*Isabella Marciano*
*
The banging I made on our suite must've woken all the hotel guests in the middle of the night. John groggily opened the door for me and rushed inside to the fridge, taking a glass of OJ in one big swig.
''What happened?'' John leaned against the kitchen frame and studied my appearance. I was one hell of a mess. My hair must be thrown in all places and sweat was dripping all over my skin.
I was a coward, I ran when I saw Konstantine in Azure's place. Whatever he was doing there was none of my business but I didn't want to deal with him right now. They must be friends or something if he was allowed to wander inside his place.
''I saw Kon at Azure place'' I mumbled after gathering my breath back and taking in John's questioning blue-grey eyes. He was wearing his sleeping uniform, a white shirt over his batman shorts and topped with his robe. Such a goofy old man. ''did you get information about that guy?''
John shook his head, ''must be the wrong name, figlia. Get some rest, we're heading to Athens tomorrow.'' After bidding him goodbye, I took a shower and tried to get some sleep and gather my wits back.
The next morning, John and I left for Athens and permanently left Nafpaktos. That place became our home for almost two years and I will miss the beach and the peacefulness it offered but we have to keep moving. Staying in one place for more than a year was already long enough.
The two-hour drive to Athens was inside the minivan John brought from a wreck shop was filled with songs from my playlist. John and I might have a huge age gap but we enjoy the same music. The classics.
We booked another presidential suite which was located in the heart of the city, just a ten-minute drive from the location of Zafeiriou's party two days from now. The thought of that party is sending hair raising shivers down my spine. Feeling excited yet anxious at the same time.
Phase one of my throne reclamation mission. I'll finally make a move to take everything that's mine.
John and I made a mistake-proof plan for the party, we can't let anything slip from our grasp. This will be our one shot to take Damien Zafeiriou, Konstantine's father, on our side.
The night we've waited and prepared for came quickly, did I get to mention that this was a masquerade ball, yeah, it is. Crazy rich people. My parents were never this glamorous in celebrating birthdays or anything. We tend to keep special events in our family intimate and toned down, unlike this Damien.
John is posted as one of the politician's bodyguards. His charade started two days ago that's why we had to come here earlier than planned. One of the real security is now resting with the rats in the drainage system somewhere in the city, at least until everything was done for.
I was dressed as Belle from my favorite Disney princess. The gold off-shoulder ball gown I was wearing has a fitted bodice that accentuated my curves perfectly. The floor eye-catching shiny gold length skirt gave an illusion that I was really a princess, in reality, I am a princess. My dad's princess. My hair, although it was red and not like Belle's brown one, was still styled in an inverse ponytail. My sparkly mask hides almost half of my face but all eyes were on me as soon as I stood at the entrance.
What can I say, I love the attention men were giving me and the hateful glare ladies thrown at me made me want to throw a fit of laughter.
''You're invitation Miss?'' One of the guys at the entrance apprehended me.
So much for my grand entrance.
Groping on my bag, I flashed them with a pageantry smile that got me out of trouble in school for years.
''I'm so sorry, mister. I think I forgot my invitation to my place. Please let me in, I'm Mr. Zafeiriou's friend from Russia'' I perfected my Russian accent through the years of traveling, I'm quite proud of myself actually.
To my luck, the guards didn't let me through and attended to the other guest who arrived shortly.
Groaning, I stomped on the side and thought of another way to get it. I knew this trick was already outdated. Oh God, I paid for this attire too much and it won't even get me inside this stupid party.
''I thought that was you, Princess,'' my head snapped beside me.
Azure was gorgeously grinning at me as he held his Beast mask in his hands. He was dressed as Prince Adam. I couldn't be mistaken because that blue coat and pants he had were the ones from the movie. Even the scarf shirt and waistcoat were the same as what Dan Stevens wore. Azure even had a wig of prince Adam on.
Pulling my brain out of the gutter, I smiled at Azure without taking off my mask. ''What are you doing here?''
''Rescuing my princess,'' offering me his arms. He winked mischievously and who am I to not accept my ticket inside this stupid ball. Azure is better than climbing through the second story of this building in my gown.
The security who didn't let me in earlier gave a slight nod at Azure and he glared at me. What's his deal?
Finally, the grand entrance I was aiming for happened because of Azure, the additional daggers were thrown at me for having this totally lickable man had me smirking at the drooling females.
''You're enjoying me too much Red'' Azure whispered, fixing his beast mask on. Before I could answer, he added. ''Dance with me, my Belle.''
Gladly, I accepted the offered hand and while we danced in the center of the ballroom, I was looking for John's familiar sight. He had his mask on but I can pinpoint him because of his shiny bald head. Not that I would ever tell him that.
''Why are you here Red?'' Azure made me dip and brought me back to his arms.
''Business,'' he was guiding me at a graceful pace as his hands wandered over my curves in a not so professional way. I knew he was teasing me with his touch.
''Hmm,'' he had my back on him now, his lips inches away from my neck. Like a real beast, he was inhaling my scent. ''Business, I wonder how I've never met you before.''
''What?'' My question died with a round of applause given to us.
What did this man mean by that?