BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS AND A PAST

Julia POV “You have to come, Julia!” Mia yells as she rummages through my closet, scattering clothing all over the place. "This isn't just ordinary party; well-known people will be there. Like, big, wealthy names." "I'm not sure, Mia." I mumble as I pull a pillow to my chest and get out of bed. "I'm not really into parties." She moans and waves a tight red dress in my face, saying, "Ugh, you're impossible. It’s your final year, girl! We're going to graduate, and if you don't go, you'll regret it forever. Plus, this dress will look amazing on you.” "I agree!" Ivy adds, placing her hands on her hips and smiling. "Hurry up, Jules. It’s a masked party. There will be lots of Excitement. And it’s being a masked party adds to the mystery. You might meet someone important.” I snort. "Yes, of course. I'll just meet a millionaire who chooses to make my life completely better." "Exactly!" Mia says with a smile. "You never know! You could charm your way into a better future. Big names will be present, including CEOs, heirs, wealthy uncles, and who knows?" "Wealthy uncles?" I shake my head and laugh. "Is that really your pitch?" Ivy rolls her eyes. "Julia, don't be a slacker. Really. You deserve a pleasant night because you work so hard all the time. Besides, the masks make it better. Nobody will be able to identify you." She presents me with a shiny black mask that is dotted with silver glitter. It's attractive, and I can't help but be intrigued by it. "All right," I murmur, reaching for the mask. “But you guys owe me big time.” Mia yanks me from the bed with a squeal. “It's for your own good. Let’s get you ready!” The three of us are standing in front of the mirror one hour later. Ivy opted for a sleek emerald gown, while Mia is dressed in a shimmering gold outfit that highlights her curves. Me? I'm wearing the red dress Mia found, which is a bit too tight but gives me a sense of confidence. Mia, who is standing behind me and adjusting her mask, says, "You look hot. Like, rich-man-magnet hot.” I snort. "I feel like I'm having trouble breathing." Ivy adds more lipstick and remarks, "That's the cost of beauty. Come on, Jules. Let loose tonight, okay?” I murmur, looking at my phone, "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, what kind of party begins at ten?" Mia puts her arm over my and says, "The fun kind. Let's leave now before you decide otherwise." ********************* My mouth drops when we enter the venue. The place looks like something out of a movie. The sea of individuals wearing expensive clothes and gorgeous masks is bathed in gentle golden light from chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. Waiters in white shirts carry trays of beverages, and the music is lively but elegant. When we enter, I mutter, "This is crazy." "Told you!" Ivy says with a smile. “Stick with us, and we’ll find the VIPs.” I'm already feeling overwhelmed but I'm not sure what Ivy and Mia have planned. People are laughing, drinking champagne, or dancing as if nothing were wrong everywhere I look. A waiter offers a tray and asks, "Champagne?" Mia grabs two glasses and gives one to me. “Drink this. It’ll help you relax.” The bubbles tickle my nostrils when I take a sip. "All right, all right. Don't lose me, please." "No chance," Ivy responds, with a wink. “Now let’s mingle.” About an hour later, I’m on my second glass of champagne and feeling just tipsy enough not to care. I've remained on the edge of the crowd, observing everyone, but I lost Mia and Ivy somewhere close on the dance floor. That’s when I see him. He's standing close to the bar, dressed in a smart black suit and a black mask with silver trim, just like mine. I can't help but stare at him; I'm not sure what it is. Perhaps it's his self-assured demeanor. Then he turns, as though sensing my gaze. His fierce eyes meet mine. My breath catches. He tilts his head slightly, as if to invite me over, but he doesn't smile. My feet start moving before my mind does. As I get at the bar next to him, I awkwardly say, "Uh, hi." His voice is deep and soft as he responds, "Hello. Are you enjoying the party?” I nod, feeling strangely sheepish. "It's... another thing. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced." His lips quiver in amusement as he lifts a brow. "First time, then?" I take a sip of my drink and respond, "Yeah. My name is Julia." He laughs quietly but doesn't respond. "What?" Confused, I ask. “You shouldn’t give your name at a masked party,” he says, his lips curving into a smile. "That destroys the mystery." I blinked. "Oh, well, tell me your name then." He continues to smile as he shakes his head. "Isn't that going to ruin the fun?" I roll my eyes and laugh. “So, you’re just ‘mysterious guy’ then?” He gestures to the bartender and responds, "If that works for you. What do you drink?" "Champagne," I say. “Something better,” he says, ordering a bottle of something I can’t even pronounce. Just by looking at it, I can tell that it's pricey. Feeling a little uncomfortable, I say, "You didn't have to do that." With a seamless reply, he hands me a glass and says, "I wanted to. To our mystery night." I feel a buzz from him. I clink my glass against his. He is unique, regardless of who he is. I'm definitely intoxicated after a couple drinks. The mysterious man exudes confidence and charisma, but there's also an intensity to him. I don't care that he doesn't share any personal information with me. Tonight, it seems like nothing else matters. Across the room, Mia and Ivy are smiling and pointing at us as if they know something I don't. I roll my eyes, but he's closely observing me when I turn to face him. “Do you want to get out of here?” he asks suddenly. My heart beats faster. "Where?" "The VIP lounge," he replies, gesturing to the area in the corner that is roped off. "A quieter place." After a moment of hesitation, I ask myself, why not?. I want to let go for the first time after being cautious all my life. "All right," I answer quietly. We head toward the VIP area when he takes my hand. The lounge has comfortable tables and couches and is softly lit. Even if it's quieter here, the background music is still playing. He sits next to me when I take a seat, and I can feel the warmth radiating from him. He gives me another drink after removing his jacket and gently loosening his tie. “One more?” "Yes," I reply in a hushed tone. I cannot recall which person leaned in first. It might be him. It might be me. All I know is that we are speaking one moment, and then his lips are on mine the next. His hand reaches my thigh and caresses my dress's fabric tenderly. I get chills as his fingers move along the boundary between skin and silk. As our tongues tango, my heartbeat quickens. I arch into his touch, beckoning him closer as his hand moves up and brushes against the curve of my hip. His gaze is fixed on mine as he reveals more of my skin while he unzips my dress. Anticipation electrifies the air between us. His fingers follow the line of my b*a, enticing the delicate skin underneath, and I let out a quiet moan. Through the lace, his hand glides up still more to cup my breast. I feel sparks fly through me as his thumb brushes against the firm peak. He pulls away just long enough to whisper, "Do you want this?". "Yes," I sigh, my enthusiasm almost overwhelming me. Our legs are intertwined like two halves of a whole, and I can feel his body crushing against mine as his lips meet mine once more. I cry out as he totally embraces me, sinking in the intensity that has devoured us both and blending with the music of our surrounds. Here, in the midst of music and darkness, we lose ourselves in the excitement of a s****l encounter. **************** When I wake up the following morning, sunshine is coming in through the curtains. I sit up slowly as my head thuds and I realize I'm sitting on a couch in the VIP lounge. My dress is crumpled, and my mask has slipped off. My stomach drops as I glance around. He is no longer there. His presence is completely absent, no jacket, no lingering cologne, nothing. But then I see it. A little, sparkly keychain and a black mask are on the table next to me. I pick up the keychain and flip it over in my hand, my fingers shaking. It has the letter K carved on it. There is a folded message beside the mask. I swiftly grab it and read the one line in large, clean characters, my heart racing. "My name is Kane."