The Masked Gentleman

Through Cracks of Glass

I enter the huge room where all our dresses are made and open the door that leads to my dresses. As soon as I enter, my nostrils are hit with the delightful scent of roses - my favourite. Meredith, the famous fashion designer, notices my arrival and walks over, her smile bright and welcoming, and gives me a gentle kiss on the cheek. At least someone's happy today. She stands in front of me and stretches her arms a bit.

"Ugh, I'm so tired. Making all these beautiful and fancy dresses takes time and energy, you know? Anyways-" she pulls me closer to two dresses covered with a white cloth so i can't see them. "-I've been working on the two dresses you requested: one for the ball and one for the after party. I might say that these dresses are the most beautiful piece of art I've ever created and I've made lots of dresses, so you should be grateful I'm here to give you a glow-up.... not like you need it, tho. You're belle. Ah! That goes perfectly with your name: Isabella, Bella, belle!" She giggles at her own little discovery. She's just saying that to not hurt my feelings. "Thank you, Meredith"

"Oh,please! You make me feel old! I'm only 25, honey! Call me Mary" I just nod while smiling politely. Her father calls her that. She's so lucky to have a father like him. Unlike me. She walks to the dresses and stands in front of them. "So? How do you feel? It's your first speech in public! I'm so excited for you!" I could guess that by her face. I exhale loudly, only then realizing I've been holding my breath. "Gosh, I'm so anxious. How do rich people do this all the time? I don't even know if I remember all of the words. I'm just disappoint my family even more. I can't do what they can." "Oh, Bella. You'll be fine. You're intelligent, beautiful, funny and, might I say, very pleasing to the eye." she wiggles her eyebrows in a flirtatious way. This girl. I just roll my eyes at her. She puts a hand on my shoulder." No, but seriously. Isa, you're much more than you think you are. Don't stress. I'm not gonna tell you to picture all of them naked cause that doesn't help -trust me. What I will tell you is that the only person that you should be afraid to disappoint is your future self. You know, I know how it feels at your age. Barely adult with this much responsibility, it feels overwhelming but you gotta focus on yourself. Now, do you wanna see your dress or nah? " I nod and she opens her arms, like she's presenting them to a crowd. "So ladies and gentlemen, may I present my most recent and original piece that will be revealed to the public by the one and only beautiful Isabella Angelo, daughter of the wealthy businessman Frederick Angelo!" and she bowed, I clapped in order to let her have her little moment. What a drama queen. But she's right tho... She walks to the first dress. " May i present the dress that she will wear at the ball!" and she removed the cloth that was covering the dress. I gasp in awe. Gosh, it really is beautiful. Mary was waiting excitedly for my reaction. I slowly walk to the dress, not taking my eyes off the perfect creation, and touch the deep blue fabric. It's so soft. It was a magnificent midnight blue ballgown with golden swirls on the bottom and the bracelet sleeves. It had a sweetheart neckline that left enough space for a shining necklace and off-shoulder. It looks so... regal. I then turned to the fashion designer still waiting, "Mary....you made this....for me?" Mary just huffed and said "Of course I did, Bella. Do you like it?" " Like it? I love it! It's absolutely amazing!!! But...I'm gonna ruin its look. It looks very regal. I'm not regal nor graceful." She sighs. "Bella, this dress screams 'you'. Don't overthink it, m'kay?" "So can I see my other dress now?" I asked. Mary wags her finger, signaling her refusal " No, you cannot. You'll see it before the after party. NOW GO GO GO!! You have to get ready! You haven't got much time! The guests are gonna start coming soon!" and she practically shoved me out of the room with my dress, laughing as she did. That little minx.

I quickly rushed to my room, which is the only bedroom in the west wing of the mansion. On my way there, I bump into my older sister.

"Isabella, where have you been?! Anastasia's been looking for you like a mad woman! She's in front garden, go meet her" " On my way" Great, just what I needed on top of anxiety - Anastasia's wrath. I quickly rush to the front garden, looking crazy with my huge fancy ballgown in hand. Every step feels like walking into my enemy's territory. Take a deep breath, Isabella. She won't eat you alive - yet. There she was: yelling at someone on the phone. Anastasia, in full fury, is something I wouldn't wish even on my enemy. "What do you mean it's not available?! Do you know who I am?! I am Anastasia Angelo, daughter of Frederick Angelo! You don't tell me what's available. I make things available! Get it for me NOW!" she hangs up the phone and notices my presence. Eyes fuming with anger, she turns to me. Here we go."Now, look who decided to show up! I have been looking EVERYWHERE for you, where in the godforsaken world have you been?!" she practically yells in my face. My voice just decided it doesn't want to be used. Great. I can never talk loudly in her presence. She's like a dictator. My throat feels dry. "I was with Meredith. She-" "WHAT?! I can't hear you! Speak up and stop wasting my time! Is this how you plan on delivering the speech?! You're gonna make a mockery of our family! I knew you couldn't do it, I told father but, for some reason, he insisted on letting you deliver the speech. If you speak that quietly in front of our guests, they'll eat you alive. Maybe you should let someone who can actually handle the spotlight do it. Speak up!" I wasn't even talking that quietly. Someone's on her period. Who am I kidding? She's always like this. "I was with Meredith. She wanted to show me my dresses!" Was that loud enough for you? " Don't use that tone with me! That's why you couldn't hear me: you were with her. I told you to stop spending time with her. She's bad influence." her gaze drops to the dress in my hands and she snorts. "That's her best? I could do that with my eyes closed. Now that I look at it closely, it's lookable. Not presentable obviously but it doesn't hurt the eye. You know what? Give it to me. I have an event tomorrow and the theme is clowns. " NO! She tries to take it from my hands but I back away. How dare she! It's a thousand times better than anything she has ever done. She just rolls her eyes "Fine, if you wanna keep the garbage, keep it. As long as you don't go around telling people you're my sister, I couldn't care less. You'll actually look good, if you intend to be inspired by the penny wise." I open my mouth to say something but she interrupts me. I hate it when people do that. "Have you prepared your speech?" I just nod. "Words!" she barks. "Yes, yes I have." " It better not be a bunch of nonsense. Revise it as much as you can. Who knows what monstrosity you have written. Anyway, I'll pray for your dignity to remain half intact. Ciao!" she leaves but not before pushing me with her shoulder and whispering in my ear. Her breath feels hot on my ears."You'll need all of the luck you can get" and with that - she leaves. Finally. Brat. I swear to god, I'm gonna nail this speech, get my photo printed in every goddamn magazine and then shove it in her face.