𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡 | ✓

21 - Masquerade

VALENTINA'S POV

It's been exactly a week ever since I kissed Francis and I've done nothing but avoid him, we would see each other in the hallways but I would immediately turn around and walk away before he could get a word out.

I had spent all of that night I kissed him repeating the thoughts that had been going through my mind, it all seemed wrong.
I kissed one of the most wanted criminals in history and I couldn't fathom what I should do now.

I was falling into Stockholm syndrome, and I couldn't leave yet since my wings aren't fully developed. They aren't enough for me to 'fly' yet because the bone structure was still sitting oddly in my body. I couldn't even keep them in a correct placement folded behind my back, they always were oddly bent behind my back

But as soon as I knew how to take off, I wouldn't stay here any longer.
Yes, I would be leaving behind the small friends and relationships I had made, but I couldn't stay here. It would be wrong, to stay in a criminal hideout, with people who have killed hundreds. Yes, for their reasons but they don't think rationally, so I had to.

I didn't care if I had to destroy this place, which I admit, I love but my need to live a different life was larger... I couldn't stay here no matter what.

-

As I sat down on the elegant couch with fluffy cushions, I couldn't help but look around whilst tucking my lips into my mouth to peel the skin off them. The room was filled with maids and guards that were standing at the entrance. It was a large room same gold embellishment as any other, with a different dusty red colour to it and there was an elegant folding screen that was facing me. The maids seemed to be preparing me for something.

I knew something was up ever since I heard someone talking to the guards outside my door and as soon as he left, they came in and instructed me to follow them. The two lead me here, where I was seated down, and the maids started rushing around.

I looked at one of the guards that I had seen around quite a few times, looking to the crowd and then back at him, trying to signal if he could tell me what was going on. He nodded and glanced at the other guards who returned the gesture, allowing him to approach me, digging in his blazer pocket for something, at last retrieving a letter with a deep red wax stamp on it of an F.W. and I knew those initials instantly.

The man handed me the letter and I threw him a smile. I thanked him and he then bowed, walking away

I mumbled the letter aloud to myself. 'Dear...' I already stopped and looked at the cursive word 'Angel', but I immediately ignored it and kept on reading.

'Dear Angel,

There is said to be a masquerade party tonight that is being hosted by a gang ally and I have chosen you as my plus one. I'm already at the venue for business so I will meet you there. The maids will prepare you so enjoy the treatment.

Don't try to escape whilst I'm gone.

Your love,
Francis Whitelock"

I could practically hear his smug face whilst reading the paper and quickly re-folded the letter and put it on the side table beside me and glanced up to who looked to be the head maid. She looked quite tense but had softened facial features which made me ease up a little.

"Hello, Miss Valentina. I'm Stella, and here to tell you that the bath is ready to bathe in." she serves and bows slightly before turning around and showing me the way to which I quickly followed her to a large bathroom, two times larger than my older one, probably as big as the room itself.