"Hoodie 2" I Love You ✔ [On Hold]

Optimism

Carly's POV
When Leo stepped out of the curtains wearing the black suit, he modeled it for me and I laughed at how he made funny faces while modeling it. A hairstylist was styling my hair while someone does a manicure on Mom

It took all three of us 2 hours to get ready, my brothers and Dad were with Libby and Kathrina so imagine our surprise once we meet at the 5-star hotel where the ball will be held. My brothers were all groomed amazingly that they all look like they came from a James bond movie

Kathrina ran to me with a lovely Blue princess design dress, she held my hand and we both looked up at the entrance of this grand hotel

"You ready?"

It turned to Leo who has his elbow up for me to grab, this feels like a fairy tale that I used to cringe about so much when I was younger. The fountains and the lovely yellow glow of the lights from the hotel made the entire building looks like it was made from gold

Many people were dressed up nicely as they enter the doors, Leo and Libby lead all of us to the ballroom location and our jaws dropped once we see the inside when we were let in by the guards at the door. This is no normal company Christmas party on a budget, the Xaviers went all out that it looked like a grand ball made for royalties

There were tables spread out around the ballroom and a huge space in the middle for people to dance, a tall silver Christmas tree was placed next to the stage that has a band playing songs. It didn't take long for employees to notice Leo and Libby enter the ballroom because they greeted them happily

Kathrina was playing with other children that were brought by the employees since Libby allowed them to bring their families to the ball

"Woah"

Leo noticed my awed expression "Woah indeed"

My legs moved on their own as I walked up to the large glass windows as the snow started to fall gently outside, the window view leads out to the garden with a gazebo that was adorned with Christmas lights around. Leo went to get us drinks and I sat at a table that was reserved for my family, I watched as all the employees have a bright smile on their faces as they dance around 

There is a guy who asked me for a dance and I didn't want to be rude so I accepted his request, he pulled me to the dance floor and we danced. Take note I don't know a single damn thing about ballroom dances so imagine my panicked self trying to figure out what to do in this situation, the guy seemed to notice it also so he change his steps to follow me

Leo's POV
I was only away to get us some drinks but when I turned around I found Carly dancing with Carson who is the most outgoing employee in the company, the guy is almost like a walking sign that says 'OPTIMISM'

Carly was having trouble doing a ballroom dance with him and he found out the hard way because she accidentally stepped on his foot and since Carson is the gentleman he is decided to just follow Carly's steps, the brothers were being flocked by all the females in the company with Matt kept repeating "Sorry I have a girlfriend" as he tries to avoid them

Brooke and Tyler were dancing happily along with many others on the dance floor, Mom was sitting alone at our table with a sad look in her eyes hidden behind a small smile that she is showing to everyone. I put down the drinks and fixed up my tie before going up to her

"Aren't you going to dance with your girlfriend?" She asked me with a confused look on her face

I tilted my head to where Carson and Carly are having a blast on the dance floor "She's taken right now, since Dad is not here I'll dance with you"

She looked touched by my gesture and she kindly accepted it, we danced beside Carly and Carson who were loudly laughing at each other because they both keep trying to avoid being stepped on by their partner's feet. At the corner of my eye, I saw Preston

The guy who has a secret admiration and crush on my Mom but got turned down, he saw me looking at him and I gave him a small nod before twirling Mom around and passing her to him

Preston is the guy who owns a company similar to ours and he has been partners with Mom for a long time, the guy is literally her high school buddy. They have a history together and Preston even confessed he was a bit hurt he has to watch Mom get married to another guy (Dad)

He supported her as a good best friend does, if anybody asked me who is the most patient guy I could think of? It would be him. He was sure he could get Mom to like him but he doesn't want to force her

I like Preston, he is a good person who took care of us when Dad isn't around and we owe him a lot. His eyes twinkled with excitement once Mom was dancing with him "Hey Libby"

Carly's POV
Carson was a fun guy to dance with when I felt someone tap my shoulder and it turns out it was Leo

"May I now have the lady's permission to dance?" He gave me a wink and I can't help but roll my eyes at the small cringe-fest that just happened in my head

I gave him my hand "Of course not"

Since I took his hand I took the liberty to pull him close to me than the other way around where the guy pulled the girl "Just kidding" I stuck my tongue out to him a little then smiled