The masquerade ball

Lolly’s POV

I nearly gasped when I stepped into the ball.

The beautiful interior design, lighting, the enchanting music, the guests all dressed flamboyantly made me feel like I’d just stepped into heaven.

I was breathless at the beauty of it all, and thankful to Rue for forcing me here. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Some of the guests were dancing. I moved through the crowd, keeping a low profile.

Even though everyone wore a mask, I was still afraid I’d run into my stepfamily.

“Who do you think is Mr. Stone?” I heard some ladies behind me muster.

“Do you think that’s him?” another pointed out a broad-chested man on the dance floor.

“No, he is not…charming enough. I don’t think Mr. Stone’s at his own party?”

Ah, I thought, the elusive Mr. Stone continues to be elusive? I meandered through the crowd, taking note of everything.

Mr. Stone’s mansion was bigger than everything I’d ever seen.

The walls were covered with expensive art. I stalked the lined frames slowly, fascinated.

Distracted, I bumped into someone. My heels gave away, sending me flying.

His strong arm caught me before I landed on the floor. He pulled me back towards him.

I fell into a solid mass of chest. The next thing I noticed was his scent.

That scent.

It wafted into my nostrils, taking me back to the night of my wedding. My wild night with a stranger.

“Careful there, princess,” came his voice.

I raised my head slowly and peered into his face. He was wearing a mask, so I could only see his eyes. They flirted over me, taking me in slowly.

My heartbeat accelerated, thudding softly against his chest.

He still had his strong hands around my arms, holding me steady against his body.

My throat went dry.

I didn’t know who he was but there was something about him. Those eyes, the way they roamed all over me hungrily.

That voice sounded familiar. My body relaxed into his like it was home. Like I’d always known him. Like I’d always wanted him.

We stood there for a good minute or so. It seemed as if the entire party had disappeared into the background and we were the only people left in the world.

I wanted to stay here like this, smelling him, being in his arms, staring into his eyes.

“Do I know you?” he asked, breaking the reverie. I regained my senses and freed myself from his grip.

“No, I don’t believe so,” I said.

He angled his head to the side. “Hmm, something feels different with you. I feel like I’ve met you before. I’m almost sure of it.”

Shit.

“Perhaps, you are mistaken.”

He opened his mouth to speak again, but the emcee’s voice interrupted him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Mr. Roman Stone,” I heard.

All the lights turned on us. On him. Still close to me.

I backed away from the bright lights, shocked.

He was Mr. Stone? The famous Mr. Stone I’d heard so much about?

He grinned at me and winked before turning to the crowd. “Welcome, welcome to my home!”

Immediately, he was swarmed by every single woman in the room.

I saw my stepsisters angling for him along with literally every other eligible woman in the room.

I took a step back, watching him and the girls. He was a flirt.

He knew exactly how to make each girl smile. He kissed their cheeks, complimented their outfits or makeup.

Once or twice, he’d glance in my direction and wink at me. Every time our eyes met, I’d blush deeply.

Mr. Roman Stone is winking at me.

Soon, it was time for the ballroom dance. The emcee asked the host to open up the dance floor.

All the girls wanted Stone to pick them for his dance. They lined up, batting their eyelashes at him, smiling broadly.

I was in the back of the room, hiding.

But he made his way over there, hand stretched out. “May I have this dance?”

The room fell silent. All eyes were on us. I was nervous. I wanted to run away.

Before I could do that, he took my hand, spinning me into the dancefloor.

“I don’t know how to dance,” I whispered to him.

Roman put his hands around my waist, my hand over his shoulders. Leaning for my ears, his voice caressed me. “Follow my lead.”

He started to spin me around the room. I could feel everyone staring at us. Including my stepsisters. My anxiety shot up.

Thankfully, I was still in a mask. They didn’t recognize me.

Not yet.

“Relax, enjoy it,” Roman said.

We danced and danced. I felt transported into an otherworldly domain. I didn’t want it to end.

Wrapped in his arms, I felt safe and yearned for, and nothing could ever stop this ----

A clock chimed loudly, interrupting the music.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is midnight!” the emcee announced.

Oh shit. Rue!

I sprang away from Roman’s arms. “I have to go. I’m so sorry. I have to go!”

“No, wait, wait, I don’t even know your name!” Roman said, clinging onto my hand.

I moved away from him, running out of the room.

I didn’t even notice my mom’s vintage wristwatch missing until I got home.

****

TWO DAYS LATER

“Mr. Stone’s here to see you,” the butler, Mark, announced.

My stepsisters sprang up with excitement.

“What the hell? Are you sure? Mr. Roman Stone?” Lizzy, their mother asked.

“Yes, ma’am, his car’s just pulled up outside. He would like to speak to you about your daughters,” Mark said.

My heart sank. What the hell is he doing here?

I was dressed in my maid’s outfit because I was wiping the TV console in the living room.

My hair was a mess. My face was bare.

“Well, well, well, one of you must have made a great impression at the party! Mark, usher him in!” Lizzy said.

My stepsisters spent the next few minutes arranging their gown, dusting off their hair, preparing for him.

I stood behind them, nervous. Would Roman recognize me?

No, he couldn’t possibly have figured me out. We were both wearing masks.

I still don’t know Mr. Stone’s face. I wouldn’t recognize him in a line-up tomorrow. I’m pretty sure he would not recognize me either.

We heard footsteps in the hallway. He was here! My heart skipped a beat or two.

“Mr. Stone, ma’am,” Mark announced.

He appeared in the doorway.

In the morning light without his mask, his face was visible.

Wait a second…. I recognized him.

Holy shit!

The stranger I spent a wild one-night stand with last year was…Mr. Stone???