Athena
One week later:
After we boarded off our plane, we rushed to our rental car and made it safely to the fancy hotel room. We were tight on schedule so we had to make sure everything was going according to plan in order to get to the ball on time.
We still had to go over the plan diligently and change our outfits, making sure we looked our part for this special night.
Never in a million years did I think I'd be attending a private ball with my worst enemy's, but here I am, getting prepared to attend one with them.
I always dreamed of going with my brothers, having them escort me while we take our pictures and dance around the polished floors, pretending that we were there for the clout when really we were there to steal. And although my brothers would be occupied with the mission, I would find myself enjoying the company of celebrities who only talked about their fame and their expensive jewelry.
I just wanted to experience it. And I was proud of myself for getting to this moment, even if it was with the wrong people.
"Our suits just arrived." Zayn announced as he walked inside the room with six long bags covering our attire.
"Perfect. We're doing good on time. Everyone grab your suits and start getting ready. We still have to go over the plan one more time." Harry commented as everyone reached for their outfit.
"Athena... this one's yours." Harry said as he handed it to me, causing a smile to fall on my lips.
"What dress did you order?" He questioned as he looked down at me.
"You'll see it on me." I answered before I ran to the bathroom and locked the door so that they wouldn't bother me.
"We got twenty minutes people! Make it count!" Harry yelled as I felt rushed to put on my gorgeous blue gown and heavy make up.
I've never worn something so beautiful in my life, given the fact that I always slummed in comfy clothes. It was a gorgeous light blue dress with the right amount of glitter, tight and fitted around my chest and waist before coming all the way down to the floor and flowing out.
The dress would of dragged behind me if it weren't for my silver sparkly high heels, lifting me a couple inches off the ground.
As I stared at myself in the mirror, I never felt more beautiful. I've never worn something so elegant and so expensive in my life. This was only something I've ever dreamed of, despite the fact that I'm a tough girl in a gang world. We normally don't wish for something like this. But I was happy to be a part of it.
I then began doing my make up as perfect as I could, knowing I needed to be a distraction for this type of mission. I put on false lashes before doing my foundation, lipstick, eyeshadow and eye liner, not recognizing myself at all.
After I was done dabbing my face with makeup, I began curling my hair to finish the look.
"We're all dressed Athena. You better be ready!" Harry knocked on the door as soon as I was done curling my hair.
"Can a girl get dressed in private? Geez." I almost forgot why I was even here in the first place.
It wasn't for my profit or for my brothers. It was for theirs.
But if it gave me a chance to be in a whole other world and catch a break from mine, so be it. I deserved something like this. I've been stressed and put through enough.
"This one's for you Mason. I knew how badly you wanted to go to this ball with me."
"I swear to God if you want to waste my time-"
Harry stopped his sentence the second I peeled the door open and walked out of the bathroom as confidently as I could, knowing this was the first time I've ever worn heels.
"Are we going over the plan one more time?" I interrupted as I looked up at him, seeing him looking sharp in a black and white tux.
His eyes scanned my body slowly from head to toe, completely speechless by my presence at this very second.
"Athena"- He whispered as his eyes never left my dress.
"I know you wanted me to blend in with the crowd but... I thought I should stand out a bit in case you need me to distract." I rambled on as I tried to balance on my heels.
"You definitely will stand out." He commented as I narrowed my eyebrows together.
"I got this for you." He cleared his throat as he approached me and held out a diamond necklace.
"Where did you get that?" I gasped as I realized how huge it was.
"Stole it." He smirked as he came behind me and brushed his warm fingers against my bare shoulders, moving my hair out of the way.
"Oh." Was all I could say as he breathed down on my neck while placing the heavy necklace on my collarbone.
"This color suits you." He suddenly complimented me, taking me by surprise.
"Wow that's cold!" I gasped as I jumped a little bit, stumbling slightly in my heels.
His hands instantly found their way to my waist, causing my heart to stop as he held me against his chest.
"Have you ever worn heels before?" He asked as he glanced down at my feet.
"Uhhh is it that obvious?" I questioned.
"Looks like you'll be the perfect distraction then. It would be fun to push you just once." He smirked as I gasped.
"I'm not taking you to this ball so that you can make a fool out of me." I said as I turned around to face him.
"I gotta humble you somehow." He responded as I rolled my eyes.
"Are we ready to get going? Time is wasting." Niall said as he came in the room, stopping as soon as he saw us.
"Jesus Christ. Since when did you become hot?" Niall's jaw was dropped as he eyed me up and down.
"Oh please." I groaned as I rolled my eyes and picked up my dress, walking down the hall to meet up with the rest.
As soon as the limousine pulled up to the red carpet, Harry grabbed my arm and looked at me right in the eyes, causing my breath to fall short momentarily.
"Remember the plan and stick to it. Improvise if needed. And most importantly, don't escape from me. You're still in debt to me." He mentioned as I nodded my head.
"We'll see after you hold a thirty million dollar stone. You won't find a need for me anymore." I smirked before I picked up my eye mask and placed it over my face, hiding my identity.
The boys followed shortly and put a mask over their eyes as well, wanting to go unnoticed.
As if right on cue, someone opened the door, helping me out of the vehicle as all these cameras started flashing at me, making me raise my hands up immediately to shield my eyes from the light.
I've never been a celebrity before, let alone have been known worldwide to the public. I'm just a part of the Bishop gang that lives in the suburbs. Never experienced the real world before, only thought of it momentarily.
But tonight isn't my night off. I'm not doing this for my own pleasure, although I'm going to enjoy this. I'm doing this in hopes it'll give Harry enough satisfaction where he doesn't need me anymore. He'll be so happy to have this valuable stone that he won't care about the debt I owe him. He will be complete.
At least... that's what I hope.
In the corner of my eye I saw Harry climb out of the car before he towered over me, smiling at the cameras as I felt his arm snake around my waist, catching me completely off guard.
My body stiffened as his hand gripped my side, holding me close to him while I glanced at all the flashing lights, trying my best to blend in.
I waved slightly at the photographers before we both started walking up the red carpet, feeling like I was in a whole different world.
If only my father could see me right now. Would he be proud of me? I've came this far and am about to do something unimaginable. Something no Bishop has ever done before. Will I be respected if I ever return back home?
Will I be freed from my destiny and be given a new path? One that I could choose?
Or would everyone be disappointed in me? Calling me a traitor for doing this for the Violet Kings instead of the Bishops.
Would they disown me and banish me from ever coming back? I shuddered at the thought.
"Move to the main floor. We'll play the part there for a while." Harry spoke to the ear piece after we handed the attendant our invitations.
My eyes grew wide as I looked up at the vast amount of chandeliers, noticing how some were golden and some were white diamond.
The whole place was sparkling with gems and stones, causing everyone to shine elegantly under the light.
The building was absolutely breathtaking, walls that almost reached the sky with massive brick pillars holding it together. And the dance floor, it was glistening under the perfect lighting, making it look like pure snow. I felt like I didn't belong here. I knew I didn't belong here.
"This is a bit overrated if you ask me." Harry breathed as he examined the entire crowd that was on the main floor.
"Are you kidding me? This is like a fairytale. It's absolutely beautiful here!" I gasped as I couldn't take my eyes off of everything.
"It's definitely not my cup of tea." He scrunched his face up in disgust as he glanced around.
"You're right. Raggedy hotel rooms are more your style." I sassed as he gave me a certain look.
"You're lucky we're on a mission Athena. Cuz you'd be pinned against that pillar if we weren't in public." He spoke sternly as his grip around my waist tightened.
"Trying to seduce me Styles? You know I'm not into you like that." I grinned, finding this amusing.
"Please. Don't flatter yourself. This is the only time you'll ever look good." He scoffed as he rolled his eyes.
"I can say the same to you. You actually did your hair for once." I commented sarcastically as I eyed him.
"I have more gel in my hair than food on that table. I can't wait until this is over." He groaned as he tried to run his hand through his hair but he couldn't.
"Well as much as I enjoy this pointless conversation, I think I'm going to enjoy myself while I'm here. We didn't work this hard to just stand around and judge each other now did we?" I spoke confidently before I began walking forward.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked as he took a step towards me.
"On the dance floor. Have fun people watching." I grinned as I picked up my dress and strutted towards the crowd, leaving Harry completely behind.
The music started to control my body as I began to move to the beat, releasing all of my stress and anxiety while trying to have a good time. It was hard moving in these heels, but I didn't mind the way they complimented me.
As I danced in my own corner, I felt someone walk around me, eyeing me up and down before we made contact.
"How does it feel to be the most beautiful girl in the room?" The man asked as my heart started to race.
"I'm sorry?" I raised an eyebrow as I kept dancing.
"You're so elegant the way you move, you have all eyes on you my dear." He grinned before he eyed me once more. He had an accent.
"Oh trust me there's plenty of pretty women around. I'm nothing special." I waved off as he chuckled.
"Trust me darling. You're a rare sight. You're so mysterious under that mask of yours. You're almost as rare as the white stone." He said as my eyes grew wide.
"You know about the stone?" I questioned quietly.
"Doesn't everyone?" He chuckled as he came closer.
"I'm pretty sure half of these people only care about the way they look. They're not here for the stone." I stated as he nodded his head.
"Only a woman with a purpose would come here to see that stone. So darling, tell me... why are you here?" He asked as he stepped even closer.
"I like to admire rarity. Why are you here?" I fired back as a smile spread across his lips.
"To admire the most beautiful stone in the world. But I think you have it beat by a landslide." He spoke in my ear with a raspy voice, causing chills to run down my spine.
As soon as he leaned away I saw the collar of his shirt move, revealing a familiar tattoo on the side of his neck.
"What's your name darling?" He asked, staring at me deep in the eyes with passion in his.
"Neena." I almost choked on my own breath as I spoke, suddenly feeling nervous.
"Nice to meet you Neena. I'll see you around." He promised before he disappeared into the crowd, causing me to stop swaying from side to side.
Before I had the chance to figure out where I've seen that tattoo before, I felt a pair of hands grab my waist, causing me to gasp and turn around.
"Who was that?" Harry asked with dominance laced in his voice as he towered over me.
"I- I don't know." I responded softly, looking into the distance where he disappeared off to.