Masquerade ball

"Hey, Karrie. I'm hoping everything is in order for tonight." Scarlet's cheerful voice could be heard on the other end of the phone line. I let out a sigh and slid onto the bed. My mind still was playing tricks on me. At one point, I was confident that our plan would succeed and that I would be able to obtain as much information about my parents' murder from Olivier as possible. But right now, I'm not sure I'm confident enough to proceed with this plan.

"I'm not sure," I mumbled, my voice strained.

"What exactly do you mean by 'you don't know?'" Scarlet inquired. From the other side, I could hear her rummaging through something. I guess she's preparing for the ball, whereas I'm still in dilemma. Before opening my eyes, I took a shaky breath and clenched my fists.

"Scar, I'm not sure if I'm up to it. What if our plan fails? I can't put your and Tyler's lives in jeopardy because of me." As my vision became blurry, I said. I held my breath for a moment as the other line went silent before Scarlet spoke up.

"Listen here, Karrie. This is our one and only chance. We need to find the true culprits of your parents' deaths, and you must be strong to do so. You cannot allow your fear to consume your mind and soul at this time. If you don't do it, you'll live the rest of your life regretting not taking this chance."

"You want justice for your parents' deaths, those scumbags should go to hell, that should be your sole motto right now." Her tone became abrasive and harsh. Her words were the ones that knocked me to my senses. So many scenarios flashed through my mind like a slideshow: the bullet to Mom's head, the last pleading look in her eyes, Dad's lifeless body on the floor, that cat-green-eyed man with a pistol in his hand, an evil smirk playing on his lips.

I exhaled a deep, resonant breath. When I opened my eyes again, I saw a new determination in them. This is exactly what I'm looking for. This is what I've been looking forward to for months. I can't let my fear prevent me from taking advantage of such a fantastic opportunity.

Revenge and justice for my parents' deaths

We ended our conversation after exchanging a few plans and ideas. It was half-past 5 p.m. by the time I finished showering. Tyler said he'd pick me up at 7.30 a.m., so I have exactly 2 hours to get ready. Before slipping into my black lacy underwear, I rubbed my favorite scented body lotion all over myself. I straightened and blow-dried my hair before tying it in a high ponytail with a black satin ribbon. Scarlet taught me how to apply makeup for an hour in the morning. To put it plainly, it was more boring than economics class! I swear I was about to pass out if Scarlet hadn't smacked my head with a makeup brush.

Face primer was applied, and a small amount of foundation was dabbed all over my face. On my eyes, I used a dark smokey eyeshadow. I then took a lash curler from Scarlet's makeup bag, which she had to lend me because she had one extra for herself. Yes! She has two suitcases full of cosmetics.

I placed the curler against my eyes and pressed my lashes before applying mascara. I then applied blush to my cheeks, highlighter to my brows, and dark red lipstick to my lips. Finally, I applied some light silver glitter to my eyes and finished the makeup by spritzing moisture mist all over my face to keep my face fresh and healthy all night. I was still unsure if I was doing everything correctly because this was all new to me.

I then changed into my gown. I went with a black rhinestone necklace, matching earrings, and a pearl bracelet. As soon as I saw myself in the mirror, I smiled contentedly. I have a...different appearance. The reflection in the mirror isn't the same one I saw two hours ago. The woman in front of me appears more daring, ambitious, and breathtaking. It's past time to bring out the badass girl buried deep within me. You're going to see a different Karolia tonight.

I laughed as I imagined how my mother would react if she were here. I can see myself chained in the basement for a month if she discovers what I'm planning to do tonight with Olivier to obtain information. I'm confident I won't be able to kill him. However, there are other ways for a woman to obtain information from a man.

Tyler texted me at 7.30 a.m., saying he and Finn were waiting in the basement parking lot. This man is a more punctual version of Logan. When I thought about Logan, I felt a pang of guilt. I'm well aware that what I'm doing is incorrect. I'm betraying his faith in me. I'm sure he'll be furious when he finds out I'm going to the ball behind his back. But hey, he should know I won't give up until I find something.

Before rushing out of the house with the mask in my hand, I slipped into my burgundy lace low heels that matched my dress. Tyler's 2020 black Porsche was parked outside the building. You might be wondering how the hell I know the car's model. Tyler, on the other hand, is obsessed with new cars and has been talking nonstop about his new baby for the past three days.

"Wow, Karrie, you look fantastic," Tyler said with wide eyes as I slid into the back seat. Tyler and Finn's heads were turned back in my direction, their mouths agape.

"If I was straight, I would have hit on you," Finn joked, and I laughed.

"I'm sorry, baby. She's already been claimed." Tyler said, and I blushed as I remembered Logan. I'm curious how he'll look tonight with a mask on.

"Shall we move ahead?" Tyler questioned.

"Sir, yes." Finn and I both responded at the same time. You'll never be bored when you're with these two. They tease, challenge, and make fun of each other. We can easily sense their love for one another, which makes me coo in awe. I'm overjoyed for them, and they've evolved into more than just friends, they are like brothers.

My phone began to vibrate in my bag. Logan's name appeared in the caller ID when I found the phone. My heart began to pound frantically in my chest. What if Logan comes to see me in my apartment before the ball, only to discover I'm not there? Then I'll have to cancel my plans for tonight because I'm pretty sure he'll lock me up in his cell once he gets me. I quickly answered the phone, pushing my negative thoughts aside.

"Hello, Logan," I said cheerfully. As soon as Logan's name was called out loud, the car fell silent.

"Hey, baby. You sound happy" From the other side, Logan's husky voice said.

"It's because I'm happy. Why should I not be?"

"I assumed you'd be upset with me for not taking you to the ball. You were, up until this morning." Oh my gosh! I was supposed to be upset with him. Not all lovey-dovey.

"Oh, yes. I'm upset with you. Who said I wasn't?" I stated. Tyler was trying hard not to laugh when he saw my face in the rearview mirror. I was nervously biting my nails, which is a bad habit of mine. It's extremely difficult to deceive Logan. He'll figure it out in no time.

"Ohh…I'm truly sorry, love. But, as I stated earlier, it is not safe for you to come. Try to understand it." Logan begged.

"I understand," I said, eager to get this conversation over with. If we talk more, I'm sure I'll tell him the truth.

"Really? So you're no longer mad at me?" Logan asked, his voice unsure.

"Yes and no, I'm no longer mad at you. I know you're only concerned about my safety." I added a drab tone. "That's fantastic. In any case, I'll see you soon, love. I'll be staying at your place overnight and will make an effort to arrive earlier." I smiled briefly before my eyes widened in horror, he said.

"What? NO, please do not come today." Words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them. He can't come today. It will be midnight by the time I get home after carrying out this plan. And I'm confident Logan will leave the ball early to be with me.

"Why? Got any other plans for tonight?" Logan asked, his voice dripping with slight anger. Think something, Karolia!

"Actually, I'm at a friend's house. We're going to have a sleepover."

"Which of your friends? Is it a girl or a boy? "He inquired sharply. Lord! Please help me!

"Logan, you need to stop being so possessive and overprotective. I know how to look after myself. It's a girl, happy ?" I said angrily. He exhaled a sigh.

"I had no idea you had friends besides Pat, Scarlet, and those two gay boys." He said, but it sounded more like a question. Shit!

"It's a new friend I met at university a few days ago." In my nervousness, I bite my lower lip. Please, no more questions!!

"Alright. I suppose I'll see you tomorrow then." He expressed his dissatisfaction. Don't feel bad, Karrie. Just don't!

"Yeah. I love you." I spoke softly.

"I love you even more, baby. Keep yourself safe, "He said before hanging up the phone. I heave a sigh of relief. Phew! That was a close call.

"Well, congratulations, girl; you handled it well," Tyler said.

"Thank you," I mumbled as I looked out the window, the building passing behind me in a blur. I'm feeling really bad at snapping at Logan. He was merely attempting to keep me safe. I know he's a protective man, so he'll track me down whenever I'm not with him.

"May I ask you a question?" Finn shifted his gaze from his seat to mine. I nodded.

"Why are you so adamant about not letting Logan know you're going to the ball?" He had a scowl on his face.

"We argued, and he said he wouldn't take me to the ball. I want to outrun him and prove to myself that I can do whatever I want. I also want to prove to him that" They both nodded in agreement.

"And, as I mentioned earlier, do not tell him about me if you see him. I should be the one to elicit a response from him. So don't ruin anything," I think what I said was the most ridiculous excuse anyone could come up with, but I hoped they both believed it. I've already told them this, but I wanted to remind them so they don't sabotage the plan by doing something stupid. I can't explain everything to them and endanger their lives.

I stare out the window, lost in my own thoughts and scenarios about how this night will unfold. Every fiber in my body is telling me to back out, but my mind is telling me to keep going. I can't give up.

"We made it," Tyler announced after what seemed like a twenty-minute drive. However, as I looked out the window, I noticed a swarm of flashing lights about a meter away from the massive iron gates. As soon as the paparazzi turned to our car and began photographing it, I covered my eyes. Shit! I'm not sure why I didn't think of this. Of course, there will be paparazzi when a billionaire throws a Success party. I quickly covered my face and ducked inside the car.

"Don't be worried, Karrie. The windows have been tinted." I exhaled a sigh of relief and sat up straighter on the seat. I still covered my face with my hands because I didn't want to risk anything.

We drove past the paparazzi, who were being held back by a number of guards, and into the quiet zone leading to the gate. Two guards were stationed near the gate, and when they saw our car approaching, one of them made a stop sign with his hand before strolling towards it. Tyler rolled down the window, and a cool breeze entered the car, making me shiver slightly. I forgot the most important thing I needed during this weather in my haste to organize the plan in my head. My jacket!

"Name," the guard bellowed, and I cringed at his harsh tone.

Tyler replied in a cold tone, "Mr. Hudson." I'm guessing he didn't like the guard's tone as well. The guard looked down at the cardboard in his hand, which I noticed. He then nodded to the other guard, who stood motionless near the gate, holding a pistol in his left hand. He pressed a red button as soon as he noticed his companion nodding his head. The gate gradually opened, revealing one of the most stunning mansions I've ever seen. As we drove inside, I took in my surroundings, and my eyes filled with awe.

At the far end of the parking lot, there appeared to be hundreds of cars parked. There was a fountain in the middle of the lawn that spewed water into the crystal blue pool beneath it. It was surrounded by bushes that held various types of flowers. Behind the fountain, the mansion loomed proudly. The entire structure was painted white with a grey border. I can tell it was built by one of the world's top architects based on the way it was designed. The grey stone wall on either side of the house added a medieval touch. In a nutshell, the house was a work of art!

I repositioned the mask on my face. It was a gold Venetian mask with bead embellishments and golden rhinestones on its side, held together by a golden ribbon and a few feathers. I fell in love with this mask the moment I saw it in a shop and knew it would look great with my dress.

The car came to a halt in front of the mansion. We got out of the car and Tyler handed over the keys to a parking valet before walking towards the large black oak door that serves as the entrance. A butler in a white and black work suit smiled politely at us as he held the door open for us. Tyler was to my right, and Finn was to my left. I smiled at them and extended my arms to both of them. Tyler wore a grey suit with a black shining tie, while Finn wore a brown suit with a burgundy tie. They were both dressed in a black mask embroidered with silver stones. Overall, they look attractive.

"Are you ready, boys?" I inquired cheerfully. But on the inside, I was far from happy.

"Of course, ma'am." They saluted before clasping their hands around mine. We walked down the hall like that, a girl with two boys in each of her arms. I probably look like some desperate slut looking for boys. That, however, was the least of my concerns.

My heart was racing wildly at the prospect of seeing Olivier inside. To say I was scared of him would be an understatement. I'm terrified of him. If he can kill people without blinking, I can't imagine what he'll do to me if he finds me. I will not be the only one who suffers. But also my friends. That is why I want to do this on my own and in my own way. Scarlet insisted on doing this great deed together, but I declined.

We followed a velvet red-carpeted path that twisted around several corners. The pathways were adorned with white and red roses hung from the sides. At the end of the pathway, there was a large black door, through which I assume we must enter the ballroom. Suddenly, I felt like I was walking down the aisle of a hall as a bride, with two 'men of honor' arm-in-arm on either side of me. I then imagined what it would be like to be a bride and wife. Logan's wife. To have children and raise a family! That thought made me flush.

'Women, snap out of it. This is not the time to fantasize! It's a life-or-death situation. We must either win or die a horrible death. So, if you keep dreaming, Logan will be at our funeral rather than our wedding.' My conscience slapped me across the face. I shook my head to clear my mind and squared my shoulders to face the reality. Let's get started!

A butler opened the black door for us, and I was captivated by the sight in front of me. A large spiral staircase led downstairs to where the ball was being held. I'd only seen such scenarios in movies before, and now I'm seeing them with my own eyes. A massive crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room. At each corner of the room, long red curtains hung from the ceiling. Many rectangular tables were set up in the back of the room, holding a variety of dishes. Many round tables were set up to the right side of the room. The table was draped in white cloth, and the chairs were draped in red cloth. A vase of flowers was placed in the center of each table. A long passage to the right of the room led to other smaller passages in various directions. Many pianists, harpists, and violinists were playing a calm and soothing tune to the left of the room. Men in expensive suits and ladies in gorgeous gowns gathered in small groups in the middle of the room, all adorned with excessively exorbitant masks, talking and laughing at their jokes. I could smell richness oozing from everyone, and I didn't like it one bit. There were also a lot of waiters walking around, taking care of everyone's needs.

Some people stopped talking and stared at us as we walked down the stairs, while others didn't even acknowledge our presence and continued to talk as if there was no tomorrow. When we got to the top of the stairs, a man in an expensive navy blue suit walked up to us. He wasn't wearing a mask, which I noticed.

"He's Mr. Adams, the one who is holding the ball," Finn said quietly in my ear. I took another look at the man and noticed he was a handsome man in his late forties. Tyler gave Finn a small nod before removing their mask to face Adams directly. When he saw Tyler, he smiled brightly and drew him into a bone-crushing hug.

"Oh, my nephew, I haven't seen you in a long time." In a deep voice, the man said. My mouth dropped open in surprise at the revelation. Was this top billionaire his uncle? Why the hell didn't Tyler tell me that? I'm sure gonna give him a piece of my mind later.

"Who's this beautiful lady here?" the man asked after a brief glance at me.

"She's a friend of mine. I hope it's okay with you that I brought two dates. " Tyler asked, and the man chuckled.

"I don't mind if you bring a hundred people as your date." The man said, and Tyler thanked him with a hug.

"It's lovely to meet you, milady. My name is Marshall Adams." the man said, bringing my hands to his lips and kissing them lightly.

"Pleasure is all mine, Mr. Adams," I assured him. I was taken aback by myself. I didn't blush at the gesture, and my voice didn't falter for a second. Excellent progress. He then hugged Finn and said a few words to him.

He kissed us goodbye and told us to have a good night. Tyler and Finn soon began talking with other businessmen, and I took advantage of the opportunity to walk over to the rectangular table where all of the food was laid out. Desserts, bottles of wine and alcohol, and a variety of hot steaming dishes were neatly arranged on the table. I took a glass of tequila and gulped it down. It burned my throat, but it didn't bother me. I was really in need of a strong drink because I was losing courage and confidence as the minutes passed. I looked around the room, looking for Olivier. But it was extremely difficult because everyone was wearing a mask.

I felt a presence next to me and turned my head to the right to look at the person. This young lady was dressed in a blood-red gown with beadings on her chest and a black lace feather mask.

Scarlet! I recall her reaction when she saw that gown in the boutique. She fell in love with it right away and gushed about how Patrick adores the color red and how she was going to blow his mind with it. It's also ironic that her outfit corresponds to her name.

"Wow...You look different." Scarlet said, approvingly. She chose this dress for me, so she'll be able to spot me right away.

"That was our aim." I winked at her, and she nodded her head.

"How's the plan coming along?" Scarlet mumbled slowly, looking around to see if anyone was listening in.

"So far, there has been no progress. I can't seem to find him." Disappointed, I said.

"Did you notice the man in a white suit and a blue mask standing next to that blue gown?" Scarlet spoke up. I followed her gaze and came across the man she described.

"Yeah," I said, my gaze fixed on him. His hand was placed flirtatiously on the hips of a girl dressed in a blue gown. As I squinted harder, I noticed he was squeezing the girl's hips harshly while she whimpered helplessly. And he appears to be having fun with it. Who is that jerk?

"That's Olivier," Scarlet said, and my breath came to a halt. Fear began to creep into my body, and I clenched my fist tightly. Despite the fact that there are nearly fifty people in this large hall, the thought of standing in the same room as he is terrifying. No way, Karrie! You should not be scared of him. Not any more.

"How do you know he's the one?" I asked Scarlet. My voice trembled a little.

"He's someone I've seen before. During one of his matches, Patrick introduced me to Olivier. He also spoke with Patrick today about some business matters." Scarlet stated, and I nodded in agreement. Logan once stated that Patrick is a pro in car racing, and Olivier is the one who organizes matches for Patrick, just as he does for Logan. But what still amazes me is how both of them were unaware of Olivier's true identity for all these years. Logan only recently discovered this because of me, and Patrick is still unaware.

That is also one of the reasons why Logan doesn't allow me to confront Olivier by myself. Olivier was able to manipulate Logan and Patrick by making them believe he is a good person for all these years. So, Logan is worried about what Olivier might do to me if he finds me again. He says he can't take the risk of losing me.

But I don't think I'll get a better chance than this to get more information from Olivier and watch him up close without him knowing. And even if something does happen, I don't think he'll risk letting his guard down in such a public place.

"Are you paying attention?" Scarlet tapped me on the shoulder.

"Sorry." I smiled sheepishly at her.

"Listen here, Karrie." She chides firmly. "You should proceed cautiously around him. We're not sure how the drink will affect him. So, if it doesn't work, back out immediately. In any situation, never remove your mask." I nodded in response to what she said.

"Okay, starting now, I'll text you everything. Nobody, especially Patrick and your boyfriend, should be able to identify you." Scarlet chuckled as she walked away.

The room fell silent, and everyone's gaze was drawn to the stairs. As I followed their gazes, I came across a man dressed in a three-piece suit and red satin tie, his face hidden behind a black Venetian masquerade mask with a red glittery design on the side. He walked down the stairs with confidence and dominance, as if he owned the place. The black tuxedo was a perfect fit for the man's body, emphasizing his muscular chest and broad shoulders. His hair was perfectly slicked back, which I found enticing. A woman in a peach ball gown and a golden glittery masquerade mask clung to him like a koala bear. The couple looked fabulous, but there was something off about the man. The woman whispered something into the man's ear, and he nodded in response.

As they approached the final step, the girl hugged Mr. Adams and kissed his cheeks softly. Mr. Adams stroked the girl's hair before turning his gaze to the man. They shook hands with Mr. Adams, who was smiling broadly. They exchanged some words that I couldn't understand due to the distance. The room soon filled with noise, and everyone returned to their conversations. They were mostly discussing the alluring man.

'From what I've heard, he's a very serious businessman.' He appears to keep all of his employees in line.'

'He has such a commanding and attractive appearance. Mr. Adams did an excellent job of finding a perfect pair for his daughter'

These were some of the conversations I overheard about the mysterious man from people standing nearby. So that girl is Adam's daughter, which I should have guessed based on the amount of attention she was getting from all the guests. And it has to be her boyfriend or husband. So, who cares? But I have no idea what was special about this man other than the fact that he resembled a freaking Greek god. He must be a high-paid model or something because the two looked like they were walking down the Saint Laurent runway. I brushed the thought aside and focused on my goal.

"What are you doing here, Karolia?" Tyler asked as he approached me, and I tensed. I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. In defense, he widened his eyes and raised his hands.

"Wait a minute, did I do something wrong?" He inquired.

"I told you not to call me by my real name here." I hissed at him. He gave me a sheepish smile as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

"Sorry, I forgot...Akira," he apologized, and I nodded appreciatively.

"Don't stand here by yourself. Come along with me." Tyler said, taking my arm in his. We met some people and had a brief conversation with them. Tyler introduced me as his secretary to them. It's been two hours since the party began, and I've been looking around cautiously the entire time. I hadn't seen Logan in a long time, and it was making me nervous. What if, at the last minute, he changed his mind and decided not to come for the ball? And decided to pay me a visit? Then he'll discover I lied to him about my stay with my non-existent new friend.

My phone began to vibrate in my hand. When I looked at it, I noticed a message from Scarlet. I read the message after unlocking the phone.

'It's time to put our plan into action,' S.

'Alright,' I replied.

I was losing patience when I hadn't received a response from her in the previous five minutes. I looked around to see what she was up to. She was speaking to a waiter, who was nodding and holding an empty tray in his hand. After about a minute, I felt my phone vibrate, indicating that I had received a message.

'Take the glass from the waiter who is approaching you.' Make certain that only Olivier consumes the drink. I spiked the drink. He won't remember anything when he wakes up the next day. That's how potent the drink is. 'Be careful.' S

When I looked up from my phone, I saw the same waiter Scarlet was instructing walking in my direction with a glass on his tray.

I nodded to Scarlet, who was standing next to the rectangular table. I approached the butler, who was moving at a snail's pace, making me impatient. Just as I reached my hand to take the glass from the tray, the drink was taken by some other man from my right. It was that mysterious man. How the hell didn't I notice him coming?

"Ma'am, I'll get you another one." the butler said but I didn't pay attention because I was busy shooting daggers at that mysterious man with his back to me and the glass in his hand as he talked with some couple. Didn't he notice I was about to take it? For God's sake, it's spiked, and I don't want anyone else to drink it except Olivier. I moved closer to him, ready to argue with him about the glass, but I stopped dead in my tracks when I overheard their conversation.

"It was a pleasure to work with you as your partner, Mr. Watson." The man said this as the woman standing next to him smiled gratefully at him.

"It's been an honor." "said the thick familiar voice. It was the same voice I wished I could hear over and over. So thick and deep. The voice belonged to none other than LOGAN WATSON, aka the person, I should avoid for the rest of the evening.

When I realized the drink was in his hand, I widened my eyes.

Oh shit!