Chapter 5
1569 Words
The Grand ball room shimmered under the chandelier crystal lights. Velvet drapes in deep red lined the windows. Classical music swelled softly in the background with an unexplainable rhythm with the clinking glasses and indistinct chatter and laughs. Men in sleek suits and blazers and women in glowing ball and dinner elite gowns, their hidden identity behind aesthetic masks. Mystery hung in the air, every glance, every move, every chat, every whisper, every step felt like a dance with the unknown.
But, it is said that, ‘the person who steals the show, arrives later than expected’. Well this phrase fits perfectly on Sofia Bellanti.
She stepped into the ball room, her masks catching the lights, as her heels stepped against the polished floor. Nobody could recognize the true goddess who made her way in, confident, aesthetic and meaningful. Men glared with watery mouths, women glared with envy. Dressed in a black glittery gown that hugged her curve with elegance and power, she walked like she truly belonged. Yet, I felt like she was among strangers. And that was the point.
Just for tonight, she wasn't the CEO’s daughter or a busy head business woman that she was. She was just a stranger among strangers. Very anonymous, and dangerously close to colliding with fate.
Sofia gave a very strong bizarre glance across the ballroom, looking for her girls. The mask made it really hard to find them. She got a little frustrated and dived her hand into her purse and made just one call.
“I'm right here at the entrance, in a shiny black gown and a silver mask.” And that was all she uttered for Maria to find her.
Luckily for her, Maria was close by. Maria waved at her direction to dismiss Sofia's glance. Sofia caught it and waved back. Maria rocked her steps to Sofia and gave her a big welcoming smile. “Hey!”
“Hey. It's really hard to find all of you in this...” she paused and looked around. “...So many masks. I don't even know who is who anymore.”
“ Hey! No dulling tonight! Just partying!” Maria said, the excitement rising in her voice as she placed her hand around Sofia's shoulder. “We're gonna rock your pain off.”
Well, she sounded a little sarcastic. Sofia scoffed her words off and went straight to the bar. She drew a chair and sat on it. “Your strongest wine please” she ordered.
The bar man nodded and turned back to bring the wine. While all that was going on, Sofia spinned her chair to face the party. A lot of jolly women and men, some dancing some chatting and some… kissing?
Sofia noticed a couple, so to say, across the room kissing so intensely. The man squeezed the woman's ass so tight, Sofia could feel the pain. She squeezed her face disgustingly and murmured.
“This is a masked party. Not a club.”
She continued to watch them when a shadow casted over her. She adjusted her chair to see who it was. And… wow!
The guy who sat close to Sofia was just… wow! The cologne she smelled was familiar. A strong and confident one. He didn't speak, didn't look at her. He wore a black suit tailored to perfection, and a black mask, the kind of energy that made a woman want to feel good around a man. He made her unknowingly adjust her spine.
He was giving nonchalant energy, which was also a bit off. But, good thing Sofia loved nonchalant, she liked daring, she loves challenging. Drama. Action.
Unknowing to her, it was Domenico. The one man she hated Soo much.
“Shots please!” He ordered. His elbows resting on the counter.
‘Hmmm. Daring. Commanding.’ she thought.
He turned to see a stunning woman beside him.
“Stunning!” He complimented and uttered no other words.
Sofia smiled. No, Sofia blushed. The kind that was too obvious, like she was interested in him.
He noticed and scoffed, giving a cocky smirk.
“Thanks. You're not bad too. You look handsome” She said raising her feminine tone, a little too childish for an adult.
“Thank you. Handsome? You can't even see my face”
“ I know whatever is behind that mask cannot disappoint. You're too good looking to be absurd.” She said, like the conversation was just getting started. She liked his energy around her. She could feel her feminine urge rise.
“Ma’am. Your wine.” The bar man said as he dropped a glass on the table and poured a bottle of wine wrapped with his hands that were covered with neat towels, suspendedly hung. He poured the wine quarter glass full.
“Oh! Thank you.”
She said and drew the glass closer to her.
The bar man dropped the bottle close to her cup.
“Thanks”
“You prefer wine, huh?” Dom asked her.
She looked at him, her gaze too engaged for a random discussion. “Yh. Just tryna keep my control. I don't plan on losing it tonight.”
“Oh!” He responded by nodding his head.
“Yeah” she said and took a sip of her wine.
And then silence invaded. Deep silence between them, that made Sofia really uncomfortable. She searched through her entire head for a conversation or a topic but nothing popped up. She felt too embarrassed to sit there saying nothing.
But why did she go through all this, the guy next to her seemed less interested. She bowed her head ashamed, as if she had done something wrong by talking with him in the first place.
“It will be truly humane of me to ask your name. Someone this beautiful hiding amidst the crowd in a bar.” he said and finally turned to her.
Something inside Sofia wanted her to stretch her hand and take off his mask, and maybe, go for a kiss. She never felt this feminine with anyone else. What spell did he cast on her?
“Humane?” She chuckled. “Sof…” she got interrupted by a lady in a gray flowing gown who held the mic to speak, in front of the crowd.
Both of their attention was shifted to the woman who stood in front of the entire crowd.
“ladies and gentlemen, masked and mysterious, may I have your attention please.” She said with a heavy smile, a smile that got everyone smiling. She then cleared her throat into the mic and continued “I hope everyone is enjoying themselves beneath the mystery of your masks? The night is still far from over and the floor is open now. It's about to get down and lively. The music is ready and the floor is open. Let's make this night unforgettable, come join us on the dance floor and let the music lead your every step!” She concluded and claps filled the air of the room, overpowering the chats and soft sound in the background.
“Well, I guess it's high time I took your hand, beautiful.” Dom said as he stretched his hand forward to Sofia to receive it.
Sofia's attention was drawn back to him. He called her beautiful. Well, if he knew what she was behind the mask, he'd probably ask for her hand in marriage. She blushed, covering her mouth slightly .
“Yes please.” She finally spoke, her voice low and placed her hand on his as he led her to the dance floor.
First, a smooth pop music played in the background and everyone danced to it with their various partners.
Doma and Sofia danced with each other, their step defining the joy, and passion of their youth. After the long dance and shaking. The music was changed to a slow ball song.
Dom stretched his hand again for Sofia to receive and she did. He placed that hand on his shoulder. Sofia felt the heat of his body as he pulled her closer to him, gripping her waist tight enough she almost groaned.
He held her other hand, and danced slowly to the rhythm of the music, slow and steady. His gaze was fixed on her. “I wonder what beauty hides behind that mask.” His words were genuine and out of curiosity as he looked down to her.
His gaze made her a bit uncomfortable, she barely looked at him, "I could also say the same. I'm also curious.”
“Guess that's the disadvantage of masked parties.” He tried to be a bit bubbly.
She chuckled and tossed her hair back with a swift tilt of her head. Her heart raced, as her hands ran through his shoulder up and down.
Dom also felt her energy, she was too curvy to be a woman. His hand explored her waist as he danced with her. Making her feel every touch, obviously.
“We couldn't complete our conversation.” He leaned down to her ear and whispered.
“Oh!” Sofia flinched a little, squeezing her eyes. “Yh, you can call me Sofia. Sofia Bellanti.”
Dom stopped the dance immediately, slowly removing his hand from her waist. He was startled. “Sofia?” He questioned, as he removed his mask.
“What!” Sofia exclaimed.
- Writer
