New year's eve gala

Luis caught a glimpse of her look and whispered into her ear in a chilling tone,

"Don't do anything stupid that would put grandfather in a difficult situation."

Esmeralda nodded and averted her gaze.

"Come with me, both of you," Mrs Varo said as she led Lola and Maria into the changing room.

"What on earth were you thinking? Huh? "Luis inquired of Esmeralda.

"I just really liked the dress, why are you suddenly acting like this?" She asked, her voice quivered as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why am I suddenly acting this way? It's because of you and your actions. When are you going to stop acting like a child?" Luis stated.

"Brother, you don't love me anymore?" she asked, her eyes welling up the more .

Luis sighed and replied, "that's not it, stop trying to change the subject. "

Esmeralda scowled at him and mumbled, "Brother..."

"Go wait in the car, I will get you another dress, a dress that would suit you perfectly," Luis replied, closing his eyes and sighed.

Esmeralda's eyes brightened and the tears completely disappeared. She nodded with a thankful smile and joyfully walked out of the store and into Luis's car.

Lola and Maria emerged shortly after, holding shopping bags.

Maria approached Luis and said, "Thank you, but to be honest, I wasn't keeping quiet because I felt inferior or something."

"On a normal day," She clenched her fist, "I would have given her a taste of her own medicine."

Luis chuckled and patted Maria on her head.

"Oh yeah, she's your sister, I almost forgot," Maria explained.

"It's cool," Luis exhaled, "sometimes she thinks highly of herself."

" 'sometimes,' my foot, you've spoilt her rotten, if you hadn't arrived I would have put her in her place," Lola said, glaring at Luis.

"Thank goodness I arrived at the right time," Luis said as he glanced at her.

Lola scoffed and turned away.

Maria shook her head at both of them; the tension between them ruined the atmosphere and made Maria extremely uncomfortable.

"Ah! Luis, we never got to talk at the reunion," Maria said, and Luis returned his attention to her, saying, "Oh yes, I'm sorry, something came up that day so I had to leave immediately."

Maria took out her phone and handed it to him, saying, "Here give me your number, we have a lot of catching up to do," with a wink as she pointed at Lola.

Luis nodded, took her phone, and saved his phone number.

Maria returned her phone and said quietly, "I will call you later."

"Let's go," She said, turning to Lola.

Lola looked at her, nodded, and walked away, with Maria close behind.

Mrs. Varo walked out as Luis smiled as he watched them leave.

"Mr. Borbón, you're still here," she asked.

He looked at her and said, "Yes, I'd like to buy the best-fitting dress for my sister."

Mrs. Varo nodded and went in search of a dress.

***

 December 31, 2022

Livia stood in front of the mirror, satisfied with herself, checking out the dress. Its dark navy blue fabric stood out against her fair skin and auburn hair. It clung to her slim figure as she twirled in front of the mirror.

'Why hasn't Amber called or texted me to check on me? Is she upset about what happened? She should understand that I needed to get rid of her. It was required at the time.' Livia pondered. 

She looked down at her phone, which was lying on her bed, picked it up, and was about to dial Amber's number then she paused, chuckled to herself, and mumbled, "Why should I contact her? After all, she made the decision to leave. I'd have to get rid of her once and for all because she's a threat. But first, I must marry Santiago. After that, I'll take care of Amber."

'This is the price you will pay for leaving my side,' She reasoned.

Santiago walked to her door, knocked and asked, "May I enter? my love."

Livia beamingly smiled and rushed to open the door for him, hugging him.

"You look stunning," Livia exclaimed as she scanned him with her gaze. He matched her dress with an expensive navy blue tuxedo and a sparkling silver mask.

"Wear your mask, we're leaving now," Santiago said. Livia went back into her room, grabbed her handbag and a silver mask she used to cover her face.

"Shall we?" He smiled softly, gently grabbing her hand, and said, "Yes, we shall."

They both laughed and exited her room. On their way down the stairs, they encountered Lola, who was climbing the stairs with a cup of coffee in her hand; she was dressed casually, so they didn't suspect anything.

When Santiago and Lola's gazes met, Santiago noticed she had a pale look in her eyes, she didn't seem like her usual self, but before he could conclude anything or take a good look, she averted her gaze almost immediately, acting as if she didn't see them as she walked past.

"She now acts as if I'm a stranger." Santiago muttered to himself as he watched her walk away, his eyes becoming dim. 'It's not the first time she's acted this way, so why am I feeling this way?' He pondered.

"What did you say?"  Livia inquired, Santiago quickly turned to face her and said, "It's nothing, let's go."

'I'm sure I heard him say something, plus the way he was looking at her,' Livia reflected as they both walked down the stairs, her brows knitted and her lower lips bit.

When Lola was certain that Santiago and Livia had left, she went straight to her closet and put on the dress.

Few minutes later, Laura knocked on her room door as she was about to put on her black stilettos.

"Yes, please come in," Lola said softly. She put her hand on her head because she had a headache that felt like a huge rock had fallen on her skull. The pain was excruciating.

"Madam, you don't have to go if you're not feeling well," Laura said as she walked in.

"No, I'm fine, just help me with my shoes, oh and have you told Mr. Henry to pick up my friend?" Lola replied. Laura bent down to meet Lola's feet and helped her with her shoes, saying, "Yes madam, they will be here soon."

"I'll do your make-up and hair," Laura said once she was done with helping her with her shoes.

Few minutes later, 

Laura had finished with Lola's makeup and hair. Lola examined herself in the mirror, almost content with the red A-line off shoulder tulle evening gown and high black stilettos that adorned her figure. Her hair fell down her back in a silky straight, loose wave.

Maria had already been delivered to Lola's mansion by the chauffeur. Lola looked in the mirror, put on her silver mask, grabbed her handbag, and turned to leave.

She exited the mansion and got into her car.

Maria looked at her and smiled.

Lola looked at her and asked, "Why are you smiling?" 

"Oh! nothing," Maria replied, squinting her eyes and looking at Lola. 

"Are you not feeling well?" Maria inquired, placing her hand on her forehead , Lola was burning up. 

Lola yanked her hand back and said, "I'm fine," Maria said, frowning and yelling, "Are you crazy? If you know you're not feeling well, stay at home."

"I have to do this today because I won't get another chance like this again." Lola mumbled, Maria was perplexed, but she said nothing further.

"Drive us to the venue," Lola instructed the driver. He drove away, nodding.

***

The car pulled up in front of Crystal Palace, a massive Royal mansion owned by Diego Pérez. It is a popular royal banquet building used by wealthy people in Mexico.

The Crystal Palace got its name from its crystal-like exterior and interior designs.

Lola and Maria exited the car and walked towards the Mansion.

At the entryway, stood two hefty bouncers, who were checking the invitations. Lola handed  two invitations to them. They looked at both of them and gestured for them to go in. 

The New Year's Eve gala was a grand affair attended by hundreds of people from rich backgrounds. The tables and chairs in the room were dressed with red and gold tablecloths and crystal wine goblets. There were an infinite number of appetisers prepared as the evening's main course. 

The air was filled with the sound of clinking glasses and laughter, punctuated by the orchestra's classical music. A few more people, dressed in tuxes and elaborate gowns, were dancing to the music under the golden twinkling light of the chandelier suspended from the ceiling.

'It looks like a scene from a movie, magical and unreal.' Maria thought, as she and Lola walked in, she noticed that all eyes were on them.

Maria wore the glamorous biege evening gown that Lola had purchased for her. Her dress flowed gracefully from her hips to the bottom of her leg, and she wore a golden mask and a simple gold necklace around her neck, with matching high heels.

Lola sighed tiredly as she observed Maria gawking and drooling at the appetisers, set up on the table. 

"Maria, concentrate and stop drawing attention to us," Lola said, grabbing Maria's hand and pulling her along.