Present
"Xavier, make sure you are back in time for us to get dressed. I don't want to be late." Gabby whined from the other room.
I sighed and fixed the belt on my black jeans and reached for my grey nike hoodie. I watched my reflection stare back at me. He was lifeless and annoyed. His grey eyes were tired. His black hair was disheveled causing me to run a hand through it. It was October again and the temperature was getting cooler. But that was Vermont. Rutland to be exact. Maybe that was the reason I felt like crap. Gabby and I were now engaged and it felt like she was kicked into over drive. I loved her. I did. Sometimes she was a bit over the top though. That could be part of the reason I feel like shit too.
"Babe we'll be there on time. I'm gonna be gone for fifteen minutes. That's all. I have to make a run." I said loud as I ran my fingers through my hair again.
I grabbed the hem of my hoodie and straighten it before reaching out to flip the bathroom light switch off. Walking out, Gabby was standing on a stool searching for I don't know what on the shelf. I smirked watching her. She was on her tip toes rummaging through the shelf. Her shorts needless to say were barely covering anything.
Walking towards her, I heard her sigh out a breath of annoyance. Apparently something wasn't going her way but she still found the time to tell me not make her late before. Chuckling, I placed my hand on her bottom as she ruffled her wild curly blonde hair.
"Looking for something in particular?" I knew she was.
She huffed, "My mask for the party."
I frowned and looked up at the shelf she was searching through.
"I thought you bought another mask." I questioned watching her throw things out of the way.
She nodded and reached for a grocery bag, tearing inside the bag to see if the mask was there.
"I really did. Now I can't find it and the masquerade ball is tonight." She whined.
She was adorable. I grinned and tapped her bottom before heading to the front door and grabbing my keys.
"Why don't you just wear the one from last year?" I asked, glancing back at her.
Pausing her movements, her green eyes slid to me. She stared at me as if I had three heads. I knew she wasn't going to but I thought I give it a shot.
"Have you lost your mind? Xavier I can't go there with the same thing I had on last year! I'll be the laughing stock of the party. I have a —"
I held my hand up and stopped her from ranting.
"I know. I know. You have a reputation to uphold. I get it. I'm heading out. Be back in time for the Halloween party. Promise." I grabbed the door until I heard Gabby screaming for me to wait.
"Hold on! Have you tried your mask on? It's got to be perfect for the night." She ran to me with it in her hand.
I sighed and rubbed my face. "Gabby, I was with you when you bought it. It's going to be fine."
What I said probably went in one ear and out of the other because was pulling me to her to put the mask on. My mask was a shiny silver and dark blue mask. Gabby's was a lighter blue and sliver with a feather of some sort.
Once she had the mask on me, she squealed and clapped. She was obviously excited and satisfied. Before she could take it off, I beat her to the punch and ripped it off. I needed to meet with Callie. Like now.
I handed the mask to her, "I have to go."
She rolled her eyes playfully before pecking a quick kiss and bouncing back to looking for her mask. Not to mention, don't be late, I love you. were the last words I heard before closing the door.
I shook my head and grinned to myself as I headed down the stairs. That girl is something else. Our apartment complex was located right in the middle of town and so was the café. Speak easy café. So it was a quick walk. Callie, my sister was supposed to be meeting me there. That's actually how I met Gabby. Several years ago, my sister came and talked to me about a girl she worked with. She thought I'd be perfect with. Which we all worked together but apparently I didn't meet everyone in the building. Usually, I didn't listen to my sister but I decided what was the worse that could happen when she brought her to my cubicle. But I'm so glad I met with Gabby. She really changed my life for the better. She keeps me on my toes, that's for sure.
As I walked in the place, Callie was in a booth at the very back, sipping her Carmel latte. That's all she ever ordered. I could spot her dutch braids from anywhere. I made my way over to her. I earned a few glances and smiles here and there from the customers. The heat was on in this place, even the sun was trying to make its way through the clouds but it was still cold.
I slid in the booth and not a second later my coffee was being brought to me. Smiling, I thanked the waitress. Her name tag read Alice, who winked at me and returned back what she was doing before.
"That was fast." I said, taking a drink of it.
"Duh. I ordered for you." She answered, annoyingly.
I snarled and tossed my keys on the table.
"What's your problem?" I asked.
She sighed, "Are you going to the masquerade ball tonight?"
Frowning, I nodded. "Yes, Gabby is pretty much forcing me to. Why?"
She let out a breath of relief.
"Thank goodness. Greg isn't going and I was afraid Gabby wasn't going to get you to go." She explained.
McGregor Daniels. Callie's boyfriend of six months. He was also the publishing company's CEO. Which means Callie was the target of every jealous girl that worked with her. She didn't like being the center of attention and this made it even worse. We were alike in that area. She wasn't the typical attention seeker. Personally, I felt like she and him clashed. Night and day. But I respected her choice.
"Why is Gregory not attending?" I asked, reaching to grab my cup again.
Callie rolled her eyes and reached out hit my hands. I immediately pulled back.
"Stop calling him that!" She whisper-yelled.
Laughing, I shrugged. "That's his name."
"No it isn't."
Technically. "Actually–"
She fanned me off. "Never mind, you're stupid."
I think Callie knew I wasn't fond of him but we never spoke about it. Unless he hurt her, I would never speak on my dislike for him.
"Whatever Callie. Is that all you wanted because this could have been confirmed over a text." I voiced.
It was silent for a bit before she spoke.
"I think Greg is cheating on me X." She whispered.
I can't explain how quick my stomach flipped. My head snapped up and look at her. There was no longer any humor in those grey eyes of hers. Just anxiety and pain. The need for answers was eating her alive.
She toyed with the ink on her wrist from her tattoo. I think it was a flower. But when she did, I seen the marks. They were fresh. Slowly reaching out, I grabbed her hand and flipped it over. Sure enough, it's what I thought it was.
"Callie..." I sighed.
She shook her head. "I don't mean too. I honestly thought I was over it. I was dealing with it but when I had my suspicions about Greg, I got sidetracked." Tears rolled down her face.
I stood up and walked over to her side of the booth. She laid her head on my chest.
"You off the medicine too?" I asked, She nodded.
Her doctor didn't take her off her antidepressants. She took herself off of them and that's the worst thing to do. But I wasn't going to argue about it, no matter how much I wanted to. Now wasn't the time.
I hugged her tighter.
"What led you to think that?" I rubbed her shoulder.
"I don't know X, maybe the late night phone calls or all night texting. Just not wanting to be around me anymore." She explained.
I nodded and looked at the window we were sitting at. "Is that why he's not coming to the party?"
She shrugged, "I don't know. He said he was coming in tonight from a business trip and he'd be too tired. It's like he's avoiding me at all costs."
After hearing this from my little sister, seeing her hurt, it got me a little frustrated. I knew she wasn't going to want me to talk to him. She'd get mad at me but it wasn't the first time. She always got over it.
"Look at me." I titled her chin so she was looking up at me. "Do you want me talk to him?"
I watched her. She wanted me to but her pride gets in the way.
"No. I don't need my big brother fighting my battles for me, I'll be fine." She said, wiping her tears.
Sighing in defeat, I nodded. "Okay, you're choice. You know I love you right?"
Nodding she mumbled it back, hugging my waist. I kissed her head before sliding out of the booth.
"Callie you call me if you need anything, got it?" I leaned on the table making sure she heard me.
Smiling, she nodded. "Okay Xavier. Now go before Gab kills you for being late."
I shrugged and smiled. "See you later."
She gave me the peace sign and waved me off. I was leaving Callie the tab, I picked it up lat time. Snatching my keys off the table, I headed out of the café. It had gotten darker, the sun was going down and I checked my watch. The party started at seven o'clock. I had very little time.
•
After an hour of Gabby asking me how she looked and her fixing my tie, we finally were out of the house and headed to venue. It was being held at one of the finer hotels in the city. Our masks were tight in Gabby's clutch. The parking lot was packed so trying to get my Malibu into one of the spots was going to be difficult. And my car wasn't even that big. But all my worries were pushed aside when I seen the valet coming my way.
Gabby was the first to open her door and climb out. Her grin was contagious as she took in the decorations.
"The decorating team really out did themselves this year." She said, shutting the door.
It was true. The decorations were black, gold and red. Balloons and tablecloths with napkins that even matched the theme.
The valet smiles as I slid him a tip and moved out of his way. I walked over and grabbed Gabby's hand. She smiled at me and grabbed my arm.
"Oh here, put your mask on!" She handed me my mask and put hers in at the same time.
I slid my mask down and felt... concealed. At this point it really did feel like a party and I really could use a drink. Dragging me inside, Gabby walked us to the table with the number that was from the invitation. Coincidentally, Callie had the same number.
Gabby and Callie exchanged hugs. I could tell Callie still wasn't over the fact Greg wasn't here. But she was trying to save face for Gabby and everyone else. To most people Callie was successful, dating the CEO of the company, beautiful and educated. I suppose she wasn't trying to ruin that.
"You ok?" I whispered, sitting down between her Gabby.
She shifted uncomfortably. "I'm fine. Greg's home."
I raised my brows. "And?"
"And he brought me flowers–"
"Bullshit." I scoffed.
She frowned at my words and elbowed me in my ribs. "What do you mean?"
I rubbed my side. "Stop! That. Shit. Hurts." I growled at her.
She moved to do it again but before she could Gabby was on to us. "Would you two act civil for two seconds!"
I rolled my eyes and Callie straighten her posture. Gabby signaled for a server. Finally I was going to get that drink I really needed.
"What did you mean by bullshit? You don't believe him?" Callie started up again.
I frowned. "Do you? First you think he's cheating on you, then he brings you flowers and now you're ok?"
"I didn't say that. Just drop it for now ok?" She took her drink that was being brought to us.
"Whatever you say." I quipped as the lights lowered.
The chatter died down as the Vice President of the company, Raymond, took to the podium. Before he began to speak an eruption of applause came from the audience.
"Good evening, I would like to thank everyone for your attendance and your dedication to this company. Per usual, this party is a charity event for Feed The Children. In regard to this, I would like to inform you all that this is my last year hosting." His voice boomed over the venue.
Many people booed and whined about it, making his head bigger than it already was. He smiled and shushed the crowd as if he didn't know this was going to be their reaction. It was quite annoying. They were giving him what he wanted.
I of course felt the need to vomit. He was eating this up and it was giving me the overwhelming urge to flick him off, but being the bigger person I decided against it. Also Gabby would have tried to strangle me.
"I know, I'm saddened by this as well. Not to mention, I'm retiring as well. Charles Staples will be taking my spot he—
Before Raymond finished his sentence ,the double doors opened. It was so quiet, you could hear a pen drop. Emerging from the darkness of the hall was a woman.
The way she came into the place, I knew right then and there, there was something different about this girl. The way she moved her hair, her face, her lines, divinity in motion
As she stalked the room, I could feel the aura of her presence. Every head turned feeling passion and lust. The girl was persuasive, the girl I could not trust.The girl was bad, the girl was dangerous.
Melania.