Mine to Claim

Masquerade(Part 1)

6:00 PM

Coletta

My dearest Coletta,

It’s been five years. Be ready, because tonight I claim you.

Yours always,

Dimitri

When I first read those words earlier today when I recieved a folder of proposals from Vitchi Designs, Dimitri’s company, I had been livid. How dare he claim me so boldy when there hasn’t been a single word from him in five years! But the thing I hated the most was the thrill of excitement that had raced through my body. It felt like I was being stalked. He was the predator and I was the prey.

I was currently in my room putting the final touches on my outfit for tonight’s event. Because the theme was Egyptian I opted to go for an Egyptian queen aesthetic. I wore a gold silk dress that was strapless, hugging the curves of my body. There were two long slits that ran up each side of the flowy skirt so I could move with ease. I adorned both upper arms with gold bands, my waist with a thick gold belt, and my neck with a thin gold choker with a single diamond in the center.

My hair was left loose to fall in wavey curles down my back. I already had such thick hair, I felt that anything else would have taken away from the outfit. I did adorn my head with a gold circlet that rested at a V on my forhead. My makeup was a smokey black that accented the blue glow of my eyes. Although my gold mask would just cover my make-up I still did it. Mama always said that a girl must feel good on both the inside and outside and wearing matching lingerie and make up did that for me.

My phone began to ring and I checked the caller ID.

“Hey girl, I’m done. Are you here?” I asked Kate.

“Yeah, get your butt out here.” She ended the call and I quickly grabbed my black handbag and gold mask. The night air was slightly muggy but luckily the event was inside so my hair wouldn’t frizz. Kate was standing in a sapphire dress with gold and red accents. On her, she looked absolutely killer. I whistled low.

“You’re definitely going to catch some hot stud tonight.”

“Me? Have you seen how you look? You are the definition of an Egyption goddess.” I waved off her compliment but couldn’t help the grin that pulled at my lips. We both got in the car and were off to Manhatten.

“So, what are you going to do about lover boy?” Kate asked as we drove. I sighed and looked out the window.

“Is it wrong to say that it really turns me on when he is so dominant and goes for what he wants? Even if it’s extremely arrogant?”

Kate chuckled. “I don’t think it’s wrong at all. I’m really curious as to how all of this is going to play out. He mentioned tonight. Does that mean he plans on being at the event?”

There was no doubt he would be there. It wasn’t hard to know my whereabouts when magazines and news articles were always sharing the next big thing Montezano Empire was doing. I’m sure he did his research and knew that there was a fundraiser being held tonight.

“I’m still going to find a one night stand who will make Mr. Vlaskevitchi’s allure seem like child’s play.” Kate laughed out loud which shocked me. I glanced at her. “Why was that so funny?”

“Ahhh good luck with that. I don’t think any man could beat a s****l allure like Dimitri Vlaskevitchi. He’s the number one elegible bachelor in all of New York. Possibly even the whole United States.” f**k…she was right. But I was still going to try and find another man if only to rile his temper. Perhaps I was wanting to do that on purpose, just to see how he would react.