Death's Kiss

Chapter Three

Chapter 3
"Adira! I need you to count the inventory again!" my aunt shouted at me as I was walking towards the front door of her bistro. I looked over my shoulder and pointed at my ear,
"Sorry! Can't hear you! Too loud! Talk to you later!" I raised my voice and quickly got out of there. I knew I would catch hell for that but, I had to head over to the clinic so I could start getting ready. My brow furrowed as I saw some pop-up tents and what looked like a flea market down the road. I hadn't seen a farmer's market this way in a long while. I had to walk that way to the clinic anyway so, I walked closer. 
There were tents filled with homemade jerky...not my thing. Others had fresh cut flowers, candles, and wine. "Oh!" I let out startled as an older woman almost ran into me.
"I'm so sorry! I must have lost my sense at home this morning." She chuckled good-naturedly. She looked to be in her early sixties, hair as white as mine with kind eyes. She wore a black turtleneck and khaki pants. "Can I say something a little strange?" She asked. I gave her a bemused smile.
"Okay?" Hopefully this wasn't offensive. She reached into her crossbody bag and pulled out what looked like a glass bottle filled with a light red liquid. It wasn't very big, maybe the size of a small teacup.
"I am clairvoyant, and I am sensing you need a little liquid courage tonight." My eyebrows shot up at her astuteness. Freaky.
"That's very sweet but I don't drink." I answered politely, ready to move on so I could make my way to the clinic. It was my day off, but I needed to get ready. I was kind of excited to see what dress Peirce had picked out...or maybe his secretary did.
"Oh, it's not alcohol! It comes from the tea tent just down the way. This is made to help calm a nervous heart. Completely organic, and free for you to try. Here's my card so if you want to order more online." She winked. I felt better knowing she was a merchant rather than a crazy lady. I took the bottle from her with a smile.
"Thank you. I will be sure to do that." I replied.
"Please see that you do! Especially for a big night! I promise you won't regret it!" She winked and walked off. Chuckling, I put the sealed bottle in my bag and had no more issues making it to the clinic. Maybe some calming organic tea would help with these jitters, I thought.
"Finally! I was about to open it without you! I won't know what to do with your hair or makeup until I see it!" Farrah cried out to me once I stepped inside. The clinic was only open half day on Fridays, so we were already closed for the day. I spotted the white box on the counter with a deep red bow on it. I was curiously excited but still nervous. Almost needing to, I gripped the little red bottle and broke the seal to open it. Without questioning it too much, I chugged it down in two gulps.
There was a tartness to it, like cherries. The after taste was a little weird, reminded me of pennies. "Did you just do a shot and didn't offer me one?" Farrah asked outraged. I laughed and went to open the box. Wasting no time, I lifted the top of it and sifted through the white wrapping paper. On top there was a masquerade mask that was champagne color with crystals sewn all over. It was gorgeous. The top of the dress looked to be the same color, with intricate crystal beading and white lace. I carefully lifted the dress out and saw it was floor length, the bottom half of the dress like silk but had a slit on one side.
"Whoa." I breathed. My fingers traced the delicate design in awe. Farrah traced the top.
"I hate you so hard right now." She murmured.
"Deal with it." I winked back and placed it gently back in the box. I won't put it on yet, so makeup and my hair won't get ruined. Farah eyed me and I was certain she was contemplating hitting me over the head to take my place.
"Fine but the next man that is as fine as him walks through our door?....Mine." She called dibs. I laughed and agreed. "Now let's get you ready!" She announced taking out a large bag. I pulled the small card that was on top of the box with the dress.
Can't wait for tonight, Adira. I will have my driver pick you up at 6 o'clock. I will be waiting with bated breath.
-Peirce 
"A driver? How fancy and chivalrous!" Farrah cooed peeking from over my shoulder. I quirked a brow,
"You think? I guess it's better than an awkward car ride trying to get to know each other on the drive." I mused. "To play it safe, can you take a picture of the license plates with make and model?" I asked. She rolled her eyes.
"You didn't even need to ask girl! I got you!" She reassured me. "Now c'mon, there's not a whole lot of time to make you up for this fancy night out. Let me be your Godmother now." She ushered me towards the back of the break room and instructed me to sit. She plugged in her hair curler and set out her makeup. I already made sure to put on my foundation just before leaving for here since Farrah had a much darker complexion. 
"Thank you again Farrah. I can discreetly scope out the place and try to find you a guy?" I suggested making her grin and nod enthusiastically. "What about Goldie though?" I asked with a smirk.
"Oh, I fully plan to seduce him. I'll make it clear it's a fling but, that man needs a no complications fun filled weekend." She started to curl my hair in large loose waves.
"Won't it be weird? Working together afterwards? I mean if he goes for it." I asked curiously. She thought about it for a moment.
"It'll only be weird if we make it weird." She said with a determined nod. "We'll see how it goes; he may not even be into me at all." She finished with a shrug. I blew a raspberry at her.
"Yeah okay." I said sarcastically. "You're runway ready almost every day, and you have the humor to match. If I was into girls, I would hit on you." I said with a snort.
"Just tell me when and where babes." she winked at me. "I know I look hot but, it wasn't me who got asked out by the inhumanly gorgeous man was I? Enough flattery though, we can dish on each other after tonight." She finished the left side of my head before starting on the right. "I want you to call me or text me if you're not feeling safe though. He may be hotter than sin, but you're still my work wife and I'll cut him up for you, okay?" She said with a grin. I instantly felt better.
"Thanks. I'll let you know if I need a rescue." I responded marveling at how pretty she made my hair look. They were ringlets which she quickly brushed out to give a softer look. It looked both intricate and effortless. She took the top half of my long hair and clipped it back using gold-colored clips that had a swirling design. "They're perfect! How did you know what color to bring?" I asked, half tempted to touch them.
"I have other colors in my bag. As soon as I saw the color of your dress, I knew it had to be these. Found them at an estate sale years ago for a steal." She sprayed my hair down to keep everything in place. "Makeup time!" She announced pulling out her makeup bag. "We'll focus on the eyes and lips since you'll have a mask on." She pulled out her shadow pallet and got to work. I trusted her judgement and with how awesome she looks in her makeup, I knew she wouldn't let me down.
In no time at all, she announced she was done as I let my mind drift over what tonight will bring. Part of me felt fraudulent. Here I was at only nineteen and going to an upscale masquerade ball. I felt older than my age most days with my two jobs, the loss of my mom, and constantly handling verbal abuse from my aunt. I opened my eyes, refusing to get melancholy over my life. I was going to have an adventure tonight. I couldn't even remember the last time I went out to have fun. "Oh!" I had that moment. The moment you see in the movies where the girl is surprised by her reflection. I never wore makeup usually because I was perpetually running late. Seeing myself made up in such a way made my heart give an emotional tug.
"You were always gorgeous...now you see it too." Farrah gave me a kind smile, hugging my shoulders. My eyes had a black smoky effect with golden glitter in the middle. It made my already light brown eyes seem almost as golden as the glitter. My lips were a daring shade of dark red. I felt my eyes tear up, but Farrah lightly smacked the back of my head. "Don't ruin my work!" She scolded.
"Sorry!" I laughed. "I'm going to go put on the dress. If I need help, I'll shout." I promised, quickly snatching the dress up and locking myself in the bathroom. The material felt so luxurious and silky, it made me afraid to touch it. It shimmered even in the dull light of the bathroom. It took a little finesse but, I managed to get it on myself. I quietly took myself in. I was afraid it wouldn't fit, and didn't know how Peirce made it happen, but it fit me like a glove.
"Hurry up heifer! I wanna see!" Farrah banged on the door. Smoothing my hands down my sides as nerves hit me, I stepped out. "Holy-" she looked at me with wide eyes. "I think I am reconsidering Goldie, and instead want to sleep with you." She fanned herself. I cracked up but stopped short when I realized I didn't have shoes. I brought my basic black flats, but it will have to do. At least the dress was floor length, so no one would see, and I would be comfortable.
"I feel like Cinderella." I half joked. I feel like this was an out of body experience. Farrah put her hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes.
"Make the most of tonight. You are a smart gorgeous young woman. You are not the lucky one, he is." She said with a soft smile. Blowing out a big breath I nodded. No big deal, I could do this. We stepped back out towards the waiting room. Through the doors I saw an older man in a smart looking suit with a black limousine parked in the front. "I mean it...text me or call me if you need me." She said seriously. I laughed when I saw her take out her phone to snap pictures of the limo and the driver.
"Thanks girl. I'll let you know." I grabbed my black clutch and stuck my phone into it. It had just my ID, phone, and pepper spray. The man saw me coming and straightened. The doors whooshed open, letting the colder air waft in.
"Miss, my name is Harris, I'll be escorting you to the party. If you'd follow me?" He opened the door to the limousine and waited for me to get myself settled. Before he shut my door, I looked at Farrah who was busy snapping pictures. I waved back at her and laughed.
"I want all the details girl!" She shouted out. Harris gently closed my door, and I took in my surroundings. I spotted a bouquet of deep red roses, matching my lipstick. I placed my clutch and mask on the seat beside me, the black leather material that made up the seat bench felt supple. I picked up the roses and took a deep breath in. There was no card, but it didn't take a genius to figure these were from Peirce.
Part of me did wish he was here so we could get to know each other. Another part was relieved, so I didn't feel the need to fill the awkwardness with idle chatter. This was all so strange. The partition was up so I couldn't make small chat or dig up dirt on Peirce. My mind wandered to how this all happened by chance.

There was some traffic, so I was left to stare around the limo and out the windows. I had apprehension but also excitement take up residence inside me. I had thought we were going to a large building, something more along the lines of corporate but, the limo stopped in front a large estate. It was gated and guarded heavily. The estate had a sprawling front with large pillars to make it look like Rome. "Must be nice." I muttered. I quickly placed my mask on, securing it with the ribbon. My hands were clammy, I was a little nauseous. I didn't fit in with people like this! We rolled through the gate and circled the front to stop by the steps. Standing at the bottom was Peirce. He came to my door and opened it for me, offering me his hand.
"You look ravishing Adira." He nearly purred. I felt my cheeks heat as I took his hand. I grabbed my clutch and let him help me out. He was dressed in tailor fit champagne suit to match my dress. His longer brown hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, tied back by black ribbon.
"Thank you, you look very handsome but, where's your mask?" I asked. He grinned at me and something unsettling pooled in my gut, my first reaction was to run but it quickly flitted away as he produced a white mask, he was holding behind him.
"I know our date is a bit unorthodox, but I felt like I have waited centuries to find you when I first saw you. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you have given me this chance." He offered me his elbow, "Shall we?" I smiled up at him and inclined my head for him to lead the way.
"I was a little shocked with how forward you are but now that I am here, I have to say I'm excited." I admitted. We stepped up to the front double doors where a guard presented a scanner. My eyebrows raised as Peirce scanned his thumb. It beeped before showing a green light. The guard nodded silently and opened the door. "That's some top-notch security." I muttered.
"This party is for the wealthy to show off while also funding much needed facilities. It's also themed as a vampire's masquerade." I was surprised as I spotted a masked woman close to us with fangs.
"It's not close to Halloween though..." I trailed off as I spotted another man sipping what looked like blood from a glass.
"When you're rich, you want entertainment. It's all good fun I promise. Come, let's get some drinks and I can introduce you to some friends of mine." He reassured me. There was a small part of me however, that felt like I just stepped into a lion's den wearing nothing but Lady Gaga's meat dress.