Chapter 6 CH 6: The Red Mask

“Yesterday was history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But, today is a gift and that is why we call it the present day” Lucas Knight said it out loud in front of a crowd of hundreds of his friends and acquaintances in a private party he is hosting for his cousin Ashton Knight. A welcome back party.

“So, my friends. Let’s not waste the gift of today. LET’S PARTY!” Lucas shouted while standing on a podium lifting a bottle of champagne and spray it all over his invited guests. The crowd cheered and starts dancing to the loud music playing in the night club called Knight Club, owned by Lucas.

As requested by Ashton, he wants to be invisible for the night doing what he likes without being judged by others or pictures taken by the hidden reporters. He is a private person. So, Lucas brought the idea of having a fancy masquerade party. Everyone invited was asked to wear an eye mask and refrain from telling others their real name.

The mask came in pairs and each man would need to seek for their woman wearing the same matching mask. Lucas grinned to his ears and whispered into Ashton’s ears with one arm placed on his shoulder, “Enjoy, cousin. I made sure your date tonight is one hell of a sexy woman that can satisfy that virgin d*ck of yours”

Ashton chuckled, “Shut up. I’m not interested to screw any woman tonight. I’m just here to drink” Ashton removed Lucas’ hand and walked towards the bar to order his usual drinks.

“Come on. Tara is here too. But, I made sure she is not wearing that same red mask you are wearing” Lucas pat Ashton’s back, “But, I have to say it’s your lost as Tara looks smoking hot tonight. Just let me know if you change your mind and want Tara tonight. I can arrange for that”

Ashton scoffed, “She can strip naked in front of me and I won’t touch that disgusting body of hers. I can’t believe my father wants me to marry that dirty woman”

Lucas sighed and ordered a drink too and sat next to Ashton, “What you saw happened many years ago? As I said, she is a different woman now. Why don’t you try get to know her and maybe start over?”

“Not a chance. Not even when she is the last woman on Earth. Trust me, Lucas. She is not who you think she is” Ashton then drank all of the content of his drink and asked for another one.

“Alright. You win. I’m just saying. What happened between you and Tara was a long time ago. People change. You changed. Look at you. Handsome, rich and desired by many women here tonight. Don’t you notice how they are staring at you the whole time? Hungry to touch your body or be touched?” Lucas laughed and drank all the content of his drink in one go. Ashton smirked.

Two sexy women with very minimal clothing on their body came toward Lucas and hugged him on each side, “Hey Lucas, let’s dance” they both said and starts pulling him to the dance floor.

He winked at Ashton and pointed a finger towards the direction of the entrance.. smiling.

Ashton turned to look at the direction of where Lucas was pointing lazily with a glass lifted to her mouth.

He gasped when he saw her. His red beauty wearing a red mask.

**********

(Near the entrance of Knight Club)

“Seriously, Anne. Are you that clumsy? They only allow one mask per person. If you break it means you are not getting laid tonight” Nellie Regalia pinched Anne’s cheek who is now pouting as she accidentally broke her silver masquerade mask.

“I kind of like this mask” she sighed, “And I saw a really cute man wearing a matching one. Hey, I can still wear it. It is just slightly cracked”

“And how do you suppose to wear it when the strings are broken too?” Nellie sighed and tried to fix the broken mask that was on Anne’s hand, “By the way, you look good tonight. That dress fits you perfectly”

“I look like a stripper” Anne rolled her eyes whispering close to Nellie’s ears, “But I kind of like the attention I get tonight. That guy seated at the bar looks so yummy. I want to get close to him and see how he looks like up close”

“Well, he is wearing a red mask and your broken one is silver. Forget it. Sorry, Princess. I guess you won’t get laid tonight as your mask is broken beyond repair” Nellie sighed and waved the broken mask in front Anne.

“Hey, ladies” Sammy walked in with a blonde woman holding his arms, “Sorry, I’m late. Had to pick up this sexy Wendy earlier”

Nellie bit her lips seeing how close Sammy is with his date named Wendy for the night. She was feeling a little jealous and hated it whenever Sammy comes to party with them with some random woman he picks up somewhere for a one night stand.

“Hey, Nellie. You look great” he came closer and peck Nellie’s cheek that is blushing red.

“Hey, Sammy. You look great yourself too” Nellie faked a smile while staring at Wendy admiring her sexy curves. Then, Nellie slowly look down to her not so big breasts that she thought might be the reason why Sammy never asked her out.

“I found one” Neena came running towards Anne happily with a mask on her hand.

“How did you manage to get another one? I thought it is limited based on invitation card sent out?” Nellie asked and helped Anne to wear the mask over her eyes.

“Well, I had to buy it off from some woman who happens to be puking at the toilet. Too drunk to get up. She gave me her mask for a hundred dollars” Neena laughed while turning around to hug Sammy and his new girl for the night.

“Where is your boyfriend, Neena?” Sammy asked looking around but did not see who she came with.

“Nathan is somewhere at the dance floor. Apparently, the owner of this club is here tonight and Nathan wants to pitch a deal with him” Neena explained and waved to her boyfriend who is standing next to a group of three men. He gave her a flying kiss which made Neena giggled.

“Wait! Are you saying Lucas Knight is here?” Nellie asked excitedly. She thought if she can’t get Sammy to date her, perhaps she can try her luck with Lucas Knight who once she met for a drink at this club. Her interest in searching for Lucas did not go unnoticed by Sammy who smiled awkwardly.

“I don’t see what is it that you like about Lucas Knight” Sammy smirked while holding the slightly tipsy Wendy by her waist.

“He is hot!” Nellie said and flipped her hair eyeing the dance floor trying to locate Lucas Knight. When she did, she smiled widely, “Well, I guess there is a Cupid tonight who happens to want me to spend the night with Lucas. Look, we are wearing the matching mask”

Nellie winked at Sammy and turned walking sexily towards Lucas swinging her hips, ignoring her friends.

What she did not realise was Sammy frowning looking at how excited Nellie was when Lucas smiled at her.

“Seriously?? She promised to accompany me tonight for a drink and now she ditch me? That is so typical of her. I should have just stayed at home and watch TV” Anne sighed and fixed her scarlet red hair. No wig, no change of colour.. it is her being her tonight.

Not Scarlet Winters but as Anne. Just her true self Anne.

It was fortunately for Anne that her parents decides to keep her identity hidden. Her face as Princess Annabella Rosa Regis Pierce is kept a secret until her 21st birthday which is happening soon. Her debutante will be held at a Royal Ball where her father will officially introduce her to the society.

From that moment onwards, Anne would need to live her life as a true Princess in public. No more party or walking around freely as Anne or Scarlet Winters. It is something she promised to give back to her parents for her many years of freedom to be living in Bloom City as a normal citizen where no reporters or kidnappers would threaten her safety.

“Anne, don’t turn around. Handsome man coming” Neena said while looking at someone wearing Anne’s matching mask walking towards her.

“You do know if you say don’t turn around will make me want to turn around even more” Anne chuckled and ignored Neena where she turned around slowly.

As Anne turned around, she gulped realising the man she was eyeing at the bar was walking straight to her. He stood few metres in front of her, taunting her with his silence and magnetic stare.

Anne gulped her saliva making him smile showing a dimple on his right cheek being obviously teasing Anne with her nervousness.

As his deep light brown eyes were locked staring at Anne, she lowered her striking blue eyes in shyness. ‘OK, calm down, Anne. You are wearing a mask. No one will know you as how you don’t know who this gorgeous looking Adonis man is’

“Hello, Honey. I guess you are my date tonight. We have the matching red mask” as he spoke, Anne felt like the ground is swallowing her slowly. That deep voice is the same voice that has been haunting her mind the whole day.

‘F**k! It’s him. Ashton Idiot Knight’ Anne gasped as she slowly lifted her eyes to confirm her guess.

She was right.