Masked Desires

Chapter 1: Sophie

I wake up to the sound of my mother's voice. "Wake up, darling! It's time to get ready for the masquerade ball," mum says, her excitement evident. I slowly rise from bed, scratching my head in confusion. I had no idea about any masquerade ball.

Before I can fully process my thoughts, someone gently tugs at my hand. "I'm Emily, the stylist. Let's get you ready," she says with a warm smile. I follow her to the dressing room, still trying to piece together why I'm being whisked away for an event I knew nothing about.

Emily leads me into a well-lit room filled with racks of dresses and various beauty tools. As she helps me into the stunning gold strapless dress, she chatters cheerfully. "So, what do you know about the masquerade ball?" she asks as she adjusts the dress.

I shrug, feeling a bit awkward. "Honestly, not much. My mother mentioned it this morning, but she didn't give me any details."

Emily laughs lightly, her hands expertly working on my outfit. "Sounds like your mom. She loves keeping things a surprise until the last moment. But don't worry, it's going to be a lot of fun. Everyone's been talking about it for weeks."

I smile, appreciating her cheerful attitude. "Well, I'm excited, even if I don't have all the details. What can you tell me about it?"

Emily's eyes twinkle as she applies finishing touches to my makeup. "All I can say is that it's going to be a grand affair. There's going to be a lot of dancing and mingling. And the masks add a touch of mystery, don't you think?"

We continue chatting as she works, her friendly demeanor making the process enjoyable. She talks about the various elements of the evening, though she remains vague about specifics, which only adds to my curiosity. "The whole thing sounds incredible," I say, trying to piece together what I can expect.

Emily nods, clearly enjoying the conversation. "It really is. You're going to look amazing, and I'm sure you'll have a great time. Just embrace the evening and let yourself enjoy it."

As Emily finishes her work, I look at my reflection, taking in the gold strapless dress that clings to my figure and the delicate gold lace mask that completes the look. Although I feel like the dress was too tight it's not what I would usually wear but mum chose this for me so I have no say. My long brunette hair falls in shiny, straight strands, making my eyes look lighter, and I feel a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

My bodyguard takes my hand and leads me to the waiting limo. My parents are already in the front, and the limo glides smoothly through the streets, the city lights reflecting off the windows.