Black Equation - The Deceived Ones (Watty Awards 2012 Finalist)

“As for you,” he grinned to the dark-haired girl in his arms, “I heard that you also like this boy band from UK. If I’m not mistaken, they’re invited in this party. Who knows, you might get to meet them.”

 His casual shrug fished a small shriek from the tall teenager. “Really? You mean, Louis is here? And Zayn? And Liam, Harry and Niall? They’re all here?!”

 Krad only chuckled, replicating the response he saw other guys do when girls seemed hysterical about something. “Yes.”

Soon, they were ushered inside and he told them to meet him in the party hall as soon as they finished fixing themselves. The two were surprised that he had a whole team of stylists waiting for them. Krad only shrugged at the issue of how much the session caused.

 An hour later, he entered the party hall wearing an Egyptian death mask with two lovely women on his arms.

 He shouldn’t have come.

 He could have accomplished more sleeping inside his room.

 The manual was right. Mingling with commoners was nothing but a waste of time. It should only be used to gather data if a background study was incomplete in the database. The carefree lifestyle these people lived disgusted him.

 With his extra sharp hearing, he could clearly hear the conversations about him. Some were small talks about relatives and friends and updates on their lives. Then there were those who showed off. Status, properties, money, flirting, sex. The beauty of the decorations adorning the hall was a complete mirror of the superficiality of the people inside.

 If only they knew what was happening among the shadows…

 It was then that Krad first saw her, a dainty figure of a blonde in stunning red high-neck gown. She was sitting by herself on a couch leveled up on a small pedestal, and it was obvious by her posture that she wasn’t someone to mess with. She had an air of grace and elegance around her. The black Venetian mask covering her face only added to the impression that she’s different from the rest.

 Among all the guests – the women in particular – she was the only one without a companion.

 Krad wondered how big was the possibility that she came to this function without a date or if the guy in question abandoned her. The second was close to nil; no one sane would leave a woman like that. She was dressed nobly yet alluringly, showing nothing but her bare arms yet the sensual curve of her body was enough to tease any man within sight. He noticed men sneaking glances at her when their partners were not looking. It made him curious how bigger her impact would be if she wasn’t wearing a mask. Was her face as nice as her body?

 Her quiet dignity was something, he added to his growing list of the girl’s attributes. She had placed wine and food on her sides to ensure no one would sit beside her. She even acted as if the guys around her were nonexistent. The nerves of the woman!

 He wondered whether she was searching or waiting for someone. It was unusual for a person to scan the room with intensity such as hers.

 Krad burrowed his brows as he looked around, alarmed for the first time.

 No, she wasn’t alone. He noticed a few others watching the event too with a bit too much interest than normal. Security guards? Troublemakers? He couldn’t care less, as long as he’s not involved. But he did wonder…

 Before he realized it, he was slowly making his way towards the lady in red. He was curious. Intrigued. He wondered whether she was as interesting as he made her to be, or his imagination was simply getting too much a bit ahead of him.

 “Daniel! Oh my god, I finally found you!” squealed Anna who suddenly appeared in front of him. He was startled; was he too lost in thought to not notice her presence? It was the first time someone managed to surprise him. He found it to be an unsettling feeling. And he didn’t like it. “I thought you left us here and –“

 “Are you okay?” he said tersely. She smelled like alcohol. To his sensitive nose, it was repulsive. “You’re still underage. Why are you drinking?”