One

I probably spent my last dime on this gown, but I kind of needed to fit into this ball without anyone suspecting I was out of place, so I went all out on it. It is a sleek black dress that clings to my curves with a slide slit. It is far more glamorous than anything I’ve ever worn, hell, I rarely dress up and I am not quite a fan of dresses, I could count the number of dresses I own in my closet, and they aren’t a lot, but tonight, I need to look the part. I even hired a makeup artist to achieve this flawless look. I don’t trust myself to create the perfect makeup for such an event, and it was worth every penny. 

I adjust my mask, and take in a deep breath. I am nervous. This is my first time not just attending a masquerade ball, but one that is being attended by the who and who in the society, the big names, from politicians to billionaires, and without forgetting the leaders of the mafia groups. I don’t even know how such groups get to mingle because from all I know about mafia groups is that they are criminals, an abomination in society, thieves, and selfish individuals, but I guess that’s kind of everyone here. The place smells of expensive perfume and the faint hint of cigar smoke.

I am standing at the edge of the grand ballroom, feeling both out of place and nervous. My heart is racing, and I could say it could be because of my boudoir photographs displayed among the many artworks given that this is my very first time displaying them for the public eye but that is far from it.

Tonight, I have a mission.

Dell got me invited here, he works with the FBI, so he has connections and given I am a photographer, with a desperate need of help from the FBI, I was the perfect candidate for this mission.

“That’s him,” he whispers, nodding towards a tall figure across the room. “Alessandro Romano. He is the Don of the Romano Mafia family, now is your time. You need to get him alone Renée. Away from his bodyguards,”

I swallow hard, my heart pounding even faster. I am kind of a little surprised that he looks young, when I was told I would be approaching the don of the Romano mafia group I thought he would be someone older, but he isn’t, I guess that’s why they had me do this.

“And then what?”

“Just get him alone,” Dell repeats. “We’ll take care of the rest. Just remember, we’re doing this to find your father,” he adds and I nod. I am hoping this will go as planned because my mother’s last words keep echoing in my mind, she wanted me to find him because even with her last struggling breath she still believed that he didn’t just abandon us, so I made a deal with not the devil, the FBI but I know to that man Alessandro, this is a deal made with the devil, I just want to get my father back. The FBI’s promise to help me find him only if I cooperate with them is my only lead, and I know I can’t mess this up. So I took a plane and flew all the way to a new country to find a man I can only remember from the photos that my mother had.

I make to leave but Dell holds me by the wrist making me stop.

“He can’t know who you are,” he adds and I clear my throat and nod. I don’t know how exactly I am supposed to do that when he is literally standing next to my artwork, sure I use my initials on my work, but I guess I will just have to figure it out. It is a good thing that this is a masquerade ball; almost half of my face is covered, so I am hoping to pull this one off.

As I move through the crowd, I can feel the weight of Dell’s gaze on me. I am surrounded by the rich and powerful mingling around me but my eyes are on him. He definitely stands out, his presence seems commanding and intimidating at the same time, and his dark mask covers most of his face. He is dressed in a black slim-fit tuxedo. The closer I approach the more I get even more nervous, and as much as I am contemplating my decision right now, there is something about him, a magnetic pull that draws me in.

I watch as he studies the artwork, pausing in front of my photographs, his gaze lingering on each image, his eyes narrowing with interest. This is my chance.

I grab a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and take a sip, summon all the courage I can gather, and approach him. I nervously clear my throat stand beside him and focus my eyes on the photograph in front of me. The scent of his manly cologne hits my nose, and it is the most musky scent I have ever smelled, definitely one that sticks. And one that makes my heart beat even faster

“Enjoying the art?” I ask, my voice steady despite the nervousness in my stomach.

“It is bold.” He says and I feel a jolt deep in the pit of my stomach. Wow. I did not expect him to have such a deep, rich baritone voice that sends a shiver down my spine. I am appalled.

“W…what?” I internally curse the moment I stumble on my words. I need to get a grip and get back control of this situation or this mission will go sideways.

“The photographer must be bold to display such art, it is rare to see such boldness at an event like this,” He says and I smile at that, hoping I look more confident than I feel.

“I believe art should evoke emotion, don’t you?”

“Absolutely,” he agrees, “And this work suddenly does that,” he says. I look at him and his eyes are so focused on the images, he hasn’t looked away even for a moment, not even to look at the stranger talking to him, it feels like the images have a certain gravitational force that he can't seem to tear his eyes off them. The one that his eyes are particularly on is a boudoir of one of a woman that I took a couple of months ago, she is lying on a bed in a dimly lit room her face is covered by most of her hair and a bedsheet covering just small parts of her body and beside her is a spilled glass of champagne.

“What emotion do you get from looking at that particular image?” I ask because if I need to get him alone, I am going to have to keep this conversation going.

“Well,” he clears his throat, “A black bird…” I crease my brows in confusion.

“Mh?”

“The woman is like a blackbird in a cage wanting to explore a new world but scared of the dangers that come with exploring a new world, she yearns for a love that is all consuming yet toxic, a love that scares her but gives her satisfaction, a touch that sends shivers all over her skin. She wants a love that brings out the dark desires in her without destroying her innocence. She craves a love that makes her forget her innocence but still keeps it…” he keeps going and my jaw is on the floor and I can't tear my eyes off the image. I can't even blink.

He clears his throat then I can feel his eyes on me. I turn to look at him, his eyes piercing through his mask, they light up and a slow charming smile spreads across his face and my heart skips a beat.

“You must be the photographer,” I swallow hard and nod.

“I am,” I don’t know how he could easily tell that. I mean he describes my work better than I would ever describe it. He stares at me for a moment not taking his eyes off me, and as much as I want to, I can't help but keep my eyes on his.

“Your work is…intriguing,”

“Thank you,” I reply feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. He turns to look at the image again and then whispers the initials on the corner of the image.

“R.E,” he pauses “I believe those are initials for a full name?” he asks and I shrug.

‘He can’t know who you are’

Dell’s words linger in my brain and I turn to look back where I left him and he isn’t there. I already made the mistake of admitting the art is mine, I can’t let him know my full name.

“Isn’t that the mystery of it all?” I ask and take a step closer to him then, my stomach is a knot of nerves. I lean closer to his ear and whisper “Wanna unfold the mystery?” I ask and his eyes move to mine then to my lips and I smile. “Find me,” He lets out a low chuckle and I hold on to my golden purse a little tighter as I stride away from him.

I walk past the crowds following the direction that Dell told me to take that leads to an exit. I look back and I can see him warning his bodyguards to not follow him and I know this is exactly what I want. I follow a pavement that is surrounded by thick rose bushes to the back of the building, and the moment I stop I can feel him behind me. He holds me by the wrist and I gasp as he turns me around to face him. I am holding my breath as he leans into my neck and takes in a deep breath. He pins me on the wall of the building and my breathing fastens as he leans even closer. My heart is pounding out of my chest and my whole body is feeling all the things it should definitely not be feeling.

“Oh, you’re a tease,” He whispers and I swallow hard.

I hear footsteps approaching and I clear my throat and move back then tap him on the chest.

“I am so sorry,” I say and move away from him just as Dell and his partner approach. He looks confused but his face falls the moment he sees Dell pull out handcuffs from the back of his pants.

“What the hell?” I don’t bother to look at him while holding a firm face, Dell nods at me and I nod back and walk away trying to keep a straight look on my face and hoping against all hope that I won't pay for what I just did.

He looked pissed, and one thing I have been told is to never piss a mafia leader because they never let go of a grudge.

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