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“I couldn’t care less,” I answer, although it’s not fully the truth. Something about Nikhil has grabbed my attention. But he’s right, I don’t belong here. In order for me to have a good night, I need to stay far away from him.
The song begins to come to an end, and Nikhil tightens his grip on one hand, his other hand firmly holding my back while he dips me. My breathing picks up, but I’m not worried, staring deep into his eyes. Something tells me that he isn’t going to let me fall. I feel like I could stay suspended in this moment forever.
“Then, who are you?” he whispers.
Just like that, I’m reminded that this isn’t some fairy tale, and I’m not going to get some kind of happily ever after with the prince.
“Keep watching, and maybe you can figure it out.” I move my foot in an attempt to stand up, but he holds me steady. “Let me up. I need to find the bathroom.” He falters for just a minute before doing as I ask, standing me up and letting me go.
I briskly start to walk away from him, heart pounding, without looking back.
2
ANNALISE
Iwash my hands before turning the faucet off and grabbing a paper towel. I look at myself in the mirror, my deep blue mask on the bathroom counter.
I’ve never really had dainty features, not like Colette. However, I do know I have better facial symmetry than most. My nose is on the longer side, but fits perfectly between my emerald-green eyes. My lips are full and pouty, cheeks round. I have nice jaw bones and sculpted eyebrows. I even tanned a little bit today, specifically for this party.
I spent over an hour on my hair, but Nikhil was right. Compared to the other women here, it looks a bit messy in the updo, my curls spilling out all over the place.
Stop thinking about Nikhil.
That’s easier said than done. When I close my eyes, I can still feel his breath against my ear, smell his tantalizing scent and imagine what it would have felt like if he had leaned down and pressed those lips against mine.
Someone knocks on the bathroom door, effectively taking me away from my fantasy. “One moment,” I call out. I look over myself one more time, in the long, off-the-shoulder, deep-blue dress that compliments my body well. Then, I grab my mask, slipping it back into place before opening the door.
There’s a woman waiting behind it. With all of the bathrooms that there probably are in this place, you would have thought she’d find somewhere else…clearly not. “All yours.” I offer her a smile, but she simply looks me up and down before moving past me, into the bathroom, firmly closing the door with a click.
That’s more of the attitude I expected from the rich and elite.
I start to head back to the party when I hear voices coming from one of the rooms down the hall. I should keep walking. It’s none of my business. But, my curiosity gets the better of me, and I start walking in that direction, something telling me it’s not just a couple getting intimate like what happens at the parties I’m used to.
The voices get louder the closer I get, until I’m standing in front of a closed door. I try my best to make out the conversation.
“He’s dead. Doesn’t that mean something?” It’s a man, his voice older, frail.
My eyes nearly bulge out of my head. I really shouldn’t be listening to this. But, my feet stay rooted in place, unable to move, as I listen closer.
“We don’t owe you anything, Dante.” Another man, his voice deep and condescending.
“But, I did it for you.” It’s the first man again.
“And your service has been greatly appreciated.” A third man. “But, you know too much, and as we can no longer trust you…you’re no longer of use.”
“Please!” the first man begs. “Don’t do this.”
“Oh, but we have to.” It’s the second man.
Who’s in there? Who did they kill? My heart starts pounding in my chest. This isn’t just a masquerade ball. If they find me standing outside of this door, who knows what they’ll do to me? This isn’t fun and games anymore. Sienna and I have to get the heck out of here before we get caught up in whatever is going on behind the scenes.
I briskly turn around, but before I can take a step I slam right into a hard chest and strong hands grab my arms. My heart rate picks up, my breathing becoming heavy, and I can feel myself begin to shake. I look up and stare into familiar eyes.
Nikhil.
“Not a spy, huh?” His grip on my arms tightens as he turns around and begins to walk, pulling me along behind him. I immediately begin to fight against his grip, but it’s useless. He’s not letting me go.
“I’m not a spy!” I exclaim. “Let me go, or I’ll scream.”
