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Tonight will be a test to see where the guy’s intentions lie. I’m sure there’s gonna be a vast amount of women at the party, like there always are. So tonight, I’ll find out for sure if any of the guys have a roaming eye, or if their hearts are really set on me.
I emerge from the tub, dripping with soapy, oily water. Then I pull on a terrycloth towel and peek out the bathroom window, so I can see what’s going on below.
It’s been a whirlwind few days planning the party. I’ve had tons of help, but my vision was vastly darker from that of the party planner’s. While they were out for light and bright, glitz and glamour, as all of the Belcourt parties have been, I was into something…a shade darker.
I imagined candles and sheaths of red and black velvet fabric, sexy seating, and low operatic music. This masquerade will be the perfect opportunity for people to escape who they really are.
Everyone is someone they’re not. Everyone can indulge their shadow self, that inner seductive being that hates the light and craves only darkness where, unmentionable things can happen between the sheets.
The tone of this party is very secretive and sexy. I can think of no better setting for me to further get to know the guys.
I admire my vision coming to life and then I step back from the window. I play some music and proceed to get ready.
I let my mind to drift to happier things, like the beginning of a real relationship with the Belcourt brothers.
For once, I feel like my own person. I feel free at last—and this enables the true me, the real me to shine through. Without the impending threat of Simon, I’m a different person—light and carefree.
At the same time, I know I’ve only been able to open up to the guys like this, because they’ve made me feel comfortable. Being in the presence of such strong, commanding men is what makes me feel like I can unleash my inner wild child.
I know that whatever I dish, they can take. I know that my wildness is not too much for them to handle. They can contain me—and that’s a feeling worth something.
I can’t help but reminisce about the first night I was at the mansion: my first party. The difference between that night and this one is that, now, I feel empowered and safe, whereas I came here in a fearful state, eager to escape Simon and my torturous past with him.
Tonight, I want the seductive atmosphere to envelop everyone so that my guys can get to know me in another kind of environment. The party tonight will be the grandest one yet—and I can’t wait for the evening to begin.
So I carefully apply my makeup…smoky eyes and deep, red lips. I collect my hair into a bundle of curls at the nape of my neck and then strategically place drops of perfume on my body.
My silver dress is shining in the corner, and I can’t wait to slink into it. Gucci iseverything, and tonight, I’m about to make good on my shopping trip with Ian.
I slip easily into the dress and admire my reflection in the mirror. The only thing that’s missing is my mask.
I’ve had a black and red mask made of the finest lace. It covers part of my face and highlights my eyes enough to provide just the perfect amount of mystery and intrigue.
This day has been building up for a while. Ever since the guys said they were throwing a party in my honor, I’ve been thinking about how it will go. The fact that I got to help plan it is just icing on the cake.
Life at the mansion is dreamier than ever, and with Simon gone, I pinch myself daily to know that it’s real. I’ve chased happiness like a butterfly, and now?
It’s mine at last. I deserve this.
I slip my heels on and check my phone one last time before heading out. Luckily for me, there are no messages from Simon—further evidence that I’m free.
I flick through my pictures and make sure the one of the will is destroyed. I can’t have that lying around. I don’t want any evidence of my sordid past coming out.
A part of me feels like the guys should know the truth: that Simon put me up to this, that I’ve been undermining them—but that I didn’t want to do it, and that it’s all sorted now.
But how do I bring that up? I can’t honestly imagine myself saying the words and facing the possibility of losing everything.
No, I think it’s better to put the past where it belongs: in the past. And I can start over in my new life, right here, not so far from home.
It doesn’t seem likely that any of the guys would ever want to see me again after having known what I did. It pains me to even think of it. So I don’t.
I’m going to bury my past and never look at it again.
Starting tonight.
Because tonight will be fun and memorable, and nothing can hold me back from that.
I give myself one final glance in the mirror to make sure everything’s in place, then I make my way down the grand staircase and see the house brimming with guests arriving. Everything is magnificent—and yet also steeped in a dark allure that will surely get the night going.
For a moment, I just stand at the bottom of the staircase and take in the scene.
I look around the room for any sign of Ian, Matt, Paul, or Evan, but alas. I’m alone. I grab a glass of champagne from one of the passing trays and head outside to take in the rest of the party.
