6. RED & BLACK MASQUERADES

"Gosh! Its so cold, here." She whined rubbing her arms for warmth. Soft satin cold shoulder body con hugged her tight, like her second skin. Its hot red shade suiting pale tone, her legs shining under side slit of the long waist trail of the dress reaching her feet. Fingers curled around her sides as she walked with the invitation in one hand and sequined black masquerade with rhinestone embroidery in other hand.

"People are really using artificial weather for their own enjoyment. Hah! How more selfish they can get. In today's world, I have not seen a single person devoted to God. Everyone is talking about science this and that. Idiots don't know that science itself is created by the God." Murmuring under her breath, she hurried the masquerade over her eyes.

Blue eyes shining bright under the light as she walked confidently on the carpet to the palace hall. Her red painted lips turned into sly smile as she passed the invitation card to the security guard.

Sensing his lusty eyes drinking in her features, she shuddered and almost ran back but something in her feet made her walk inside at his nod.

The gothic designed old walls stood high and firm with pillars supporting the dome. Three aisles crossed over near the huge stairs.

Blood rushed to her ears seeing a crowd of people gathered in the hall. Eyes crossed over a lady dress too extravagantly. Raising an eyebrow she stepped forward with a malice smile to greet the lady but in flash of second she was pressed against the cold wall.

Her bare back shivered at the cold touch of the wall. Exhaling a heavy breath she looked at the reason towering over her head.

Sequined red masquerade with rhinestone embroidery covered half of his face. Sharp jaw shining under the light and his fingers tightened on her arms reminding her their positions. Wiggling in his hold, she pushed him back.

"What the broccoli are you tryna do to me?" Yelling at him, she straightened her dress gently.

"No-" He raised his hands to stop her and make her understand about his situation.

"Save it." Muttering under her breath she walked back to find way out of the corridor.

Hurried steps followed her behind, fingers curled around her wrist and pulled her back. She felt her heart beating aloud in her throat.

"What?" She didn't mean to whisper, but she did.

"Be my partner for the ball dance." His tongue slipped out hurriedly making her narrow her eyes on him.

Tilting her head, she tried getting out his grip. But he held her firm against her will.

"Why would I help you?" A question escaped from her mouth.

This wasn't the reason why she was here. She was here for revenge not to help somebody just because his date stood up on him. But, something pulled her to him against her will.

"I promise to help you in future. That's all I can do-" his words were cut off as she held him closer now, unknowingly.

"What if we never met again?" Her question put him off guard. Shock registered on his face, did she really needed help that bad?

"Denzel. I am Denzel Ansaldo Hudson. Everybody in the city knows me who I am-" Arrogance lacing his words.

"But, I don't." Breathless whisper escaped from her throat. She suddenly felt shortage of breath, her head spinning.

His eyebrows drew close in confusion, seeing her struggling to breath.

"Are you okay?" He leaned over her falling form. His arm curled around her waist as he held her tightly against her will.

The walls around her suffocated her.

"Hey, hey, hey!" His voice got louder after each call as he saw going limp in his arms.

His fingers grazed over her cold, soft skin for pulse. Pulse beat was low.

Gathering her form in his arms he walked towards the exit door of the hall. It was empty and no guard was present. Cursing under his breath, he gazed over her fainted body in his arms.

Trust his life to toy with him. Taking long strides to the exit, he huffed carrying her. His guts twitched with something he couldn't name. Gritting his jaw, he set her down under the darkened sky, near the stairs.

Hall was situated high on the hill with wide stairs as an entrance. It was decorated beautifully in gothic theme. His three piece black suit reflected under the moonlight.

Anger flared up his nose, as he rubbed his arms and finding no reaction of hers. His fingers twitched to unmask her face but his pride stopped him from over stepping.

"Just what did happened?" Rolling his eyes, he jerked his hands to take out his coat. Folding his sleeves upto his elbows, he interwined his fingers of both hands for CPR.

Finding the cold air brushing over her naked arms she shuddered binding her arms on her stomach. Her eyes still close as she felt a heavy wave of dizziness hitting her.

Noticing the movements, he called out to her,- "hey, umm hey, you girl. Are you okay?"

Wetting her lips she slowly opened eyes, his mind wandering somewhere at the sight of it. Her sight was greeted by the dark clouds hiding the moon behind them.

"Do I really look like 'okay' to you?" She questioned instead of answering him. Her words laced with heavy sarcasm.

"Why are you so rude?" Grumbling, he dialled the servant's number.

"You want me to cry? Do you really want me to cry after getting makeup worth forty-eight dollars?" She stared at him wide eyed, rambling.

She opened her mouth her to say something again but the faint sound of someone walking near them made her gulp down her words.

He straightened and walked over to the servant. Getting two water bottles and a sandwich, he strode back to her.

"Here," passing a sandwich and a bottled, he unlid the bottled and chugged down half of it.

She acknowledged him with a wide green and adored the sandwich, moaning inbetween bites.

Seeing her getting messy over a sandwich, the corners of his lips curled. White pearl like teeth shined. Bracing his racing heart he stood up, and started straightening his sleeves. Her call stopping his movements,-

"Don't. You look more good like this." Saying, she drank her water bottle, emptying it.

"And why would I listen to your advice?" His challenged tone made her lips curl into a real smile. Extending his hand, he gestured her to take.

"Because I agreed to your favour." She answered, accepting his hand.

"Fair enough." Commenting, he walked her back to the hall where everyone was waiting for Denzel to grace them with his presence.

Everyone was waiting for him to show up, especially young ladies. So that, they could get a chance to dance with him. His lips curled into a sly smile thinking about his grandmother's and his parent's reaction.