AN: Hey guys! Thank you guys so much for reading. IDK why I'm updating so much, so if I don't update for like a month I apologize. How did you guys like the last couple of chapters? Let me know. If you see any errors, please be sure to tell me so I can fix them. If you have anything to tell me about the book, either critique or ideas, feel free to message me or comment them below. Don't forget to like, comment, and share! Enjoy.

Arielle's POV:

"Wow this place is huge." I said looking up at the place that seemed to look like a palace.

Jaylin and I were currently standing outside the ball room where she is having her masquerade party. And of course Jaylin being who she is, she was still late, but she claims that her being late works out because then everyone will have their attention on us.

"Come on and stop staring." Jaylin said and grabbed my hand pulling me inside.

"How were you able to afford this place?" I asked.

"My mom, knows the person who owns this place, and they're pretty close so the guy had no problem giving me a huge discount." She said stopping in front of some double doors.

"We're here." She said.

"Let's do this." I said.

Suddenly the doors were opened what greeted us was a red carpet.

Jaylin started walking down it and I followed suit. I looked around at everyone was here, and they all had on masks.

Obviously Arielle, this is a masquerade party after all. I thought to myself.

While we were walking down the carpet there were flashing lights and I kind of felt like a celebrity.

Once we reached the end everyone clapped for us and went on with their conversation.

"So, what are we gonna do now?" I asked Jaylin.

"I'm gonna go around and greet people. How about you loosen up and have a drink or two. Mingle a little." Jaylin said and patted my shoulder and walked away.

"I guess I will." I mumbled to myself.

I headed over to the bar and looked around.

I honestly don't think I know anyone here.

"Do you need anything Miss?" I heard someone asked me.

I looked up and saw a gorgeous woman staring at me.

"Yea um can I have a beer please?"

She nodded and fetched me one from the refrigerator and slid it to me.

"How much?" I asked.

"On the house." she said and winked at me. I smiled, took the drink and walked away.

I was going through the crowds of people trying to find Jaylin when I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked around, but no one was looking at me, so I turned back around but accidentally walked into someone.

"Easy there." I heard the voice say.

Wait...

"Ava?" I asked.

"How could you tell?" she asked.

"It was the accent." I said and looked at her.

Her black hair was pinned up in a tight bun and she had on a nude off-the-shoulder mermaid dress, and had on a matching mask.

"You look nice." I said, looking into her eyes.

"You do too," she said flashing me a smile "Would you like to dance?"

"Of course I would." I answered.

All the while I was dancing with Ava I felt eyes on me. I tried to ignore it and have a good time with Ava but I felt too uncomfortable.

"Hey Ava, Imma go outside for a little bit to you know, get some air."

"I'm sorry, have I been suffocating you?" she asked with her adorable accent.

"No it's not you, I've just had a few beers and need to clear my head." I said to her.

"Okay, just be here in time for the cake." Ava said and gave me a peck on the cheek.

I flashed her a smile and went outside of the building, in the back there was a bench and a beautiful fountain in front of it, so I decided to sit on the fountain.

I closed my eyes and relaxed for a couple of minutes until I felt someone's presence near me, I opened my eyes and saw that there was a woman standing in front of me.

I couldn't tell if I knew her because unlike the other girls at the party whose masks were only covering the upper-half of their faces, her's was covering all of it. The woman had long blonde hair, a gray high- low A-line strapless gown accompanied with some heels. I looked into her eyes and was met with a striking blue gaze, her eyes almost seemed familiar. It set me at ease.

"Hello." The woman said.

"Hi." I said, still staring into her eyes.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked nodding her head towards the empty spot next to me on the bench.

I contemplating my answer. Even though I didn't know the woman, it felt like I did. And I was getting a feeling in my stomach that she was trouble.

But I didn't care.

"Nope, it isn't." I answered.