THE ENCOUNTER

~Kelsey

The grand hotel pulsed with energy, the air was thick with scented candles and expensive cologne. Laughter and soft music echoed across the ballroom as elegantly dressed men and women partied in luxury.

I clutched my purse tightly, my fingers trembling as I squeezed into the nearest corner. The black lace dress I had painstakingly chosen felt too thin, too cheap against the backdrop of velvet gowns and tailored suits. My mother’s vintage heels wobbled beneath me, a painful reminder of how out of place I was.

I shouldn’t have come.

But Mr. Alessandro had insisted. And if he was going to be here, I needed to be present.

"If you keep staring like that, your eyes are gonna pop out of your head," Melissa teased, appearing beside me.

I almost didn’t recognize her behind the mask. Somehow, she had no trouble recognizing me.

"Everyone here looks so… rich," I whispered, wrapping my arms around myself.

"Yeah, well, mix in. Have fun. My boss will be here soon," she said before disappearing into the crowd.

Fun? Not likely. My instincts screamed for me to turn around and leave, but I couldn’t. Not when I was going to be meeting my employer for the first time. He had shown me so much kindness, the least I could do was be present.

"It’s not hard to spot a fish out of water," a deep masculine voice cut through my thoughts.

I turned sharply, my breath catching in throat. A tall man stood behind me, hands tucked into his pockets, his light brown eyes were intense behind his mask. His expensive suit hugged his frame, exuding power and wealth.

"Is this your first masquerade?" he asked, stepping closer.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"And it’ll be your last if you don’t get drunk and dance your worries away." He grinned, flashing a single gold tooth before grabbing my purse.

"I—wait, no—" I reached for it, but he tossed it onto a chair and took my hand instead.

Before I could protest, he pulled me onto the dance floor, his hands settling firmly on my waist. The music thumped through the room, but all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart.

"What’s your name?" he whispered into my ears, sending a shudder down my spine.

"Kelsey," I replied.

"My name is Alphonso." He smirked. "I'm not going to lie, I like you, Kelsey," he said as he inched closer to me.

I barely had time to process the moment before I felt his muscles go rigid.

"Looks like you've got company." His voice turned sharp as he quickly let go of me.

I blinked in confusion. "No...I don’t—"

Alphonso pulled away and walked off before I could understand what was going on.

I turned back and my eyes met with those of a man standing a few feet away.

A slow, creeping terror coiled in my stomach.

I tried to mix into the crowd but it didn’t matter, he followed effortlessly.

I turned to run but before I could take a step, he was behind me.

His scent hit me first. A strong cologne, clean but overwhelming and oddly familiar.

His jacket hung open, revealing dark tattoos across his chest and neck.

I had seen those tattoos before.

He was the intruder!

How did he know I was going to be at this party?

My brain screamed at me to run.

I didn’t hesitate. I lunged for my purse and bolted, pushing through the crowd, ignoring the startled gasps and annoyed whispers.

The cold night air hit as soon as I stepped out of the building. The driveway was clogged with limos and sleek cars. I was trapped.

I kicked off my heels and ran.

The pavement burned beneath my bare feet, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t look back.

Block after block blurred past me until I reached a dark alley which was a shortcut home.

I hesitated only for a second, contemplating if it was worth the risk.

I ignored the warnings in my mind and slipped inside.

The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and garbage. A single streetlamp flickered at the far end. Somewhere in the distance, a cat screeched, followed by drunken laughter from the bar nearby.

I quickened my pace, clutching my purse and heels tightly.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being followed.

This alley was unsafe and thugs and pickpockets usually hid around the corners.

I heard footsteps behind me. I quickened my pace until I was almost running.

The footsteps stopped and I sighed in relief.

My relief was shortlived as a strong hand clamped around my wrist and pulled me into a dark corner

Before I could scream, I was yanked backward and slammed into the cold, hard wall.

"You will never be able to run from me," a deep voice growled against my ear.

My breath came out in ragged gasps as I struggled to free myself from his grip.

His body pressed against mine, caging me in.

"Baby girl," he murmured, his voice dripping with possessiveness.

I twisted, fighting with every ounce of strength but he was stronger. His hand crushed against my mouth, muffling my cries.

"You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into, Kelsey," he whispered, his tone laced with both amusement and warning.

My stomach dropped as he pressed the blade of a small knife to my throat, the cold steel blade pressing against my skin.

"You should’ve confessed to the authorities."

Tears burned my eyes, my body was frozen in pure, unfiltered terror.

"Occhio per occhio," he murmured. "An eye for an eye."

The blade traced along my cheek, slow and deliberate, sending a shiver of pain and dread down my spine.

I whimpered, my chest rising and falling in panicked gasps.

He smirked. "I won’t give you the pleasure of an easy death, baby girl."

The pressure of the blade deepened. My pulse pounded so hard it drowned out every sound.

"You're mine," he whispered. "And once I've broken you beyond repair, I’ll make you pay for killing Marcus."

He took the knife away and walked off, leaving me sweaty, shaking and completely terrified.