Chapter 2

Alex Goldman, one of the richest bachelors in Los Angeles, was known to throw the biggest, most extravagant parties in the city. Automatically, all the rich people were invited to his parties. Anyone who was a celebrity, a rich businessman, a smoking hot girl, or easily found on G****e for being famous, was allowed entry. This was Alex’s attempt at mimicking Jay Gatsby, from the movie The Great Gatsby, though he did not have a special girl that he waited for because every girl at the party was a potential one-night stand for him.

Eden, Grace, Natalia, and Sophia knew this was the perfect place to find their target. All the rich bachelors in the city could be spotted at this party. Dressed in the most beautiful dresses, expensive jewellery, and intoxicating perfumes, they stepped out of their limousine at the front gate of Alex’s house. Even Sophia, who never put any effort into her appearance, dressed up for the event.

When they stepped inside the house, their eyes were hazed by the RGB disco lights. The whole place was packed with people, dancing and drinking. It was a masquerade party, everyone had a mask on their faces with just a nametag on their wrists that had their last names. Eden could not think of a better place to carry out their plan.

“Okay, let's split up and look for our target. Grace you go to the dance floor, I will go to the bar, Natalia, you keep an eye on the general crowd, and Sophia you’re going to-” Eden was cut off by Sophia.

“Yeah sure buddy, of course I will actively take part in this,” Sophia said with a sarcastic tone.

“Come on, don't be a jerk, just keep an eye out and text me if you find someone,” Eden pleaded. “Please, do this for me once, you know I’ll owe you.”

Sophia rolled her eyes and muttered ‘fine’ under her breath and disappeared into the crowd, and so did the rest of them.

As Eden moved towards the bar, her eyes kept scanning the place for suitable men. In the sea of dancing bodies, no one seemed appealing to her. She walked to the bar and ordered a drink. The bartender asked for her ID since she looked young. She wasn’t legally allowed to drink alcohol before she was 21, but she really needed something to wash down the nervousness.

“Oh man come on, this is a party. Who are you, the police?”

“I’m afraid I cannot serve you alcohol, miss. If you want juice I can get it for you,” the bartender offered apologetically. 

A new voice came in. “And why is it that I don’t see a glass of scotch in this lovely lady’s hand?” 

That voice belonged to Alex Goldman, the only one in the party who was parading around without a mask, his purpose being to attract more girls toward him. Eden knew the type of man he was and wanted nothing to do with him. 

“I don’t drink scotch,” said Eden.

“Whiskey it is?”

“Get out of here Goldman, I don’t have time for you.”

“Might I remind you, sweet miss, that this is my party?” Alex smugly smiled and sat next to her.

“Oh yeah, what are you going to do? Throw me out.”

“The only place where I might throw you tonight is my bed.” 

Eden looked at him with disgust and got up to walk away.

“It’s a joke girl, chill.” Ignoring his loud, playful laugh, she kept walking away and moved to a quieter, less crowded part of the room.

 In one corner she saw a dark figure sitting alone, sipping on wine. The mask hid most of his face but his chiselled, sharp jawline was clearly visible. He gave the aura of extreme riches and class. She knew that this was the one. She walked closer to him and saw that the nametag on his wrist said ‘Mason’. She typed a hurried text to Grace saying that she had found the target and his last name is Mason.

Alright, Eden. This is it, you’re really doing this. Just get it over with.

She walked over to the man, sat next to him, and crossed her leg over the other seductively, so her long slender leg could peep through the sidecut of her long dress, and be in perfect view of the man. He did not seem to care about it, he just kept staring at the other end of the room where most of the crowd was dancing. When this did not work, Eden rubbed the back of her neck as if massaging it, and unclasped the hook of her necklace, which fell down on the floor, in front of the man. He noticed and for the sake of basic decency, bent down to pick it up for her. 

Eden had a split second to act. She had a vile of clear liquid which she poured quickly into his drink. It was meant to make the man fall unconscious. When he got up and gave the necklace back to Eden, she gave him a big smile and said ‘thank you’.

She waited for him to pick up the drink and sip it. She waited for another 5 minutes but he no longer seemed interested in drinking. He started getting up to leave, and once again, Eden had a split second to act. She took the small amount of leftover liquid in the vile and rubbed it on her lips. The man was already walking away, she stood up, held his hand and pulled him back, and connected her lips to his. 

The man was caught off guard and was resistant at first but as he realised what was happening, he could not stop himself. He pulled Eden by her waist towards his chest and deepened the kiss. Eden found herself unable to pull away from him either, but she knew the longer she kissed him the more chances that she would faint along with him, as she might end up consuming the drug too. 

Her heart was pounding in her chest but she finally moved away and looked into the eyes of the man, which were now slowly closing and his body getting heavier over hers. Her guards were on the lookout and quickly ran over to help her drag the body to the car. Feeling lightheaded she walked with the guards who swiftly got the body through the back door and into the car.