CHAPTER SIX

It was way past twelve am when Emily walked in hand in hand with Cheryl, the previously well illuminated ballroom with bright dancing chandeliers had now been replaced with disco lights and dancing strobe lights, giving the aura of a night club.

The large ballroom was now packed with dancing people, dressed intricately in flowing dresses and complicated mask hovering over their eyes, masking their identity, flaws and carefully hidden imperfections. It was a fun sight to behold.

The air buzzed with an electric energy as the party guest donned their exquisite mask, their identities hidden behind a veil of mystery. The room was instantly alive with a symphony of laughter, whispers and the gentle rustle of elegant attires.

For Emily, the atmosphere felt thick with emotions, as if all the secrets and desires were swirling around like invisible threads. There was a soft glow of candle lights dancing on the wall, casting enchanting shadows that playfully teased the senses. With every step she took with her silver stiletto heels, she could feel the pulsating rhythm of the music urging her to lose herself in the night festivities.

Immediately, both of them went straight to the open bar knocking back shots of vodka till their brains danced in a frenzy and Emily squealed, her face lighting up instantly when the alcohol burned the back of her throat. Their laughter echoed through the air, mingling with the infectious beats of music. Soon enough they joined the sea of people on the dance floor, hands thrown up in the air as they swayed their bodies to the rhythm of the music.

“I didn’t know rich people could party like this” Cheryl yelled over the music, little beads of sweats already streaked across her forehead.

“Righttt, I want to get more drinks, I’ll be right back. I don’t think I’m drunk enough” Emily yelled back, she wanted to push her limits because nights like this came once for people like her. She staggered her way back to the bar and landing on a stool to steady herself. Her vision doubled already and it took maximum effort to steady herself but still she didn’t feel done yet, she didn’t feel drunk enough yet. Taking the drinks from the bartender, she attempted to return back to the dance floor but her foot caught at the end of her dress and she slipped crashing on an unsuspecting gentleman, her drinks instantly spilling on him, thankfully his black suit was dark enough to conceal the wet patches. She looked at the masked stranger mortified but felt too wasted to say anything, so her hands went up to her mouth

“Oops” she managed, burping afterwards.

“Oops?” his voice felt laced with anger as he grabbed her by the wrist, but Emily was too drunk to decipher.

“I mean I’m sorry” she slurred although still bearing an amused look on her face “and let go of me” she pulled her hands out of his grip. Immediately, he took off his mask, laying it on the countertop before them, he had expected her to do the same but instead she stared blankly at him, her eyes twinkling drunkenly behind those silver masks.

“You do know who I am, don’t you?” he asked when the silence between had graduated from necessary to awkward.

“Justin Bieber?” Emily giggled, moving towards him but she still managed to keep a safe distance

“Omg, you’re Justin Beiber”

“Who are you?” the man asked with a puzzled look on his face, a hint of amusement smeared on his face as he watched the mysterious hot girl gush over a supposed Justin Beiber when he was supposed to be Jackson Hutton, he couldn’t deny it, a part of his ego was suffering deeply.

“Emily Walker, who are you?”

“It doesn’t matter, Emily” he said, guiding her back to the stool noticing that she was struggling to keep her balance, he attempted to take of her masks to see her face and satisfy his curiosity but she had a stronger grip on him, her hidden eyes bearing some sort of seriousness to them.

“Don’t” she whispered “It’s supposed to be a secret, don’t you enjoy a little mystery Justin Beiber?”

She could her feel her head turning in circles, her thoughts swirled in a tipsy haze as this handsome stranger led her to a chair. Her inhibitions were fading and a strange excitement tingled through her veins. She was captivated by his charm but still there was an alarm ringing at the back of her head that this wasn’t real, and there was nothing hold unto because it would slip away, just like every other dream she’s had.

“Who are you, Emily?” Jackson asked again, his thoughts danced with intrigue as he tried to cope with the mystery. Curiosity sparked within him with this strange girl who didn’t know who he was.

“What do you mean?”

“Who are you, what do you do, who’s your family, how do you happen to be here?”

Emily stayed pensive for a moment knowing fully well she couldn’t answer those questions, instead she let her inhibitions drop lower. She damned all consequences when she pulled him by his tie towards her. He was just a breath away from her, his dark eyes piercing into her even in the poorly illuminated room with dancing lights that messed with her drunken vision.

Her heart thundered behind her chest when he placed a lazy hand on her waist pulling her closer to him till her body was totally touching his. There was nothing left to do but completely cover the space between and she didn’t need to try because in a second he crashed his lips into hers.

The room stilled

The music sounded like murmurs

It was her first kiss and she had it with a handsome stranger at a masked party.

It was the perfect end to her dream