. "For tonight, it'll be Edgar." And with a flourish of his cape, they were off. He stayed by her side the entire time. After their ride on the carousel, they went onto the ferris wheel, stuffing their faces with cotton candy. Then they had their faces painted. Their last stop was the ballroom. "May I have this dance?" He bowed and held his hand out.

Esmeralda curtsied and accepted. The band played a slow tune, making the atmosphere serene. She rested her head on his shoulder as they swayed to the music. Esmeralda couldn’t imagine an even more perfect night. “How did you end up here, in a place like this?” she asked him.

“It’s a very boring story,” he replied. “I’d rather hear about yours.”

“Trust me, it’s not as interesting as you may think,” she sighed.

“I’m the one that belongs here.”

“And I’m not,” she concluded.

“You stick out,” he said.

“In what way?” Had she been that obviously out of place.

“The best way.” He spun her, slowed and dipped her. “I wanted to know more about you the instant I laid my eyes on you.” He kissed her shoulder.

“I grew up in the outskirts of town,” she started. “No brothers. No sisters. My parents tried but once they realized it would only be me they became overprotective, overbearingly so.” She thought about Papa and Mama, the arguments she had with them, but mostly the love they gave her. “I’m pampered and spoiled. I’ve never wanted for anything,” she admitted. Pretty dresses and sparkling diamonds had been gifted to her for as long as she could remember.

“Except freedom.” The music ended, and the dance was over.

Esmeralda was relieved, Edgar didn’t argue with her. He simply listened. There was no condescending tone or being talked down to, only understanding. The two held hands as they went to grab refreshments.

“Excuse me,” he said. “I must get ready and prepare for my act. I don’t want to disappoint.” He kissed the back of her hand and bid her farewell. 

When will I see one of his tricks? That had been the question running through Esmeralda’s mind since meeting him. Now, it was being answered.

She waited… and waited… and waited.

Guests were leaving and people were beginning to clean up. Perplexed, Esmeralda stopped a waiter. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Where are people going?"

"The carnival ball has come to a close," he explained. 

"What about the show?"

"What show?"

"The magician's"

"What magician?" He looked at Esmeralda as if she were mad.

“The one with the top hat,” she said.

He scrunched his brows. “There were no magicians hired for this event, miss. We’ve had them in the past, but not for this carnival ball. The person that you saw must have been another guest enjoying the party like you were.”

Her heart sank and her stomach rolled. What was going on? Nothing was making sense. Where was he?

The ballroom became lonelier as more guests left. Esmeralda was left with the sound of brooms being swept and silverware being picked up. She was frozen, unable to make sense of it all. She planted a hand to her racing heart and felt it. The absence of her necklace. 

“No,” she gasped.

Then she searched her wrists and discovered her bracelets were gone. The jewelry that Papa and Mama had crowned her with had been stolen. Her eyes stung as cold realization crept in. It shook through her denial.

It wasn’t a matter of if he did it. But how could he? A tear fell down her cheek. Another waiter from the night came forward. “Miss, I’m afraid I have to ask you to leave. We need this room cleared out in order to clean up.”

She nodded and walked out as if she were in a trance. Morning light reigned, bringing a new day. The night was over, and so were the tricks.