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We paused in the foyer while Jason checked that all was going well with the hotel manager. Taking a glass of champagne from the waiter for me, Jason led me into the ballroom. The ceiling was high with glass chandeliers and the floor full of bustling, swarming people in gowns and black ties wearing their own masks. The red carpet underneath me was cushioning my heels. Mirrors hung around the room, reflecting the light around almost disorientating me.
Jason was guiding me through crowd, holding me gently by my elbow. He nodded and greeted different people, occasionally proffering a handshake. Everyone knew who he was but nobody recognised me. I rapidly became the topic of conversation and the sound reaching me ears was the whispering buzz going round the room.
I can survive this, I chanted repeatedly to my inner self.
More people arrived and I was constantly being introduced to new arrivals. I smiled and shook hands, but otherwise remained quiet. I was so out of my comfort zone while Jason handled it all with incredible ease. His affable manner and behaviour were an eye-opener. The whole time he managed to keep himself both detached and cordial, never more than a polite handshake, no hugs or kisses. Although I was sure some of the ladies would love him to touch them.
As we moved around the room, I made eye contact with another woman, young like me. Her lips were firmly set and turned down, she looked miserable. It was Libby. What was she doing here? Her mask was an ostrich, complete with feather at the top and her extravagant gown was an expensive design. How could she afford that on her salary? Jason touched my shoulder, and I turned back to him.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Some-one from my old office, one of the gossip makers. I thought you said nobody would know me?” I whispered at me.
“Who?” he said following my gaze.
“Libby,” I hissed back “Bloody Libby Turvington, with the ostrich feather sticking up. Over there.”
Jason thought for a minute. “Turvington. Mike Turvington is her father, we’ve done business together, and she probably came with him. He is a widower. I think he helped Libby find a job in my company a few months back.”
I looked away in case she caught my eye. “I would rather avoid her at all costs. Can’t stand her,” I said with venom.
“We need to keep circulating, Gemma.” Jason tugged on my arm and I followed him.
There was music playing around the ballroom and in an adjoining room, a sumptuous buffet laid out. I managed to select a few things and nibbled on them as I tried to listen in on one of Jason’s numerous conversations. His knowledge of different subject matters seemed wide ranging and deep.
I needed to pee. I whispered in Jason’s ear. “I’m need to go the powder room.”
He dropped out of his conversation. “Sure, baby. Over on the other side of the ballroom. I’ll find you, can’t miss those gazelle horns.”
I made my way over to the Ladies’ restroom. The relief from emptying my bladder was immense. I had been holding out for too long. I came out of the cubicle and she was there, Libby. Her mouth was a scowl and she whipped off her mask to expose her wide-open spoon shaped eyes. They were fixated on me.
“Libby, what a surprise,” I lied.
I dashed over to the hand basin and washed my hands. There was one other woman in the room and when she left, I was alone with Libby. I turned to face her taking my mask off as I could not look at her with it on.
“No fucking surprise, I knew you would be here,” she said. “I’ve been hoping to get you on your own. I’m on a mission.”
She stepped closer to me and without warning her hand lashed out and slapped me hard across my cheek. My head was thrown backwards and pain exploded across my face.
“Arggghhh, what the fuck was that for, Libby?” I yelled at her.
“You bitch! I spent ages getting my dad to find me a job in Jason’s company. I’ve been waiting and waiting for him. Then you waltzed in and took him from under my eyes.”
Her hatred of me was written across her enraged face. I did not think a face could display raw emotions so strongly and aggressively. All those months of barely interacting with me and now she boiled over with clear loathing and envy.
“Jeez, Libby,” I said, “Jason doesn’t have a clue who you are. He didn’t even recognise you in this crowd.”
Slap!
Another painful blow across my face and for a fraction of second a multitude of tiny lights flashed before my eyes.
Why was I standing here taking this shit?
I picked up my mask and made to leave quickly, to find Jason and have him throw her out.
“Oh no you don’t,” she snarled.
She grabbed my arm, pulled me towards her and then I saw it in her other hand - a knife. It was short but very sharp and I could see the overhead halogen lights reflecting off its edge. Now my fear level had increased. I looked at her eyes, they were wild and I was very scared. I needed to control my sense of fear, to keep my focus on escaping from her.
