The ballroom was enormous, with white walls full of beautiful paintings, and small chandeliers hanging from all over the ceiling. There were so many elegant and sophisticated people that for a moment I felt out of place. But my partner seemed to sense my nervousness, and took my hand reassuringly.

“No one knows the girl who is under that mask.” He reminded me softly, and I felt the warmth in his voice. “Don’t let them ruin a beautiful night.”

My heart was beating so fast again, and so I could only nod. He took my hand and kissed it softly.

“Would you like to dance with me?” He said with a sweet smile.

I felt in a trance, looking at the soft eyes that were fixed on me. Feeling a tingle in my hand, were he had kissed me.

“Of course.” I answered softly.

The first song was one I didn’t know. It was a slow, calm music I wasn’t sure how to dance, but he put his hands around me and started dancing, almost like a vals. I followed his guidance. His movements were soft and delicate, and I could feel his eyes fixed on me. He was so close to me, this wonderful man who have given me such amazing memories.

“You never told me were you are from.” I asked him.

His face came closer to mine, and for a moment I thought he was finally going to kiss me. But he moved to my ear.

“I am from Spain”, he said in a whisper.

That explained the Spanish.

“I am from England.” I said. “What do you do for a living? I have been wondering so much.”

“I sell things.” he said mysteriously. “Why are we talking about this boring things? We are in a party, so we should enjoy the moment.”

And so we did. We danced all night, and we talked about everything but our own lives. We talked about Venice, about its culture and people. We talked about the dance, the parade, our first dance together. We talked about his promise of the gondola trip, and of course I had to admit that he didn’t have to pay for any trip in gondola, as I had had an amazing time all these days. We talked about movies, about books, about games. And by the end of the night, my crush on him had intensified. I had felt in love with this mysterious man, my dark prince. My heart was beating fast, and I wanted to stay in that moment forever. To stop the time, and spend the eternity in his arms, dancing together.

“This seems to be the last song.” He said suddenly, and my heart hurt when I thought of saying goodbye.

“I don’t want to go. This has been so amazing… thank you so much for everything.” I said, and decided to move further this time.

“There is still more carnival, querida.” He said sweetly.

“There is something I want to do before this night ends,” I said shyly. My heart was beating faster, he had to feel the same way, right?

“And what is that? Let’s see if we can make it true.” He said.

That was the signal for me; he was feeling just like me. So I moved my face and kissed him.

For the records, there is nothing more awkward than a kiss with a mask. The masks bump into each other, and so they move from their place, and suddenly you are unable to see anything but the dark that is inside of your mask. But even though, our first kiss was wonderful. His lips were so soft and warm, and his mouth tasted like the champagne he had been drinking before. When he didn’t reject me, I felt bolder, and so I deepen the kiss. I touch his hair, and it was as soft as I had imagined. And I needed more. I had to see his face this time. So I moved my hand towards his mask…

But he grabbed my hands and move away.

“We shouldn’t do this.” He said suddenly.

I felt like the silliest person in the ballroom. Had I read wrong the signals? Was it only me the one that felt that way?

“Why shouldn’t us?” I asked, and was horrified of how sad my own voice sounded.

“I am sorry, but I just can’t.” He said apologetically.

His words pierced through my heart. I didn’t understand anything. Had I messed everything? But he hadn’t rejected me either… not at the beginning at least…

“I… it is ok.” I answered, even if my heart was broken. “We… we can still be friends, right? Tomorrow at St. Mark’s square, at nine?”

“I… yes, of course.” He said without much emotion.

This was too painful for me to keep up.

“Then, thank you for everything. Good night.” I said, and turned around and leave.

“Wait…! Querida!” He said, but I kept moving and lost him. What had I been thinking? Kissing this stranger! He didn’t even knew my name so as to call after me. This was the craziest thing I have ever done in my life.

This was a dream, a silly dream.

I got my jacket back and left the place. And for a moment I stood there, dumbfounded and alone in the street.

My eyes started watering. One drop. Two drops.

And then I started to cry.

It was the end of my silly, beautiful dream.

Time to get back to reality.