ANGLERFISH

7

I placed the mask on my tan face, my hair brushing against the string, and my makeup nearly smudging, but who cares and who will see. I stood in front of the mirror and found myself admiring my body figure; what I have fought for, I think I have permission to say I was looking fucking hot.

I turned and looked at myself from behind, I pressed my hand against my waist and smiled, 'You look good, don't worry!'

I slipped into my black heels, sat at my vanity and tied the small buckle, then raising my hand up my now shaved and smooth legs.

Then there was a knock at the door, "Ready?" Bruce smiled as he entered. "I think so?" I huffed as I turned and looked at myself in the mirror, then passed my hand through my hair.

"You look great, now can we go?" Bruce chuckled. "Yes, and you don't look so bad, I guess." I laughed and grabbed my silver clutch.

"Oh! Shoot! I'm sorry Kiara, you're gonna have to go to the party with Alfred, I have dates to take." He chuckled as he looked at his cellphone and placed his half-face mask on.

"Dates? Whoa, what are you and your little minions taking to get there, the helicopter?" I looked back at him with a disgusted face.

He was doing this to make Rachel jealous, he still and always will want her back, now that she is successful with her new job and is happy with her boyfriend, he wants to ruin all of it.

"Kiara, have some respect, I love each and every one of them, and yes we will be taking the helicopter." He rubbed his neck.

That was his nervous tick, Alfred said that Uncle Tom and Bruce were so alike that he sometimes would call Bruce Master Thomas. He said that they both did the same thing when they were nervous, their hands snuck behind their necks; always. "Whatever, Alfred and I will meet you there," I yelled as I closed my apartment door.

Once I got to Bruce's house I saw that the room was filled with masked guests, and it seemed as if no one told me it was a white plastic mask masquerade party, because I showed up with a black lace mask.

(For the record, I do know the fundraiser scene isn't masquerade theme, it just goes with the storyline, but I do intend to go mainly by the movie, I promise)

To avoid the embarrassment and awkwardness, I kept doodling in my notepad as I leaned against one of the tall tables, and standing next to me was Alfred.

What I had noticed was that Alfred was the only one not wearing a mask, he was a simple and classic man, who didn't follow the herd, just like me.

"Miss Kiara, I heard you were supposed to have a plus 1?" He asked as he continued to fold napkins.

"He was busy, plus if he were here I wouldn't be able to focus on my work—which reminds me, I have to find the man that determines whether or not I get a paycheck!" I laughed. "What exactly do you plan on asking Mr. Dent?" Alfred looked at me.

"Why doesn't he go after criminals that want or go after the simplest things, like money and respect, instead he wants the ones he doesn't fully 'understand'; criminals aren't complicated, Alfred. Never have, never will." I shrugged.

"With respect, Miss Kiara...perhaps he's a man you don't fully understand either." He smiled his soft smile.

"A long time ago, I was in Burma, and my friends and I were working for the local government. They were trying to buy the loyalty of tribal leaders, by bribing them with precious stones." I interrupted, "—Rocks?" I laughed, "—No, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, and so on." He chuckled at my comment.

I just nodded and let him proceed with his story, "—But their caravans were being raided in a forest north of Rangoon by a bandit; so we went looking for the stones." He paused, "But in six months, we never met anyone who traded with him." I made a confused look, "One day, I saw a child playing with a ruby the size of a tangerine. The bandit had been throwing them away." He smiled.