The Veil (The Veil Trilogy Book 1), page 2
Rolling my eyes, I choked back my tears, wiping my eyes on my sleeve. “I tried to turn some important men away who came in five minutes before we closed,” I sniffled. “I know I shouldn't have, but I just didn't want Jesse touching me and wanted to leave.” Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself a little before I concluded, “He kept touching me all night and I wanted to get out of there.”
“That ass!” she snapped as she stood.
My eyes followed her as she strode over to the bar that separated our living room from our kitchen. She poured herself some more soda then gestured to it, silently asking me if I wanted any. I shook my head. She returned to the couch, curling a leg under her as she sat. Leaning her elbow on the arm of the couch once again, she listened as I continued.
“I just don't know what to do,” I admitted. “I lost about two hundred and fifty dollars in tips tonight.”
She took a long, slow sip of her drink then tilted her head as she stared straight ahead in deep thought. “Do you still have that mask in your closet?”
I was taken aback but I nodded, “Um, weird topic change but yeah,” I shrugged, “why?”
“There’s a masquerade this Friday night and we should go!” she suggested cheerfully as she leaned forward and took another slice of pizza from the box. She rapidly wiggled her eyebrows up and down at me.
“Are you serious right now?” I blurted, confusion washing over my face. My mouth fell open as I shook my head in disbelief at her lack of concern for what just happened to me. “I just lost my job and you want me to go to some mask party?”
She swallowed her food then grinned. “It's a special kind of party,” she hinted with a smirk.
I curled my lip in disgust, leaning forward to grab a slice of pizza. I slowly munched away on it, waiting for more information.
“It's a big annual masquerade ball and it's free,” she resumed, “in fact, everything there is free.”
Confused where this conversation was heading, I sat silently, uncertain how to react. I knew there was more to it that she was not sharing with me.
“In other words,” she rolled her eyes, beaming, “we have to pay for nothing, and we get to just let loose and have some fun.” Raising her hands, she gestured to her face, “We just have to wear a dress and our masks, that’s all.”
Doubtfully, I studied her, expecting the catch, but there was none. After a long pause, I broke the silence, “Can I think about it?” At the moment, I was too upset to decide about a party and I just wanted to go get ready for bed.
“Of course,” she nodded, “but I have to RSVP by tomorrow so let me know as soon as you can.”
I stood, wordlessly trudging to my room. I got ready for bed and climbed under the blankets, replaying my evening in my head. I tried to sleep, but I could not, tossing and turning all night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I had visions of my boss yelling at me, both in front of the gentlemen then in the privacy of his own office. Memories of every time he grabbed my breasts or bottom, came flooding back to me. Sometimes he claimed it to be an accident and on occasion he just threw his head back, guffawing at his actions.
Could a meaningless masked party really hurt anything? It was in two days which gave me time to put in some applications at businesses. I would then use my Friday night as a break and go have fun with Tanya. I did not bother getting out of bed, but I sent her a text instead.
Fine ugh I’m in.
She replied almost instantly, I promise you that it will be a memorable night ;)
If any other friend had texted me that, I would have instantly become suspicious but coming from her, it was normal. I did not even think twice about it.
The next morning, I woke up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I yawned. Stretching, I rolled over, checking my phone. I scrolled through my social media and email before I forced myself to get up.
I strolled into the kitchen, starting the coffee maker. While it was brewing, I opened the refrigerator to get the coffee creamer, but I noticed our fridge was overflowing with food. None of it was generic brand, but instead, it was full of name brand products. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we usually shopped on a big budget, splitting the bills, which included groceries.
Cautiously, I opened both the freezer and the pantry, seeing it was the same. Arching a brow, I shrugged it off, assuming Tanya got a bonus. I made my way over to the dining table to sit while I waited for my coffee to be finished. It was then, my eyes fell on an envelope next to a little bag. I would recognize that robin egg blue color anywhere.
Not that long ago, we could barely afford things. Now she was buying brand name groceries and shopping at Tiffany's. Just as I was about to stand, she sleepily stalked into the room. Turning to her, I pointed at the bag with my mouth playfully agape.
“Oh,” she smiled shyly, “you see that?”
“Heck yes, I see it!” I giggled. “What did you buy at Tiffany's?”
“A necklace, but I didn't buy it,” she smirked as her eyes focused on the floor. “It was a gift from my boss.”
Crossing my arms, I leaned back in my chair. Raising my eyebrows with curiosity, I questioned, “Your boss bought you a necklace from Tiffany's?”
She blushed, twirling a strand of her hair around her index finger, “I mean, yeah.”
“That's all you have to say?” I huffed with a wide grin.
“I don't know,” she sighed, blushing, “he's just a really great boss, I guess.” Failing to hide her smile, she awkwardly shifted her weight, nervously trailing her fingertips up and down her arm.
“It sure seems that way,” I snickered. “I need a boss like yours.”
Placing her hands on her hips, she exhaled, “Yeah, I think you do too.”
After spending my morning relaxing, I went for a run in the park before filling out applications. I quickly got dressed in a black sports bra with matching shorts and shoes. Standing in front of my apartment building on the busy sidewalk, I plugged my ears with my headphones.
Central Park was located just across the street from our building, so I jogged across the crosswalk the minute I got the signal. I pressed play on my music app and strapped it to my arm before I began to stretch. The park was crowded this morning with a variety of people, most notably a group of very nice-looking men playing soccer in a nearby, grassy area. Half of them were shirtless. I was not complaining about my view as I made sure I was limber before my run. I might have stretched a little longer today.
I had to run past them when I started my route. I did not think this part through very much. Not that I was a clumsy runner, but if I were going to fall, it would have been in front of guys. I turned my music up, blaring it into my ears at a deafening volume and took off jogging on the park's path. Thanks to my sunglasses, I was able to go enjoy the eye candy, undetected, as I passed by them.
When I got further into my run, I processed what happened to me. I was beginning to think about what I was going to do to pay my bills. I was scared, hurt, and sad. Before tears could escape my eyes, I realized that I had already made my usual three mile circle through the park. I removed my ear buds, turning my music off.
Just as I was crossing the street to go home, I saw a familiar face walking out of the coffee shop next to my building, followed closely by a larger man. I felt sweaty from my run, so I tried to shield my face from him, but it was too late. He stopped, waiting for me as he took a sip of his coffee. He lifted a cigarette to his lips, taking a long drag. I could not avoid him, so I came to a halt in front of him and his friend.
Smirking, he asked, “What happened last night?”
“It's okay,” I dropped my head, shyly shuffling my feet. “My boss was a jerk,” I shrugged, “and I didn't want to be there anymore anyway.”
“Yeah, none of us like that guy,” he rolled his eyes, chuckling darkly. “We go there because it's convenient.” Inhaling his cigarette deeply, he recounted, “We decided after last night, we will not be returning.”
Fidgeting with my fingertips, I gulped, “You don't have to stop going--.”
“We heard him yelling at you,” he unexpectedly interrupted. “No one deserves to be yelled at like that. I'm sorry.”
“I’ve been trying to figure out how to quit anyway,” I casually responded with a shrug.
Tilting his head intriguingly, his gaze focused on me, “I'm sure you'll figure it out.” He gently placed his fingertips on my forearm, "I have a good feeling anyway."
I drew in a sharp breath, “Thank you.” I anxiously giggled. “I hope so.”
He smiled coyly, as he studied me with amusement. I am fairly sure he could tell that he made me nervous. He passed his coffee cup off his friend, then pulled his phone from his pocket.
“I have to take this call,” he stated as he examined the screen.
Before I could reply, he held the phone to his ear, whispering, “Great seeing you again.”
Speaking to the person on the phone in Italian, he winked at me in passing, rendering me speechless. I watched as he and his friend faded into the crowd of people.
That same night Tanya was out late, so I watched a movie in the living room. During an anticlimactic part of the movie, I pulled out my phone and found myself sucked into the black hole of the suggested posts on my social media. Out of the blue, I came across a post by a woman with a man at her side. The man was the same mysterious Italian man I had met twice.
My curiosity got the best of me as I tapped on the post. The woman was locked in arms with him. The caption read, With my babe on holiday in London. The photo was taken in front of the London Eye Ferris Wheel. There was no name, no tag, nothing. I scrolled through her comments, but nothing stood out to me. None mentioned his name, so I was left to wonder.
It was getting late, so I went to bed. Tomorrow was going to be another day full of job searching, then the masquerade ball at night. I was looking forward to it. At some point in my daydreaming about how I would style my hair and who I would dance with, I fell asleep. I was briefly woken up by the front door slamming. Hearing muffled moans, I realized it was Tanya with a guest, and I quickly fell right back to sleep.
2 MASQUERADE
The next morning was a complete blur. I settled myself at the dining table in front of my laptop with my coffee and a notebook, spending the day applying for jobs. I began daydreaming more about my night, as I loved parties or any excuse to dress up. This was not a part of my everyday life, so I was excited when the time came to get ready.
I allowed myself two hours to get ready. Leaning forward in my bathroom mirror, I was applying eyeliner when Tanya suddenly appeared in the open doorway. My eyes caught her reflection, and I smiled.
“Are you looking forward to tonight?” she gushed with excitement.
“Actually, yes,” I stopped applying my eyeliner. Smiling, I pivoted to her. “I’m very excited, and I think this is just the kind of night I need.”
She nodded, crossing her arms.
I spun back to the mirror. “Who's hosting this party?” I mumbled with my face contorted as I drew on my other eyelid.
She stepped through the doorway into the bathroom, checking her already perfectly applied makeup. “My boss's best friend.”
I stopped, turning to face her. “Not to sound rude,” I giggled, “but how’d you get invited?”
She laughed, “Want to know a secret?”
I had a feeling I knew what she was about to say. “Uh huh,” I muttered while puckering my lips, applying lip gloss.
“I have been sleeping with my boss,” she whispered as if we were in a room full of people, but she did not appear embarrassed as she continued. “He is amazing.” She gripped her hips, smirking, “I have zero regrets.”
I glanced at her as I picked up my makeup setting spray. “And is this the guy I heard you come home with?” I snickered.
“He wasn't planning to come in,” she blushed as her eyes fell to the floor, “but we couldn't keep our hands off each other when he dropped me off.”
I held my breath, spraying my face. I then peered up at her, seeing that she was making the same face as me. I erupted into laughter.
“Sorry, I always make the same face as you when you do that if I'm in the room,” she giggled.
“I’m actually excited for tonight,” I shifted the topic as I began to style my hair.
She appeared nervous as her eyes found mine in the mirror’s reflection. “I hope you will have an open mind about tonight,” she muttered.
I twisted, intriguingly examining her, “What's that supposed to mean?”
She masked her concern with a smile as she veered to walk away. “You'll just have to wait and see,” she shouted back toward the bathroom from the hallway.
I rolled my eyes as I finished getting ready.
I finished getting ready in my penthouse suite of the hotel I owned. Making our way to the elevator, my security, friends, and I descended to the swanky, modern lobby. The hotel was bustling with tourists and business travelers, so my bodyguards shielded me as we stepped out.
It was not that I avoided the public per se. However, I was never one to go out of my way to be seen, especially now. Once a year, I would host a masquerade. Why? I did not trust women nor believe in relationships, so this was the easiest way for me to interact without having to be further involved. I would choose one or multiple women, making them mine until I was done with them. The catch? They could never know it was me.
It was important to conceal my identity as I was well-known. My real identity could not be publicized as this activity was considered illegal. Why? I paid these women to sleep with me. They were not professional prostitutes, call girls, escorts, whatever you wish to call them. These women were unsuspecting and beautiful. Some might even say a few of them were innocent; that is, until I was finished with them.
Some were experienced while others unquestionably lacked. I usually got bored with these women very quickly. All of them, regardless of their experience level, were all the same to me. They remained only a toy; nothing more, nothing less. I never pushed them into anything. They wanted it, badly.
We swiftly rounded the corner to a hallway that led to the main ballroom where the event took place. Approximately one hundred guests were already lined up outside on the ballroom patio as they had come in the back entrance of the hotel. I stood in the middle of the dance floor, slowly rotating in a circle, admiring the elegance as I slipped on my mask.
“It looks great,” I nodded toward the event planner.
I signaled for one of my staff to let guests in. The moment the doors opened, I was no longer Valentino Greco. No one knew the name of the event host other than a few people. No one needed to know. It was an exclusive time for a dark side of me to emerge the instant the mask was over my eyes.
We arrived in front of a hotel that towered over the buildings around us. I suddenly found myself feeling small and unimportant. I could never afford a room here, but I kept reminding myself that we were only here for a party. Still, I was exceptionally intimidated.
Stepping into the lavish ballroom was a bit more overwhelming than the exterior, but it was absolutely magnificent. Dim lights illuminated the room as faux candles were scattered throughout, creating a sensual atmosphere. There were hired performers moving in sync on the dance floor while acrobats hung from the ceiling twirling and flipping around aerial hoops and silks. Other performers strolled around the grand ballroom, performing smaller tricks for the guests as they applauded.
A gentleman approached us, giving Tanya a kiss while picking her up, then twirling her around. I noticed they both smiled in the middle of their kiss, happy to see one another. Feeling awkward in the presence of a kissing couple, I shifted my weight while waiting for them to finish. I did not know where to redirect my eyes. She withdrew her lips, whispering in his ear. Setting her feet back on the floor, he pulled her into his side, wrapping his arm around her waist.
He extended his hand to me as he bowed. I giggled, resting my palm in his. Kissing the back of my hand, he peered up at me, still in mid-bow.
“It's a pleasure to finally meet you, for real.”
Dropping my hand, he stood up straight, once again pulling Tanya against his body. He was charming and polite. I could see why she liked him. Glancing at her, I grinned when I saw how she was gazing at him, happiness radiating off her.
Unsure of what to say to him, I gulped, “I'm Isabelle.”
“Oh, I know exactly who you are,” he grinned.
I felt there was more to that other than that statement, but I awkwardly smiled in return.
“I'm William,” he introduced himself, “but tonight I’m someone else.”
Confused, I wrinkled my nose, “Huh?”
Tanya hooked her arm in mine, spinning us both away. “We're going to find the drinks,” she called back over her shoulder, a large grin plastered on her face as she drew me to the other side of the room.
A devilish smirk spread across his face as we hurried away, leaving him standing alone. I continued to stare over my shoulder as another man cautiously approached him. They both watched us with great concentration as the corners of the other man's mouth formed a smile. Before I could fully study him, Tanya reached for my chin, turning my face toward hers.
“Now don't be mad at me,” she cupped my cheeks in her palms, speaking warily.
This was never a good sign. Over the course of our friendship, I had heard this said to me about five hundred times. It was usually followed with some crazy scheme or plan. Other times it was a decision she had made for me without consulting me first.
“Oh no,” I sighed, taking a step back. Folding my arms, I whispered harshly, “what did you do?”
Inhaling deeply, she braced herself, gulping, “Promise me you won't get mad.” She winced, anxiously pinning her lower lip between her teeth.
