𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙇𝙀𝙎𝙎 | mattheo riddle

47 | change of plan

Layla did her make up and hair and slipped into her white silk dress. Once she was ready, she put on her white mask and heads back into the training hall, to find Theodore, Dylan and Mattheo waiting for her.

Theodore wore a dark blue suit and Dylan wore a grey one. But Mattheo on the other hand... his whole look complimented Layla's outfit extremely well. His all black suit and mask with gold lining contrasted with her white aesthetic, and so when his eyes met hers, he instantly was in awe.

She approached the boys with a smile on her face, but slightly nervous about the mission.

"You guys ready?" She asks.

"You look amazing Layla." Theodore says, giving her a kiss on the cheek which makes her blush a little.

"Thank you Theo. You all look great too." She smiles.

"Enough of this. We have to go now." Riddle says, and he pulls out a port key from his pocket and places it on the ground. "You guys know how this works by now."

"Mhm." Layla nods.

"On the count of three."

They each hold onto the port key and are instantly sent spinning into thin air, and in a split second, they open their eyes to find themselves in a random dining room, the chairs, table and decor all gold and floral themed.

"This must be the building. We need to find the ballroom." Mattheo tells them.

They all head out of the room, making sure their masks are on properly so people don't recognise them. As they head out, Mattheo holds onto Layla's waist, pulling her closer to him as they walk.

"I'm staying with you, I'm guessing?" Layla asks.

"Only if you want to."

She smiles at his response and looks away from him, only to find the grand entrance to the ballroom standing before them.

"Holy shit." Dylan gasps, as they all look up at the large entrance.

The doors magically opened and the group are welcomed to a large ballroom, filled with people in gowns and suits, dancing to some violins. There's tables and tables of exotic looking food, and lots of champagne glasses being passed around.

"Keep your ear pieces in guys. And keep your eyes out for the Stokes. Henry Spector too. Although it isn't guaranteed he'll be here." Mattheo tells them and they nod and split ways, Theodore and Dylan going one way, and Layla and Mattheo going in the other.

They link arms and walk down the grand stairs to the dance floor.

"Care for a dance m'lady?"

"Really Mattheo?" She laughs, wrapping her arms around his neck as he holds her waist. "I don't think we should be dancing..."

"You sound nervous my love."

"I am. It's Ryle and his parents. I've known them my whole life."

"Did you though? They're only showing their true colours now."

"We'll see. But remember, you made a promise. Only attack them if they pose a threat."

"Don't worry princess, I remember."

"Good." She says with a smile, leaning in close and resting her head on his chest as they sway to the sound of the violins.

"You look beautiful tonight Layla." Mattheo whispers into her ear, the sound of his deep voice making butterflies in her stomach flutter.

"You don't look too bad yourself pretty boy." She smiles, looking up at him.

"Pretty boy?" He asks, his face getting slightly red at his cheeks.

"Are you blushing right now Mattheo?" Layla gasps, laughing at him.

"I never blush, I don't know what you're on about."

"Don't try to play it cool. I saw you blushing." Layla laughs squeezing his cheeks.

"Fuck, Layla listen. Keep looking at me, okay?" He says, the tone of his voice changing so suddenly.

"The Stokes are entering the ballroom." Mattheo says, pressing his ear piece, and Layla's face drops, resisting the urge to turn around and look.

"Are you sure it's them Mattheo?"

"Definitely. I'll recognise that son of bitch's ugly ass face any day." He scoffs, his face full of disgust as he watches them walking down the stairs.

"How have I attended a few of these balls before with Ryle but never realise what was actually going on behind the scenes?" Layla asks.

"You did realise. You found out about your parents." Mattheo says. "You were never in the wrong Layla. Just remember that. You did what you had to do."

"I know." She sighs.

I had to kill them. I knew since the day I found out about their dark magic.

"Right. They're coming to the dance floor. Dylan and Theodore, I want you to stay close to them. Ryle will recognise you but his parents won't."

"Got you." Theodore says through the ear piece.

"Mattheo... I have a plan and you're not going to like it." Layla says, looking up at him.

"Tell me."

"Not here." She says, pulling him to the side where it's quieter. "Okay so. I need to talk to Ryle."

"Haha good one." He laughs.

"No Mattheo, I'm being serious. I'll dance with him, at the dance floor and question him. Ask him if he knows anything about Henry Spector and where he got his powers from."

"You must be crazy Layla. I'm not letting you do that."

"I have to do this. I'll get into a close enough proximity to kill him on the spot if he tries anything."

"The only fucking man you'll get into close proximity with is me Layla so don't even think about doing that."

"Oh my, stop getting jealous Mattheo. This is serious, and this could work."

"I still don't like the sound of this."

"It'll be easier than causing a whole scene in front of all these people. It doesn't seem like Henry Spector is even here, so some of these people might just be normal good people. We don't want to harm anyone else."

"For fuck sake." He groans, running his hand through his hair.

"So... what do you think?"

"I think that I absolutely hate the idea of you being anywhere near that pathetic guy, but... I guess it's an okay plan."

"Great. Boys there's been a change of plans for me." Layla says, holding down her ear piece.

"What?" Theo asks.

"I'm going to approach Ryle. Stay alert but don't attack until I'm actually under threat. I just need to get a few answers out of him."

"Mattheo, have you agreed to this?" Dylan asks.

"More or less." Mattheo replies and Layla sends him a glaring look. "Okay, I mean definitely yes." He sighs.

"Okay. Here I go." Layla says, cracking her neck before approaching the dance floor, and Ryle...