It was the masquerade ball night. And every corner of the room was bathed in shiny gold and gleaming white. The hall was big enough to accommodate, comfortably, five hundred to six hundred guests. And luxurious enough to tell of the status and wealth of those who were in attendance.
It was not for the average or the those of meagre earnings. Everyone who was there was a celebrity in their own realm. Be it in the corporate world or the entertainment industry. The famous, rich, the affluent and the powerful was expected to be there.
And every year, every elite of the country, hosted the party and it was by invitation only. Even your plus one should be known.
"This year's ball is sure going to prove to be a memorable one." Melissa noted as she walked into the ballroom, her arm linked around a bored Len who would rather be anywhere than walking into this boring old party that had become something not of interest to him.
"It sure is, Melissa dear." Len's mother affirmed. She too was occupying the other arm of her son. Anna was a formidable woman who adored her son and considered herself as the one who knew the best for Len.
"What do you think, Len?" Melissa was beaming from ear to ear. She was getting the attention she wanted. All eyes were on her and Len. They would talk about it, she knew that.
The rich society was filled with arrogant snobs who found a downhill in someone's life as something to be laughed at. Their friendship was mostly faux and the connection was usually for personal, selfish gains.
This was the world she knew and damn it if she would not play her way into it. Len was part of this world. In fact, he was a significant part of it. There was no gathering if Len was not present. He was known nationally and internationally.
She wanted that. She craved that life. She did not mind being the trophy wife, so long as it was Len. And it was just her luck that she harbored feelings for him.
"Anna." A ridiculously expensively dressed woman with grey bob framing her small, round face that had experienced too many cosmetic jobs. She was waving at her friend.
"Hey, Sarah." Anna's mother waved back. To Len and Melissa, she said. "You two lovebirds have fun. I'm going to go see my friends." Then she unhooked her arm from her son's and made to walk over to her friends.
"It is a masked ball. How does she recognize you?" Melissa asked Anna.
The elderly woman radiating beauty, laughed softly. Len had taken his looks from his mother but his was the kind of beauty only few men possessed. "No matter what, real friends will recognize you, mask or not."
Len watched his mother walk away, then he turned to Melissa. "Lovebirds?"
"Lower your voice." She looked over her shoulder in annoyance and nervously. She could not afford people overhearing them. But Isak was walking slowly beside him. She studied his expression, it was blank.
If he was listening in, she could not tell. Len followed her eyes. "Isak, are you okay?"
The young man's mouth spread in a small smile. "Yes sir. Do you need me to do anything for you?"
"No. I just want to ensure you're having fun." Len smiled back at him.
Isak was the perfect secretary for him. The guy was a hard worker and knew his job to the last. He had saved him a lot of times. Sometimes, he would feel as though Isak was an angel sent to help make his work run smoothly for him.
"Thank you sir. You should have fun." A hostess walked past them with drinks. He plucked two flutes out of the tray and handed one to Len.
"Thank you, Isak." He sipped.
Before Melissa could request for the second flute, Isak cunningly took a small drink, hiding a sly smile in the flute as the gold fizzy liquid seeped into his mouth. He would not get anything for her. She was not his boss.
"Did you see what he just did, Len?" She hissed angrily.
Len who had no idea of what had happened, had his brows furrowed in slight puzzlement. "What?"
"He refused to give me a flute." She stomped her feet.
Len looked around him. Thankfully no one was watching this drama between them. "What is your problem, Melissa? Must you always act so immature everywhere?"
The Melissa looked around her. Miling around the big space were people who was ready to watch drama and laugh over it in their presence over luncheons or shopping spree, or even a sunbathing routine. She needed to control herself.
She knew this Isak was against her but he was yet to understand who he was up against. She sighed in relief and emitted a smile. "I'm just so overwhelmed by everything. Sorry." Tonight was more important than anything.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Someone climbed the podium, taking possession of the microphone.
A hush fell over the crowd of beautifully dressed men and women. Everyone was looking every inch their pocket. It was more obvious with the women, each wanting to be the best dressed and most envied.
They were all winning the silent competition amongst themselves. The jewelries, stilettos of different inches, colors and sizes, the glittering gowns, some keeping it confident and chic. Others went for bold and sexy. There were women who decided on quietly stylish and classy.
It did not matter what they all wore and how each fashioned themselves, it still exuded their wealth and class.
"Thank you all for coming to this annual ball hosted by the country's own most successful and famous movie director, David Alesso."
Everyone clapped. They all knew David Alesso. The man was making and breaking grounds in the movie industry. Winning the award every year as the best director, he was not someone to be looked down on. This was the second ball he would be hosting in his castle-like mansion.
Someone stepped into the stage to whisper in his ear and left as quietly as he had come.
"This is a surprise. This year, David Alesso will be hosting this year's masquerade ball with his plus one." The master of the occasion announced. He too was popular but it was in the automobile industry. Old money. Family wealth.
"What?!" Melissa chuckled in surprise.
"I know right?" Len could not believe his ears.
Just as everyone else in the room. David Alesso was a young man. Somewhere in his early thirties but he was never seen with a woman. It was even rumored he was gay. But that rumor was never confirmed.
During events like this one, he never had a plus one. It was just him. So this was coming as a surprise to everyone in the room.
"So let's welcome David Alesso and his plus one. She's a famous scriptwriter, model and also rumored to be David Alesso's new found love…" Guests chuckled at the humor.
"It's long overdue." Someone from the crowd said.
More laughter rang in the room. Even the automobile guy laughed along. "Good one. Now, let's welcome David Alesso and his plus one, Paula Maillet."