Lady Persephone Has Arrived
I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel as Jo bounced in the passenger seat, flipping through her phone like she’d just won the lottery.
“This is going to be so good,” she said, scrolling furiously.
“I’m regretting this already,” I muttered, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye.
“You’ll thank me later,” she shot back, grinning. “Trust me. You need this.”
We pulled into the parking lot of an upscale boutique that screamed “out of my budget,” and I sighed, following Jo inside.
“Don’t look at the price tags,” she said as if reading my mind. “Just focus on the mission: finding you the perfect outfit for the masquerade ball.”
I crossed my arms. “I still can’t believe I agreed to this.”
“Because you know I’m right,” Jo said, dragging me toward a row of glittering gowns.
The store was overwhelming, with racks upon racks of dresses in every color, fabric, and style imaginable. Jo immediately dove in, pulling dresses off the hangers and holding them up to me like she was an expert stylist.
“This one’s too basic,” she muttered, tossing a sleek black dress onto the reject pile. “This one’s too... sparkly.”
“Sparkly is bad?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“For you? Yes,” she said, grinning. “We need something that screams power and elegance. Something that’ll make people stop and stare.”
After what felt like hours of trying on dresses, Jo finally held up a deep emerald gown that made my jaw drop. The fabric shimmered subtly under the lights, the fitted bodice giving way to a flowing skirt with a daring slit up one side.
“This,” Jo declared, shoving it into my arms. “Try it on.”
I stepped into the dressing room, slipping into the dress and staring at my reflection. It was stunning, hugging my curves in all the right places. The emerald color brought out the green in my hazel eyes, and the slit added just enough edge to keep it from feeling too formal.
“Well?” I asked, stepping out.
Jo’s jaw dropped. “Holy—Remi, you look amazing.”
I turned to the mirror, smoothing the fabric over my hips. “It’s... a little much, isn’t it?”
“It’s perfect,” Jo said firmly, pulling out her phone. “Stay right there. I need pics.”
“Jo, no,” I groaned, but she was already snapping away.
“You’ll thank me later,” she said, grinning.
\---
Back at home, Laura practically squealed with excitement as she rummaged through my makeup bag.
“I’m going to make you look like a princess,” she said, her little face scrunched up in concentration.
“Or a clown,” Larry muttered from the couch, looking thoroughly bored.
“Don’t listen to him, Mommy,” Laura said, waving a makeup brush like a wand. “He doesn’t understand how important this is. I have waited for a moment like this..”
I chuckled, letting Laura dab eyeshadow onto my lids while Jo sat nearby, scrolling through her phone and giving occasional tips.
“Not too much glitter, Laura,” Jo said without looking up. “We’re going for sophisticated, not disco ball.”
“I know what I’m doing, I spent years pouring over videos,” Laura replied, sticking her tongue out.
Larry sighed dramatically, leaning back against the couch. “How much longer is this going to take?”
“Beauty takes time,” Laura said primly, brushing a bit of blush onto my cheeks.
“You’re all hopeless,” Larry muttered, crossing his arms.
I smiled, reaching over to ruffle his hair. “Thanks for being patient, buddy.”
“Not like I had a choice, Laura won't play with me unless I sit through this torture,” he grumbled, though his lips twitched into a small smile.
When Laura was finally satisfied, she clapped her hands together, beaming. “You look perfect, Mommy!”
I turned to the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back at me. Laura had done a surprisingly good job, with soft, smoky eyes and a bold red lip that added just the right amount of drama.
“Wow,” I said, blinking at my reflection. “Not bad, kiddo. Its good you use the tablet for learning skills.”
Laura grinned.
Jo stood, holding up the mask that completed the look. It was an intricate design, black with emerald accents that matched the dress perfectly.
“What character are you going to be?” Jo asked, her eyes twinkling.
I thought for a moment before smiling. “How about Lady Persephone? Queen of the underworld.”
Jo grinned. “Fitting. You look like you could conquer anything in that dress.”
\---
At the yacht’s entrance, I handed my invitation to a sharply dressed attendant, my heels clicking against the polished deck as I stepped inside.
The ball was already in full swing, the space transformed into a vision of opulence. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the crowd of masked guests. The gentle sway of the yacht was barely noticeable beneath the hum of conversation and the soft strains of a string quartet.
“Wow,” I murmured, taking it all in.
“Go break a leg,” Jo had said before I left, winking as she shoved me out the door.
Now, standing in the middle of this glittering world, I couldn’t help but feel a little out of place. But I squared my shoulders, reminding myself why I was here: networking, securing funding for the research, and maybe, just maybe, allowing myself to enjoy the evening.
I moved through the crowd, my mask firmly in place, feeling the subtle brush of curious gazes as I passed. Lady Persephone had arrived.
****
Rowan adjusted his wristwatch as he stepped into the grand ballroom, the low hum of conversation and the delicate strains of classical music washing over him. It felt like ages since he’d stepped into a party like this—opulent, indulgent, and filled with people who smiled too wide and drank too much.
“You’re late,” James teased, clapping him on the back. “But then again, you always make an entrance.”
“I’m not here to make an entrance,” Rowan said, his tone dry. “I’m here because you insisted.”
“Hey, you need to get out more,” James said, handing him a glass of whiskey. “Brooding in your penthouse isn’t healthy.”
Rowan took the glass but didn’t drink, instead letting his eyes wander over the crowd. The guests were all in masks, some more elaborate than others, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and champagne.
“How’s the head?” James asked casually.
Rowan frowned. “The head?”
“You know, after the accident,” James said, gesturing vaguely. “Heard you had a rough time of it.”
Rowan exhaled, his jaw tightening briefly. “I’m just glad I remember you,” he said finally, giving James a sidelong look.
James grinned. “Damn right. Would’ve been a tragedy if you forgot your best wingman.”
Rowan snorted, a rare laugh slipping out as he shook his head. “Tragedy. Sure.”
“Come on, admit it. You’d miss me,” James said, throwing his head back in a theatrical laugh.
Before Rowan could respond, something caught his eye—a movement near the entrance. He turned, the laughter fading from his lips as he saw her.
She stepped into the room like she owned it, the deep emerald dress clinging to her curves, the slit teasing just enough to hold everyone’s attention. Her mask, black with emerald accents, framed her face perfectly, but it was the hazel eyes beneath that stopped Rowan in his tracks.
James let out a low whistle, nudging Rowan with his elbow. “Lady Persephone in the flesh.”
Rowan didn’t need to be told. Those eyes—he’d know them anywhere.
“That’s Remi,” he said quietly, his voice more certain than he’d expected.
James blinked, leaning closer to get a better look. “No way. That’s your surgeon?”
Rowan didn’t answer, his gaze locked on her as she moved through the room, her every step drawing attention.
“Careful, my friend,” James said, smirking. “You’ve got Gigi. Keep your eyes away from the prize.”
Rowan raised a hand, pressing a finger against James’s lips. “Hush,” he said, his tone sharp but quiet.
James laughed, shoving his hand away. “You’re hopeless.”
But Rowan wasn’t listening. His eyes stayed on Remi, something stirring in his chest as he watched her. She was radiant, powerful, a vision of confidence and grace. For a momen
t, everything else faded away—the noise, the people, even James’s incessant chatter.
It was just her. And Rowan wasn’t sure he could look away.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
