After dark

Episode 9

'Wow!'.

I couldn't help but admire the dress.

I wasn't the fashion lover type but I admire something pretty when I see one.

The dress in my hands looked very pretty.

It was a mermaid one-shoulder long sleeve front split evening gown with sexy sequins.

I decided to put it on.

'Wow'. I said again.

It brought out a shape which was certainly not mine. Maybe there was something in the dress that makes the person putting it on looks sexy.

Because I was definitely not the one in the mirror.

Or is there something wrong with the mirror?

It doesn't matter though, as long as I'm pretty in it.

I packed my hair up into a rough bun and slipped on a black heels and moved to go out when I heard a knock.

'Who's it?'.

'It's the cleaner ma'am'.

'OK...hold on'.

I turned the lock and opened it for a old woman probably in her early 60s to come in.

'Good afternoon ma'am'.

'Good afternoon, and please don't call me ma'am'.

'Bu--'.

'Please'. I pouted.

'Oh, OK then....'.

'Maya'.

She frowned.

'What's wrong?'.

'Nothing, that name just rings a bell'.

'Oh, I'm sure it's another person'.

'Yeah, you're right'.

'So...what brings you here?'.

'Err--yeah--Miss Alina asked me to call you down'.

'OK, I'm on my way--'.

'Wait'.

I stopped.

'The keys, I should tidy up your room'.

I looked around the room. It was sparkly clean already.

'But there's no need for that, It's neat already...too neat for my liking'. I scrunched up my nose.

'But it's an order from above'.

'And I said I like my room to be dirty'.

'Oh .....OK then'.

We both moved out of my room we walked down the hall together while she was busy complementing my figure and how I look better than everyone in the main hall.

'I have to go now'. She told me.

'OK, bye'. I waves her and was about to continue.

'You look so much like her...and just as nice'.

'What?'.

She smiled and turned walking down the opposite hall.

I shrugged.

So many people look alike. Maybe I look like her dead daughter and that was the 'her' she was referring to.

I saw Alina at the middle of the hall and walked to her not noticing, but choosing to ignore the stares.

'Hi'.

'Where have you been?'.

'Oops, I didn't know I was meany to hurry'.

She shook her head.

'Whatever, let's go'.

She dragged me to the podium which was slightly higher than the floor and cleared her throat.

'Hello everyone'.

Just like a magnet she drew everyone's attention to herself.

She didn't even shout. She didn't need to. Even the music playing came to an abrupt stop.

Wow!

I wish I had this kind authority over someone

But you do. Maya supplied.

Yay! I'm glad to have my one and only friend/enemy back.

Where have you been?

Oh wow, see who missed me. She smirked.

I didn't.

Yes, you did.

No I did not.

Yes.

No.

Yes.

No.

'Uhm--maya?'.

'Y-yes?'.

'Who are you talking to?'.

I looked around and saw everyone staring at me, giving me curious looks like they were expecting an answer. Well they weren't gonna get one from me.

'No one'.

Haha, I'm not letting anyone know about Maya, she may be annoying but she's still my frenemy.

'OK,then'.

'People, here's our new hunter, Maya'.

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After lots of welcomes said half minded and a lot more said through the gritted teeth's of jealous ladies who for some reasons throw my gown a jealous look.

Can one get jealous of a dress?

Why not?

People get jealous of anything prettier than them. Maya answered.

Yeah, I know but do you think that maybe....just maybe they're looking at me...like that.....not the dress?

She scoffed.

Who in her right senses would look at you jealously?

Yeah, yeah I know. No need to remind me. I said pouting.

Alina told me to get to know some people but so far nobody made a move to even talk to me.

I was about to retire to my room, already Imagining how soft it'll be when someone cleared their throat in front of me.

I looked up to see a man, maybe in his early thirties smiling down at me.

I forced a smile and continued staring up at his handsome features when a lady came and intertwined her hand with his.

Clearly stating that he's her and shouldn't make a move to snatch him.

Like I'd even go through that kind of stress for something so stupid.

She wore a short sleeve A-shaped neckline short gown, reaching just below her bum.

She shot me daggers and I gave her a bored look, even yawned for dramatic effects.

The man must have noticed what was happening so he quickly talked.

'Just came to say hi, cause I saw you standing alone and thought you might need some company'.

'Uhm'. Was all I said.

'So....I'm Lucas. Lucas decries'.

'Uhm'.

'Your name?'.

'Err--yeah--maya'.

'Such a lovely name'.

'So I've heard'.

'Yeah...and this is Adrianna'.

'Uhm--ok'.

'It's nice to meet you'. Adrianna said through her teeth.

I didn't see the need to lie so I told her what I thought.

'I would have loved to say the same for you too but unfortunately I was bored before but got more bored with your company so I can't really say it was nice meeting you, if you'll excuse me I gotta go catch some sleep'.

And with that I sauntered off not before catching the look in Lucas's eyes. It looked like....amusement.... Even satisfaction.

Why could that be?

I shrugged it off and was about to leave the hall completely when I heard a tiny voice beside me.

'Hi'.

Arrgh...not again. I thought before turning but catching the sight before me all anger vanished.

The girl beside at my front was probably the prettiest girl in the building, she looked small and innocent.

What can a girl like her be doing here, she even looked young.

'Hi'.

'I'm Irena'. She stretched out her hand.

'Maya'.

'I love your name'. She complemented.

'Your name is weird'. I did too and she laughed.

'It's really nice to meet you'.

'It's nice to meet you too'. I said smiling.

At least I didn't have to lie about that.

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