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“Well, that was a little too deep for my liking,” Amber chuckles and I’m thankful she broke up the emotional tension.
I glance at her over my shoulder with a smirk. She always knows how to lighten up the mood. “You know I found an invitation to the masquerade ball for the new club Midnight Blue in my kitchen drawer today?”
“No way! I’ve heard that freaky things happen at the masquerade ball. You should go.”
“What do you mean ‘freaky things’ happen there? Have you been before?” I ask, using my free hand to provide the air quotes.
“Clients have come in and whispered that the nightclub is actually a front for a sex club. Only the elite are invited there for any events. Rumor has it the guy who owns the club is a total sex god but most people also think he’s the heir of the Russian Bratva.”
My jaw literally drops to the ground, then I let out a soft laugh. “No way. That sounds absurd.” I wave my hand dismissing the rumors. “Mia, Leah, and my step-mother are planning to find husbands at the masquerade ball. I guess the elite part checks out, because they are total gold diggers. But I can’t see them conspiring with dangerous people.”
Amber slaps the bar, causing me to jump while I replay the conversation from earlier with Mia in my mind. “I meant it when I said that you should go.”
Shaking my head no, I tell her, “They don’t want me there… actually they forbid it.” Softening my voice making sure it's gentle but direct to get my point across, I whisper, “She would punish me, Amber, if any of them saw me there.”
Amber squeezes my hand giving me a bit of comfort before she lets go. With a huge mischievous grin, she says, “Knowing that, you have to go. Maybe you’ll be able to get some blackmail material. Or maybe…just maybe…you’ll get to have some fun for a change.”
Without taking a breath, she continues, “Come by the bar first, I will take care of everything. Trust me they will never know you’re there.”
I relent, knowing that she’s not going to drop this if I don’t agree. “Fine, I'll go! But I’m only going to find out what they are up to.”
Shrugging, she says, “Sure. But just promise me if possible you will let go a little, Ella. Have some fun?”
I can’t promise her that so I don’t respond. I wouldn’t even know how to have fun. Moving away from her and hoping that she will drop it, I grab the rag back off the bar and continue wiping it down. Thankfully, she takes the hint and leaves me to finish up.
Entering the locker room, I can’t help but feel excited when I look down at the pile of cash in my hand. I’m so excited to be able to pay the mortgage and put money away this month. Tonight I got one step closer to securing the house and making sure I keep one of the biggest memories of the family I no longer have.
Grabbing my bag, I head back out into the night. I hustle to the station to make sure I make the last train. I take a deep breath, taking in the smell of the city. My brain drifts back to the conversation with Amber about going to the masquerade ball. I just hope that she’s right and I can get in without anyone noticing me. Call it women’s intuition if you will, but I know they’re hiding something from me.
three
Ella
Waking up with a jolt, I frantically look aroundmy room. I hear murmuring in the distance. “What the hell is going on?” I ask the empty room as I start to sit up in bed.
Through the thin walls, I can hear shouting between my step-sisters, Mia and Leah, as they argue over a dress. I roll my eyes at their antics and throw myself back onto the bed. Ugh…How is this my life?
“It's too damn early,” I mutter while pulling the covers over my face, trying to hide from everything. I would love to just have one morning when they don’t wake me up with their nonsense.
As the shouting dwindles down, my eyes flutter closed as my body tries to take me back into dreamland. But…no. Instead, my door bangs open, bouncing off the wall, making me quickly sit up in bed. My eyes settle on the silhouette in the doorway, the ice queen herself.
What could she possibly want? Why come all the way up to the attic, to my small closet? Usually she just sends my step-sisters to force me to do her bidding. But my step-mother in the attic…this can’t be good.
Both of us stay exactly where we are, not moving, just staring at each other for what feels like forever. But I won’t break first. I can’t be the one that shows any weakness. I have to show strength at all times, no matter how much I want to fall apart. Rolling her eyes at me, she breaks the silence first with an eerily calm voice. “Ella, it’s time to get Leah and Mia ready. We have an important dinner tonight.”
I don’t answer her, knowing it drives her crazy when I don’t respond. I can’t stop myself from pushing her boundaries even though I know it only makes my life harder. I do it any time I can, despite the punishments she loves to dole out. I don’t have control of much in my life at the moment. This tiny act of defiance gives me just a little and I like the feeling it gives me. I maintain my silence, pushing harder by staring. Not breaking eye contact. After a few seconds, her tone becomes even sharper. “Get your lazy ass up, girl! I will not have you ruin this for us.”
I try not to smirk. Her sharp tone gives her away. I hit the mark that I was looking for, but I don’t want to push it any farther. I throw the covers off of the bed and start to get dressed. Still not bothering to acknowledge her. When she feels content that I’m following her orders, she turns and walks away. The farther away she gets from my room, the warmer it gets, finally allowing me a moment to breathe.
Our conversation starts to consume my brain and I can’t help but wonder what she meant by ruining this for us? Even for her, she seemed more frazzled and on edge. I have that niggling feeling again. Something more is going on than just a dinner and masquerade ball.
And that can’t be good.
So many questions are swimming in my head. I sigh dejectedly, knowing there's no point in dwelling because I’m not going to have the answers any time soon.
Except that’s not completely true. Amber had the answer to my problem. I just have to be brave. Determination flows through my body. I’m going to find out what they’re hiding no matter what.
I’m going to that ball.
