Elena stared at the masked lady in front of her trying to figure out just who the woman in the mirror was, she looked like her, the brown hair and the green eyes, it was her at least it looked like her. Albeit healthier and that fear that used to be behind her lids were no longer there, but this, this isn't her.
"Show time angel." Derek peeped into the room but left as soon as he came, missing her entire sour mood.
Her hands gripped the counter harder until her knuckles turned white, she did her breathing exercise when she felt her hands getting clammy and the hairs on the back of her neck stood.
An annoyed grunt left her lips followed by a small scream, it worked like magic as always when she regained feeling back in her hands, she reapplied the red lipstick she'd worn earlier and faked a smile at the mirror then sighed.
She gave herself assurance with a little pep talk then walked out of the dressing room, she could hear the anticipatory silence of the place even before she got there, waiting for the music to start and for the angel to descend.
The soft click of her heels was the only sound she could register, everyone in their posts and waiting in anticipation for the show to start.
You've got this. Only a turn separated her from the crowd of maybe a hundred and more people, the possibility of there being more people was high since they were having an event there, it didn't faze her.
She has performed in front of thousands, more vile and disgusting men. They were nothing. Those words were her anchor and with a single head shake, she took hold of the thick ropes in her hand, when she was sure she got a good grip on them she counted to three mentally and emptied her mind the same time the music started.
Everything that was in her life away from that mask was forgotten and she became the angel they all thought she was because that was who they saw, who she let them see.
Again, she played in their fantasy of being the sinful angel.
'We are all sinners in the end.' The statement was like a record in her head, she hated it but it has helped her countless times like an anchor.
Too bad what made was the same thing that destroyed her.
She let the thoughts follow the tempo of the music until it was out of her mind and only the soft bass led her.
You made this work, you can make his work. This is for the last time! She said to herself as the music got louder the closer she got to the stage.
When her feet finally touched the ground, she closed her eyes for less than a second and with a wide smile that didn't reach her eyes, she performed as usual, telling herself she wouldn't have to do it again after that night and forcing what Sam had said to the back of her mind, she'll just have to find a way around it, she always did.
She wouldn't be alive if she let every little thing deter her.
But just for one more night, she would be their masked angel and then finally let go of the past that was stopping her from fully accepting who she was.
The new her.
****
Jamie smiled smugly at Elijah who wore a bored look, not because he was bored but so he wouldn't give his friend the benefit of being right.
"You love it don't you?" Not able to stop himself, Jamie asked his lips almost reaching his ears because of how wide he was smiling.
"Not per se," Elijah replied casually.
"But you'll wager," he stopped for a second his eyes glinting with mischief, "for the lady in red," his words were so sure Elijah couldn't resist the urge to roll his eyes.
"No, because the money is going to the cancer facility,"
"It's leukemia,"
"It is still cancer," he retorted, Jamie only rolled his eyes.
"When is it starting?" Taking a glance at his white gold grand collections Patek Philippe wrist watch, he groaned softly, already tired of sitting.
Everyone in their circle knew how much he hated things like that and the only reason he was there was simply because he had to be there and well, to be there for Richard who was taking a big step as the new CEO of the Petrakis leading company.
"In a few minutes, you know you have to go through the speeches and the likes before..." He left the word hanging between them, Elijah's lips twist in distaste.
"You didn't have to remind me,"
Richard walked up to them with a blonde haired model wearing an emerald floor length gown that hugged her curves, the slit was just short of being inappropriate, his flavor of the week.
He pulled out a seat for her and she sat elegantly with a smile making sure to peck her on the cheeks earning a giggle before he took his own seat.
Elijah rolled his eyes at the display, it wasn't the first time and he was sure by the end of the week, he would forget her name that is if he hasn't forgotten already.
"Good evening gentlemen, this is Aria," He pointed to the lady, she smiled at them, "and this is Jamie and Elijah, I'm sure you've heard of Walton inc, he is the CEO," he pointed to Jamie, "Sanders and Andrew."
"I love your chain of hotels," She complimented earning a polite half smile, she turned to Jamie and said, "Your firm handled my parents' divorce."
Richard let out a short laugh while Jamie had a broad smile on his face, Elijah well, he still looked bored.
"I'm sure both of them were satisfied with the settlement."
She chuckled softly, "my mum was most certainly but daddy not so much, I'm sure he still has your firm written his top five to destroy list."
"Thank you for the compliment," he replied with a laugh.
The orchestra starting stopped any more conversation.