The Belle Behind The Mask

4

Chapter 4

DIANA

I had an early morning today. From getting to the costume shop at eight and Alexander's apartment at the designated time, I managed to secure the mask in the grasp of his maid who turned it in to him. I didn't have the nerve to face him one one one and boy did his house look big from the outside. Always wondered what it looked like inside and now I guess I'll never know.

On the walk down my street, I watched as everyone had a merry Christmas around me and normally, I would be at Gabriel's and we would be cooking, watching Christmas films and other activities s***h traditions that thrilled me on such a day but today, I am certainly not feeling the Christmas spirit.

My phone rang the second I stepped into my apartment. It's from Celeste

"Get ready, you are going to the ball" Her voice was loud enough to make me hold my phone inches away from my ear.

"What are you talking about?" I sandwiched the phone between my ear and shoulder as I eased the shoes off my feet.

"I was able to work my way into getting a ticket from 'you know who' and I want to give it to you. After what you told us last night, I figured a change of scenery would help."

"I don't think I can accept that, Celeste. I know how badly you wanted to go there. You wanted to network with the big fish in the industry so bad" I walked lazily to my bed and dumped my ass on it.

"You have to accept it. The delivery of the invitation is on its way to you as we speak. We know that you have had it tough and just wanted to make this some sort of a Christmas present. I know it might not do much but sincerely, don't we all deserve a day off from the norm?"

"I don't think I can... What if I bump into you know who?" The thought made me dread the unthinkable or maybe it is going to be the usual "you're fired".

"It's not a strictly La Belle Beauty ball plus it's masquerade-themed and the whole point of that is to conceal one's identity. So with proper make-up, outfit, and mask, I am sure our hot boss won't be able to recognize you"

"There's another problem. Where am I going to get a dress for this event at this eleventh hour? People plan dresses from a year before, remember?"

"First off, you have enough hours to fix an ensemble, and second, it's a good thing there are dress rentals in the city. Shouldn't cost much. The bottom line is when I see you on Monday, I want to hear the deets so make it work and Diana, you deserve it. Caroline and I have been watching you slave yourself for the company and it is the little we can do to keep your sanity amidst the chaos. Something our hot boss should do"

"We still have to meet up this..."

Celeste cut her off "Forget about that. You can take a rain check. I hope someone far better than that chump sweeps you off your feet."

It's too early to move on plus I'm not sure Gabriel and I have broken up, yet.

On the other hand, this event can work in my favor since I'm setting up my business next year. Getting insights from veterans will be helpful as well as meeting with investors. Oh, thank you, Celeste and Caroline!!!

"Thank you for the fairy tale pep talk"

"Anytime, Diana. Go get ready and have fun!" And on that note, she hung up.

I dashed in and out of several dress rental shops and by two in the afternoon, I'd still not gotten the perfect dress. The previous ones I tried on seemed to be either too loose or too small and since it is on rental, I can't simply make adjustments. I just need to find the perfect dress that fits in all the right places.

Motivated after eating lunch and enough sugar to fuel me back on track, I decided to dash into the fifth store.

The attendant led me to a rack that hung several dresses... My major problem was my butt, it was hard to find something right for the upper part of my body which was smaller, and the lower part of my body which was bigger.

I flipped through and finally caught a glimpse of a green dress with subtle shimmers.

Please, be my size. I prayed beneath my breath and unfortunately, after trying it on, it was too tight and barely gave my ass breathing space. Definitely not the one. I continued to look on when I saw a dress being removed from a garment bag by the other attendant. It seemed someone was returning it and the attendant was checking if it was intact.

The red color called me as I walked over to the marble countertop.

"Can I try this on?" I asked while trailing my fingers on the lush silk fabric. Utterly transfixed.

I nearly cried when I saw my reflection in the mirror. The dress had a not-so-appropriate opening at the back with a halter neck at the front. It had shimmering white pearls neatly scattered and the ankle length was just perfect.

This is the dress. I paid for the rental which was quite on the high side but I didn't mind and made straight for the salon... I wanted to temporarily dye my platinum while maintaining my dark roots into big bouncy and full curls. I was beginning to enjoy this makeover. It was therapeutic even though thoughts of Gabriel managed to seep in now and then.

I take one last look at myself in the whole ensemble in the mirror and boy do I look different. My hair was swooped to the back with a silver headband in front while the freed big curls settled on my back. I loved how full, rich and bouncy they looked on my bare back. I grabbed my clutch, mask, and invite the minute my phone chimed- an indication that my Uber had strived.

I slid out of the Uber into the chilly atmosphere of Manhattan with cars whooshing to a halt behind me, and blazing horns from the light traffic on the highway.

Here am I, staring at the architecture of the famous Whitelorn Hotel, about to get into a party I didn't think I could ever attend attended.

Events like this are nothing but empty gabfests but they made the tabloids newsworthy and I mentally thanked God it was mask themed.

As my heels clicked on the interlocked concrete, I may have second-guessed the whole idea for a heartbeat but, that's just how long the doubt can stay. A heartbeat certainly can't defeat all the long hours it took me to get ready. I'd come too far to turn around simply because a tiny shard of anxiety kicked in. My body physically rejected the idea.

With the mask on, I belonged here just like everybody else.

I looked around the car park, various couples walked arm in arm while dazzling in their different designer wear and the glory of wealth that oozed out of their mannerism.

I joined a short cue of people entering the building.