Chapter One

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Tugging on his suit jacket, he checked once again for the ticket in his breast pocket, patting it safely.  Glancing at his watch as the elevator continued upwards, he was relieved to see that the time was five minutes to 7pm.  

Coming to a stop at the penthouse level of 1039 Hammond Avenue, he was welcomed to the floor by two staff in immaculate white suits wearing gold masks.  "This way Sir", one of them directed, leading him towards a desk in the centre of the foyer.  

"Your invitation please Sir".  Hesitantly Marc relinquished the invitation, his only means of gaining entrance tonight.  To see her.

"Does Sir desire a token tonight?"  And with a nod, a swipe of his credit card over a portal, a fishbowl was presented to him.  "Please take a token and hold it for the evening Sir", he was told as dipping his hand into the fishbowl he pulled out a white token with a symbol in gold engraved into it. Looking down at the token he realised the symbol was the picture of a wolf. One of his favourite animals.

"You'll also be required to wear this mask for the duration of tonights event.  Please make your way in and have a pleasant night Sir."  Picking up a light white mask, he placed it over his eyes, heading through the double doors into what he found to be a large entertaining area.

"  Picking up a light white mask, he placed it over his eyes, heading through the double doors into what he found to be a large entertaining area

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Large windows wrapped around the entire wall opposite to his entrance.  He could see out to the darkening yet lit up view of their city.  Looking within the room he nodded at 4 other men similarly dressed as himself.  Black suit and tie, white masks.  There were also more men dressed in white suits with gold masks.  No ladies. At all.  Would she be the only one, he wondered to himself.

No bar.  No tv system.  An inbuilt music system however, as smooth jazz floated around the room.  Turning to his right and to look back where he came through, he noticed tasteful yet seductive art on the walls.  Walking further into the room he turned to the left wall from the entrance, seeing 7 doors.  3 white doors on either side of a set of gold double doors.

"Would Sir like a drink? Something to eat?"  Swivelling to his side, he took a glass of juice from one of the male wait staff, shaking his head to the food.  Another male in a black suit had entered behind him, now making 6 men in black with white masks.  Checking his watch, he smiled.  7pm.

"Welcome gentlemen," spoke a male dressed in white suit, however with no mask on his face.  "My name is Grant and I will be your Host for the evening, second of course to our Hostess whom you will have the chance to meet soon."

"Tonight, there will only be a few rules which I will run you through.  Please take a seat and relax while we go over tonights proceedings".  Marc sat down, taking another sip from his juice, his eyes briefly flickering over the other men before resting back on the host.

"Firstly, our staff will collect your watches, phones and other gadgets you may be carrying presently.  These will of course be returned to you at the conclusion of your evening here".  Marc and the other men turned to see staff stepping up with small baskets to each of them, and not wanting to make a scene, pockets were emptied, wrists made bare.

"Thank you gentlemen.  Now the first rule of the Golden Lady.  She requires that all her instructions are to be followed.  Failure to follow this rule will bring a quick end to your evening events".

Marc quirked an eyebrow at this rule.  Depends on what her instructions would be of course.  He didn't often keep quiet when he wanted something.  Deciding to give the benefit of the doubt for now and due to his curiosity, he carried on listening to the host who was still explaining the rules.

"Her second rule is that there are to be no marks left.  She also promises this in return". Marc bit his lip and grinned.  Mmm.  He did like to bite.

"Her third rule is that no matter how heated things may get, there will be no degrading, humiliating or disgusting name calling.  Which leads into her fourth and final rule.  That the Golden lady must be respected no matter what".

There was mutual head nodding from the gentlemen guests and an answering smile from Grant.

"We now have the business of the tokens.  Previous, to the beginning of this evening, a copy of the tokens you hold were placed in a receptacle, in a predetermined order.  Having picked your corresponding tokens randomly, now and only now, you have the opportunity to exchange your token with one of the other gentlemen holding a token."  Marc watched as two men looked around and chose to switch their tokens.  

Marc held his.  The wolf was after all one of his favourite animals.

"Thank you gentlemen, would you all now please stand as we welcome the presence of the Golden Lady

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"Thank you gentlemen, would you all now please stand as we welcome the presence of the Golden Lady..."

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