The Anonymous

Chapter 13: The Gala, New Beginnings

The ball was held at Pelton Manor. Pelton Manor resembles a miniature palace; It's a victorian-styled home with dark-colored bricks and triangular dooms highlighting the highest points of the mansion like an old hunted mansion. We droved up to the top of the hill and part directly in front of the mansion at 9:00 pm. The garden was neatly cut with sculpture bushes stretched along the road.

"Alright, keep your mask at all times.I heard Ashton instruct from my right side.

There was pleather of cars parked outside the mansion.Jérôme got out the car and Ashton got out on the other side. I followed Jérôme and stood next to him. Paparazzi swarmed us, I felt myself slowly shying away from the crowd. A wave of nervousness began to over overwhelm me. The spotlight was something. That I never cared to be in. Even in plays as a kid, I father be an extra somewhere in the background, then to be the lead. A hand touched the small of my back and the familiar scent of Ashton pierced my nose as I turned to see him towering over me.  He gently guided me forward.

Entering into the mansion the was women and men were dressed beautifully in all types of gowns, tuxedos, and masks. I couldn't believe my eyes as to how beautiful the place was gold colored walls with a huge chandelier hanging above. There was a large staircase centered  in the middle of the hallway.

"Alight,  Jérôme you know what to do". Jérôme and disappeared into the crowd.

"Aeon  stay by my side at all times," "everywhere I go you go."

"Fine what is Jerome going to do?" I whisperer in his ear.

"He's going to keep look out and keep me posted." Ashton whispered back.

Ashton guide me to the ballroom there was people dancing and talking.

A waiter came up to use and offered Ashton and me a drink.

"Would you like to dance Aeon?".

"Ashton asked with his hand out?".

"Sure," I uttered.

I took his hand and let him guide me to the ballroom dance floor. I wasn't sure how to dance to classical music. But I let Ashton guide me. What can I say, I'm a fast learner. I'm not going to lie, I felt like a princess straight out of a Disney movie. We swayed back-and-forth on the dance floor. Ashton lifted me up and spun me around in the air. All eyes were on us.

"So, will people recognized you at this mask event". I spoke to him for the first time since we left the hotel.

Ashton looked down at me. His light green eyes glowing through his black mask. He really looked devilishly handsome.  "I hope not that would defeat, the purpose of the mask".  "The only person who is supposed to be recognizable is Amanda Eastwood." "After all this is her event.  But I suppose it wouldn't matter, I wasn't invited anyway.

"So what are we supposed to do?"

Converse with people and stay observed. I'm waiting on Jérôme to send me a signal.

A woman came up to us dressed in a lovely lace gown. She wore a silver lace-mask. She had curly brown long hair pulled away from her face As she got closer, I could see her light brown eyes staring into my soul.

"Hello dare brother, Ashton long time no see".

"Erica, I wasn't expecting you to be here".

"Well expect the unexpected that's what they say and who is this?" sounding a bit snobbish giving me a quick once over.

"I'm his date... Ae------" Ashely Heywood, my girlfriend Ashton spoke over me cutting me off. I felt his hold on me grew tighter and he tugged me closer to him.