Masquerade

"The Dark Stranger" © VeGirl 2014

Another few days pass by without any sign of life from Vincent. Me and my girls are sitting in my livingroom. "Couldn't he even send a text?" I complain to Esme while Layla leaves us for a while.

"There is no reception where he is," Esme says discretely.

I furrow my brows. "Where is he?"

"Classified," she sighs.

"...but you know...?" I inquire and get a short nod in return.

"I've never been there, but my father is originally from there," she admits with another sigh.

"You've never spoken of your father."

"And there's a very good reason for that." Her pointed gaze gives me reason to not ask further and Layla's reappearance is another reason.

I am just about to say something when I look up at Layla and I halt. There is some kind of translucent glow that surrounds her and my mouth falls open in astonishment. I can see auras now? I swear to whatever God is out there to never reveal this piece of info to Eddie; she would be off the roof with joy and glee.

"You are fiddling with magic," pierce through the air.

Shocked I look over at Esme's accusing eyes and back at Layla who looks guilty back at the judgemental

"Just basics, what do you know about it?" Layla's usually powerful voice is now weak and worried.

I sit there contemplating how to say that she's a powerful witch goddess when she answer. "I do basics myself."

Layla's worried eyes widen as does her smile. "Cool!" she smiles and I wonder what Esme really has to say about that. "I was just trying some kind of protection because this house prickles." A visible shudder ran through her and I wondered if she could feel the magic that seemed to crackle around Esme, or how she avoids it.

"I was just about to do a basic protection spell myself, maybe we can work together?"

"Why do you need protection, and from what?" Layla looks worried at Esme while I hold my breath.

"Oh just the ordinary; protect from bad weather and hope for a good harvest," she snickers and does an innocently sweeping gesture with her arm. "Are you up for it?"

While Layla surprised nods, I get on my feet. "I better go somewhere else so I won't disturb you." This is just a deflection but I really needed to get out of there. "I think I left my phone upstairs. This is so not my thing, so I better leave to not disturb your mojo." With more speed than I have to, I walk out of the room while they place candles around on the floor.

Witch I certainly am not!

In my bedroom I find my cell and notice that Eddie had called. Quickly I redial her. "Hi, was there something wrong?"

"There certainly is! Amelia got sick and Mary has a child who is sick as well. I don't know what to do tomorrow." She whines. "I think I'll shut down the catering altogether now."

"Don't be a drama-queen," I sigh teasingly. "I'll come and save you."

"Yeah, but I need more. It is a masquerade and we're supposed to be dressed in black and to mingle with the others."

"That sounds nice!" I try to be supportive. So you want me to come and work?"

"Yes I do, but I would need more staff than you... unfortunately."

"We have until tomorrow, that'll work out."

"You're right; I better call everybody I know right now."

I have to brace myself not to snicker at Eddie's worry, at least until I have hung up. I slowly shake my head and snicker while walking downstairs to the girls who have just blown out the candles. "I'm gonna work tomorrow," I inform as I re-enter my livingroom again.

"What?" Both Layla and Esme looks worried at me. "Where are you going?"

I raise my brows in surprise. "Some mansion... I don't know..." It is the usual routine; Eddie picks me up and as long as she knows where we're going, all is well.

"I'm not sure I like this..." Esme is looking stern at me. "I'd rather have you where I can keep an eye on you."

I sigh. "I'm not going out partying; this is my job! Some nights I help out with the catering business." I try my hardest to be patient, but it feels like a losing battle. "Eddie needs help and I'm offering. That's that." I slump down in my couch, certain that this conversation id over.

"Do you need help?"

Surprised I look over to Layla who is still looking inquisitive at me. "What do you mean?"

"I've been working as a waitress so many times, so I just wanted to know if you needed someone more. I need money."

"So... you're planning on staying...?"

Layla snickered and threw a pillow on me. "Not that long, I just wanted to spend some time with you. So sue me!"

* * *

Since I'm working the nightshift, I'm allowed the afternoon off and Layla and I drive to the larger of out two malls of our little town.

"Did you say that this is the big mall?"

"Don't mock my town."

"I'm not, I promise," she assures me, but the laughter takes the serious point off. She puts her arm around me while snickering and we walk off to get killer outfits for the night. Layla finds a short dress that I think perhaps is too short, but in the same time I ask myself if I've gotten too old for short dresses?

That is just too sad.

There are some black shorts that have the look of slacks that catch my eyes. With a sleeveless shirt I am actually quite pleased.

"Wow, you look amazing!" Layla peeks into my changing booth. "What do you say about this?" She twirls around, letting everybody see the chiffon flutter around, almost showing her delicacies. "It was nice of your boss to hire me."

"Yeah, we needed help. You better not make my work harder." I pierce her with a stern look, but my face split up in a wide smile.

"As long as you not cramp my style," she retorts smirking before returning to her own cubicle.

We stop at a bistro to get something to eat before we get home and hit the shower before getting ready for work. I pull my hair, trying to get the black curls to cooperate. A photo catches my eyes through the mirror, showing an almost blond me, looking too serious, almost sad.

I miss the laughter I share with Vincent.

"Everything okay?" Layla peeks in the doorway. "You look worried."

I sigh. "Yeah I miss Vincent, that's all." I turn my back on the mirror and collect my hair in the nape of my neck. "I just wish he'd come home." I walk past her and dress myself. I'm feeling agitated as I put the mask over my face and let Layla tie it in the back. "Is this really necessary?"

"Of course it is!" she giggles. "It will be amazing!" Her hair blond hair is curled and she is dressed to kill with the chiffon fluttering around her upper legs.

"What if people think we're guests and not just the hired staff?" I grunt. "I'm gonna miss the plates and drop everything in people's lap tonight."

"Who cares?" she giggles and starts to arrange my black pony-tail over shoulder. "You look absolutely gorgeous!"

"Who cares? I'm taken!"

"And where is he?"

"He's away on business..."

"And what kind of business is he in?" Layla pins her with a stern glare. "Where is he and when is he coming back?"

I glare at her. She is going to drool over him the second she lays eyes in him, just like everybody else. "Lay off the third degree. He'll be back when he's done."

"...mhmm..."

I grind my teeth, not liking her implications but unable to inform her one bit further; unable and unwilling. "Stop teasing me. I miss him." I say collected and sashay away from her in my high heels.

Mere minutes later, Eddie picks us up in her van. I introduce my cousin and she surprises me by pulling her CV from memory. I never knew that she had worked in top restaurants around Phoenix. Whatever Eddie asks she has answers for and whatmore; Layla asks intelligent questions. When we arrive at the scene I have full confidence of her abilities.

The procedure at this place is as it is at every other location of catering. We unload the car, organise things and prepare to serve the first course. Mark is there with his crew and we fill into our usual rolls. Every guest is mingling around, dressed in black just as us and we are all wearing masks.

Kinky, you say? Yeah a little...

Snacks are served with white wine and people are chatting, positive and the mood is high. Everything is going well.

Guests meet our eyes and smile in a way that rarely happens while I'm on work.

Next course is served by the table in a conventional way and the relation guest and staff is re-established. We pull back into the kitchen area and I relax. Layla on the other hand is curious of the guests and seems to look for a plausible man to get her claws in.

"Layla, get your ass back in here!" I hiss at her. "You are not here speed-dating!"

Her smile widens and the walk toward me. "Are you afraid I will steal your thunder?"

I tilt my brows in a begging gesture even if my sarcastic smile points to the opposite. "I would think not!" I chortle. "I didn't realise that you were planning on moving here."

"Just keeping my options open, honey." She wiggle her brows before she walk away.

Dessert is served in the adjacent room while music is starting to sift through an advanced speakersystem. Surprised I notice Switchfoot's soft melodic tunes and hoarse voice trickle out over the guests and I smile. In my mind I sing along with 'this is your life' as I walk around with cups of chocolate dessert that I know is absolutely to die for.

There is a tingling sensation that put all my tiny hairs on edge. Worried I look around and when I look forward again, Damian is in my face.

"Hi delicious." He smiles as I jump startled.

"Stay away from me!" I hiss in a snarling tone.

"Don't be like that..." he tries out a seductively sweet tone, but his face looks swanky even with the mask on. "What do you have to offer?" The eyes shine covetous.

Forget it snaggletooth!" I turn and walk away from him, but notice my cousin zoom in her gaze on the guy and smile. I groan and have to turn on my heel and walk back to Damian again. "And stay away from my cousin!" My tone is austerely if not angry. "She is no more a chewtoy than I am."

"Hello gorgeous, I didn't expect you to be here." I hear my cousin croon before she snakes To my utter surprise, Damian leans closer to me as if he is about to kiss my cheek. "She's delicious, but not like you; you smell like fairy."

I back off abruptly and gawk. "Fairy, are you out if your mind?" I spit. In my stunned mind I see how Damian leans closer to Layla and kiss her cheek. His tongue dart out to touch the carotid artery and it is suddenly tinted red. I gasp; has he bitten her here in front if my eyes and I have done nothing?

"Now now, you don't have to be jealous. I can do you both." He smirks and I realize that he still has me in a grip around my shoulder that he is now using to pull me closer.

A sudden rage fills me and something within pop. With a sweeping motion with my hands I have broken free and beyond the surprise in his eyes, I can also see my own reflection. There is a translucent light flickering around me like an aura and I am mesmerized.

"Wow, what is that?" Layla breathes and I seem to read the same question in Damian's eyes.

Worry replaces my anger instantly. "You have seen nothing!" I snap and just as quickly as this effect started, it stops. "Nothing." I repeat viciously and watch their eyes look dazed.

They seem to sway momentarily before the daze wears off like a busted bubble.

"Sam!" Layla says surprised. "Have you met Damian?"

I blink surprised. Worried I look around to see if anyone has noticed our little encounter. Somehow we have moved outside to the terrace and I have my back close to the wall. Yeah I recall that Damian approached me just by the door. A totally out of line thought flickers through me; a moment from a movie where they have some technical device that flashes a blue light and everyone who is exposed to it gets their memory changed.

"Sam!" Layla calls for my attention once again and repeat the question.

"Yes, and you should stay away from him!" I use an authorative sound of voice. "He is not for you."

Damian snickers. "No need to be jealous, love. Here is room for one more." He smirks.

"Damian; back off!"

All three of us turn towards the one who uttered those hostile words. I know who it is before I lay eyes on him.

Vincent comes walking towards us with a smile on his face. There is a shimmering aura surrounding him and it feels like he is vibrating with life.

All three of us is standing there with our mouths hanging ajar.

Vincent walks right up in Damian and Layla's face. "You have not seen me here."

They blink surprised and I am amazed to see the same thing happen to them again. Worried I glance around me to see if anyone more than me can perceive the fluttering light that seem to seep from him. He is smiling toward me.

"Vincent?" I hiss and hurry toward him.

"Samira, my love..."

I have to get him out from the terrace before he is spotted. I grab his arm and a wave of power is surging through me. All air leave my lungs and I would have collapsed if it weren't for his arm around me.

He holds me up. "You have to be careful!" The smile on his face widens. "I've amped up."

Breathless I look up on his beautiful face. "Amped up?" I'm not sure of what he is referring to, but I can feel him tingle under my fingers. "Did your business go well?" I shiver under his touch.

"It is done; we have been granted permission to return. We're going home."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hi there,

So there goes another chapter of this story and we are just about to find out the true identity of both Vincent and Samira. How about that...

Thank you for reading and please don't be a stranger. Votes and comments are highly appreciated.

Love Veronica

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