Fate of deception

Chapter 36 - Umaizah's POV

My arms were linked with Amir's as I absorbed the atmosphere of the room. Everyone gathered into their pairs with no problem and wandered off into their own world. Here and there, I received many stares. Many of them being from older men who looked to be staring Amir down. Jealousy at its finest.

"Seems like you're quite the target tonight," I murmured to Amir, leaning in slightly as I spoke. He chuckled, but his gaze was sharp, scanning the room just as he had been since we arrived. Even in moments like this, his mind never fully settled.

"Let them stare," he replied in a low voice, his grip on my arm tightening just slightly. "They can look all they want. They don't concern me."

I glanced around, noticing how different the energy was now. The guests, though partnered up, seemed to drift further into their own bubbles, as if trying to forget the strange tension the hostess had left in the air. Laughter and soft conversation filled the room, but beneath it all, there was an undercurrent of something heavier, something unsaid.

"Do you think this... game... is harmless?" I asked, my voice dropping even lower, almost afraid of what the answer might be. The hostess's cryptic words still echoed in my mind, leaving an unease I couldn't shake.

Amir's jaw tightened, his eyes locking with mine for a brief moment before he glanced away. "No. I don't. But we'll deal with whatever comes next."

Before I could respond, Layna caught my eye from across the room, offering a slight wave. She was smiling, but I could tell her guard was up, just like ours. Her partner seemed relaxed, chatting away, completely unaware of the tension weaving through the space. I smiled back at her, though my mind was elsewhere.

As the minutes passed, the atmosphere felt like it was shifting again. I could sense it in the way the guests moved—some more restless, others too relaxed, as if they were waiting for something. It was as though we were all standing on the edge of something, but none of us knew what that something was.

Amir glanced down at me, his voice soft but firm. "Stay close. We don't know what's coming next, and I don't want us getting separated."

I nodded, suddenly grateful that I had chosen to stick with him. I didn't quite choose him but we both knew we wanted to stay put together. Whatever this was, we were in it together, for better or worse.

"We have to speak with other partners before the time runs out," Amir interrupted my thoughts, his voice low but urgent.

"To make conversation and be friendly?" I asked, trying to gauge his intent. There were various reasons Amir might want to interact with others—either to scheme or simply to keep up appearances. I wasn't sure which yet.

Amir shook his head, his grip on my arm firm as he led me toward the right section of the room. There, clusters of guests lounged on ornate furniture, casually chatting and sipping champagne. The soft hum of their conversations filled the air, mingling with the occasional clink of glasses.

As we approached one couple, a tall man in a navy blue suit and a woman with a peacock-feathered mask, Amir leaned in and greeted them smoothly. "Good morning. How are you two enjoying the start of the day so far?" His tone was light, but I could tell he was measuring their responses.

The man smiled, his eyes gleaming behind his mask. "Quite the unusual start, don't you think? Not your average masquerade ball."

"No, not at all," Amir replied, his expression unreadable. "What do you make of the game?"

The woman chuckled lightly, but there was a nervous edge to it. "A bit mysterious, isn't it? But that's what makes it exciting." Her eyes darted briefly to her partner before she added, "It's not every day we're given... instructions like this."

Amir nodded thoughtfully. "True. I wonder how long the hostess has been planning these little... surprises."

"We heard she's been planning this for months," the man said, leaning in as if sharing a secret. "She's well-known in certain circles for her... unconventional events." He smiled, but something in his tone felt off, as if there was more he wasn't saying.

Amir's eyes flickered briefly, catching the subtle tension. "Interesting. Well, enjoy the rest of your morning. I'm sure things will only get more... riverting."

We moved on to another pair—a younger man with striking green eyes and a woman with a deep crimson dress. They were more relaxed, though the woman's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Amir exchanged pleasantries with them, but the conversation was brief, revealing little beyond superficial details.

"They seem more at ease than the others," I whispered to Amir once we'd moved away. "But something still feels off about them."

He nodded, his eyes scanning the room once more. "Everyone's playing a part. We just need to figure out which ones are real, and which are masks."

As we moved from group to group, small details began to emerge. One couple was here by invitation from someone they couldn't name. Another pair seemed far too interested in the other guests, their eyes lingering on certain figures across the room. All the while, I couldn't shake the feeling that everyone knew more than they were letting on.

Before long, Amir turned to me, his expression serious. "We've learned enough for now. Let's stay close, something's about to change."

I nodded, my unease growing with each passing second. The next part of the game was looming, and I had a feeling whatever was coming would reveal much more than just hidden agendas.