Love Agent

Act 23: An All Out War

Gwen | 7:02pm

I have entered another world.

The ballroom I used not long ago for practicing the waltz has metamorphosed itself into a masquerade themed castle.

The chandeliers were in full bloom, lighting everything on the room with soft different colors. Gigantic colored curtains hanged from the high ceiling to the floor of the windows. A stage appeared in front of the crystal doors that lead to the outside, and had an orchestra playing. A podium stood high and mighty in the left side of the stage. The tables were placed neatly around, filled with all kinds of foods and beverages-fruits, crabs, meats, pasta, chicken, beers, wine, chocolate fountains and salads.

Young servants and a few undercover agents I recognized were dressed in white attire serving the foods and offering beverages.

What most shocked me were the people.

They were all dressed in masquerade attires. Each and every one of them with masks, simple ones to most extravagant ones. The women's dresses were breathtakingly long and abundant. Some of them had shinning hems like mine; others were just filled with too much fabric.

The men wore normal tuxedos, but with unusual colors. Some had red and purple colored tuxedos. I saw one with a pastel pink tuxedo, and I immediately envisioned Thomas in one. He'd look adorable.

I almost forgot I was holding Thomas's hand.

I lost all feeling in my hands and knees. My feet were turning numb and although I am wearing the earphone for keeping in touch with the others, my ears twitched with the sound of the people.

Thomas led me through the crowd of the mundanes. I focused all of my attention to him.

He is the only thing I see in this sea of people.

The music coming from the orquestra died down.

"GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE SEBESTREN HOTEL. THANK YOU FOR BEING PRESENT ON THIS SPLENDID MASQUERADE BALL-" Mr. Hood said on the podium of the stage. "TONIGHT, WE ARE CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF BOULEVARD ENTERPRISES FOR WINNING THE AWARD OF COLLABORATION WITH OUR HOTEL BRANCH."

The people in masks clapped to their hearts content. I looked at Thomas and he nodded in my direction.

I looked back, and Ismene was standing on the ballroom entrance, alongside another agent. She nodded back.

"LET US WELCOME THE STARS OF THIS EVENING." he said. "I PRESENT TO YOU CHRISTOPHER BOULEVARD AND HIS WIFE, BRANDESH."

They both opened the doors, and in they came.

Christopher Boulevard, he was a short man. His hair was grey, matching with his grey tuxedo and black mask. He waved swiftly to the crowd. His wife, Brandesh, was wearing a white lace dress, and her hair was copper and curly.

Their son, Gabriel Boulevard, was behind them. He wore a black tuxedo with a grey shirt. His mask covered his face completely.

They walked to the podium, saluting everyone.

"I WOULD LIKE TO CALL MY SON, THOMAS HOOD, HEIR TO THE MH HOTEL BRANCH TO COME TO THE PODIUM-he said, waving towards us. Thomas pulled on my hand, gesturing us toward the podium.

We walked hand in hand up the small stairs and turned up besides the Boulevard group.

Thomas started shaking the hands of Christopher, then Brandesh, and lastly Gabriel.

I went on and did the same.

"HERE IS MY SON, ALONG WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND, GWENDOLYN HAMILTON."

Boulevard's son flinched at the mention of my name.