Chapter 153 Finding her
Serena’s POV
I couldn't believe it, I refused to believe it.
I could be wrong, it could be someone else, someone entirely different. I mean, he had a mask on his face, it had to be a coincidence.
But the more I stared at him, the clearer the image became.
I stood frozen near the edge of the dance floor, the black lace mask still in my hand.
I couldn't doubt it any longer, the man I had just seen was no other person but the same one Dante had chased many weeks ago.
The one with the glasses, the one who had been taking pictures. Yes, he was wearing a mask now, but I knew that posture.
The slight bending of his head, the way his shoulders slouched slightly, the deliberate, careful way he moved through the crowd like he was afraid of being seen.
My heart slammed against my ribs and I looked around desperately for Dante.
But he was nowhere in sight, I looked over to the entrance from which the crowd had quickly filed in.
I turned over to the podium thing that was now hoisted into the air, but he wasn't there.
He wasn't anywhere my eyes could land on.
I looked beyond the people, beyond the crowd of guards and staff, down to a door at the far end with no label on it.
I had a hunch he was there. But getting there looked more than impossible now.
I turned to the large clock at the far end, under the entrance, it read 8:55 p.m.
He had said he would be back in 30 minutes, hadn't that hit on his clock.
I began to panic now, turning to the crowd but not spotting the guy immediately. I cranked my neck but he was nowhere to be found.
Shit.
I turned back to the clock and it was almost 8:57 now.
No need to wait for him, would be too late when he finally gets here.
I was about moving when I saw him walking out from the door I was suspecting.
I immediately began waving frantically in the air for him to notice me.
He caught sight of my hand and raised a brow slightly before smirking at me. That's when I noticed he had stepped out with a few other men and they looked untouchable.
I guess I was the weird girl making a scene for the alpha male.
Regardless, he walked over to the booth with his hands spread out.
“You missed me already?” He asked with a smirk.
I bit down the urge to roll my eyes and rather rushed at him, trying my best to turn him around.
He chuckled, resisting slightly before giving in and allowing me to turn him.
But as I did, I remembered that the guy had legs and had used them. I pointed around but couldn't find him myself and after few seconds, Dante turned himself around.
“This is cute and all but I've got to deliver a speech now,” he announced, stepping back.
“No, Dante. Wait, it's serious,” I tried but he waved his two hands in the air as he walked back.
I glanced at the clock and it was already 8.59, guess he really had to go.
I guess I'll be doing this on my own then.
So I placed the mask carefully on my face first, ensuring it fit perfectly before I moved.
I tried to push through the crowd, but people were everywhere, some were laughing, some dancing even without the music and some had already gotten themselves a glass or two.
My dress didn't help matters one bit, it felt way tighter suddenly.
“Fuck,” I whispered as I scanned every face for him.
Then the people around me started turning and that drew my attention. I turned too to find Dante climbing the short stairs to the raised podium at the front of the ballroom.
The lights dimmed slightly as everyone turned towards him. It was time for the speech I guess.
I turned back, trying to move in any direction that wasn't towards Dante.
I tried as I could to get to where I last spotted him, at least that could help me find him.
The building was way too big and the people were endless, and it didn't help that everyone had a mask on and various masks looked pretty similar.
By the time I got to where I believe I first spotted the stalker, Dante was standing at the microphone and looking out over the sea of masked faces.
He began speaking in a calm and strong voice that easily went through the room, stopping me in my tracks.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 134th Great Ball of the Russo family.”
The crowd applauded politely and I stood there with my heart racing. I looked around from that spot, wondering if I'd find him anywhere, but no.
Dante continued saying whatever memorial thing he had to say. I was barely listening at this point as my mind went back to the man I chased down.
As I tried moving through the crowd again, more applause spread out and I weaved past heavy colognes and big bodies.
“Hey pretty, mind if I take that off for you?” One young looking guy said but I spun around him.
Didn't know pervs come here too.
I walked faster, realizing I had to move through them a lot sleeker now. I stopped again and looked around, trying my best to spot him anywhere, but it was as though he had disappeared.
I walked a bit further then a pair of hands grabbed me, stopping my movement.
My first instinct was to shout as I struggled, but I stopped immediately when I heard the voice.
“Hey, calm down, it's just me,” I heard and turned to find Valentina with her hands in the air after letting go of me.
She had her mask on and I probably wouldn't have recognized her.
“Valentina,” I breathed out, trying to keep my voice steady. “How did you recognize me so easily?” I asked.
“Have you forgotten that we both bought everything you are wearing?” She asked with a smirk.
Then it dawned on me and I shook my head.
“Are you enjoying your first ball so far?” She asked.
“Not really. I’m sorry, I can’t talk right now, I need to find someone,” I muttered, trying to get out of the conversation.
“You've already met someone new?” She teased me and I immediately kept a face at her.
“Eww, no. It's just… I can't explain now please,” I replied and tried walking away again.
She tilted her head, looking concerned. “Is everything okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I… I think I did,” I muttered. “I'll explain better, later please. I just need to go, okay?” I added.
Valentina’s smile faded slightly. “Okay, go, remember, there's food when you're ready,” she said. “But please, be careful.”
I nodded gratefully and slipped past her, moving through the crowd again.
As I moved further, I heard Dante's voice booming from the speaker nearby.
“As always, this night is a celebration of tradition, of unity, and of the bonds that keep our world standing. Tonight, we set aside our differences. Tonight, we remember that we are stronger together than apart. So please, enjoy the music, the food, the company. Have fun. Be safe. And let the 134th Great Ball begin.”
The moment he finished, the music was louder now. People began dancing, laughing, and clinking glasses.
I kept looking around till I spotted him again, the stalker dude. He was standing near a pillar closer to the drink table.
I walked towards him slowly as he hadn’t noticed me yet, or maybe he wouldn't even notice if I saw.
I tiptoed closer to him with my heart pounding more now. I tried to find a clear path without drawing any attention.
Then, just as I was about ten feet away, he turned his head slightly and our eyes met through the masks.
He froze, turning fully to me now while I stood still now.
For one terrifying second, the entire ballroom seemed to disappear.
He knew I had recognized him.
Dante’s POV
I finished the speech with the usual closing lines.
The crowd applauded and the orchestra immediately began playing.
The lights dimmed slightly as people under started moving wildly, dancing, talking, and laughing among themselves.
I stepped down from the podium with the applause still ringing in my ears.
Nico was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, already wearing his black mask.
I wasn’t wearing one, as host, I didn’t need to. Who didn't know me already?
“Everything secure?” I asked.
Nico nodded. “All the teams are in place. No issues so far, you can relax a little, Don. Go enjoy the night. It’s the fun part now.”
I gave a short nod. “Keep me updated on any movement near the east pillar. I’ll be in the private booth,” I replied.
Nico clapped my shoulder once. “Go. I’ve got it,” he replied but as I walked away, I noticed something.
So I stopped and turned back. “Hey, Nico,” I called.
He turned around to me now.
“It's a ball, have fun!” I shouted over the music and he smiled. “Find a fine lady and get laid!” I added.
His features tightened slightly but he laughed and nodded.
I nodded back and walked off, only then realizing that I'd never actually seen him with a lady before.
I made a mental note to ask him about that later as it kind of worried me.
As I walked back to the booth, I saw no sign of Marcus either, like he hadn't come. I hope he did, he hadn't missed one since I first invited him to one about 20 years ago.
I walked back towards the booth where I had left Serena but froze as I noticed it was empty.
Where could she have gone?