Eat Fresh

Masks can't hide everything

Diego pulled up to the building, a massive house that had trees, hedges, and everything in between surrounding it, and was immediately greeted by a young man who he presumed to be the valet. The man grabbed Diego's keys and drove his car into the nearby parking lot. Diego wasn't sure what he was expecting the place to look like, but this was more than he could've imagined. The building was crumbling a bit on the outside, but the vines snaking the outside held the white brick together just enough to be safe. The trees were cut so none of the branches were out of place. They were so tall Diego wondered how a person would cut the top branches. His amazement was cut short when Olivia appeared in the grand entryway and shouted him over. 

"You're late, get upstairs now and get ready." Olivia gestured up the largest staircase Diego had ever seen. Confused, because he was there two minutes earlier than he was told to be, but he said his hello's to Olivia and followed her gesture up the stairs. Diego was led into an even bigger hallway, doors lined both sides. One of them had his name on a plaque on the door though, so he decided to knock and when a faint, "come in!" sounded, he entered. 

The room was brighter than the hallway, Diego's eyes had barely adjusted when a young woman introduced herself as Talia and grabbed the suit that lay on the nearby bed. 

"Nice to meet you Diego, I'll be dressing you tonight." Talia spoke with a soft voice, a smile never leaving her face. Diego returned the smile and shook her hand. 

"Nice to meet you too Talia. I'm not sure how this all works-" Diego's hand was grabbed by Talia and he was dragged behind two velvet room dividers. 

"Not to worry Diego, by the time we're done you'll have never looked better!" Talia exclaimed, instructing Diego to undress and put on the suit that she hung just in Diego's reach. 

What felt like minutes had actually been hours, and by the time they were over Diego had been dressed, brushed, and cleaned in ways he had never been before. Talia was right, he had never looked better. Diego was told to stay in the room until the ball started, but Talia had left him. Not knowing what else to do to pass time, Diego paced back and forth, until a knock announced Olivia at his door. Without Diego's approval, Olivia turned the doorknob and walked in. Her dress flowed alongside Olivia, the sparkly redness matched Olivia's mask. Diego felt inferior standing next to her, wearing only a suit compared to everything Olivia was wearing.

"You look amazing-" Diego began, Olivia just smiled. 

"I know, so do you. It's time to go down now." Olivia said while grabbing Diego's hand, he had gotten used to that by now. Diego breathed one last breath and was pulled into the hallway and down the stairs. The main room he had come through earlier was now filled with people, most of them wearing varied types of masquerade masks. Olivia, never having let go of Diego's hand, slowed her pace and greeted everyone she came across while also making her way towards the ballroom. 

The ballroom, bigger than every room Diego had already been in combined, surged with activity. An orchestra played music in the corner filling the room fuller than it already was. People wearing every color of the rainbow danced along, and others stood along the sides talking. 

Diego had never felt such a feeling as he did in that moment, his breath being taken away by something new every time his eyes moved to the next thing. Olivia wasted no time walking around the room, making sure everything was up to her expectations, and if they weren't they were dealt with immediately. 

Diego didn't mind Olivia dealing with everything other than him, the music and dancing entertained his mind enough. He watched as different waltzes and other orchestrated dances formed together, and couldn't stop himself from trying to find Elias. Diego knew he probably wouldn't show up, but entertained the possibility. Eventually Olivia finished her checklist, and asked Diego for a dance. The music had changed, still a slow song but changed from a group dance to a couples dance. Diego took Olivia's hand in his and placed his hand on her waist. He hadn't had much experience in dancing, other than before a shower. But Olivia's smile signaled he was doing ok.