L'Masquerade:

Eleni:


A last minute crisis emerged , a guest had to be rushed to the hospital and was taken into surgery. He suffered from appendicitis, without major complications, thank God.

For the rest, everything is ready. From nine o'clock at night, VIP guests enjoy live music, delivered to them by a Philharmonic orchestra. The ball is very lively, among the dancing guest multiple jugglers perform balance tricks, there are candle-eaters, contortionists and even magicians.

A magnificent buffet has been prepared and awaits at the far right of the room.

The stately hall was decorated to resemble a spring forest. The bizarre and colorful costumes have made the long night more bearable. Here and there I find mermaids, unicorns, angels, demons, false vampires, witches, aliens, some Freddy Kruegersand even some Jasons.

After our inappropriate encounter behind the reception desk a few hours ago, Vlad went up to his penthouse and Yelena and Yainni took their usual places in reception.

I went back to my apartment in the adjoining building and took a bath. Finally I was able to get rid of those annoying and torturing high heels, I dressed in the characteristic uniform that distinguishes me from the rest of the hotel staff and since six in the evening I haven’t stopped supervising the development of the event.

— There are more guests every year- Olenka says next to me. We are standing near the orchestra.
I would say that the influx grows with each month, during the previous event we received a hundred special guests, this time we are graced by the presence of about two hundred. The couples trace pirouettes on the dance floor, they have danced waltzes, polkas, tangos, rumbas, champagne flows, caviar seems neverending. My stomach growls. Between the suddenly ill guest and the last-minute preparations, I had no time to eat.

Olenka grins from ear to ear.

—It's a bit frowned upon, but...you can sneak up to the buffet and eat whatever you want from there.

I blush, the vampiress heard my stomach's protests.

— No.

—Nonecence. You are human. You could pass out from hunger.- Olenka whispers worried.


I bite the inside of my cheek. My breakfast was very light, I didn't have lunch because the constant arrival of guests didn't allow it...my stomach growls again.

—I'll go to the kitchen, it's not right for me to eat from the buffet. I'll be right back.- I explain.
I walk towards the door of the hall, slowly, walking along the edge of it, so as not to collide with the pirates, jeweled ladies, kings and spinning warriors.
The waltz stops and those attending the celebration applaud, all their eyes directed towards the orchestra, the conductor bows and they stop the music for a few minutes to give space for the guests to converse with each other.

I am suddenly pulled by the arm. The claw of a gypsy digs into the skin of my forearm, the woman is blonde, her hair is curly, and she covers her face with a fine black veil, below her eyes, which doesn’t hide her face at all, besides her costume allows her to go half-naked.
—Listen to me, Greek whore, if you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from Vlad tonight. Don't make me hurt you, because believe me... you don't want me to be your enemy.

I recognize Justine's voice and sparkling blue eyes. I yank my arm from her catlike grip and gasp in pain, the psychotic bitch has left the mark of her five nails on my skint.

—You've been warned.- she whispers and walks away.

I head once more for the exit and go to the hotel kitchen.

***

— That woman gives me the creeps.- Jerry comments as he applies an antiseptic to the scratches on my fore arm, It burns like her.

— She's crazy, she has to be.- I murmur.
—Obsessed, with Vlad. Which is understandable, the man is a legend.- Jerry sighs.


I frown.


—You too?- I rebuke him.

Jerry brings his hand over his heart, adopting his most theatrical posture.

—I'm his number one fan. The impaler Count is our national pride, you know? In addition, Dracula is legendary, thanks to him thousands of tourists visit our country every year, interested in his legacy.

—All those people would run terrified if they knew that he really exists.- I mock.

—Or maybe not. Haven't you watched Hotel Transylvania? - Jerry laughs.

I smirk back, concentrating on devouring the fried chicken and potatoes that one of the chefs kindly prepared for me.

—Be careful with Justine, Eleni.- Jerry mutters in a darker tone. My throat threatens to close around the chicken. - If she’s dare to threaten you and attack you in public...- he compresses his lips.

— I'll be careful.- I promise.

***
While I was heading back to the ballroom I found Mr. Corvin in the hall, he is staggering unsteadily and seems about to fall.
—Ah, I was already wondering... I was wondering where you were, Miss Manager.- He smiles and looks at me amused.

I look at the ceiling exasperated, it seems that the cousins have agreed to make my night as bitter as possible.

Mathew stumbles toward the door that leads to a side garden and I bite my nails. It isn’t my obligation to ensure his physical integrity, but allowing him to die of head trauma is not acceptable either. I sigh resignedly and follow him.

I find him sitting on a bench smiling like an idiot, I walk over, siting next to him.

-—You should go up to your room and take a shower, Mr. Corvin.- I advise.

He turns to me and his eyes widen in fright.

— You’re here, miss Manager, I thought you had returned to the ball.- he comments surprised.

I snort.

—My conscience did not allow it.- I confess.
He laughs madly, as if I had released the funniest of jokes. Then he growls and pats his forehead with one of his hands.

—Sh*t! – protests.
—Hangover?- I ask.

— Arrrggg! .


I look at him compassionately.
—How many glasses of champagne did you drink, Mr. Convin?- I ask.

— Three and a half bottles.- he answers in a gasp. Massaging his temples convulsively and moaning again.


— The world is spinning.- He protests and without preamble he falls back on my knees, grunting.

I am paralyzed with utter surprise. Within moments Mr. Corvin begins to snore and drool comes out of one corner of his mouth.

Horror!

—Ah, Miss Amíntoros, there you are .- Justine shrieks.

I jerk my neck in the direction she's coming from, with so violently a movement, I fear I've torn a muscle. I instantly pale. The poisonous model doesn’t come alone, she is accompanied by none other that Vlad himself! From the acidic expression on his face and the murderous look he gives Mathew, I can guess that I’m in BIG trouble.
***

Vlad:

When I entered the ballroom an hour ago and the first thing I noticed was her absence, Olenka explained that she had gone out to eat, and I tried to calm the uneasy feeling that came over me.

I thought about leaving the room and looking for her, but Justine cornered me, surrounding me with a group of guests and managing the situation in such a way that I was forced to dance a musical piece with her. A bolero.

— Alone at last, Mr. Tepes.- she smiled ecstatically.- one of my greates dreams has come true.

I kept silent.

— You know how much I admire you and I would like to make clear my willingness to explore a...more intimate relationship with you.- she confessed coquettishly.


— I'm not interested.- I cut her off instantly.

She looked at me in surprise, her face redened suddenly , her arms trembled around my neck.

— But, that, that's...impossible. You have to be interested in me. I'm young, I'm pretty, I'm rich, I'm... I mean... look at me!

I raised an eyebrow and used my coolest tone of voice.

— I look at you. I have observed you long and carefully, and I can assure you that your presence causes me nothing but annoyance.
Her jaw drops in total astonishment. Her hands closed on the lapels of my suit, her long red fingernails wrre like claws.

— What is it you find so unpleasant about me, sir. Tell me and I'll change it.- she pleaded.

I rolled my eyes, my patience running out. The song ended and I tryed to walk away but she clinged to my arm, faking a smile.

—You don't want a scandal in the middle of your party, Mr. Tepes. Luckily for you I'm not offended by what you’ve just said, what's more, I'll give you a second chance.

I pressed my lips together, leaving the ballroom and sniffing the air for Elennah's scent, her delay adding to my unease.
The trace of roses essence lead me to the garden, towards there I went and my body got instantly paralyzed.

—Ah, Miss Amíntoros, there you are.-Justine screeched.

Of course, the very treacherous snake is right here, in the dimly lit garden, accompanied solely by my most detested rival, and I contemplate with murderous fury as the hated man dozes peacefully on her knees.

The last chime of midnight rings, while in the ball all masks fall, revealing the true face of many... in my chest grows the ferocious beast that incites me to take revenge.

— Miss Amíntoros, see to it that Mr. Corvin is taken to his room, safely.

—Yes, sir.- she stammers.
—Miss Szilay.

—Yes, my Lord? – Justine purres.

—Would you like to go up to the hotel penthouse? - I offer.

Elennah's face contorts, her cheeks have turned angry red. Perfect.

—To go to your penthouse, Mr. Tepes?-Justine moans. - It will be a dream come true.