Page 106 of Unravel Me

Set your plan into motion.

CHAPTER 22: JARED

Present day

I’m already getting ready to crawl back into my nest, even though I’m not exactly eager to anymore. My recovery has wound down. I’m debating whether I should try to nap and prolong this strange state of limbo, this suspension where I don’t have to make any decisions, or whether I should go downstairs and finally have a serious conversation with… a certain someone.

Unexpectedly, there’s a knock at my door.

"Come in," I call.

Emilio steps into the room. He’s wearing a hat and a scarf, and his eyes peer at me curiously from behind his glasses.

"I hope you’re feeling better? Gianni mentioned you helped him with his makeup, so I figured I’d take a chance and ask if you’d like to come with us to the fireworks display. It’s really spectacular!"

I blink at him for a moment, caught off guard. I’d forgotten that they’d discussed it earlier. Well, I definitely do feel better. The only question is whether going out is actually a good idea.

"I’m a little worried about being out in public because people recognize me pretty often. You know, because of my Instagram, and in my current situation, that might not be such a good thing," I mumble, slightly embarrassed.

Emilio chuckles.

"Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. Our fireworks display is a little unusual. There’s something like a masquerade ball alongside it, and people come dressed up in all sorts of ways… Take a look."

He raises a hand, holding several Venetian-style masks.

"Look at these. One of them would look great on you. Silvio told me to bring it for you."

I stare at the one he holds out to me.

It’s green, decorated with tiny pieces of green, deep blue, gold, and turquoise glass cut like little crystals. It’s also adorned with small stylized leaves, and around the temples, right where the arch of the eyebrows ends, there are little green plumes that look like dyed feathers mixed with thin golden threads.

Best of all, the mask also has additional detachable ears that extend the wearer’s ears into the shape of elf ears… Uh-huh.

"Wow, it’s really pretty," I say diplomatically, biting my lip slightly. I’ve never been much of a fan of carnival festivities or masquerade balls, but I can’t deny that the mask itself is aesthetically pleasing.

"And who’s going to the fireworks?" I ask a little shyly, because I suspect he might see right through the question.

And, sure enough, Emilio smiles.

"Everyone except Tony, whose back has been giving him hell. My poor son was in a really bad accident, and unfortunately, even after several years of recovery, standing for more than two hours causes him tremendous pain."

"I’m really sorry to hear that," I say quietly, still wondering what I should do.

"Oh, and our guest, Veyron, can’t go. He said he had an online meeting scheduled with his employee."

"I see," I mutter, rubbing my chin.

Emilio notices my hesitation and adds in a soft tone, "Of course, we’re not going to pressure you. We know how you might still be feeling. Recovery can be really rough, especially when someone is in a… well, let’s call it an uncertain situation. All of that takes a toll mentally too."

There’s nothing but understanding in his voice.

Ah, what the hell.

I take a deep breath and suddenly blurt out, "All right, I’ll go. I think this mask has convinced me. It’s so pretty."

I take it from Emilio’s hands, put it on, and study myself in the mirror.

Wow. I really do look like I just wandered in from a carnival. Curious to see the effect, I undo my braid and let my hair fall down my back.