Lilian Carson POV

I took out a black off shoulder dress from my closet and paired it with silver heels for the party. The dress hugged my curves perfectly and made me feel confident and elegant. I decided not to wear the dress Alexander send me, he doesn't own me, I can wear whatever I want.

I tied my hair in a bun, leaving some strands of hair that were loosely falling on the side of my forehead. As I applied bold red lipstick and added some silver earrings, I couldn't help but admire how put together I looked.

First, I hesitated to wear the masquerade mask. It's felt like I am trying to hide my face and my identity. Why would anyone like masquerade parties? You cannot even identify anyone unless the person chooses not to wear it. But most people wear it to look elegant and mysterious.

A hand on my shoulder startled me. It was the maid holding the mask in her hand, a knowing smile on her face. "You look stunning, Miss," she said softly. I took the mask from her, feeling a sense of excitement building within me. Maybe hiding behind a mask wasn't about concealing who I was, but rather embracing a different side of myself.

"Sir Alexander is here to pick you up." I put on the mask and turned to face the maid, who gave me a nod of approval. Let the game begin!

I descended the staircase, and Alexander stood waiting at the bottom, looking dashing in his own masquerade mask and a black tuxedo. His eyebrows were arching upward as he stood there, looking astonished. I felt a rush of adrenaline as I approached him, ready for whatever the night had in store.

"Did I give you that dress?" Alexander's question caught me off guard. Did he forget what dress he gave me? I shook my head in confusion, wondering if he was testing me or if he genuinely didn't remember. "No, this is my own creation," I replied with a smile, hoping to keep the mystery alive.

He suddenly pulled me closer to him. His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he examined the intricate details of the dress. "You never cease to amaze me," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. My heart skipped a beat as I realized this night was going to be full of surprises.

My body felt hot; his touches ignited fire in me. I slowly pulled away from him. I felt something shift in me-a longing for more of his unexpected affection.

He looked like a perfectly sculpted statue. His masquerade mask was black with glitter and sparkling beads on it. He was wearing a gold wrist watch, and his shoes were, as usual, polished and shiny. His hair was styled in a high quiff with a low fade. It was clear he took great care of his appearance. I couldn't help but be drawn to him, wondering what other hidden depths lay beneath his polished exterior.

It is true when people say the devil is attractive; after all, he was a fallen angel, yet he is considered to be evil and deceptive. Alexander is just like the devil: captivating and mysterious, with a dark allure that was impossible to resist.

"If you keep on staring at me like that, then I would not be able to stop myself from ripping your clothes," he said, licking his bottom lips seductively. I felt my cheeks turn red. I quickly turn my attention towards a flower vase near me. Just breathe; don't fall for this trick. He is just flirting with me.

He slowly walked towards me. I wanted to back off, but I resisted. He slowly took my hand and handed me a silver necklace with a small diamond heart on it.

"Is this for me?" I stare at him with a mix of surprise and confusion. He simply smiled and nodded, his eyes filled with sincerity. I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest as I accepted the gift. I wanted to ask him a lot of questions but this wasn't the right time as it seems. It's better if I approach him with caution for now.

"Let me help you wear this. This necklace has a tracker in it, so don't lose it," he said cryptically. I raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit uneasy about the implications of what he just revealed. As he fastened the necklace around my neck, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this gift than meets the eye.

The metal was cold against my warm skin. But I thanked him anyway for the gift. I couldn't help but wonder what exactly he meant by a tracker in the necklace and why he felt the need to give it to me. Despite my unease, I decided to wear it and see what would unfold.

"Also, call me Ezra, and your name would be Amara; sounds good to you?" He said it quietly as he lifted my chin. Why is he changing our names? Was this some sort of code name for a secret mission, or was there a deeper reason behind it? I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I need to know what is going on.

"Why?" I asked.

"You'll know why," he said with a smirk. I hesitated for a moment, but curiosity got the best of me, so I agreed.

He held my hand, and we walked out of the house. The Audi was parked outside. He opened the car door for me to sit in. Why the sudden gentlemanly gestures? Maybe Mr. Byron was right; Alexander does have some kind of dual personality. But before believing everything, I need to see it for myself.

I settle down in the back seat. Soon the back door opened, and Alexander settled down beside me. I was nervous. I had no idea where we were going. I only knew it was some kind of party with boujee people. The drive was silent, with only the sound of the engine and occasional glances exchanged between us. I truly wanted to know if I belonged to this world of Alexander.

"I need to ask you about something." I finally gathered the courage to break the silence. As Alexander turned to look at me, I could see a glint of curiosity in his eyes. I contemplated my decision about whether I should ask him about Paul Beckett now. He seems to be in a good mood, but what if he gets angry for prying into his personal life?

Alexander moved closer to me, his hands wrapping around my waist. I felt his lip close to my neck. I could feel my heart racing as his touch sent shivers down my spine. I think I should play along for now.

"Shut up and enjoy the moment," he whispered in my ear. I turned to look into his captivating eyes, feeling a mixture of nervousness and confusion. Without saying another word, I leaned in to meet his lips with mine, my doubts and insecurities melting away in the heat of the moment. As the world outside the car faded away, all that mattered was the connection between Alexander and me and the promise of what was to come at the mysterious party ahead.

He started placing wet kisses on my neck, and I held my moans from escaping. Soon I felt his teeth sinking into my soft skin; a tingling sensation mixed with pleasure engulfed me. A low moan escaped my lips. It was an off shoulder dress, and the forming hickey would be very well visible on my neck. His lips brushed against my lips; it was rough and affectionate. My mind was thinking about all sorts of lewd stuff, which was embarrassing. As he pulled away, a mischievous glint in his eyes told me that the night was far from over.

"I like my possession, Marked," he said in a raspy voice. I ran my fingers on the hickey; it was a little painful. The pain mixed with pleasure was intoxicating, leaving me craving more of his touch. Why did I feel so drawn to him, even though I knew it was dangerous? His eyes were dark, and he looked ferocious behind that mask.

He had the key to my handcuffs; he is the one with all the answers, and yet here I am, unable to resist his magnetic pull. The danger only added to the thrill of the unknown.

The driver finally spoke up, breaking the tension in the car. "We're almost there," he said with a smile. I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension as we pulled up to a grand mansion surrounded by luxury cars.

The mansion exuded an air of grandeur and opulence with its sleek concrete exterior and expansive layout. The color scheme of light blue and purple added a touch of elegance to the imposing structure. As we approached, the security measures became even more apparent, emphasizing the exclusivity and privacy of the estate. The well-manicured yard with a pool and lush greenery added a sense of tranquility amidst the luxury.

"Did we arrive?" I asked. My heart raced with anticipation as we were greeted by the valet, who guided us towards the entrance of the mansion. The sound of laughter and music emanating from inside only heightened my curiosity about what awaited us beyond those grand doors.

"Behave," Alexander whispered in my ear, a warning to maintain our composure as we entered the lavish party. I took a deep breath, ready to immerse myself in the sophistication of the evening.

He extended his arm for me to hold, and I grabbed it. We walk towards the front gate, where a line of guests dressed in their finest attire awaits entry. The atmosphere buzzed with a palpable sense of intrigue. The security guards were checking some ID proofs. This place was strictly protected.

As we approached, one of the guards stopped us. "ID, please, and open your mask," said the guard. I fumbled for my ID in my clutch, trying to keep my composure. After handing it over, I briefly removed my mask for verification.

The guard had a huge scar on his left side. I couldn't help but wonder how he got it. Alexander opened his mask as well and handed his ID to the guard. My eyes lay on the card, as I knew it was fake. I held my breath, hoping the guard wouldn't notice the discrepancy.

Alexander's name on the card was Ezra Finch, but the picture was of him. The same thing was done with my card; my name was Amara Hale, and the picture was mine on it. The guard looked at the card with keen eyes, leaving none of the spots.

The guard glanced at the ID, then back at Alexander and me with a raised eyebrow. He paused for a moment before handing the IDs back, saying, "Relationship?"

Alexander and I exchanged a quick glance before he smoothly replied, "Fiancé." The guard nodded, satisfied with our response, and waved us through the checkpoint without another word.

I wanted to scream, 'It's complicated and that I am being forced to marry this guy.' But I held my tongue, knowing it was better to keep things simple in that moment. As we walked away, Alexander squeezed my hand reassuringly, silently acknowledging the tension between us.

"Sir, the invitation card?" Another guard said this as we continued on our way to the event. Alexander quickly reached into his pocket and handed over the requested item, flashing a charming smile as he did so.

The guard checked it thoroughly. After that, the guard took out his metal detector and checked us completely from head to toe. A female guard checked me out separately. Finally satisfied, the guards let us through, and we entered the grand event together.

"Welcome, sir. I hope you enjoy the party," the guard said with a nod, gesturing for us to proceed. As we walked further into the event, Alexander whispered to me, "I guess security is tight tonight." I nodded in agreement.

Inside, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as guests mingled, music filled the air, and champagne flowed freely. I felt the air shift; something bad was going to happen, and I could sense it.