Sunnyderella at the ball…
**... before mommy chokes her.**
10 PM — Fenis Castle, Aosta
“I feel like Taylor Swift in the Love Story video,” commented Sunny Hirsch. After almost three hours of travel, she arrived at the castle of Fenis. She was impressed by the grandeur of the fortress, which stood on a hill surrounded by a moat. The castle had cylindrical crenelated towers, walls with merlons, and a drawbridge that gave access to the inner courtyard. Colorful flags fluttered in the wind. Lights twinkled in the windows of the medieval monument
“I feel like I'm in Minecraft” commented Otto Blaze. “But without the parkour…”
"Don't you dare" warned Sunny Hirsch.
Sitting next to Sunny in the car, Otto shrugged. He was dressed in a suit and his blond hair was glued to his head with gel. There wasn't a thread out of place. He wore a navy blue suit that looked perfect on him. Otto Blaze also had it in his head that he wanted to go with the Batman mask, but she managed to bargain with him using only the cape. He was wearing a mask whose stones and decorations resembled a blue wolf. Sunny Hirsch got out of the car and looked at the imposing medieval building, surrounded by walls and towers.
“Do you like this kind of party, Otto?” Sunny Hirsch asked.
"Not at all. I will leave 30 minutes after Dad's speech.”
"Oh, true. I forget that you and they are of the same blood.”
"They who?"
“Your siblings. They are *much* older than you.”
Otto Blaze straightened his bow tie, "Well. I'm going to grow up eventually."
Sunny Hirsch offered him her arm, and the two of them entered together and passed through the rock portal together. In the main hall were high ceilings and colorful frescoes. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the room with soft light. The floor was marble and covered with Persian rugs. The walls were lined with tapestries and paintings by renowned artists.
“This is too fancy,” Sunny Hirsch said.
“It's tacky” commented Otto Blaze.
There was a crowd of people dressed in exquisite costumes and fancy masks. It looked like a carnival dance. Suddenly, Sunny was surrounded by animals, gods, angels, royalty, and other fantastical figures. There were more people at the party than Sunny realized. Classical music was nice in the background but played live on a stage. Behind the stage was the Wolf Group's W logo.
*Who are these people behind the masks?* thought Sunny Hirsch with a twinge of nervousness.
“Miss Hirsch” someone called out.
Sunny Hirsch turned her head automatically. She then realized who she was.
“Oh you,” she said.
“How did you recognize me?” Enzo Blaze asked, frowning. He was wearing a black suit and a magenta wolf mask.
“A sudden urge to vomit,” commented Sunny Hirsch.
Enzo Blaze brushed back his hair.
“You don't have to pretend you're unhappy to see me. We’re still going to have a lot of fun on my birthday, you know.”
Sunny Hirsch hesitated. She still didn't know how to respond to the proposal to have an orgy with him and his friends. But luckily, she didn't have to change the subject because Otto Blaze nudged Enzo.
“Hey! I am here” said Otto Blaze.
"This ant is a brat" scolded Enzo Blaze.
Enzo started to tease Otto by squeezing his cheeks. The boy was furious and started hitting his older brother. They had that chaotic sibling energy.
“Stop fighting,” said Alessandro Blaze to the brothers. “Oh, hello, Miss Hirsch."
“Hello, Mr. Blaze,” Sunny Hirsch said.
Alessandro Blaze was wearing a nice black suit that made him look so elegant. He looked good in a suit. But then again, there wasn't much that didn't look good about him with his nearly six feet tall and broad shoulders. He was wearing a wolf mask with red and orange crystals.
Alessandro was not alone.
Maria Esposito looked stunning in a black dress that highlighted her classic Italian beauty. She was wearing a royal blue tang fish mask. Maria's mother, Nanci Esposito, stood beside them wearing a classic burgundy dress. She wore a very simple black mask with feathers.
“What happened to your hair?” asked Maria Esposito.
Sunny Hirsch's hands played with the blonde hair just below her shoulder length. There wasn't much left of her long, thick straight hair. Thiago had already cut her hair in the pool and the hairdresser had cut it even more trying to make her presentable for that night.
“New look, new party,” murmured Sunny Hirsch, not even able to look Maria or her mother in the eye. She greeted them politely when Nanci Esposito commented,
“What a beautiful mask.”
Sunny Hirsch forced a smile. That mask had been given to her by Alessandro. He had the mask and a set of white silk and lace lingerie on her bed in the cabin. Under the Victoria's Secret box was a “use it for me tonight” note. The mask was very similar to the lingerie and mixed feathers, silk, lace, and Swarovski crests.
“Thank you, ma'am,” Sunny Hirsch replied.
“Sunny? Let's find the food table” asked Otto Blaze.
“Oh, I'll take you,” said Nanci Esposito.
“No need,” Sunny Hirsch said with Esposito.
"I insist. So I can give the *couple* some time” Nanci Esposito told Alessandro and Maria. “You two can dance now.”
Before Alessandro could say anything, Nanci dragged little Otto away with her. And Sunny Hirsch followed the two of them after one last nervous glance at Alessandro and Maria.
“Wait” requested Sunny Hirsch.
“You need to go to the bathroom first, Otto,” said Nanci Esposito.
“Really?” asked Otto Blaze.
“What if you don't go now and feel like going later? In the middle of your father's speech?" Nanci Esposito asked.
Otto Blaze paled and turned to Sunny Hirsch who was a little way behind them.
“I need to go to the bathroom, Sunshine.”
10 PM — Library of Fenis Castle, Aosta
MEANWHILE,
Marcus and Thiago walked into the library. The place was empty.
"Are you sure about that?" Marcus Blaze asked.
“Are you worried about me, little brother?” asked Thiago Blaze sarcastically.
"Yes. I am” replied Marcus Blaze honestly. “I'm your big brother. Never mind the disputes between our mothers. *This* is never going to change.”
Thiago Blaze put the mask on his face and said,
"Stop talking to me like I'm already dead."
Before Marcus could respond, Bruno burst into the room.
“What are you two doing? Dad and Marcus are going to give a speech now. By the way, has anyone seen Otto?”
11 PM — 2nd floor of Fenis Castle, Aosta
Nanci Esposito practically dragged Otto Blaze up a stone staircase that led to the second floor. There weren't many people there.
Sunny Hirsch quickly caught up with Nanci and Otto. She felt like she was traveling through time as she walked through those halls. They passed tapestries, armor, swords, shields, and wall paintings.
“Does this place have a proper bathroom?” Sunny Hirsch asked. "He's not going to have to go to the bathroom in a well or anything, is he?"
But the Fenis castle bathroom was modern enough. Otto Blaze insisted on going alone because he was "old enough" so Nanci Esposito and Sunny Hirsch were waiting for the boy on the opposite wall of the bathroom.
“Did you know that my daughter has memory problems?” asked Nanci Esposito. “I was surprised because she remembered your hair. I think she must like you.”
“Oh yes,” Sunny Hirsch replied absently.
Between them was an open window that let in the cool night breeze. Sunny Hirsch looked out and saw the full moon illuminating the starry sky. She felt a pang of sadness at the thought that this was the last night she would spend in Aosta. Sunny frowned as she saw a bunch of cars pull up in front of the castle. They were luxurious black cars with tinted windows.
“Do you know why I came here? Because I wanted to leave Maria with her husband. We must leave husband and wife alone. Did you understand?”
“Yes, ma'am,” replied Sunny Hirsch, still distracted. Her eyes were intent beyond the window. A group of men got out of the cars and walked towards the castle. They wore dark suits and black masks. They carried briefcases and folders in their hands.
*Maybe they're security?* Sunny thought hopefully.
“You are young and beautiful, Miss Hirsch. You can always find a lot of men,” continued Maria Esposito.
“Yes ma'am,” Sunny Hirsch replied as the men entered the castle. But those men moved with confidence, ignoring servants in their path.
“But Maria only has Alessandro. He destroyed her life and now they belong together. He owes it to her. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”
“M-Ma'am?”
Sunny paled as she heard Nanci's voice echoing in her ears, full of venom and spite. She tried to calm down, taking a deep breath and smelling the lavender scent coming from the castle gardens.
“I…” Sunny Hirsch hesitated.
Before Sunny could respond, Maria Esposito lunged at her.
Sunny felt a tightness in her throat as Nanci grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against the wall. Sunny's hands automatically tried to remove Nanci's hands without success.
“Madam… Please… Let go of me” begged Sunny Hirsch.
“Do you understand?” repeated Nanci Esposito, her fingers crushing Sunny Hirsch's throat.
Nanci Esposito tightened her grip on Sunny's neck and said:
"No. You are going to die here” Nanci's fingers dug into Sunny's throat, "Now."