The Masquerade Ball 3

Clara and I entered the hotel which was filled with people mostly females in glamorous looking dresses probably hoping to catch the eye of some rich handsome gigolo as I'd like to call them or to win the heart of some rich family's heir. Some elderly people were present as well, perhaps, they were there to find a prospective suitor for their daughters or a suitable wife material  for their sons. The waiters, dressed in their white and black uniforms were moving around with empty trays which I assume must have been filled with drinks that they had already handed out to the people around. We were walking down the stairs when the whole room suddenly went quiet only to be filled with whispers few minutes later.

"Oh my God! Look at the dresses those ladies are wearing. It looks so unique, I'm sure it wasn't made by a petty designer." A woman said to another.

"Wow! John, look at those pretty dresses, if only you could afford to buy me something that beautiful, I won't be wearing this." A young lady said looking down at her own dress while being oblivious of the fact that her fiance wasn't listening to her and was instead drawn to the faces of the two beauties standing at the door. Out of jealousy, she pinched him and dragged him further away from the enchanting sight.

"Those dresses must cost a fortune."

"Maybe they're one of those girls who sell their beautiful faces in exchange for money seeing as they are not known in the social circle." Another woman whispered with jealousy written all over her face.

"I wonder whose family's daughters they are. If only I could take off the mask on her face."

"Even with the mask, their faces still look captivating, especially the one in red." A man said with lust on his face as his wife threw him a dirty look.

While everyone in the hall were making comments on our dresses, I saw Melina turning green with jealousy but she was doing a great job concealing it. She stood up and walked toward us. Ignoring their comments, we both walked down the stairs.

"Hello, I am Melina Roberts. I'm sure you know me. I'm quite a popular actress."

"I'm sorry but we don't know you." Clara said changing her voice as she pulled on my hand and we continued walking down the stairs.

"I am still talking to you, who gave you the right to......" She trailed off as the whispers also stopped. Knowing that something must have caused that to happen, Clara and I turned to the centre of distraction and I saw a woman who looked like she was in her late fifties and a man who seemed to be older descending down the stairs. Despite her age, the woman walked with elegance and confidence as the frills on her purple dress danced to the rhythm of her waist. Her blonde hair fell down onto her face in curls and her neck was adorned with a beautiful yet simple-looking diamond necklace. On her hand was a matching diamond bracelet to the necklace. With one glance, you could tell she was no ordinary person.

The man walking beside her held her hand in a gentle yet loving hold. He had the posture of a military man. He didn't loose to her as well. He looked extremely captivating with his pure white hair that was styled in a mature yet handsome way. He wore a handmade suit that screamed money on the outside. His face looked like he never smiled but it did look like one that would have broken many hearts in his youth. The woman smiled and started speaking.

"Thank you for coming everyone. You are welcome to the Harrison Heritage Hotel. I hope you all enjoy yourselves at this beautiful event."

She said as the man whom I now assumed was her husband led her into the crowd.

"Iliana, look over there." Clara whispered to me.

Looking at the direction where her eyes were focused on, I spotted the four people I wish I could kill with my bare hands right now with their eyes focused on the woman in purple and the man beside her.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed her hand and led her towards the bar. We sat down on the stools and suddenly I felt Clara's burning gaze on me.

"What? Is there something on my face?" I asked as I signalled the bartender to come forward.

"No, it's just that you've grown up so much and I can't believe we survived till now."

"Awwn, I'd have loved to discuss that with you but little Iliana wants to forget about everything and drink away!" Iliana said while giggling.

"Okay, okay fine. Have your drink in peace. I won't bother you."

At one of the tables, a family of four could be seen discussing.

"Father, do you know why the Harrisons came without their son?"

"Maybe he isn't attending. There are many other handsome and reputable men here. Get your hands on something Melina."

"Oh please mother. I'd rather get my hands on that diamond necklace Mrs Harrison is wearing. I have a goal and I'll stick to achieving it." Melina replied.

"That is why you are my daughter." Mark said beaming proudly as a man came with his son towards them.

"And by the way, those ladies that came just now, I don't know why, but I feel like we've met before."

"Oh no Melina, that isn't possible. They are probably kept women. No one can recognize their faces from the social circle and the masks on their faces makes it harder." Her mother replied while her father had a strange look on his face.

"Mr Roberts, long time no see." The man said trying to conceal his fear.

"Oh, you are here Mr Clark."

"Yes, I just wanted to introduce my son to you. Kelvin, speak up."

"Good evening ma'am, sir. My name is Kelvin and my father forced me to..."

"He is older than Melina, so I was thinking if they could...." Mr Clark said interrupting his son's words.

"We can't do anything." Melina declared arrogantly as she stood up and left the scene.

When she left, she found some of her friends in the social circle and sat with them at their table. They were all trying to curry favour with her by singing praises of her dress and how beautiful it looked on her. Suddenly, the whole hall went quiet only for her to turn and receive a a huge shock to her heart.