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» Twenty-Four

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Letting out a tired sigh, I rolled out of my bed as the fresh morning temperature hit my arms. Slipping on my robe so cover my arm, I made my way to the door of my apartment, it must be important to wake me up for it. Opening the door, a man in a black cap with a large box in his hands greeted me. "Are you Devonne?" He asked, his rushed but tired tone telling me that he didn't wanted to be in bed just as much as me at this time in the morning.

"Yes, why?" I tried my best to smile, but I'm sure I looked slightly deformed due to my messy hair and mascara that was smudged under my eyes from the night before.

"This is for you." He told me, extending his arms out to hand me the white box, a small envelope tucked between the gold ribbon which was wrapped around the box.

"Thank you, Sir" I examined the box, running my hands over it. I expected it to be heavier for a box that was so big, it made me wonder what it held.

The tired man adjusted his cap only slightly before giving me a small wave, "Have a good one."

"You too." With that, the man walked away as I closed the door. Eager to find out what this was all about, I placed the box on the bed. Pulling at the ribbon and it slid off in one swift movement, the envelope falling free into my fingertips as I withheld from looking in the box yet. Only my name written in gold cursive was printed on the white paper, no return address or stamps to be seen. Opening it revealed something almost resembeling an invitation. I held the exquisite invite in my fingertips as I examined every detail of the gold letters.

Dear Devonne,
I invite you to join me at the University of California, Los Angeles Anniversary Masquerade Ball.
I will pick you up in front of your apartment complex at 6pm.
I have left you something special that I hope to see you wearing tonight.
Love, Eduardo.

I became well aware of who the sender was as soon as I read the name 'Devonne' printed onto the paper. Blushing at the thought of all this, I placed the invitation down on my bed next to the box, and reached for my phone which was resting on my pillow. Dialling Wilmer's number, I anxiously waited as the dial tones rung through the phone.

"Hello?" I heard him say faintly.

"Thank you for the invite, Eduardo." I teased.

"You welcome, Devonne" He said teasing back. "Have you looked in the box yet?"

Despite the fact that he couldn't see me, I shook my head while softly biting down on my lower lip. "I'm about to..." I trailed off, Wilmer didn't say anything, almost as if he was waiting for me to see what it held before speaking again.

The box held a dress, a ball gown even. My childhood dream of being a princess felt as if it were coming true in that moment, even down to the light silk underlining, the dress was of the highest quality. This must have cost him a fortune. I took my flabbergasted self and picked up the delicate mask sat in the corner of the box. Black lace detailing across it, a clear band around the back to secure it all night. He wasn't playing around, was he?

I couldn't help but smile, this made me feel nothing short of a Queen. You always heard about scandalous things happening at masquerade balls, no one knows who you are because you're masked, and I guess that helped Wilmer and I in this case.

I suppressed a squeal as I hugged the ball gown. "Oh my God, Wilmer! It's gorgeous!"

"What?" He asked, I could basically hear the smirk that he was wearing through the phone.