Ch 5 : MASQUERADE PARTY

• AURORA •

I turned back only to be embarrassed. Mr Winchester was standing on the mid-way of staircase and looking down at me in question. His eyes were scanning me very precisely, as if judging me for wearing such revealing dress.

"Why are you so quiet? I asked you a question and I'm expecting an answer, Aurora," he repeated, his voice sounded impatient and cold.

I flinched and awkwardly lowering my face, I mumbled, "I'm going to my friend's birthday party."

"Can you be little louder? I'm not capable off translating your mumbling," His words increased my heartbeat and I don't know why I found myself answering to him when I should be going on my way. I'm already running late for the party!

"And look at you," he starts descending the stairs. "You are going out wearing that. Do you think it will protect you from the cold weather?"

OMG! What kind of situation is this? I couldn't understand why he was being so nosy into my business of clothes. I step backwards and replied, "Uncle Winchester, my mother never questions my dressing sense. It's trending these days, so please don't mind me."

"Also, you should return to you bedroom and take rest."

His eyebrows tensed as he heard my oblivious response. I'm sure he was expecting me to shudder and apologise. But I'm trying to be bold and face him, forgetting what happened between us. If he doesn't want me to remember, I shouldn't think too much about it.

"Aurora, you are not anywhere. Not until you change into something decent and put on warm longcoat. I'll drop you—"

"Goodbye, Uncle," I waved my hand at him, stopping him in middle of his sentence. "I'm getting late. My friend is waiting for me." Saying that I sprinted out, and took the cab and looked back, making sure he wasn't following me.

Sighing in relief, I rested my back of head on the seat and closed my eyes. I was getting a second hand feeling of criminal running from the cop.

After half an hour, I arrived at the given address and stepped out from the cab. Fixing my hair and taking deep breath, I paced to the club's entrance gate.

"Miss, please show your ID card and the invitation letter," the security guard asked. "Actually today club is booked and not open for regulars. So if you have the invitation from the host of party, please show me."

"Sure," I nodded and showed him the digital invitation letter from Polina on my I*******m and then handed the guard my ID. "Is there any problem?"

"No, Miss," he quickly returned my ID and cleared the way. "Please, welcome. I'm sorry for making you wait when you are the important guest of the party."

"No issues," I managed a smile and walked inside.

The crowd was heavy with everyone wearing masquerade masks and revealing dresses. Thank goodness I didn't listen to Mr Winchester. Men were dressed in fancy suits and stylish tuxedos and their strong cologne clouded my senses.

"Easy, baby girl," my friend Polina chuckled as she walked towards me from the crowd. She, too, was wearing the mask and holding glass of whisky.

"You look fantastic, shame on your ex for losing hottie like you," she teased me and shook her right shoulder lightly to mine. "Are you ready for what's coming tonight?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh come on don't be so innocent beautiful, you are going to make everyone fall for you," she giggled and handing me over her glass of whisky, she puts red masquerade mask around my eyes and grinned. "Wear this and have fun without revealing your identity. Grab any man. All are invited by me and are from decent families."

"Polina, please stop it," I blushed, and held her arm. "I'm not confident enough to grab any man. They're all busy with their partners."

"Busy with their partners?" Polina repeated and looks around. Shaking her head in realisation, she clarifies, "Baby girl, they're all invited as your blind dates. Nobody's with their partners, they are only talking in groups."

"Oh my god, Polina," I gasped. "Are you insane? You invited these many men for me to choose as my partner?"

"Yeah, now you get it. Shh," she places her index finger on my lips. "Before you ask any questions, let me tell you the rules of the party to make it simple for you."

"Each men have number tokens. And you only have to dip your hand in this glass jar and pick out the lucky number note."

My eyes widened in shock and feeling alien to this style of blind date, I hesitated, "I can't do that. I'm already nervous and—"

"Gentlemen, may I have your attention," Polina spoke, interrupting me again. "Our precious guest has arrived. Hold your breath, the moment you have all have been waiting for, is here."

"Yeah, finally," the men chorused and toasted their drinks in air.

Polina looks at me and asks the staff to bring the glass jar before me. "Pick out the number note of the lucky man who will have a chance to spent his night with you."

I pressed my lips together, and regretted agreeing to come to polina's party. She always hosts weird parties and this time I was the scapegoat. Sighing, I dipped my hand in the glass jar and picked up one of number note.

"Wow, our precious guest is to eager to find out her lucky man," Polina chuckles and taking the note from me, she unfolds it and reads the number. "23. Anyone who has number 23 token, please step forward and ask her to dance."

My fingers clenched onto my dress's hem in nervousness while my friend was enjoying every second of it.

Just then a mysteriously tall and athletic built man walked forward, his black masquerade mask made it hard for me to recognise me. He was dressed elegantly and his hair were styled in sharp hairstyle, while his front hair locks fell over his forehead, giving him rather sexy appearance.

He bowed before me with his extended arm, possibly asking my hand in dance. I shared quick glance at Polina and she nodded, assuring me everything is safe and fine.

I placed my hand in his and followed him to the dance stage. He pulls me in his arms while his other hand explored my exposed back and rested on my waist. Something about this man felt familiar and his scent reminded me of Mr Winchester.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and tried to shake off Mr Winchester's thoughts from my head. Why do I remember his touches while I'm in another man's embrace? How could he be present in Polina's party?

The man's lips came into my view and I couldn't help but imagine those lips kissing me.

The man smirked and leaned closer, his warm breath aroused me and our noses touched as he locks his lips with mine. His kissing style weirdly felt familiar too. That very second, my eyes widened. The man was no other than Mr Winchester behind the mask.

Breaking the kiss, he whispered in my ear, "Are you this desperate for a man?"