Underneath the Mask

CHAPTER 2

Ariana's POV

We got back to our apartment just before sunset, and the place immediately turned into chaos. Lily rushed from one room to another with her makeup bag in one hand and a pair of heels in the other, while I stood in the middle of the living room, wondering how I had let her drag me into all this.

"Ariana!" she called from her bedroom. "You better not be thinking about backing out now!"

"I already said I would come." I screamed back at her

"Good," she replied.

I headed straight for the bathroom and took a quick shower. After drying off, I slipped into the black satin gown and carefully applied a light layer of makeup.

My hair......however, was a different story.

According to Lily, hairstyling was her "greatest talent," and I was forbidden from doing it myself.

Few minutes later, Lily walked in dressed and looking stunning with her makeup and hair done to perfection.

She fixed my long brown hair into a loose bun, leaving a few soft strands to frame my face. "Perfect," she murmured, taking a step back to admire her work.

She then reached for the black masquerade mask resting on my desk and handed it to me."Don't lose this," she said. "You won't be allowed into the ballroom without it."

I slipped the mask over my face before moving in front of the mirror to adjust it.

For a moment, I simply stared at my reflection.

The woman looking back at me didn't feel like me.

The black satin gown hugged my figure perfectly, while the loose strands framing my face softened my features. Combined with the mask, I looked different.

I looked...

Hot.

"Well, it's about time you realized it" Lily said, appearing beside me in the mirror

She gave me a playful tap on my backside before turning towards the door.

"Be out in five!" she screamed, shaking her bum and humming to whatever song was playing in her head.

Only Lily could turn getting ready into a huge performance.

We arrived at the party, and I was mesmerized by what I saw.

A long line of expensive looking cars stretched as far as my eyes could see, each one pulling up to the grand entrance.

Guests stepped out dressed to perfection, their elegant gowns and tailored tuxedos making the night look like something straight out of a movie.

Reporters lined both sides of the red carpet, calling out names as camera flashes lit up the night from every direction.

I slowly turned to Lily, who sat behind the wheel wearing the biggest grin on her face.

Oh, no......

There is no way I was walking that red carpet.

I wasn't a celebrity or a fucking runway model!

"Aww, my baby," she teased with a soft laugh. "Relax. We won't be using the front entrance."

Hearing that, I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.

"There's a private entrance around the back."

She steered the car away from the flashing cameras and around the side of the estate until we reached a quieter entrance and a group of bulky security men welcomed us, leading us into the venue.

Everything in there looked magical.

A massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, as waiters moved seamlessly through the crowd with silver trays of drinks, a live orchestra played in the background.

Glittering gowns and tuxedos filled each table, while the air carried the faint scent of expensive perfumes and fresh flowers.

Everywhere I looked, everything whispered wealth.

"Stay close to me," Lily whispered. "Not every smiling face in this room is friendly."

She pulled me along as we walked into the party and I could feel the stares on us, people pointing, trying to recognize the girls beneath the masks.

The admiring stares of the men and the judgmental looks from the women sent a shiver down my spine.

As we reached a table near the center of the ballroom, and Lily paused for us to take a seat. I pulled out my chair, my eyes landed on an elegant gold name tag on the table.

The Kingstons.

My gaze shifted slowly to Lily."This is your family table?"

She nodded. Before I could say anything else, I noticed a woman seated opposite me, dressed in an emerald gown.

Even behind her black bedazzled mask, there was something commanding about her. She carried herself with effortless elegance, as though she belonged at the center of the room.

"Lily" she greeted sweetly. "It's good to see you."

"Evening, Vanessa" Lily replied politely.

Vanessa's gaze then settled on me.

"And who is this beautiful young lady?"

"My best friend," Lily answered before I could speak.

Vanessa smiled again.

"How lovely"

"Dad should be here any minute," Lily said, glancing around the ballroom.

"Actually..." She looked back at me. "Stay here for a second. I'll go see if I can find him."

"Lily_"

"I won't be long."

Before I could protest, she disappeared into the crowd.

Vanessa picked up a glass of champagne and smiled.

"I didn't catch your name" she said sweetly.

"Ariana" I answered awkwardly.

"Nice meeting you, Ariana."

"Lily doesn't bring many people into our circle" She said, studying my expressions before her smile returned. "You must be very special to her."

"She's been an amazing friend since we met."

"You're also a student?"

"Yes. I'm in medical school."

"Medical school?" Vanessa raised her brows. "That must be demanding."

"It is."

"And your family?" she asked, taking another sip of her champagne

"Just my mother and me." I replied courtly.

Time passed, and there were still no signs of Lily, I excused myself to use the restroom.

Unfortunately, the hallway was far larger than I expected.

It stretched in several directions, lined with identical mahogany doors softly lit by elegant wall sconces.

"Great" I muttered under my breath.

"Now I'm lost"

I tried one door.

Locked.

The next one.

Empty.

Then another.

Also empty.

I sighed in frustration.

"Seriously..."

Just as I reached for another doorknob, I heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

I wasn't ready to admit that I had somehow wandered into the private wing of the estate so I dipped into the nearest open room.

Then, I heard the sound of the doorknob turning.

Someone was coming in here.

Lucky me!

I scrambled to find somewhere to hide.

My eyes darting around the room.

A black tuxedo hung neatly on a clothing rack beside polished leather shoes and a silver cufflink box.

This wasn't a guest room, it was someone's private dressing room.

I held my breath as someone stepped inside

It was a man….

And without saying a word, the man reached up and removed his mask.