"See. I told you this looks better on you."

Jessica and I finally finished getting ourselves ready for the masquerade ball. The red dress she made me wear reaches to my knees while the court train is about 2 feet long. And her dress is maroon which she insisted that it is still similar to the color of my dress. Although I like the outfit she gave me, I still can't believe she tore my other dress apart.

"Stop giving me that look. You look way more beautiful than those rag dress you chose," she said.

"That dress is not going to be rag if you didn't tear it apart!" I countered.

"Even if I didn't tear it apart, it still looked ragged!" She said while she finished putting my necklace around my neck. "The sleeves are loose. The part where the dress should hug your curves were loose. It even has a cape at the back! Are you planning to look like Batman or something? You're going to be a laughing stock at the party."

Okay, fine. She's right. The former dress I chose will really make me a laughing stock at the party. But what choice do I have? The host of the party might recognize me as Princess Laura of Switzerland.

For weeks I have been going in and out of the apartment either looking like a nerd, or a malfunctioned wardrobe. I was either wearing too much clothes, or too loose clothes. Even though those clothes are comfortable to wear, I still feel uncomfortable with the weird look I tried to put on every day.

Ever since I learned about the biggest investor of the Kinsley Holdings, I have been on edge. It feels like my secret will be exposed anytime. Alexander Kinsley is now the new owner of the Kinsley Holdings.

When I finished college, my parents introduced me to every client of our company, and that includes the Kinsley Holdings. I remembered meeting Alexander. I remembered seeing him during formal meetings, but we don't actually talk or acknowledge each other. And thank God for my brothers! Since our family has this huge influence on the Kinsleys, they convinced them to host a masquerade ball instead of simply hosting a welcoming party.

"Are your brothers coming?" Jessica asked as she put on her earrings.

"As expected, yes. And since you asked them to give me a dress, they will recognize me immediately." I said while putting on my stilettos. "Are your parents coming?"

"As expected, yes," she said, quoting my response. "They invited me, but I told them I'll pass."

"Do you think they'll recognize us?"

"As long as we don't remove our masks, we won't get busted," she said as she stared at my reflection in the mirror. "I will tell mom about me, though."

"I know," I stood and hugged her. "I know your mom will understand. She always does."

"You really think so?"

"And I know that she will keep OUR secret," I said, emphasizing the word 'our'.

"You want me to tell her your secret?" she looked up to me.

"Yes." I smiled, and she stood so she could give me a proper hug.

"Thank you."

We were inside the limousine (sponsored by our bosses) waiting for our turn. The front of the building is filled with paparazzi as well as the people who are invited and that are now entering the building.

Nathaniel and Aaron agreed to go ahead of us and let the company driver drive us to the venue which is located at 58th Street, New York. Apparently, Alexander Kinsley decided to host the part at his penthouse.

Jessica made some "investigations" about the place. According to her, the penthouse Alexander staying in, is really expensive.

"It has four bedrooms, and a really large master bedroom," she announced.

I laughed. It was ridiculous. Did he bring his family with him? Why the heck would he need that kind of place to stay if he's not staying permanently?

"I know, right?" She joined me on my laugh. "He could have feed every people in the third world country. Why waste 150 million dollars?"

I almost choked on the water I was drinking when she said the price.

"Are you okay?"

I coughed, and stared at her. She wasn't kidding. She showed me her laptop where the price filled my view.

Now that we are here, I feel so nervous. My hands are sweating even though the weather outside is cold. It did not help that Jessica kept on fidgeting with her dress. She is as agitated as me.

When we walked out of the limousine, we went straight to the lobby. But before we even entered the building, Nathaniel and Aaron emerged from it. The men stared at us, obviously recognizing us on first glance. They stalked towards us, and in sync, removed their mask.

I stared at Nathaniel as he held my hand and kissed the back of it. That simple gentlemanly gesture sent tingles down my spine. I stared at those green eyes of his and felt the sudden urge to put my arms around his neck, and kiss him passionately, not that I haven't kissed anyone before. I mean he looked really handsome in his tux.

Get a grip!

He took my hand and placed it on the crook of his arm. He turned towards the cameras, and smiled as the photographers snapped our picture. I immediately became aware of our situation. I looked back at Jessica, and saw that she and Aaron are in the same situation. Jessica looked at me the same way I stared at her. We were both uncomfortable. It's like our eyes were both pleading for help, but we also know that we can't do anything about it at the moment.

Nathaniel must have felt my discomfort as he asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I wasn't just used to people taking my picture." Jessica and Aaron walked towards our direction.

They both walked ahead of us, and entered the building. I noticed that Jessica is clinging to Aaron's arm as they walk. Her left hand is on the crook of Aaron's arm, her right hand clutching the sleeve of his suit, and half of her body is behind Aaron's back. I immediately understand that the flashing lights already took a toll on her. For her to cling on someone like that, especially Aaron Stevens, her nervousness must have had reached its peak.

Nathaniel must have also noticed how my hand on his arm is shaking. He removed my hand on his arm, and placed his arm around me, as if to protect me from whatever harm. He led us inside the building, following the two. When the elevator dinged, the four of us entered in silence.

When my eyes drifted back to the two people beside me, Aaron was looking at Jessica, worriedly.

Strange.

I realized that we are now safe from the eyes of the media, so my mind told me to get away from Nathaniel. Even though the warmth his body was emitting was so comforting.

On my peripheral vision, Jessica finally loosened his grip on Aaron while reaching out, simultaneously doing the same with Nathaniel, I reached out and we found comfort in each other's hands.

Sigh

We reached the top floor, and the men took our hands again to lead us.

"It's okay, you're with me. I won't leave you," Nathaniel suddenly said as he leaned down on my ear. "You look beautiful." His breath sent electricity throughout my body.

Thank God for the mask. If I hadn't been wearing a mask, I would have fled from embarrassment.

The penthouse is huge just like what Jessica told me. The glass windows reached the floor to the ceiling, illuminating the lights outside the building. The room where the party is held is filled with people wearing different suits, and dresses. I tried to look around for familiar faces as we walk. But I soon realized that doing that was pointless. Everyone is wearing a mask. I have no idea what Jessica's mom, and my brothers are wearing.

This is going to be harder than I thought.

"I need some air," I said to Nathaniel.

"There's a balcony here. You go there, and I'll get us something to drink."

New York lights are beautiful. Whether those lights are coming from the cars or the street lamps, they make the city worthy of its reputation; "the city that never sleeps".

I looked up but have to squint hard just to make out my favorite constellations: Andromeda, and Perseus. I hate light pollution.

Despite the beautiful lights on the streets, they still can't be compared to the beauty that the stars give every night.

"Andromeda and Perseus"

I looked behind, and saw Jessica walking towards me. "They have a really great story," I said, knowing how much she loves Greek Mythology.

"But nothing can still be compared to the story of Cupid and Psyche," she smiled, and we both took a deep breath. She turned towards me to say something but got interrupted when someone cleared their throat. Nathaniel and Aaron are staring at us with drinks in their hands.

"They both had a happy ending," Aaron said as he stared intently at Jessica.

"What?"

"I think he's referring to Andromeda and Perseus, and Cupid and Psyche," I deemed.

Jessica scoffed, "Impossible! Why would someone like him be be interested in those things?"

"Maybe because they make sense" Aaron fired back, giving Jessica a smirk.

Nathaniel just shook his head, as he tried to stifle a laugh. He's obviously enjoying the endless bickering of the two. Nathaniel handed me my drink. Unfortunately, I haven't even took a sip when Jessica roughly pulled my wrist which caused me to drop the glass drink. I stared at Jessica in disbelief, but her eyes were focused on the couple walking towards us.

I struggled to keep my balance but Nathaniel already held my other arm. "Jessica, what the hell!"

I gasped as I heard Aaron and Nathaniel called Jessica in sync. I turned my head towards the couple, and I thought I saw the woman slightly moved her head to the side but realized that they were too engrossed with each other to care.

Regaining my composure, I pulled my arm away from Jessica, and clasped her hand tightly.

I can't believe it. The person we were looking for was just about ten feet away from us.

Even with the ten-feet distance and our masks on our faces, I can't be in the same with Jessica's dad.

Gripping Jessica's hand tighter, I dragged us inside the party, ignoring the two confused men.

"We have to plan this out prop–"

I didn't get to finish my statement as I bumped into a hard chest. "Whoops! Sorry," I said without bothering to look at the person.

I mean what's the purpose? Everyone's wearing a mask?

I continued dragging Jessica until we reached what I think is the bathroom.

The walls are tiled white, while the cabinets are wood colored off-white. There were two toilets, a shower, and a tub. I didn't get to admire the beauty and cleanliness of the bathroom because of our situation.

We removed our mask to see each other clearly. "We have to plan this properly."

"Like remove mom from dad's arms? Never going to happen."

"I know that," I said. "But we have to find a way."

"Like what?" she asked, knowing that there is no way Jessica's dad will ever leave his wife's side.

"I don't know. Maybe we'll wait here."

"In the bathroom?"

"Yeah. Maybe your mom will use the loo anytime soon."

"Nessa! You know we just arrived."

"Nessa? Seriously?"

"You wouldn't let me call you Van, so I came up with Nessa instead."

I don't like being called Van. Ever since two weeks ago, she's been trying to think of a good nickname for me. She called me Van, but I dismissed it. Then, she started calling me Vain, Vane, and Bane. For almost a week, she kept on calling me Bane. I never even saw the Batman movies yet. So she ended up calling me Van, again.

"And now, Nessa?"

"Yep!"

"I hate you."

"Oh, you know you love me. Haha"

We laughed for probably a full minute before circling back to our situation.

"Going back to our pur―"

I didn't get to finish my sentence before the door opened.

"What is going on here?"