Shi no seppun.

Facade

[April 27th, 1999]

"You must be mad. Absolutely stark-raving, completely and utterly mental!" Josh roared at Sam, who rolled his eyes.

"I don't see what the problem is"

"Samuel, you have invited one of your...lady friends...to this event, which will be full of upper-class businessmen and wealthy benefactors. Are you out of your mind?" Josh readjusted his tie and checked his cufflinks, anything to avoid meeting Sam's disgruntled look.

"I told her to dress for black tie, it's not MY fault you high-tailed it away from her the other night" Sam huffed, tying his own tie, annoyed. Josh rubbed his temples. He hadn't informed Sam of what actually happened with Kerry at the Gentleman's club, but Sam had managed to slot together the pieces himself.

"I've already told her to use an alias; she'll be parading as Daisy Marcelle, a wealthy socialite. Socialites are more welcomed than the middle and lower classes, and it doesn't entirely lie about what she does for a living. She's more than clever enough to think up a well-respected job and possibly just dodge questions about her occupation. I've instructed her to always direct questions towards those she'll be mingling with rather than answer about herself, and to stay close by me all night in case she needs rescuing. Stop worrying, you big idiot, she won't be talking to your Miss Perfect or her Father" Sam rolled his eyes as Josh opened his mouth to say something then closed it again, defeated.

"Fine. When is she due to arrive?" Josh shrugged his shoulders, knowing Sam would probably be smirking right now; he loved to wind Josh up. At that exact moment, the doorbell rang.

"That'll probably be her now" Sam laughed, and went to answer the door, bringing Miss "Daisy Marcelle" into the room, wherein Josh, turning to look at her, was forced to do a complete double-take.

Kerry's long blonde hair was back in a sleek, high ponytail, her face expertly made up to highlight her eyes, though her lips were darkened in an almost-black. Her dress left little to the imagination, a plunging neckline with a high split from hem to thigh, and it was tight. When she turned to admire her reflection in her mirror, Josh noted that the dress was also almost backless, with a very intricate lace pattern down to the bottom of her spine. She looked ready for a high-class club, not a gathering of dignitaries and the upper-class. She turned back to face Josh and opened her arms, twisting her hips this way and that.

"So, how do I look?" She purred.

"I don't think you quite understood the point of this evening. You look good; Kerry, but you're revealing...too much skin." Josh averted his eyes from her chest to look at her face, making a point. Kerry tutted and looked to Sam for encouragement, who was not-so-subtly checking out her pert bottom. Josh sighed. "Do you at least have some form of overcoat?"

"A what...?" Kerry teased, taking Sam's arm

"Let's just go." Josh left the room and went to find the car, leaving Samuel to lock up.

"Has he been eating some form of Bitch-flakes for breakfast?" Kerry whispered to Sam, who simply just laughed at her.

*****

Rose took a sip of her wine as Olivia added the finishing touches to her hair. Her mind was reeling despite her bad mood; that mysterious man was coming to the house...and she'd finally learn his name, perhaps even have the chance to speak with him.

Her heart sank as she also realised Damon Delamore had been invited. She'd received quite the telling-off from her Father about that one; how she was the heiress of the Manor and needed to control her tongue with potential suitors.