TWO

TWO

NICKOLAS

I climb the stairs, my arms flexing beneath the suit I have on and my teeth grating against themselves.

I am here for my doe eyed, spoiled angel; the one who had rejected me when I was nothing. Who had run out on me and into her father’s arms because I had had nothing to offer

I am here to shatter her world and boy, am I going to have fun while I do this?

I am stopped at the entrance of the mansion which is of course something I had anticipated and so I flip out my police ID, my eyes showing feigned boredom.

“You are not on the guest list” The man muttered, staring at the name.

“Obviously… Martinez” I respond, peering at the name tag on the man’s shirt. “Who invites a police man as a guest? I am here on special business with Mr Blake and I am sure he does not want his guests being made aware of the fact that he is meeting a cop.”

I take one step towards the man, crowding his space and smiling inwardly at the confused frown on his forehead.

Such lax security, I think to himself.

I had expected better from Robert Blake but then the man is only good in being corrupt and getting rid of anyone who do not agree to his views.

I watch Martinez struggle internally for a bit before he moves his big frame from the entrance, returning my police badge and allowing me in.

It is a full crowd with everyone on masks, seeing as it is a masquerade ball. Good thing I had come with a mask of my own, I think again, drawing the mask over my face and scanning the crowd for the one person I am here to see. I wonder exactly how I am going to break the news to her. I want to watch her crumble in front of me, her blue eyes filled with hurt and pain. Then, only then will I be able to get over her rejection of me.

I feel a tingle behind me like someone is watching me and so I spun around, my eyes crashing into a certain blue eyes. Her facial features are well hidden behind the mask but I know she is the one… my angel, my princess. The one girl I have never gotten over no matter how hard I try.

She is staring directly at me, her eyes surveying my features but I make no move to go to her. I only raise one hand in her direction, grinning when her eyes widen in alarm and she turns away leaving me within the sights of her beautiful back.

The low cut dress she is wearing complimented the curve of her waist and the color of her eyes.

She has grown well…

Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of her; not even my daydreams and nightmares about her could have steadied me against the onslaught of fond memories; memories which are now threatening to break loose from where I have had them chained over the years.

My eyes continue to follow her across the room, stopping when she reaches a man who wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her square on the lips.

I can feel the blood pound in my veins as I watch them, so close to each other and the man’s hand resting just above her ass.

I had made my investigation on the family before coming here and there had been no mention of this man anywhere.

I grab a glass from a waiter and approached them, stopping when I am close enough that I can hear the conversation between them.

“I did not ask you to be here, Edward” She says under her breath.

“Your father requested my presence and there is no way I can say no to Robert Blake” The man replies, laughing slightly much to my distaste.

“That is precisely the problem; maybe you should make your passes or date my father instead of me. What do you think?” She snaps, smiling as she does so.

Before the man had the chance to reply to her jab, a sultry music came on which signified that there will be dancing.

I take a hurried step towards her, clearing my throat so that she notices my presence.

“Can I have this dance, mi Senora?” I murmur

She stills for a moment, her eyes searching my face and I can almost see a flash of recognition in their depths.

“Sure” She answers, placing her small hand in mine.

I take a sharp breath as my nostrils catch a whiff of her perfume

She is still wearing this scent, I realize

It Is one I had given her when we were teenagers. I could remember saving up for the perfume, scrapping up every coin I could find just so I could buy something befitting my princess.

“Do I know you?” She queries, interrupting my thoughts.

“Why would you say so?” I counter

“I don’t know but there is something quite familiar about you”

“I am sure you meet a lot of people, Senora Lily” I dismiss.

It is not yet time for me to reveal himself to her; I  want to watch her crumble… only then will I  stand over her in triumph.

“Yes, I guess I do meet a lot of people but none of them ‘Senora’s me; none except…” her voice trails off at the same time the music did.

I continue holding her close for longer than I should and only stepped away when a voice announced.

“Can everyone take off their masks now”

I flip the ropes behind my mask at the same time that she did, pausing a bit so that she has taken off hers completely and I can finally see her face.

The very same face that had kept me up in the nights and kept me going in the day.

She is staring up at me, waiting for my mask to fall away and so I let it slide down, my eyes pinned on hers.

I hear the gasp escape her lips and smiled, bowing slightly in mockery.

“Nickolas Torres, at your service” I growl, our eyes meeting again.