"Marcus, you're hurting my hand!" I whispered. It hadn't even been half an hour and this had already happened. He would always be an event-breaker. He was always an anti-peace agent and I didn't like it.
"Let's go inside," He gave the order and let go of my hand. Thank God!
The sparkling chandeliers cast a warm glow over the room, and the soft music filled the air, creating an atmosphere of elegance and enchantment.
As Marcus excused himself to meet with his friends, he shot me a warning look, reminding me to behave and stay within his sight.
I nodded, giving him a small smile to soothe him, but inside, I yearned for some freedom, some space to breathe away from his watchful eyes.
Making my way through the crowd, I tried to keep up appearances, smiling and exchanging formalities with the other guests.
But deep down, I felt like an outsider in this world of wealth and power, longing for something more than just appearances and social amenities.
And then, I saw him—the masked man with the blonde hair. My heart skipped a beat as I couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between him and someone I swear I knew.
His features—the strong jawline, the way his eyes crinkled when the way smiled, and a certain charm that drew people in.
Did they resemble each other or was I in love?
The guests mingled and chatted. I couldn't help but steal glances at the mysterious guy from across the room.
His dark blue suit, perfectly tailored to his form, emphasized his broad shoulders and strong physique, making him stand out among the crowd of elegantly dressed individuals.
His eyes, behind the mask, held a spark of mischief and charm, and I found myself captivated by their intensity.
It was as if they held a secret, one that I was eager to unfold. The way he carried himself with confidence and ease, yet with a hint of vulnerability, made him even more alluring.
We took our seats, Marcus beside me, after a while while the stages exposed different musicians and artists for entertainment.
I tried to control myself from popping my eyes out as I saw several singer celebrities performing. Different artists produced different works of art and the host was good at what he did, without forgetting to mention his stunning looks as well.
It was now time for the host introduced formally the major owners of the event and we all took our attention to him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to welcome each one of you to this grand masquerade ball," he announced, raising his glass.
"Tonight, we celebrate not just our youth and wealth, but the essence of Mexico that we carry with us wherever we go. It's a pleasure to see you all here, representing our country with such grace and elegance."
The room filled with applause and cheers, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight. The preparations had been worth it, and the ambiance was nothing short of magical.
The gentleman continued, "As a token of my appreciation, I have a special dance to propose. It is a dance of unity and camaraderie, where everyone is invited to participate."
Fascinated, I listened closely as he explained the rules of the dance. The concept was refreshing "Partners would exchange at the sound of a chime, allowing everyone to dance with each other and experience the joy of the evening in a new light."
As the dance began, the masked guests paired up and gracefully moved across the floor. Marcus approached me, and while I put on a smile, I couldn't deny the feeling of being suffocated by his possessiveness. We joined the dance, but the joy of the evening was polluted by his dominating presence.
But then, as the chime sounded, everything changed. A masked man with bleached blonde hair approached me, extending his hand with an air of confidence. Something about him seemed familiar, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to him.
" Alejandro Montellia," he introduced himself, and there was a glint of mischief in his eyes that enchanted me. And don't mention his husky voice. It sent some butterflies in me.
"I'm Camilla Montenegro. Nice to meet you, Alejandro," I replied, my heart fluttering in a way I hadn't expected.
As we danced, it felt like time slowed down, and the world around us faded away. Juan's touch was gentle yet electrifying, and the connection between us was undeniable. Each step felt like it was meant to be, and I found myself lost in the moment.
"You dance beautifully," Alejandro complimented, his voice sending shivers down my spine.
"Thank you," I blushed, feeling a warmth spread through me. "You're quite the dancer yourself. I'm only following your steps to be truly honest."
At that moment, I couldn't ignore the sense of familiarity that washed over me. It was as if I had known him before, but I couldn't place where or when. His masked face only added to the mystery, and I found myself wanting to unravel the dilemma behind him.
As the dance continued, I felt a growing connection with him. We moved in perfect harmony, and I couldn't deny the chemistry between us. The world seemed to disappear, leaving only us in an intimate embrace.
The chime sounded once again, and reluctantly, we released each other from the dance and gained new partners. The new gentleman wasn't bad himself. His blue suit fit perfectly with his body. His hair was long and his face was long and thin.
"Hernandez Garcia,"
"Camilla Gonzales, " He looked at me and talked once more.
"You are the most beautiful woman in this ball tonight and it is such a pleasure to dance with you,"
"Thank you," I smiled.
The soft chime sounded once more, and as if drawn by an invisible force, Alejandro and I found each other amid the dance floor. Our eyes locked, and the rest of the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in a moment of perfect harmony.
As we moved together, our bodies swaying in perfect rhythm, it was as if we had been dancing together for a lifetime.
As the music swelled to its crescendo, the other guests slowly stepped back, giving us space, sensing the magic that had woven itself around us. The dance floor was now empty, and the enchanting chandeliers above seemed to cast a spotlight on us, illuminating our every move.
As the final notes of the music played, we slowly came to a stop, our eyes locked in a silent exchange of emotions. I could see the reflection of my feelings mirrored in his gaze - a mixture of wonder, curiosity, and a deep longing.
Why was I feeling this way? Him, then there is Juan, the guy from my wedding night, and then Pablo. Why did I keep being emotional to different men?
All these questions came to a stop when people clapped their hands with more bravos for the dance we had. My heart was filled with joy with this new connection that I formed with this mysterious guy.
Then my eyes met Marcus.
He was standing there, his eyes locked onto me with intense, burning anger. The mask of calm control that he usually wore had slipped, revealing the raw emotions that boiled beneath the surface. Even though his face was covered with a mask, I could see all that.
My heart sank.