Chapter Ten

~10: The Party

He was already standing by the front door, dressed in black from head to toe. His suit was perfectly tailored, hugging his muscular arms and highlighting his neatly knotted tie. The scent of his cologne filled the hall before I even reached him.

“Sir” I called, adjusting the little vermilion dress my enigmatic yet charming man had demanded I wear. After he left my room, I felt ambivalent about the dress. My heart raced with the consequences of defying his order as I stared at the fabric lying crumpled on the floor. The dress hugged me in all the wrong ways, too tight across my chest and too exposed at my back.

“And were you going to take for...” His voice hitched as he turned to face me, with both his hands in his pockets. I could feel his gaze linger on me while I kept my head low, avoiding his chaotic green eyes.

“What was your plan, huh?” He grasped my arm as I stared, frightened.

“Sir? I... I do not understand” I said, confused.

“Your... hair.” He raised a brow, signaling toward my dark brown hair, which cascaded down my back.

“Oh, I... I misplaced my tie” I quickly answered.

He grit his teeth, taking a good look at me again before releasing his grip.

My hands flickered with the hem of my dress. The gown was short and uncomfortable, it barely covered my thighs. The worst part was that I had no idea where we were headed. My hands fidgeted, and the cold breeze from the air conditioner only worsened the situation.

He finally looked up, his eyes dark and unreadable. For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker there, a hint of something other than the cold indifference he'd shown me since my arrival. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by that familiar, impenetrable wall. Without uttering a word, he switched it off and rolled the windows down.

My eyes widened, my mind racing back and forth trying to decipher what had just happened. Did he really turn it off, or was this a reverie? His ostensible act of kindness seemed elusive to me. I turned to look at Mason but caught his gaze on me briefly before he darted his eyes away. My lips curved into a small smile as the night began to feel like a dream.

“But... where are we going?” I finally asked.

“Do not talk unless I ask you to.”

I froze, my throat tightening.

“Woah!” I exclaimed, seeing the luxurious building we stopped at. Mason stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind him. My stomach churned as I sluggishly climbed out, walking behind him.

“Evening, sir” the men dressed in black chorused as they made way for him. He simply nodded, hands in his pockets, walking past them.

“Oh... I’m with him” I said quickly, squeezing myself through and catching up with Sir Mason.

Walking into the large opulent house was ineffable, golden chandeliers lined the ceilings, sparkling above the murmuring crowd. It was a house party, a small gathering of affluent and wealthy people who seemed to be Mason’s acquaintances.

“Look, Mason’s here” their chattering paused as one of them signaled, waving at us as we stepped in. Shivers ran down my spine as we walked toward them, me glued to his back. My steps slowed instantly at the sight before me.

A familiar blonde-haired lady, in a petty little gown accentuating her curves, pulled Mason into her arms. She looked strange yet familiar, as if I had seen her before. She pressed her body against his as he gave her a soft peck on the cheek before they separated. They all exchanged pleasantries with Mason as they cheered their glasses.

“Ouii, femme la hot.” A tall, masculine figure walked up to me, taking my hand in his and placing a soft peck on it.

“Enzo, and you are?” he asked, his gaze raw against my skin.

Removing my hand from his, I answered, “M...Mia.”

“Don’t be scared, amore. I don’t bite...at least not yet” he chuckled, turning to the rest.

“Everyone, this is Mia,” he said, smiling at me. My heart sank as I forced a smile in return.

“Uhm... I’ll be over there” I said to Enzo, who nodded.

“Ma’am, a drink?” an older man dressed in black and white offered me a glass.

“Oh, thank you” I answered politely, taking it.

Mason’s friends bore a striking resemblance to him. They were practically the same height, posture, and aura, except for Enzo. Judging by his looks, he was definitely Italian, friendly and cheerful.

I scanned the room, hoping to find Sir Mason, but couldn’t. Sipping the drink I held, I decided to walk around the house, perhaps I’d see him.

“Finally,” I sighed. “Sir...” My voice ceased as I took in the sight in front of me.

He had a woman pressed up against the wall, devouring her mouth as if he hadn’t kissed in years. His hands roamed her waistline as they parted to breathe.

“Jess, you drive me insane” he said, grabbing her chin and staring into her eyes.

“I’ll have it no other way” she muttered, gesturing upstairs.

I stumbled, only to be caught by strong, muscular arms.

“Careful, tesoro” Enzo said, steadying me.

“Uhm... thanks, sir” I muttered.

“Enzo. Call me Enzo" he smiled.

“I see we have a visitor” the lady who had just made out with Sir Mason said, frowning slightly at me.

“I... I didn’t mean to intrude” I stammered, staring at Mason. My heart raced as if something inside me had cracked, though he didn’t even seem to notice my presence.

“Let’s go,” he said to Jessica, smacking her hip and holding her hand before heading upstairs.

“Uhm, are you good?” Enzo asked as I stood there in silence.

I turned to him and smiled. “Yes, thanks for catching me, Si...”

“Enzo” he chuckled.

“E—Enzo” I corrected, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Good girl. Let’s get something to eat,” he said, grabbing my hand and leading me away.

“So, tell me, what’s your full name?” he asked, handing me another glass.

“Uhm... I don’t drink” I smiled.

“Oh, pardon me. A soda, please” he called for a drink, and it arrived in no time.

“Mia... Mia Harper” I said, taking the glass from him.

“You know, amore, you’re so beautiful... I think I might have an eyesore” he winked, sipping his drink.

I let out a soft chuckle. To be sincere, Enzo was really charming. His muscular arms and blue eyes were a work of art. He exuded confidence with a languid elegance.

“So tell me, are you and Mason really close?” he asked, placing his drink on the table.

Close, my foot. We’re practically enemies living in the same house.

“Oh, uhm... if you say so” I smiled.

“Do you have a boyfriend, then?” he asked, his luminous blue eyes on me.

“Oh... oh no, I don’t do that” I chuckled.

“I see,” he said, sipping his drink. “It wouldn’t hurt to try,” he added, shaking his glass.

“Oh no, Enzo, I... I can’t” I laughed.

“Okay then, let’s do this. If you drink just one glass, I won’t bother you about it anymore. I promise.” His blue eyes pleaded playfully.

“Arghh, fine” I said. Mason wasn’t here anyway, and it was just one glass.

“Yay!” Enzo clapped as I gulped down the drink in one go. I smiled at him, coughing a little. It tasted bitter, I wondered how people could drink a whole bottle of it.

“You know, in high school... my nickname was Fastidioso” his laughter was a rhapsody of joy.

“Uhm, Fastidio— what?” I laughed.

“Troublesome. I was so troublesome, and do you know Mia, I had a very big head” he said, and we both started laughing. My whimsical imagination of what he said made me laugh nonstop.

“You... you are so funny” I said, sighing. I could feel my eyes blur, but I shook it off.

“Your... uhm, can I?” Enzo asked, pointing at my hair.

“Oh sure,” I said as he brushed a strand of hair from my face.

“Thanks, En...” my voice hitched as my eyes caught someone who bore a striking resemblance to Mason, staring at us from a dimly lit space across the room. There was something different about his aura and a faint frown on his face. It wasn’t him... was it?

“Let’s enjoy the party, Mia” Enzo said, taking the glass from my hands and pulling me from my chair.

“Uhm, no... Enzo, I don’t think that’s a good idea” I said, trying to see the face of the person across the room.

“C’mon, Mia, dance with me... Per favore” Enzo pleaded, succeeding in pulling me up.

“Just follow my lead” he said, placing his hands on my waist.

“This is nice, actually” I said, following his rhythm.

“I told you” he replied, his voice louder than the music.

“I know, right?” I laughed, matching his steps.

The song changed to a slow beat. I was already tired, but the persistent Enzo convinced me to stay for one more.

“One more” he begged.

“Ugh, fine,” I agreed, placing my arms over his shoulders.

“So... what’s your type?” he whispered in my ear, his hands resting at my sides.

“Don’t think I have one,” I said, laughing. I haven’t really fallen in love before. All my life, I’ve only cared for my brother, and that...is enough for me"i smiled at him

“How are you this way?” I asked softly.

“What way, princess?” he smiled.

“You’re different... from the rest.”

“Maybe because I’m the one for you,” he laughed, spinning me around.

The music came to an end as everyone cheered and applauded.

“Goodbye, Enzo. My head aches, and it’s quite late” I said, knowing I had to wake up early and do my chores.

The few minutes I’d spent with Enzo were serendipity, I got to be myself and laugh, even just for a while.

“Then I’ll take you home, tesoro” he said, placing a kiss on my hand.

“Oh no, it’s fine... I’ll go with Sir Mason” I answered.

“I insist,” he replied. “Besides, Mason’s with Jessica, and I don’t think they...”

“Speak of the devil, Mason!” he called out to Sir Mason, who was already heading out.

“Thank goodness. It was nice meeting you, Enzo,” I smiled, preparing to leave.

“Same, Mia. I hope to see you soon, beauty.” With that, he placed a kiss on my cheek and ushered me out.

My heart raced as I sat in the car quietly while Sir Mason drove out of the building. The ride back home was very quiet and unusual. We normally said nothing, but there was tension in the air. I remembered exactly what he’d done with that lady called Jessica, the scene replayed vividly in my mind as I forced a sneeze.

So? He kissed another girl and slept with her, why was I feeling this hurt.

“I’m sorry” I said after I sneezed.

He said nothing, and soon enough, we got home.

“Thank you, sir” I whispered, stepping out of the car and entering the house. My vision was blurry as I took off my shoes before heading upstairs.

“Wha...!” A hand pulled me against the wall.

“How dare you?” he breathed, his voice cold and laced with anger.

“Sir, I don’t...” He grasped my chin.

“You let him touch you!?” he yelled, his voice dark and stern.

And then it hit me, that wasn’t just any man across the room.

It was him. Mason.