Chapter 1

Serafina's Pov

 

“I can't believe, Sera, that you didn't even get dressed. How about the clothes I bought you? You know those were beautiful,” my best friend Isabella Moretti said bitterly; she had invited me to a masked party. A Halloween party, I had come from work and didn't have the chance to change into something.

 

 

Yeah, I wasn't prepared like every other person with pretty clothes and fancy masks on their faces. There was loud music while some spoke at the corner; some made out while the rest drenched themselves on alcohol, swindling their bodies to the beating of the song that played. 

 

I kept wondering why I was here; I felt out of place. This wasn't the kind of place I wanted, but with Isabella whines.I happened to be summoned to her pressure. She was my best friend, but we were two best friends from different worlds. She lived her life to the fullest with zero worries, like it was going to end that day.

 

Silly, she enjoyed the life of the party while I worked my ass out at the bakery. I didn't have the privilege of living a good life; most of us don't get such privilege. I found myself in that struggling expectancy of life trying to make ends meet for my drunk stepfather and my mother, who doesn't see anything wrong with his gambling.

 

“How about now?” I managed to put on the mask I bought by the roadside on my way here. I guess this will satisfy her at least, and she will not look at me with disappointment in her eyes.

 

“Not better, she blurted out. 

 

“What!...”

 

“You know what? Sera, I will be right back. Just hold on to my bag. I can't let these hotties pass by,” she said, dropping her bag on my arms and running off, not waiting for my answer.

 

Yeah, that was Isabella for you, always running off with guys. I can't believe she hasn't even had a boyfriend since all these her numerous night stands.

 

I sighed, realizing that I was left alone in the party. I gazed down from a higher level, my mind wandering off on what I should do. Nobody seemed familiar, as everyone was busy with something.

 

Then I felt a hand glab me. I turned around to see a handsome mask man holding close to my waist.

 

“Hey, I said, gulping down nervously. That was the closest I have been with a guy.

 

“Hey Gorgeous,” I heard him say. I blinked my eyes repeatedly at the word "gorgeous.” No one had ever called me that for a long time. I blushed slightly before the voice came.

 

'Get hold of yourself, Sera; you don't even know who he is.' That strange feeling washed away and replaced with fear as he drew my waist further to him.

 

 

“Who are you?” I asked with quivering lips.

 

“I'm just a random dude who always runs into trouble." I chuckled then tried to push him away, but he was clingy.

 

“Hey, can I kiss you?” He said instead.

 

“No” He leaned further to kiss me, but I held onto his chest with my hands, pushing myself further away from him. I could feel the fear in him as his breathing increased with every passing second. It seems like he was scared of something from the beating of his heart.

 

Then my finger touched something—something wet. I looked down to see the left side of his shirt drenched in red. My eyes widened.

 

“Wait! Is that blood?” I asked, fearing evidence in my tone. I wanted to get loose from his grip, but he was stronger. My eyes fell on a man who was rushing in hurriedly taking off everyone's mask he came across. He had an axe on his hand, and on the left side of his cheek was a scar. He was ascending the stairs in a hurry, and it won't be long until he gets to where we were.

 

“Is he after you?” I asked my gaze at the man, then back at him. He didn't wait for a second as he turned me around, pinning me to the wall and sealing his lips on mine with a kiss.

 

That was my first kiss, and I was sharing it with a stranger in the middle of a party. He let go of me, and I couldn't stop staring deep into his ocean eyes; something within me felt peaceful. Then something shattered to the ground with a heavy thub, bringing me out of my intense steer. The crowd screamed in fear, and there was chaos. I took that opportunity.

 

“Follow me,” I said to him, descending the stairs and stopping for a bit to get a bottle of whiskey that was on a stool. I took him through the back door.

 

We settled down on the floor, and he quickly removed his mask so I could see his face. He looked so innocent, and I kept wondering why he got himself into so much trouble.

 

He removed his white shirt and was bare chested. I could see his beautiful hair that adorned his broad orbs. I was quick to get hold of myself, blushing my admiration off.

 

“This will hurt,” I said with the intention of pouring some of the whiskey on his wound, which was on the left side of his breast. He was bleeding profusely from it, and I wanted to stop the bleeding till I got hold of a bandage. I still can't tell why I was helping a total stranger.

 

“Wait a second.” He took hold of the bottle of whiskey and took a long gulp before giving it back to me. I gave him a reassuring smile, pouring the content on his wounds. He winced a little bit, not so loud, squeezing his eyes slightly.

 

His mouth was open as he kept breathing out heavily, like he was trying to suppress the pain. 

 

“Wait here, let me get some bandages,” I said to him, running back into the party. I didn't know when I dropped Isabella's school ID from her handbag.

 

Running back into the party, his chaser was gone, and everywhere was back to normal, though I thought. I laid my hand on a few bandages, running back to where he was, but he was gone with just his shirt, which had blood stains lying on the floor.

 

“Where did he go?” I scanned my eyes throughout the surroundings, but he was gone.