No excuses, I've been lazy, ungrateful and dumb. I didn't realize how much of a total bitch I was being until now, after reading all of your wonderful comments. I'll admit that I was a bit intimidated and afraid that you all wouldn't enjoy it like before. I'll understand if the story is not as popular as before, or even you stop reading altogether, but all I'm asking for is a chance. One more...on top of all the others. <3
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We were just pulling up to the Howard estate when mom grabbed my hand. "You look beautiful, Mirage. I'll bet that Howard boy won't be able to look away."
I frowned, trying to remember who that was. "Oh, you mean Douglas," I said finally. "Yeah," I laughed out.
James gave me a look through the rear view mirror. I smiled discreetly and then looked out the window. What would I say when the time came? That was the only thing I could think about, even as Ben pulled up to the front of the mansion. I finally came to my senses as Ben went around the side of the car and opened the door for Mom and I.
She got out first, then me, and James was already waiting for us both when we got out. He smiled and held out his arm. For a second I put my own arm up, and then put it back down with a blush. Mom looped her own arm through his and they began the ascent up the grand staircase leading to the front doors.
I took a deep breath and realized that no jealousy, anger or sadness was in me as I followed them in. In two hours, James and I would be together and no one could get between us.
The man at the front checked James' invite and then bowed us in. I laughed a little, thinking about how totally unnecessary that had been. "Who the hell would want to sneak in to this place? It's not all-"
I froze and let my mouth drop as I looked around. I hadn't noticed the last time just how enormous the main hall was, but I took it all in now with a deep breath. Every inch of the room was taken up, it seemed, by crowds of people. Everyone was wearing a costume and a mask, adding to the lavish decor and set-up of the mansion. A huge white sign hung above the main staircase, reading "Happy Halloween" in simple capital letters.
The tens of tables that adorned the room were teeming with desserts and finger foods from cheese plates to quiche to red velvet cupcakes. By the time I was done gaping at everything, I realized I had fallen behind Mom and James and I couldn't spot them anywhere.
My stomach led me to the tables though, and for a while I didn't mind being alone. I pulled on my red ,jewelled mask and grabbed a cupcake. I leaned back against the table, looked around and decided it was best not to look for Mom or James just yet. "I'm sure he's getting her ready for the big confession," I said to no one in particularly.
"What confession?" came a voice from behind me.
I turned to look at the masked man speaking from behind me. "I'm sorry, I was just talking to myself," I said with a laugh. I could tell by his salt-and-pepper hair that he was an elderly man, maybe 40 or 50.
"Well," he said, coming closer to me. "You can always come confess to me. Call me Father...or Daddy. Whatever you want," he whispered.
I froze and then began to walk briskly in the opposite direction, trying to get as far away from him as possible. Finally, when I felt there were crowds in between us, I sat down at a bench, feeling laughter edge up into my throat. "What a creep," I mumbled, making sure to say it low enough so that only i could hear it. and pulled out my phone from my bodice. It was 10:30. I checked to see that I had no new messages. I sighed and then went onto Instagram to bore myself to death until 12. After about thirty minutes of Instagram and Twitter stalking, I decided to head over to get some more desserts.
