A Thousand Lives

Chapter 6: The Unexpected Party, Part 1

                                                                           June 22nd at 5:30 pm

'Did you hear about the Davi woman?' Elton asked as he tied Adola's hair into a braided crown.

'Wait - her name was Davi?' Adola asked.

'Her last name, but yes. Killed in her own home.'

'Did she... did she have any kids?' Adola asked, praying this wasn't the woman she thought she was.

'A son... and daughter.' he said.

Adola went quiet.

'What's wrong?' he asked as he finished her hair.

'Nothing, but I think I met her daughter a couple days ago.' Adola looked at the ground.

'Yes, the girl you gave the second invitation to correct?'

'Yeah.'

Elton opened Adola's wardrobe and pulled out a pale pink and black dress.

She wrinkled her nose. 'I have to wear that?'

'What would you propose then?'

Adola opened the large closet and took out a simple, black romper with a lace train.

'Not bad,' he held up the romper-dress and inspected it. 'Maybe you do have a taste of fashion.'

'Why thank - say what now?'

Elton opened the door of the limousine for Adola at the mansion for the big party.

A couple people stared and gawked at the cat-girl as she walked past. She was the youngest billionaire in the world after all.

They walked up the front steps and into the party.

'Remember, we're here to learn more about the murders,' Elton said.

'I am so glad I brought you,' Adola smirked.

They walked to the back of the ballroom and stood in silence, eyeing all the guests around them.

Adola looked around for the Davi girl she had invited and finally saw her in a light blue dress near the concession stand.

'Want something to drink?' Elton asked after a while.

'Sure,' he went to go but she grabbed the sleeve of his tux. 'See that man over there?'

He looked to see a man dressed in white with blonde hair and blue eyes standing on the other side of the room.

'He's watching us,' Adola said.

'Think he's a suspect?'

'Everyone's a suspect.'

'You find out more about him, I'll stand at a distance.' Elton casually walked away, leaving Adola alone.

As if like clock-work, the man in white sauntered over to Adola.

'Well hello there,' he smirked playfully.

'Hello,' Adola smiled politely.

'I don't think I've seen you around town.' he said flirtatiously. 'It's not every day I see someone as... special as you.'

Adola giggled.

Elton! When this is over I am going to kill you! She thought ruefully.

'I didn't know someone as charming as you were spying girls out.'

He laughed quietly and grabbed her waist.

Adola cringed on this inside. It's official! Elton, when I die, I will come back and haunt you for life!

'Being charming isn't the only thing I can do,' he slid his hand down farther.

Oh crap! I'm gonna punch this dude and kick him between the legs until he begs for mercy when this is over!

'I can see that,' Adola replied, flirting back reluctantly.

'What'd you say we go somewhere more.... Private.' he asked, pushing her hip closer.

'Private?' Adola repeated.

If this dude tries to have sex with me, I'll kill him!

'Well of course,'

He slowly led Adola away into a room with a dark, purple light.

Suddenly, as soon as he closed the door, a scent entered Adola's nose that she didn't recognise. The world swam around her and she leaned on the door.

Bangs and screams echoed from the ballroom as Adola slid to the ground, and lost consciousness.