AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, it’s—”
“I’ll grab them,” I said, running out of the room. I had always been uncomfortable with a lot of attention focused on me. I don’t know why but once the attention was on me for any reason I panic. When I returned, I hung both dresses over the arm of the sofa.
“Yours is the blue, I presume.” He smiled, looking directly at Cassie.
“You presume right.” She smiled.
I watched as Devon put Cassie’s hair up in an elegant, loose chignon bun, twisting in a few diamond clips. Then he added a smoky look to her eyes in a deep blue to match her dress and a vibrant red lipstick. When she was done, she grabbed her dress, telling me that she would see me up in her room. I sat down and Devon worked his magic. He added a smoky look to my eyes also, in a silver shimmer that sparkled. Devon really was a master with hair and makeup. He added tight curls to my long dark hair, twisting a few strands up in the back with clear wire threading in, some crystals to my hair. I thanked him profusely as I grabbed my dress and left the room. Once I was with Cassie again, I looked in the mirror and almost cried.
I looked—beautiful.
Cassie and I then helped each other get in our dress. There was no way I was messing up my amazing hair style. I never let my hair curl naturally because it always looked so messy. However, what Devon managed to do tonight had me made me rethinking that decision.
“Limo arrives in twenty minutes,” Cassie said, stuffing a few things in her clutch purse.
“I’m so nervous,” I said, shaking out my hands.
“Why?” Cassie asked, turning to face me. “It’s not as if you haven’t been to a masquerade before. You know what goes on.”
“I know, but it’s different this time,” I replied.
“How?”
“Well, half the town saw me fight with Mason at the club, and the other half saw me making out with his brother, Nick.” I groaned, thinking back.
Cassie rolled her eyes, and then took my hand in hers. “So what? I have seen worse, a
nd besides, you’re wearing a mask, so unless you showed the town your dress, you’re incognito.” Then we heard Cassie’s mother call up to us, letting us know that the limo was here. My heart began to race.
“I’ll meet you there,” Mrs. Harper said, giving each of us a hug as we left.
The driver opened the door for us as we walked up.
“Miss Harper,” he said with a nod. Cassie smiled, and then climbed in first. “Thirsty?” she asked, grabbing a flute as I sat next to her.
“Yes,” I replied.
CHAPTER NINE
The limo pulled up to the hall where the masquerade was being held. The driver opened the door, offering his hand as I got out. I stood on the red carpet leading to the front door, waiting for Cassie to get out. As we walked up to the entrance, a woman in a deepplum and black gown spotted us and walked over.
“Cassie darling , you look ravishing.” Both leaned in to air-kiss and Cassie reciprocated the compliment to Mrs. Foster. “Lauren?” She glanced over at me. “My goodness, you look exquisite.” She air-kissed me as well.
“Thank you, Mrs. Foster. As do you.” I smiled. She walked in with us then went her separate way. I fidgeted with my purse as we made our way in through the open front doors. A man dressed in a black suit with a silver bow tie and white gloves nodded as we walked past him.
“Relax ,” Cassie said, taking my hand and pulling me close. “I’m trying,” I said and forced a smiled. We slowly walked around the massive hall. The orchestra was playing a slow tempo
as the guests began to arrive. I caught myself stopping and listening with my head tilted, taking in the gentle sound. Then Cassie hissed at me, and I quickly caught up to her. I stuck by her side for the first hour after we had arrived, listening to Cassie as she gossiped about the couples she recognized, even in their masks. Mainly it was gossip about the scandals going on among the high-profile families in Portland. A real bore, if you asked me. Now I understood why my mother avoided these events. Most of them spent their days drinking tea at the country club gossiping about one another. This even was no different. It was just a different place and different event.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the guests started to trickle in from outside. I watched as Mrs. Foster scurried to the front entrance and spoke with the doorman. He then slipped away, and someone else took his place at the door. At some point after an hour, I had lost Cassie and I had grown tired of the event already. Maybe if I had brought an actual date, perhaps I’d feel differently.
As I stood there scanning the masked faces, I realized that Mason wasn’t among them. Disappointment set in quickly. After the other night, I felt the need to speak with him about some of the things that were said. Explain to him he didn’t need to choose, not yet. There was no reason for an ultimatum—it wasn’t fair. I realized that now. My feelings had controlled me for long enough, and I had to be fair to him as well as myself. I spotted a server walking around with flutes filled with Cristal, and grabbed a glass.
Slowly I backed into a corner, taking a moment to myself, watching the crowd gather in groups; some laughing, others in deep conversation. I was so lost in my thoughts that I did not even notice Nick come up behind me.
“Evening Lauren,” his said, as he slipped his arm around my waist standing next to me. I jumped startled but quickly recovered. I glanced over at him with a smile. Nick looked dashing as ever in his dark-teal suit, a pale-teal tie and black mask; his blue eyes gave him away immediately.
“ Evening, Nick.” A smile widened across my ruby lips, a little relieved that I wasn’t alone anymore. “What gave me away?” I asked.
