4

Night had fallen, and I had replaced my previous dress with a black, leg-length, tight halter-style neckline. Ace was already asleep after my mom and I struggled to get him to sleep. He was cranky from being in a foreign country and whined about going home. I had to give him extra effort and do everything I could to get him to stop whining and sleep. Now that he was fast asleep, I rubbed his hair and face, which looked peaceful.

 

Now, I'm really amazed about his resemblance to his father.

 

In their sleep, it was apparent. Ace is like a clone of Sebastian. And it makes my heart ache.

 

If things were different, I would... I would what? I don't know.

 

I sighed softly and chased away all my evil thoughts to avoid messing up. Now, I had to do what my grandpa told me to do, or he would carry out his terrible threat. If only I had power, I would just protect Ace from him, but right now, I don't even have anything, so the weapon to protect him from Sanchez is to do whatever he wants. That's wise. That's safe even if I have to expend energy on it.

 

And let's remember that Sebastian is there. But there were so many guests that the chances of him finding me seemed slim.

 

It's been five years since we parted ways. But what if we met again? What if he finds out the secret I've been hiding all this time? I suddenly felt nervous. So nervous that my stomach felt like it was falling to the ground.

 

"Go, Elizabeth and I will look after Ace. You don't have to worry." Mommy said. She had asked permission to Grandma not to come because she was tired. "Vito is here."

 

I nodded slowly. "Thanks, Mom." I said to her, and then I walked out of the hotel to find Vito ready in his tuxedo.

 

Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled up to the luxury building. We left and stopped in front of the entrance, where five burly men were serving as bodyguards. "Is this necessary?" I asked.

 

"Grandpa wants a party with a tight guard. Considering that our guests are not only business people but also political people."

 

I nodded, and we entered the building after the door was opened by one of them. The receptionist received us in the main hall and smiled as she looked at us. I frowned at the masquerade mask that the guard held out after confirming that we were the family of the party owner.

 

"Masks? Is this a masquerade ball?" Vito voiced his question first. Because Regina had yet to tell us this event had a theme.

 

"It's a sudden change, sir. Mrs. Regina Castillo herself requested it," the man replied.

 

Vito and I locked eyes. He just shook his head, and I really couldn't understand where Regina was going with this.

 

"But if you don't want to wear it, that's fine." The woman said. "It's just a concept."

 

I just grunted and accepted the mask but didn't wear it. Plus, it would be uncomfortable and ruin my makeup. What was Regina really thinking?

 

"Weird," I shook my head. "Regina is so unique. Doesn't she know that there are many important guests? They'll feel ridiculous with this."

 

"Didn't you hear that it's just a concept? We can feel free to use it or not. Besides, think of it as a way to cover your face so Sebastian doesn't see you."

 

That's right. It didn't matter even if Sebastian Sanchez was in here. Sebastian wouldn't be able to see me.

 

I took Vito's arm and walked through the large doors leading us to the stairs that led downstairs. Down there, the party was already underway. The lights were dimmed. The couple and a few other people were already on the dance floor, while others could be seen forming groups at the sides of the room.

 

The large ballroom was already filled with people in fancy suits and dresses, making my presence unnoticeable, especially with my mask.

 

"Mr. and Ms. Rossi."

 

The greeting brought us to a halt. I immediately lowered my head to realize it was Dominic Romano, our new president. He was accompanied by two men who I thought were Italian officials.

 

"I almost didn't recognize you," he smiled.

 

"Masquerade parties like this are a real pain in the ass, aren't they?" replied Vito. "We were just about to greet you, Mr. President." Vito said as he took off his mask, and I couldn't help but do the same, albeit reluctantly.

 

He gave Vito a smile, and they shook hands cordially. Vito was one of our family members who had many connections with the government at the behest of my grandfather, so I wasn't surprised that almost all members of the Italian government knew him.

 

Dominic Romano then dropped his gaze to me with an interested look. This was the role I was playing. "Miss. Isabella Rossi."

 

I nodded once and shook his hand. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. President."

 

"Me too," he said. "Ah, you seem to be the woman..."

 

I raised an eyebrow.

 

"Dante spoke highly of you. He was right when he said you were very beautiful."

 

"Thank you," I reply with a stiff smile, and I don't know what to make of those words. I had never even met Dante Romano, and his knowing me made me wonder.

 

"Do you want to meet him?" Dominic glanced around briefly. "But he seems to still be engrossed in talking with Sebastian Sanchez and his fiancée. Maybe you two will meet later."

 

That snapped my grip on Vito's arm tightening.

 

"Fiancée? Sebastian Sanchez's fiancée. Do you know who she is, Mr. President?"

 

Dominic nodded. "Yes. Reina Warren. He just introduced her earlier when we met."

 

I didn't know what to do with that information.

 

Ah, apparently, their love is so strong? Huh, of course it is. Why would I expect a different outcome? What could have been expected? He didn't even love me and he accepted me as his wife by force. I shouldn't feel sick about that. But that's the truth. I still want to cry for some reason. It's been five years, but why can Sebastian still affect me like this? And why...

 

I sighed.

 

"Sebastian Sanchez... I heard you two had a relationship?" asked Mr. President.

 

Vito, next to me, stiffened.

 

I smiled. "No, we're not. We're just friends." Fortunately, our marriage was not publicized, only family and relatives knew so I wouldn't face many questions.

 

Vito turned the conversation towards politics and I chose to stay by his side. I put on my mask again as my gaze fell on the woman in the strikingly tight red dress.

 

I sighed with reproach.

 

Of course I knew her. Her face and slutty nature stuck in my head.

 

It made my gaze drawn to the man next to her who was wearing a mask with a gray suit. His stature was slightly familiar and realizing that they were together made me realize that the one beside Reina was my ex-husband.

 

It was definitely him.

 

His arm is wrapped around her waist possessively, and for some reason it makes me claustrophobic. It seems like I really need alcohol tonight.

 

So instead of participating in the boring conversation between them, I excused myself to find a seat. Vito gave me a message to look for him if there was anything wrong, I just nodded at that because I really didn't intend to spend any more time here. I took off my mask and walked past the many guests to the bar counter. To hell with the President's son wanting to meet me, I'm going back to the hotel after taking five shots of vodka.

 

My tolerance for alcohol is high. I wouldn't get drunk in ten shots at the bartender's table, and that's why I even went back for more and had already reached fifteen where a sign appeared with my throbbing head, but the floating sensation in my head made me feel better than before.

 

"Since when do you have the strength to drink?"

 

I gasped and turned to the man in the black suit who had suddenly sat down next to me. I took another sip of my vodka, dislike creeping up on me. "Can you add more?" I turned back to the bartender, the man immediately filled my glass to the brim.

 

"Stop it. Don't drink that way. You're like a woman with a broken heart," the man said, holding my hand back as I was about to drink my vodka. 

 

"Don't grab woman, Sweetheart," I said. My left hand brushed off his hand that was holding my glass. "If I do get my heart broken. Who cares? It's not your problem either. I don't even know you."

 

But he chuckled lowly instead. It was sexy, but unfortunately I was already immune to men, and strangely, his voice was vaguely familiar to my ears. The loud music made it difficult for me to place it.

 

"That's not really my problem, indeed. It's just that I was wondering what kind of man could break the heart of a beautiful and sexy woman like you," he teased.

 

I smiled. "Maybe a man like you." I tilted my head, looking at him. Putting my elbows on the table, I propped my chin up with my hands. My eyes glazed over as I gazed at his masked face. This man really felt familiar. "The asshole, and the disgusting one."

 

He chuckled. "I'm also heartbroken, by the way."

 

I shook my head. "I don't remember if I ever asked,"

 

"I just wanted to tell you." He shrugged and took a sip of his wine. "Maybe we can cheer each other up," 

 

"Not interested." I straightened up and winced when my head wobbled slightly. "I have to go."

 

"How about a dance? Just once?" he extended his hand to me as he stood up. I stared at the stranger's hand, debating whether to accept it.

 

But when the image of Sebastian and Reina dancing swirled in my head, especially when it was mixed with the image of them in bed five years ago, I immediately accepted his hand. And I was completely drunk and staggered as I got up from my chair. Fortunately, he was holding my body. He kept his arms around me and let me drape my arms around his neck once we reached the dance floor.

 

Perhaps it was the effect of the soft music and the alcohol that made me dare to cling my body to him this tightly. But really, amidst the smell of cigarette smoke from him that I could still smell, there was still the fragrant scent I once knew. It made me realize how much I missed that jerk... it's been five years, and it still clouds all my life.

 

"You look a lot like him,"

 

"Who?"

 

"My asshole ex-husband, and I hate him." I made a slight murmur against his neck.

 

"The woman who broke my heart...would you believe me if I told you that she looked like you?" he replied with an intense gaze. 

 

Those eyes...they were really very blue and hypnotizing.

 

"Really?" I smiled sweetly before standing on tiptoe to bring my lips close to his ear. His heat and hardness sent chills down my body. "It looks like we could be good partners. You know what? I don't want to be alone tonight,"

 

And then he kissed me.

 

Damn, even his lips tasted like Sebastian's. Or is that just the result of the vodka making my head foggy?

 

This is really horrible.

 

The aftermath was a blur. 

 

I felt his touch everywhere.

 

I had to pull the word horrible out of my sentence when, in fact, the combined effects of the alcohol and his touch made me drift all night. I even unconsciously chanted Sebastian's name in my every release. It's not my fault. It's the man on top of me's fault for looking so much like Sebastian once he removes his mask.

 

Ah, shit.

 

I'm really drowning.

 

...

 

Oh, god. Please, throw me into Antarctica.

 

I was so shocked that I could only curse softly once I woke up from the dense fog inside my head.

 

Take away the fact that I made the mistake of sleeping with the stranger I met last night. Because if that were the case, my regret probably wouldn't be this big. Just think about it, out of all the men in the world, how could the burly arms that are now hugging my naked body belong to Sebastian Sanchez!

 

No, no, no. No, no, no. This is crazy.

 

It's even crazier when the memory of our 'activity' last night plays in my head. I deliberately thought of this stranger as 'Sebastian', and it turns out I did end up with the real Sebastian! What kind of alibi should I say once he wakes up?!

 

But now I don't want to think about that. Because I'd better get out of here quickly without Sebastian knowing, and the matter is over. Sebastian also seems to be sleeping like a baby. He doesn't even move when I slowly move his arm away from my body.

 

God still loves me because Sebastian didn't wake up after I finished putting on my dress. I just need to find my shoes and get out of here.

 

Ah, or just go barefoot? That's a relatively easy thing. I just need to go to the lobby and have security order a taxi.

 

Yeah, right, I should go now.

 

I walked out of the room and closed the door quietly.

 

And my decision was correct because moments before the hotel room door closed properly, I heard Sebastian's shout calling my name.

 

That made me rush to the elevator, which opened about two minutes after I pressed the button.

 

Again, God have saved me.

 

>>.