Chapter 57 Masquerade Ball Night

Chapter 57 Masquerade Ball Night

JAXON'S POV:

I hooked my finger my in to the heavily starched collar of my brand new tuxedo, which Reene had delivered alongside my mask for tonight. I tried to loosen the noose around my neck without dislodging the tie I had on.

I wasn't sure I was going to be needing the mask though, But according to Reene, I had to fit in and what was the essence of a masquerade night without a mask on. I couldn't waste my time on her, to me that was just another charity party. I was going there on official business, even though there would be more of the Hollywood folks that actual business minds.

I grabbed the mask from the dressing table and marched out of the room, climbing the staircase down to the living room, where Reene was supposed to be waiting for me.

Supposed to..

I almost tripped at the foot of the stairs as I caught sight of her.

“Wheww!” I whistled softly.

When did Reene suddenly become this gorgeous, huh?

She had on a skimpy red gown that hung tightly to her body. She looked drop dead gorgeous.

I stood there for almost a minute with my mouth opened staring at her. I was seeing a different side of her, I had never seen before.

She took off her mask, wearing a charming smile instead.

I gulped and climbed down the last flight of stairs.

“How do I look?” She asked as I approached her.

“You look beautiful.” I smiled back. Why hadn't I ever noticed.

“Thank you.” She quipped and slipped the mask back on.

I grabbed my car key and turned to her. “Let's go, I still have to give that speech.”

She nodded. “Alright boss.”

The venue for the ball was a good thirty minutes ride away from my house but we reached in forty all thanks to the traffic jam on the way.

Reene slipped her hands in to mine as we walked slowly in to the hall, smiling brightly at every curious glance. We stole the spotlight immediately, like it was just a casual thing to do, something as casual as breathing. I was used to it already by now— I was always the center of attraction at every party since as far back as I could remember. I knew how to make heads turn effortlessly by just showing up. And tonight wasn't any exemption. Not when I was forking out money to half sponsor this ball.

I was just in time to give the already prepared speech Reene had propped me with. After knocking off a few punchlines here and there, I ended the speech leaving the audience clapping and screaming their approval.

I slid back in to the crowd and watched as the ball commenced. Reene and me took up an empty table and watched in amusement as these famous folks made a runway, flaunting their dresses down the aisle to applauds from the crowd.

Every dress was a creative signature and you could feel that from just watching them.

I turned to Reene. “Why don't you join them?”

“Join them?”She arched her brows, panic rising in her voice. “I'd just throw up on my shoes in the middle of the party.”

I picked up my cocktail and took a slow sip. “I'm sure you'd do just fine. You're stunning.”

She turned away, I could see a blush rise from the side of her neck. I knew she was blushing so hard behind that mask. “Thank you.” She muttered softly.

“So how about it?” I etched on, conjuring my famous smile to spur her on.

“No, Thank you.” She said simply and her eyes wandered past me. I sipped on my cocktail smiling to myself.

A minute later her mouth fell open, a small gasp came out.

I blinked. “What's it?”

She leaned closer and pointed with her, and turned around to follow her gaze.

“Look over there.” She whispered. “Isn't that Vixen in the pink gown?”

My heart almost skipped to my throat. I looked. “Where?”

“There!”

She pointed at a man with an alarming brown hair, surrounded by two drop dead gorgeous ladies.

And at once I could tell that one of them was Vixen. I hadn't seen that face in weeks, but that was unmistakably her.

My heart was racing fast. Too fast. As I stared at her, like I had been punched in the face by her beauty.

She was holding her mask in one hand and engrossed in conversation with the man. Her long, dark pink gown had a neckline that somehow accentuated her full breasts and slim shoulders.

Her hair was piled in an intricate twist, with a few soft curls left loose to brush her shoulders, drawing the eye to the length of her neck and perfect, bitable curve of a jaw.

I gulped, I thought I was the center of attraction here, but I was clearly wrong. Really fucking wrong. She expertly held the attention of almost everyone in the hall. Some men were even openly ogling at her to my annoyance.

Couldn't they concentrate on their women?

Wait, Laura wasn't even my woman anyway.

I tore my eyes from her— the thought of not being able to have her was gut punching enough to destroy any obsessions I had for her. I lifted my glass to my mouth and took another sip.

The wine was fucking tasteless.

“Should we go say Hi.” Reene suggested.

I scowled. “No.”

She tore her eyes from Laura and placed them on me. “You both are still not talking?”

I didn't answer. I chugged down the rest of the tasteless cocktail. Bullshit!

Reene nodded with a smile, coming to whatever conclusion was going on in her mind. She stood up from her seat. “I'll go say hi, then.”

“Good luck.” I muttered under my breath, as she threaded through the tables toward them.

I ignored her and turned my attention back to the runway still on in the lobby. I waved at another waiter and took a second glass and was sipping it slowly. When someone called me.

“Oh, my God! Jaxon Fallon.”

I stiffened. I knew who fucking owned that voice. I didn't turn around. Not immediately, untill a hand snaked round my neck and someone was bending over me to plan a kiss on my cheek.

I snapped my head away and frowned at her.

“Oh, darlin’.” Evan smiled coquettishly and slid in to the seat where Reene had just left not long ago.
She looked prettier than I remembered, her hair had been re-dyed blonde, long and shiny. And she was wearing a silk dress. Red.

Was tonight an all red's night all something?

She kept smiling sweetly at me, the perfect Disney princess in the perfect dress.

I scowled at her. “What are you doing here Evan?”

She leaned over the table. “What do you mean, I can't come to the ball anymore?”

“Oh, no. Don't get me wrong. Of course you can, but not on my table.”

“What are you doing here?” I repeated again, louder than before.

A slight smirk spread on her lips. “Is that how you welcome your girlfriend back, Jax? Where the hell are your manners?”

I balled my fist under the table.

“Get out.” I said slowly. She stared at me. “Now!” I barked.