Chapter 6: Disguise

I properly stared at myself in the mirror. I look beautiful. This gold dress with flawless flares suits my body well. It will be easier for people to notice me because that's my plan, after all.

I have to be the night’s apple of the eye to attain my target’s attention. In this field of work, I've been in contact with rich men who are easy to hook with my words and charm, but later on they'll find themselves dead because of their own foolishness. Oftentimes, it irks me that rich men are so easy to manipulate with a woman's body and looks. How can some people be so dumb despite being filthy rich?

I picked up the mask that was on the vanity table and then walked towards Pierre's room. I knocked three times, and then I immediately opened the door. I caught him wearing his coat, which was almost the same color as my gown. So he did it after all.

I told him this morning that I wanted us to wear the same color. It would be okay since we’re not entering together. It was a bluff, though. I didn't know that he would compromise with my idea.

What we are about to attend is a masquerade ball prior to the birthday celebration of Lauro Gregory, my foster brother who brought my childhood to hell. Even though it is a ball where faces are hidden, the names of the esteemed guests and performers who are invited are listed, and their identities will be checked thoroughly before entering the event hall.

Pierre is invited as Lauro's business colleague. I was shocked to know that Pierre is also a businessman. He’s really a capable person who has lots of connections. No wonder his power gave him a huge lift to reach the second-highest position in their Mafia organization.

While I was busy mesmerizing his beauty, he stared at me from head to toe. I saw him gently wet his lips with his saliva. Then again, I felt as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. I felt anxious for a split second. Do I look funny? But in the end, he said nothing aside from asking me to finally depart.

Harold drove the car for us. While on the way, I and Harold listened to Pierre’s instructions. Harold was tasked with waiting outside until we finished what needed to be done inside.

"If the situation gets too dangerous, abort the mission. Your life comes first."

He spoke while directly looking at me through the car’s rear mirror. I nodded. Now, things are getting more serious as we get closer to the venue where a crime is about to happen.

I still took the mission after all. Not only because the prize is too good to let go but also to prove where I stand. I am not a weakling, and I don't need anyone's pity, especially in this dangerous world that I entered voluntarily. I want Pierre to see that I am not some cub. I am also a lioness who can protect myself and the few people I cherish. To do that, I must face the past I’ve been trying to avoid and forget. Maybe this is the destined time for me to pay back what those assholes owe me.

Harold dropped us off in a less crowded spot, but Pierre and I didn’t leave the car at the same time. Pierre went first, and after a minute, I went out.

The guards checked everyone’s identities. Pierre entered first without much hassle because he’s a VIP guest. I used the name Samantha Aurora, and I am here as a performer. The name Samantha, which I also used when my mission was to subdue the evidence for establishing an illegal casino, brought back humiliating memories that made me feel irked for some seconds.

After I entered the grandiose entrance, I went straight to find a seat with a good view of the stage. Everything is so extravagant. It’s as if this event is held not to attend a birthday celebration but to show off their riches. I even saw some female guests casually wearing diamonds as their accessories.

I looked around, and finally, my eyes caught Pierre's. He was chatting with corporate-looking men and women who are probably his business colleagues while secretly glancing at me and keeping an eye on my actions. They look funny in that set-up as they innocently talk to Pierre without knowing his illegal background. Just like the song titled "Heathens" says, "You'll never know the murderer sitting next to you."

A loud applause grabbed my attention and my eyes immediately went to the stage where a disgusting creature came up. I tightened my grip on the wineglass I was holding. I could still feel mixed emotions, and they are more intense now that he’s just a few meters away from my reach. He’s lucky that I can’t kill him right here, right now.

I just listened to his speech, and as I looked around, people were paying their utmost attention to Lauro’s words. He talks like a saint. Everything that comes out of his mouth is positive appreciation for everyone’s effort to attend. The show went on with his boring speech until it was my turn to step on stage.

I was placed as a dancer to perform a tango for an intermission. Or, in more realistic words, I am a tribute to his pleasure tonight. Those perverted businessmen paid this dancer to perform and satisfy the birthday celebrant tonight. Those old pervs still think that Lauro is a virgin who hasn’t had any sexual pleasures with a woman, so this is their gift. Obviously, the woman who’s supposed to be here has been replaced with me. With just a few technical tweaks in their data, Calen did the job to have Samantha Aurora, who is yours truly, perform tonight.

I have a male partner whom I have never met before. We didn’t even practice because the list was just changed last night. He was shocked as he saw a different woman stepping up to the stage, but I chose to ignore him. Well, if he is good, we can definitely slay this dance number.

The music started with heavy beats and later turned into a sexy tango. I see Lauro’s pretentious eyes totally focused on me, but I couldn't help but look at Pierre, whose eyes are also absorbed in my movements. Everybody is silent, as if they are hypnotized. I forced myself to look away from Pierre and focus on the target. My eyes could tell that I was doing well and that my charisma was effective with the bastard. When our dance number was over, everyone gave us a loud round of applause.

My partner looked at me with very proud and cheerful expression; I guess he's happy. I didn’t want to stay in that stage any longer and so I raced my way out of the stage. When I came down, I sat on the backstage sofa and drank water. The show kept going while I changed my outfit and prepared myself for what's about to come.

I sat in the backstage's waiting area. I just have to wait for the target to bite the bait and send a minion. Speaking of his minion...

"Mr. Gregory is calling you over to his dressing room," said the grumpy-looking organizer of this event.

"Why?" I asked politely.

"Just go. You already know what you were paid for." He sounded so irritated as he graced his way without waiting for my response.

I stood up and followed him. While walking along the side of the event hall following the man, I saw that everyone was busy eating at their tables. It was as if my eyes sought Pierre on their own, and I immediately found Pierre’s gazes like magnets.

He's looking at me intently, then he suddenly shakes his head, showing evident gestures of wanting me to stop. My brows furrowed. I don't understand why he is making me abort the mission now that I am already halfway to our plan’s success. Does he think I can't do it?

I sneakily showed him a thumbs-up to say I was okay and kept walking.

The man didn't bring me into Lauro's dressing room but instead into the parking lot. Lauro was waiting for me there. He was lighting his cigarette when he saw us. He's with two men. Probably his bodyguards.

He just looked at me coldly, but he gave me a smile before opening the door for me. His gentlemanly act made me feel disgusted. I want to stab him right now.

"You can go. We're fine from here," I heard him saying to his men.

The two bulky men nodded as they walked away. Lauro entered his car with a smile etched on his face while fixing his seat belt.

"Which place do you want to go? Don't worry about how far it is," he suddenly said while driving.

"You can also remove your mask now. That’s a bit uncomfortable, isn’t it?"

"N-no. I’ll remove it later," I stuttered.

Now that it's just the two of us together, I can't breathe properly. It's as if the atmosphere is very tense, even though nothing has happened yet. My hands are cold and trembling, but I am furious and nauseated.

"Also, I am okay with anywhere, so please choose a place inclined to your liking, Sir,"  I added.

"Okay, let's go to my house then."

Those words gave me fear. Are his parents there? They could recognize me, but I don’t want to change his plan as he might think I am suspicious.

He didn't talk to me again until we got to the house that he was talking about. It's the house I stayed in for almost three years. Seeing it makes my knees tremble. It's like killing myself again by going into the flames that once burned my soul.

He led me to their greenhouse, where there was a gazebo and a dining table. He left me, saying that he'd get us some wine and some food. The ambiance feels like we're having a romantic date, except that the person in front of me disgusts me.

I am a bit shocked that he brought me here. Lauro was obsessed with studying botany. Back then, I was not allowed to enter here. But out of my curiosity, I slipped through here to see what’s inside, but Lauro saw me. After that, his parents mercilessly whipped me. This greenhouse is made for Lauro, and his bratty attitude made him think that this is his territory and other lowly people shouldn’t step in. Ironically, this is my second time entering it, but this time, the owner himself escorted me.

After he came back, we talked about few things. He poured wine for me, like a gentleman. He started telling stories about his business ventures, which made me impatient. I have to take him somewhere where no cameras are watching us.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked. I was expecting him to take me to a hotel or somewhere private to molest me.

"Hmm, I don't know. I just want to. Actually, you're the first person that has ever been here aside from my parents."

"Really?" I acted amazed, because actually, not.

"Oh! Now that I think about it, there is one more. It was my adopted sister," he stated those words as if a bulb were lit on his head.

"You have a sister?" I asked him, acting amazed.

"Yes, I had. But she's not with us anymore."

He looked so sad saying that and I wanted to laugh. He should start peeling off his skin and showing his true colors. I am here, bastard, and I'm about to kill you.

"Why? Where is she now?"

He leaned his back on his chair. Then he folded his fingers and placed them behind his head. He looked up at the greenhouse’s transparent ceiling, where the moon and stars were vivid.

"I don't know, but I actually want to see her again."

I secretly clenched my fists but maintained my smile. I want to hear more stupid lies from this stupid jerk.

"I want to say sorry to her. I actually did some very bad things on her way back then."

"What do you mean?" I asked with a wondering expression, curious if Lauro would say something about how he sexually abused me.

"It's a sensitive matter between us. I hope I could see her again, though, to talk about it and say sorry. Not that it would change the past, I just want her to know that I am sorry for what I did."

You molester. And he thinks I would ever accept his apology? Fuck himself.

"What kind of flowers do you have here? Can you tour me?" I acted cheerful.

Listening to him would be a huge waste of time. I have to execute my plan now and go home.

He nodded and stood up. "Sure. I have lots. Let me walk you through my garden."

He cheerfully introduced me to his hobbyland. Well, he's really a botanist, so I figured out that he'd be too happy to tell someone about his experiences. I just need to play along until we reach the right spot.

I got along with his happy mood until we got to the bed of roses, which seemed to be the least taken care of due to the uneven altitudes of the bushes and the number of weeds underneath. I secretly scanned the place and confirmed that there are no CCTVs left in this area. This place is also dark.

I took out my dagger and was about to stab him when he grabbed my hand. I was shocked when he looked back at me with a wide smile. A creepy smile that I feared and disgusted

"Yo, sis? We're not done playing yet. He laughed hysterically, then pushed me after grabbing the knife I was holding.

I fell on the ground while his eyes are pierced on me with a clear intention to commit violence. I clenched my fists.

Did he know who I was?