AllFreeNovel
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“First of all…” Farley touches my shoulders, adjusting me toward the closed double doors across the entryway. “Everyone is required to wear a mask tonight. It’s part of the mystique.”
I nod. “The mystique, of course.”
“And second of all…”
Through the doors, the sounds of a live jazz band hit me for the first time. And as the doors open, my chin falls. The lights make the nightclub look like a smoky cabaret right out of the twenties.
“No, you aren’t working tonight. You’re our guest.” Farley pats my shoulder.
I do a double-take. “Seriously? I thought you…”
“I want you to get a feel for the club, for the people you’ll be dealing with.” His smile is mischievous. “This is your welcome to New York. Now come on, put on your mask…”
I do so, allowing the “mystique” to take over.
“Perfect. Now, go get yourself a drink, and I’ll catch up with you later. Remember, tonight we’re anonymous. Masquerade and all. Ha! So, for as long as this lasts, youare...” His hands slide down my arms. He guides my wingspan away from my dress and marvels at me with an excited smile. “The Swan Princess!”
I giggle. “Is that how I should introduce myself?” I have no idea what is going on, but this is the man who hired me, so I’ll play by his rules tonight.
“Yes. For this one night a year, we are only who we portray. I’ll be asking around for you later, princess.” Another kiss to both my cheeks. “Ciao, bella.”
And Farley is gone. I watch him go, marveling at what a character he is.
Is everyone larger than life here?
I look back to the open doors.
It’s now or never, Sonia. Let’s do this.
The second I step into the club proper, I am transported.
The doors open up into a well of conversation couches and cabaret tables facing a giant stage. At the center of it all is a dance floor where people are clinging together, enjoying the freedom found through their hidden identities. A long bar flanks one wall, behind which bartenders flit around like they’re doing a choreographed ballet. A metal balcony rims the room.
To my left, another staircase also leads upstairs to what appears to be a secluded VIP area that seems to have open access tonight.
“Cocktail?” A server bends a tray my way. A garden of champagne flutes full of red, bubbling liquid.
“What…what is it?”
“Lion’s Roar,” he says without further explanation.
I grab a glass and thank him, even though I’m a bit concerned about the contents of the flute.
After taking a sniff at the drink, my mouth waters a bit,so I take a sip, and holy heaven, it’s delicious. Bubbles of champagne, tart of cranberry, heat of cinnamon, and… Is that whisky?
This drink is dangerous.
If I indulge too fast, I’m going to be wobbling all over the place.
Now wielding my cocktail, I guess it’s time to mingle. But I don’t know what to try first or where I would even fit in. Although that’s the power of the mask, I suppose. I fit right in anywhere simply because tonight, we’re all free to be whoever we want to be.
If only that were my life every day.
No, I refuse to think about my problems, I refuse to drown under the weight of my life.
Happy thoughts, Sonia. Happy thoughts.
It’s been so long since I’ve been able to have those.
