Invitation to a masquerade ball

My eyes hurt. Hell, all parts of my body hurt like hell. But I'm trying to endure it all, by acting like nothing could faze me.

“Jewel!” Star, the live-in maid Miguel employed, yelled my name the moment she entered the house. She banged the door behind her, almost deafening me with the sound. I can hear her footsteps as she rushed in. She sounded excited.

“What's wrong?” I called out from the parlour where I was. I sat up on the couch and made certain not to wince.

She only knows that my husband treats me like trash. I don't wish for her to know of the new development.

“I got something for you.” She sat on the cushion next to me and rummaged through her handbag. “Tada!” She brought out an invitation card from her handbag and gave it to me. The way her eyes sparkled made me jealous.

I gave her a once-over. Star is a beautiful woman with hair as blonde as mine, and blue eyes which were brighter than mine. However, compared to her, I'm nothing but a shell of myself.

"Take a look at what I gave you." She mouth gestured towards the card.

“What's this?” I turned the golden card with my brows furrowed at it. “Is this your birthday card?” I gasped. “Don't tell me it's your wedding card.” My eyes nearly boggled out of their sockets.

Star rolled her eyes at me. “This is an invitation to a ball!” She giggled. “It's a weekend masquerade ball!”

“Like Cinderella's?” I arched a brow.

“Was there a masquerade ball in Cinderella?” She tilted her head to the side. “I thought it was Barbie and the Three Musketeers?” She looked to be lost in thoughts as she wondered who among the cartoon characters attended as mask ball.

“Whatever.” I waved her words off. “It has been a long time since I watched those cartoons.” I turned the card in my hand. It's not as if I was still a kid. I grew up faster than kids my age. My so-called husband made certain of that.

“Will you love to attend?” She wriggled her brows as she tried so much not to grin. I can see how excited she is, from the sparkles in her eyes.

“Me? You've got to be kidding me. I've not been out of the house for close to two years. How can I attend a ball?” I dropped the card on the table.

Unlike her, I can't get excited. Not when I have a husband like Miguel. Getting excited is like digging a grave for myself.

“I can help you with that if it pleases you.” She grinned. “It's a night party. I can help you sneak out of the house.” She wriggled her brows suggestively. "It will be fun," she giggled, making it seem like it was easy.

I rolled my eyes at her words. “That's outrageous. There's no way I can be able to do that.” I scowled at her, “what if I get caught, how can I exempt myself from my husband's punishments?”

I've gotten enough punishments to know that Miguel isn't someone to cross. He might wipe out my entire family if he so pleases to do so. He's like a madman with an insane character.

“He won't catch you. There's no way for him to know of this. Trust on this, Jewel.” She took the card from the table I placed it on. “I've been thinking about this for a long time now, Jewel.”

“About what?”

“This. You can't stay in here until your death, Jewel. This might be the only opportunity you have to see the outside world. You are not doing anything wrong. It's a ball and not a club." She sighed, "I know how much you fear your husband, but you can't live your life this way."

“I'm married, Star. Even if he doesn't acknowledge me as his wife, there is no way I can do something like this. What if he catches me?” I shivered at the thought of what he might likely do to me should I so much as step a foot out of the front door.

“Haven't you noticed this, Jewel? Your husband doesn't return home most weekends.” She smirked. “Isn't that right?”

I titled my head to the side. “That's true. Miguel most times works throughout the weekend.”

And my mind always tells me there was a considerable possibility that my husband might be cheating on me with another woman. Though I don't think deeply about that, I couldn't help the fear of that being the truth.

“Then what's stopping you from taking the opportunity to live a little?” She placed the card on my thighs. “You can go there early, and return early to avoid being caught. This way, your husband won't be able to know what's going on.

If you don't tell, I'm not telling.” She winked, "we are in on this together.”

“But…”

“There's nothing like a but, Jewel. This is the only chance you might get. You might regret your decisions if you don't do this.”

“I want to go to that party, but I don't want my husband to know I left the house when he specifically told me never to step my foot out the door.” I glanced at the card she gave to me. “Miguel might have my head if I step a foot out of the house.”

As much as I would have loved to go out there and have fun, momentarily forgetting all I was passing through in the hands of someone who should have loved me more than life itself, I can't piss my husband off.

Miguel laid down the rules, and as his wife, I'm obliged to obey them.

“It's your decision, not mine, Jewel.” Star patted my hair. “I just want to help you out a bit. But if you don't want my help, you don't have to accept this.”

“It's not that I don't want to go. I don't think it will work. Miguel is a sly man.”

He knows everything. I don't think I can hide this from him even if I want.

“But not as sly as this girl here.” She winked at me. “You have until Friday to decide on what to do. I'm always here when you need me.” She patted the invitation card. “This might be the gateway you need.”

“Thank you. I will think about it.” I glanced at the invitation card.

“You better do. Time awaits no man.”

******

I rushed downstairs at the sound of his car. Like I do most times, I stood next to the stairs until he entered the house.

“Good evening.” I placed a fake smile on my face as I watched him stride towards me. My body still hurts from what we did yesterday. Smiling doesn't mean I've forgotten what he did.

“Hmm.” He strode past me and headed upstairs towards his room.

I expected him to ask me up like he did the day ago, but he didn't. He didn't even spare a glance my way as he strode up to his room.

“How was your day?” I asked once more. This time, I made certain it was louder than last night's question.

Miguel ignored me.

He pretended as if no one spoke. His actions caused my left eye to sting. I blinked, to keep the tears at bay.

Don't cry, Jewel.

I sniffed.

He's not worth it.

This wasn't the first time something like this has happened. Hell, this happens almost every day. Yet, I couldn't help the tears that freely flowed down my face. I glanced up at him, and that strengthened my resolve. Star was right.

I've got to live a little.

My husband doesn't love me, so it doesn't matter whether I break his rules or not. It's still the same no matter what. After all, the only punishment he might give me is to have rough sex with me, and nothing else.

I sauntered over to Star's room and knocked on her door.

“Is it time to make dinner?” She groaned as she opened the door.

“That's not why I'm here.” I fidgeted with the material of my gown.

“What's wrong?”

“I've decided,” I said without looking up at her.

“On what?”

“I will..... I will go to the party.” I finally peered up at her.

“Wow!” She squealed like a schoolgirl. “That's wonderful!” She giggled, looking damned pleased with herself.

“Keep your voice down.” I glanced towards the stairs. “He's upstairs and might hear you.”

“Oops, sorry about that.” She apologized with a smile on her face. “I'm so happy that you made the right decision.”

I nodded. “So, this Friday, then?”

“You bet.” She grinned. “I will get everything ready for you.” Star winked at me. “Leave it to this expert.”

Her words caused me to roll my eyes. “You sound more excited than me.”

“What can I say? I'm happy for you!” She yelled.

“Hush!” I looked upstairs, alarmed that my 'husband' might hear us.

“Oh, oh.” She giggled.