Page 6 of Unmasking My Dark Knight

Entering the corporate world in my twenties completely shifted my life around. I went from watching weird B-movies and listening to Nine Inch Nails to making dinner reservations at upscale downtown restaurants. I found myself laughing at jokes that weren’t even funny, only to impress my bosses that reminded me of fucking Patrick Bateman.

And then I met Megan, and it was like my personality was completely put on the back burner. I was only “allowed” to listen to my obscure music and watch my odd movies when no one else was around.

Like I had to hide who I really was.

But it didn’t dawn on me that you could never truly hide from the “weirdo” parts of yourself.

I think that’s why Gustav and I were so close when we were young; we were both outcasts who didn’t feel like we needed to hide from ourselves around each other. He was born into a super fucking rich family, and I was dirt poor, but that didn’t make a difference. We’d watch shit like Hellraiser or The Crow in my basement while strumming guitars, talking about how much we hated our lives, as emo teenage boys tended to do.

I set my bag down and glanced around the room. It was full of life, with dozens of characters walking around or sitting in their seats, makeup artists and wardrobe people intent on their work.

A lot of the more elaborate scare actors got their wardrobe and makeup done for them, but I was one of the many who needed to provide my own.

I sat down at a small table and glanced up at the tiny makeup mirror attached to it. My dark brown, ear-length hair was a wavy mess, which worked perfectly for my unhinged clown persona. My tattoos, which snaked down my arms, were slightly hidden underneath my long-sleeved shirt covered in fake blood. All that needed to be done was apply my clown makeup. It was a little Joker-esque, who I idolized growing up. Kind of weird to idolize a villain, right? Maybe it was the “weirdo” in me, or maybe it was just me hoping to one day no longer be a victim in my own story, even if that meant turning into the villain.

Thirty minutes later, I swiveled my head to the left and right, checking out my completed look. I’d spent countless hours practicing, feeling transformed from a man who had lost everything into a monster that was ready to steal it all back.

“Scream for me, darling…” I whispered to myself, furrowing my brow into something dark and sinister.

I finished my outfit with my protective gear for sliding, and after one final look, I locked up my belongings and headed out to the park.

CHAPTER 3

Ivy Jade

We finally landed softly, near a strip of tarmac that belonged to the chateau. Ben was the best pilot ever, even better than the pilot who landed his plane in the Hudson River after hitting a goose. Money really could buy anything! Ben had been with our family for decades, and not once hit so much as a cloud.

Outside my adorable window, I watched as a team of men unloaded my makeup bags from the bottom of the jet. I put on my lip gloss and asked one of the flight attendants to carry me down the steps. After all, I couldn’t afford to twist my ankle–I was the maid of honor. But apparently that went against some 'regulation.'

“We’re finally here! It’s finally happening!” Talluah screeched as she exited the plane. “Gustav, look how beautiful everything looks from here!” she shouted.

Ow, my freaking ears.

I thought I was loud and squeaky, but she beat me in that department.

Sheesh.

“Wow! Qué hermoso,” Mami said. I followed her eyes as they tilted back with her head. “How beautiful it all is, mijo.”

Mami was only acting impressed because she didn’t want Gustav and Tallulah to feel bad, especially Tallulah. These castles were a dime a dozen in our family, so it wasn’t too exciting for us, but I digress—maybe she was impressed. Weird.

“Do we have to go up all those flights of stairs?” I said, staring up at the estate, the chateau on a green hill filled with autumn trees of red and yellow leaves. My head tilted way too far back for my taste.

I caught Mami’s horrified expression, but once she turned back to my brother, her smile was back on as if she wasn’t bothered by anything.

“Mijo, is there an elevator?” she asked my brother, who was already far up ahead of us. “Maybe around the corner, or something.”

“Yeah. Seriously. Can Ben fly us up there? I don’t know if my Louboutins will be very happy about walking up one thousand flights of stairs.”

Gustav looked really annoyed, which upset me all the more because he should be annoyed, too. Why should my brother have to walk up all these steps? He’s the groom!

Whatever. My older brother was always the black sheep of our family. He was defiant and never wore the bright and bold colors Mami picked out for us. He just wanted to dress all in black and hang with his long-haired friends. Papi didn’t seem to care at all, but how could he when he was home maybe like ten percent of the time—that was being generous because I loved him.

“Ivy Jade,” Tallulah started. “It’s not one thousand flights of stairs, more like fifteen. Get over it, drama queen,” she laughed.

I twisted my lips. “I resent that, Tallulah. I’m simply stating my honest feelings. Gosh,” I cried.

Gustav sighed and rolled his eyes. “Let’s go.”