Chapter 23: Tall Man In Black.
Violins and harps played, giving out ballroom vibes and Luciana, along with a girl named Lexi, stationed out the beautiful place just to welcome guests.
The evening party was opened to even aliens who didn't live in Red City. They were allowed into the ball, and Luciana graced them with a beatific grin.
Her nails were painted red and oufit was a white outrageous ballroom dress with bouffant sleeves popped to her head leavel.
She smiled with her white teeth on display. "So nice to have you here," she welcomed a couple with a handshake.
A beautiful plus-size woman holding hands with her husband said, "It wonderful to be here." She had nude lipstick on and hair styled like ladies in the Victorean era.
Luciana touched her heart with warmth as she voiced, "Awwn." the Luna finally heaved a sigh as the couple made their way in. She gave a small smile, patting Lexi on the shoulder. "Welcome the other guests while I oversee my event."
She click-clacked away.
Inside, there was a wide dance hall, then an upper segment with rails preventing one from falling. Musical instruments played giving the place a wonderful soothing feel. She climbed up lighting a cigarette and began to inhale.
Whilst up, she took a glass of wine in her hands and on the verge of doing so her eyes collapsed on a group of pride-filled men.
While others danced in pairs, they busied themselves with playing a card game by a corner.
She gave her signature smirk and catwalked towards them in a seductive manner.
"Luna Luciana," they all bowed, greeting simultaneously. It was obvious it was her, despite her putting on a feather mask. Her walking style and sense of fashion gave it out.
She gifted a pleasant smile as reply.
A matured man started, "Your name has gone farther than it's owner, I must say." Everyone laughed as though it was a supposed joke. He dragged a pipe in his mouth—Luciana had fomerly quenched her stick before meeting them and thrown it away.
The man released a cough and she pretended to be worried for him. He went on,"You know, you are Luna and inherited the title. You're seemingly the only single standing Luna, meaning your position was inherited from a man."
A man next to him, who was slimmer, interrupted, "No Wil-"
"Noo," the man sang refusing the advise dressed as interruption. "Maybe you're scared your wife will catch you talking too boldly about women."
The other men in the group mockingly laughed in chorus and Luciana smiled just to feel among.
Embarrassment flushed his colleague's cheek like it was a usual thing for them to savage him on this topic.
"Maybe, Wil." Another drank in support.
The proud man in a red Italian mask went on, "Anyways, all I'm tryna say Luna is that there was no real Luna without an Alpha by her side. Your mother must've been so power hungry to be able to grab this position to pass it on to you. I mean, ruling without a man." He flippantly continued drinking like this was a normal chit-chat.
Luciana just guffawed at this and others joined in. They didn't understand, they continued to laugh but Luciana's chortling sound shooted into the atmosphere like a rocket and refused to land, resulting to dazed stares.
Everyone paused their activity and focused on her.
She gulped down her drink. "May we?" she asked for permission to join them in their poker game.
She sat down, being the only female amongst them.
"Soo, let's see that beautiful brain of yours." this was spoken by Luciana. She took the cards and began playing, focusing her eyes on him not failing to grant him a beautiful leer.
"Of course I'm smart, how else will I be a man?" He laughed with bravado, carrying the other men along.
Luciana judged the man in her front, putting on a red mask, through the view of his not properly ironed inner shirt, she could tell either his wife didn't give a shit about his looks or he wasn't of the high-class.
'Perhaps both.'
Luciana smirked "Wow, you're smart indeed." she gave carefully placed a Royal Flush card on the table and everyone was stunned. They all looked at her in amazement and bursted chortles at the proud fellow, Wil.
His friend who he mocked earlier, imitated his voice, "I'm smart. How else will I be a man?" Everyone laughed at him. In annoyance, the now angry Mr. Wil thumped his hand against the table in fury. Just before he could do anything brutal further, Luciana smiled innocently at him.
"Oh, sorry Mr. Wil." She closed her mouth with a palm, feigning surprise. "I must've brought out my favourite card that's always with me. It clearly isn't part of the game, my bad." She then bowed her head dramatically, showcasing remorse. "Apologies! There clearly wouldn't have been any other explanation. Accept my apology, Sir!"
Feeling himself, narcissistic Mr. Wil dusted invisible dirt off his suit and sat. "No I apologise. You shouldn't overreact, it's just a game. I misunderstood. You're so humble," Lunciana's head was still bowed. The man seemed embarrassed. "Miss, please raise your head or society may think I'm a bully to women."
He then emotionlessly lit his pipe and began smoking again.
Dubrev smirked as she knew what she was doing. It was all facade as she actually won the game.
'Causing side troubles isn't a part of my main plan for setting up this event.'
Attention rested on a beautiful lady with a golden mask with the design of the sun. Luna knew it was Wendy.
"Everyone! It's time for the rules to be announced!" The music died down and the people stopped dancing. She stationed up, holding the rails. "The theme of This masquerade ball is LUPARIO MUSTERIO! Pls, people. It is a masquerade ball so refrain from calling each other by names. The rules are simple, you are to find the mysterious grand guest of honor, and if right, you shall be rewarded.
The other segment is going to be very dramatic. There'll be staged act of someone dying and when that happens, you the audience are meant to find out who'd done it! Of course, clues will be left behind. Now, you may enjoy the party."
The music continued alongside the dance, not excluding the chatters.
Luna of Red City pack catwalked her way up to the higher section and rested her arms on the rails. She glimpsed a beautiful view and heart sparked with delight.
"Bang!" she imitated shooting a gun.
"What?" Wendy asked her, by her side.
A tall attractive man dressed in night having face covered with a dark moon-shaped mask was standing in the dance hall glowed in Luciana's eyes.
"Yes, the time has come." she breathed.
The man finally faced her and he left not his sight off her. The gentleman in the moon mask smiled widely at her.
Luciana went on with her speech, "It's unlike Damon to miss an opportunity like this. He would never miss this for the world, a chance to show himself. He's a narcissistic being and that's why I knew he'd come for this show specially about him."
He locked gazes wih her.
"How do you know it's him from up here?"
"Oh, I know. He keeps staring at me and I feel.."
Before anyone knew a man began choking severely and all attention was on him. The individual kept on choking with an arm on his neck giving the impression he was poisoned.
Many people cared and started fanning him, ignorant of what to do.
It was the friend to the proud man who was made fun of.
Luciana tutted in disgust. She rested her head on the rail undisturbed. She spoke in a nice quiet tone, smiling with *thinned lips, "These men are just hungry for attention."
Suddenly, everyone bursted into notes of laughter as the earlier stated man began guffawing for it was a joke!
Hahahaha
Everyone laughed. The clad-in-peguin suit-attention-seeker, finally bowed post his performance.
Luciana Dubrev shoulder-hit her friend in excitement. "That's my guy! He's making his way to the center stage."
Wendy supported, "Typical Damon. Making himself obvious."
Inside the same ballroom where people danced to the tune of the euphonious music, a chubby lady went to a stand to grab a glass of champagne when she witnessed a brutal scene. A man swayed side-to-side before descending to floor with shattered skull.
Aaaaaaaah!!!
The woman shrieked, scurrying off from the blodied ground. Others in attendance wanted to scream but was reminded of the staged act the woman with the golden mask had told them.
"It's all an act." the previous Mr. Attention seemed made know.
"Ah,"
"Incredulous show."
"Hyper realistic."
"Of course, if it ain't worth it, ain't worth doing."
People praised.
"Nice work."
Luciana grabbed Wendy's arm from upstairs. Wendy turned with surprise. She confessed, "Whoa, Lucy I am beyond doubt surprised at this impressive work. I mean, why didn't you inform me you were putting extra spark?"
"Cuz I didn't."
"Wha..?"
Luciana's mind flashed back to her guest honour. She knew what must be done. "Keep guard up. I'll be on my way." She quickly rushed to 'you know whom' who was already on his way out.
In her mind, 'You demonic beast.' she cursed, mentally. Like a stealth ghost, he didn't bother running but took her to a private place. She was the only one applying speed while he escaped her through corners.
She passed, panting, and her heart throbbed when eyes connected with his face. This was going to be the long-awaited revenge. The skin reason she organized this event was to kill Damon.
The man in the moon mask made his way into an elevator and he smirked when he saw her. She rapidly rushed with wolf's speed and prevented the elevator's door from closing with an arm.
She gazed at his happy face.
"Badum! Badum!" Her heart bounced with pain.
As he took his mask off, she was hugged by shock as it was her childhood friend instead.
"Raphael?"
"Ana." The dark brown haired guy stared at her and he smiled perpetually.
DEAR JULIETTA.