Behind the mask

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

Led like a ram about to be cluttered, Nora walks in front of the security guy to the table where the boss is seated just at the front of the main hall. Standing at the front of the event hall, Nora hears faint chattering, low laughter, and soft music.

“Where is your invite?” the man who is seated at the office rolling chair with his eyes fixed on Nora asked, he looks dreadful with his dreads and full beads. He has a small mouth to crown it all. Nora could imagine his height even while he was sitting. She handed the invite, exhaling the breath she was holding to calm her nerves.

He nodded in approval to the tall guy standing behind Nora while handing the invite back to her.

“Your bag,” the other guy demanded, stretching out his hand to Nora who released it after some seconds of hesitation.

If she wants to get inside that room then she needs to do as they say and she needs to comply fast. What if her target is not someone who used to waste time at events? Then she needs to act fast else she will completely waste her night and that won't go well with her.

She watches as the tall brown guy who escorted her screened her back for anything illegal and unwelcome at the event. The censor displayed a green light signalling that everything was okay. He handed her the bag and opened the door.

“It is a masquerade gala, you have to put on your mask before you step inside”

Nora nodded in compliance, fishing out her gold-colored mask from her pause; she wore it over her head covering her eyes and part of her nose.

“Holy moly!” her world came to a complete standstill for some seconds in the hall of the hall she was in. She quickly composed herself by breathing in and out. Good thing, everyone is wearing a mask. Scanning the hall, Nora takes in the bar at the center of the hall directly opposite the entrance door, a game room to the left, a dance room to the right, and a sitting area up. She looks up to see people seated, dressed in their best attire, most of the faces she isn't familiar with. How would she even recognize anyone when they have a mask on?

The last thing she wanted to do was to get herself drunk, so she moved past the bar to the small stair that led up to the sitting arena. She needs to locate their agent.

*******

Andrew sits across his mentor, Nathan Ryan with Ava sitting beside him. He takes the wine glass slowly to his lips and takes a long sip nursing the sweet apple flavor of the drink. His mentor knew his love for this particular flavor of wine and he made sure more than enough bottles were available for him tonight, this is his fourth glass since his arrival.

There are not up to a hundred persons in this gala and Andrew is extremely grateful for that. It is exclusively for CEOs and founders who are privileged to be among the top league of Boston entrepreneurs.

“Ladies and gentlemen. We are here to have fun and fun and fun we shall have tonight! So, loosen up, the party is just starting!” Nathan announces into a microphone to get everyone’s attention.

“Have a drink or two. We are moving to the dance floor after that, you have to show us your moves,” he chuckled when he heard the audience mumbling. He cleared his throat before continuing “From the dance floor to the game room!” he announced with an emphasis on the game room. Andrew sighs wondering how a man of Nathan’s age can be so fun-loving and carefree yet hardworking and committed to duty.

“Common Andrew, you gotta come with me” Ava demanded, dragging him up from the couch he was seated on. She held him tightly as she walked him down the stairs to the bar arena.

“What is it this time Ava,” he questioned, trying to slow her pace by hand with his right hand.

“Would you come first, we are almost there,” she pouted.

“Anything for you,” Andrew chuckled, giving her a peck as they continued their journey to the bar.

“I want us to play a drinking game,” Ava said as they took a seat, smiling at the bartender.

“What!” Andrew drew back in his chair in shock, bumping into someone in the process. His mask is about to fall off his face as he struggles to get himself and also see the person involved in the accident. He sees the black heels and the legs that are wearing them, brown skin, slender blemish legs. The look too perfect to behold, he stares for some seconds before taking his eyes off the legs to have a glimpse of the carrier.