Page 21

brOOKLYN

The annual fall City Governor Masquerade Ball is tonight. I wake up to Eli stroking my hair gently and placing a kiss on my lips. I can smell coffee. I open my eyes to see him smiling down at me, while holding his hand out, handing me a steaming coffee mug. I pull myself up and grab the warm cup with my clammy hands.

“Good morning, baby girl,” he says as he brushes some stray hairs away that have fallen into my eyes. “I will be gone most of the day, mainly up at the nursery, but I am leaving you with my black card to go into the city and pick out something fancy to wear tonight. Feel free to buy whatever you need.” I shake my head at him and smile.

“You know, I will never get used to this. It still feels like too much.” He just grabs my chin and presses his lips to mine, lingering for a moment. Heat picks up between my thighs.

“I told you; it will never be enough, beautiful. I will also be leaving you with the keys to my McLaren, feel free to take Jenny with you. I don’t believe they will be joining us tonight.”

“Why not?” I ask, sitting up quickly. He just pulls on his gray sweater and laughs.

“Well, I believe he is taking her on an overnight date in the city. Plus, he asked her if she would want to join and all she said was she would rather die than to be around old pompous assholes all night.” Pulling up his jeans, he grabbed his black leather jacket.

“That sounds about right,” I say, as I breathe in deeply and let out a small sigh. Eli climbs onto the bed and kisses my cheek.

“So, you ladies can go out and have some fun. Pick out whatever you both like. I am sure Dane has given her full access to whatever she wants as well.” Getting up quickly, he heads to the door. “I love you, and I will see you soon.” Blowing me a kiss, I say it back as he exits the room.

Well, tonight will be the first time I will ever see Eli as an actual CEO. I know this event is held in honor of everyone who donates large amounts of money to the city. Sure, there will be politics about it all and it will be crawling with rich old farts, but to see Eli in a tux and a mask...that will be worth every minute of forced conversations I might have to endure.

Plus, I cannot wait to go dress shopping! I jump out of bed and finish my coffee as I dress for the day. I head downstairs to where I hear Jenny and Dane in a casual conversation about the plans they have for their evening.

“I told you; I don’t like surprises!” I hear Jenny’s voice beam from a few feet away. As I make my way into the clearing, both their heads snap my way. “Good morning, babe! I was told I must take you into the city and get you all dressed up. Oh, and I get to drive the car,” Jenny says, letting out a loud squeal. Dane just smiles and looks back down at his phone. Jenny jumps up and heads upstairs to get ready. Dane looks back at me and whispers.

“I am taking her to Swan Lake tonight. I know she may not be super into the ballet, but I think she will love it.” He gives me a shy smile. “So, please make sure she also gets something nice to wear.” I smile and nod my head.

Jenny and I headed out of the mansion about an hour later. The black McLaren shimmers in the afternoon sun. “Oh, fuck yes, baby!” Jenny says as she skips towards the car. We both entered the car; The scent that surrounds us is full of Eli, the smoke and cedar musk filling my lungs.

It makes my heart ache and race at the same time. Even just a mere hour away from him seems too long. Turning the car on, Jenny melts into her ebony seat as the engine rumbles and purrs with each thrust of her heel on the gas pedal. “Oh, this is going to be fun!” She whips us out of the driveway, heading down the hill to the main road and out of the large metal gates.

The horsepower was kicking in as we hit the winding country roads. Taking each bending curve is like slicing a sharp knife though soft butter. Eli is going to kill me when he finds out I let crazy Jenny drive his baby.

“Wooo!!” Jenny howls from the driver’s seat as we hit a straight away and lets the car fly. My eyes bulge as I grip my nails into the black leather seat so hard my nail beds are starting to hurt.Looking over to the speedometer it says we are going eighty miles an hour.

“You know girl, I know you are soooo loving this and you are a little daredevil.” She turns her head to me with wild eyes and a plastered sadistic smile on her face. “But please don’t wreck this car or kill us. I will kill you myself if I have to explain to Eli why his car crashed into a ditch or some shit.” She just laughs and lets out a small whine.

“Fine, party pooper.” She slows the car to the speed limit as we continue our way to the dress shop. It takes us about an hour to hit Fall City. The streets are lined with businesses and bustling people. We found a parking spot next to the fancy dress store. Lilly and Lilac Dress Boutique stands before us as we exit the car.

“Alright Cinderella, let’s get you something dazzling to wear.” We smile at one another as we enter the boutique. It is breathtaking inside. The shop reeks of wealth and stature. Expensive items hang from the dainty, lilac-painted walls.

Every dress I see looks like something you would dream out of a fantasy. Only queens or ladies of a house would be fitting for this kind of formality. I look down at my torn jeans and wrinkled AC/DC shirt and shudder.

“Jenny, we are severely undressed to even step foot into this shop.” Jenny just rolls her eyes.

“Babe, all you need is a black card here, they will gladly take anyone’s soul as long as they have the money for it.” We made our way deeper into the boutique. I eye some beautiful black lace gowns to my right, then greeted with a pair of white satin low cut gowns to my left.

“Can I help you ladies find anything?” A tall, slender, gorgeous blonde woman asks me. Looking at me with disdain in her eyes, I am sure she probably thinks we are lost. Or maybe up to no good. Jenny takes a good long look at her, sizing her up and down.

“Why yes, yes you can. We have a ball she is attending tonight. I believe you have probably heard of it. The annual Fall City Masquerade.” Jenny’s accent turned British all of a sudden. I have to cover my mouth in order not to laugh. The blonde lady’s face suddenly tightens, her eyes widening.

“Yes, of course I know about that event. It’s the biggest event held all year. So, you are looking for something specific then?” Her gaze shifts to me from Jenny’s.

I swallow and reply, “Yes, I am looking for something in red.” Red is Eli’s favorite color, so I would find it extremely fitting. A little surprise for him.

“Red, hmm yes.” She places a finger on her chin, searching her mind. “Yes, I have the perfect dress for you. We actually just got it in today. I hope Versace will be perfect for you for the ball?” Jenny’s eyes shoot to mine.

“If you don’t get that dress, I will,” she says as the lady glances at her in surprise hearing no accent. She then leads us to a display case towards the middle of the store. My eyes view it before she even points it out.

A beautiful and seductive red satin dress with a low v-cut down the middle stands before me. Red lace flows from the bottom. A long slit roams up the left leg. It is stunning.

“I can also match this with some delicate red leather gloves.” The lady ponders while inspecting the dress.

“Black,” is all I say. Jenny and her look towards me. “Black leather gloves will do perfectly.” The lady nods her head with approval.

“Let me grab you the perfect pair.” I see a black, short mask hanging out of the corner of my eye on the far wall. It has the eyes exposed but covers the mouth. It is the sexiest mask I have ever seen, well...except for Eli’s skull mask.

It will fit perfectly for the seductive look I am trying to accomplish. The lady returns with the black leather dainty gloves and a pair of black Louboutin heels. “These will be perfect; I sized you at a seven.”

Well, the lady was very good at her job. “I will also take that mask.” I point to the far wall.

“Very well.” She smiles in approval. “I will have it all ready up front.” She turns and takes the items with her.

Jenny picks out a black lace thigh high tight dress and matching lace gloves. She was upset I wouldn’t tell her why she needed to get a dress. She told me if it was for something dumb that she would rip my dress into pieces. I just giggled at her anxiety. Checking out at the cashier, the total comes to over five thousand dollars. I nearly died. The lady just stares at me with a snobbish grin in her eyes. Jenny just lets out a low laugh.

Turning British again, Jenny heaves.“Oh darling, that’s it? I was expecting to pay at least ten thousand. I guess they must have sales going on.” The lady’s mouth dropped open at the accusation.

We pay and leave quickly. I rush out into the cool air. Jenny is gasping with laughs behind me. “Did you see the look on that stuck up bitch’s face? She thought we wouldn’t have been able to afford that.” Jenny opens her car door.

“Holy hell, Jenny, that was a lot of money,” I say with an anxiety ridden voice.

“Honey, that is nothing for them. Mere pocket change. Your life has changed. You need to accept that you are worth all of this and if he wants to spoil you, let him!” She gracefully slips into the car as I follow.

The next few hours we are held up in a hair salon, getting our hair and make up ready. I get a tight updo while Jenny has her hair curled and braided on the right side of her head. We look stunning. Both our makeup is done in smoky tones and a crimson lip stains our flesh. Today has been one for the books and the truth is, the real fun has not even started yet.