Chapter 4 Three

• I don't know how Steven got my number. He called several times before I answered. He was very angry when he found out that I left his condo. I didn't say anything and hung up on him.
• I always think and ask myself why I didn't stop myself last night. I sent on a whim.
• A few days ago I received a call from Boss that he had sent what I would wear to the party. Just as I hung up, there was a knock on the door.
• "Are you Miss Suarez?" the delivery man greeted me when I opened the door.
• I nodded. "Yes."
• He put the box on the floor and handed me a folder.
• "Just sign it please," he said and then handed me the ball pen.
• I nodded and accepted the ball pen and signed. "Thank you."
• When he left, I looked down at the box. I smiled and carried the box inside and closed the door.
• I put it on the bed and opened it. When I opened it I was amazed at the beauty. I gently put down the cover of the box and then stared at the contents. I smiled while caressing the fabric of the gown. This is the first time I will wear something this beautiful. I shifted my gaze to the mask and then took it. It is red in color mixed with white. There is a feather on the side.
• I stood up and thought about measuring the mask. I will see if it suits me or not. When I faced the mirror, my chest tightened at the same time as my tears fell. My heart was squeezed and the mask was immediately taken down. I won't be recognized, but no matter how much I cover and hide, I still can't hide that I'm a disgusting woman. I bit my bottom lip while turning away from the mirror.
• "You're so beautiful, Qotorie!" I was praised by Aling Mae, the landlady of my rental.
• I smiled at him and straightened myself. Today is the day of the party and I'm waiting for Sir Ethan. He said he would take me here. "Thank you."
• I didn't have to wait long because Sir Ethan arrived immediately in his Black Mercedez-Benz C-Class. I smiled at Aling Maria while waving at her.
• "Enjoy the party, hija!" And he turned to close the gate.
• When Sir Ethan got out of his car I was amazed at his clothes. He was wearing a black tuxedo and he had a new haircut. Undercut is suitable for her gentle face. He smiled at me and opened his car door.
• "Shall we?"
• I laughed because he was trying hard at what he was doing.
• "Thank you." I bit my lower lip and went inside.
• "You're welcome, Qotorie." And he closed the door himself before turning towards the driver's seat.
• He glanced at me as he sat down and started the engine.
• "I hope you are not scared of me, Qotorie." He smiled at me. "I am very approachable!"
• I laughed and turned to him. "It looks like it, Sir."
• When we got to the party I was surprised because of the masks covering their eyes. I will never hope to see Steven again.
• I was surprised when Sir Ethan extended his arm to me. He smiled at me while sniffing his arm.
• "Shall we?"
• I nodded and held his arm. I'm new because this is the first time I can attend a ball. It's a formal party because my boss usually attends.
• We entered the grand mansion together with my hand on his arm. I'm not comfortable to be honest but I have to get along because it's part of my job. Many congratulated us when we finally entered.
• There were other women murmuring, wondering who Sir Ethan was with. I also smiled when someone complimented my gown. Well, I am wearing a red see-through ball gown with white see-through gloves. My hair is in a messy bun. Because my gown is red, my lipstick is also red. We stopped walking when we were stopped by a bald, rather fat, but well-built man of rather old age. His grin widened as he looked at us.
• "Wow" he said while smiling at me. "Whoever you are gorgeous, you two look good together."
• I bit my lip and gave him a sweet smile. "Thank you."
• The old man turned to Sir Ethan, who was turning everywhere, maybe he wasn't used to this either. I smiled to get his attention and turned to face the old man.
• "Uhm. Sir, This is Mr. Mike Ethan Lamosao Marquez, the heir and the only son of Mr. And Mrs. Marquez of GRM Group of Companies," I introduced Sir Ethan to the old man whose lips were parted.
• I can already hear the music that the musicians are playing on the stage and I think that the program brought by this party is about to begin.
• Oh shocked the old man's reaction as he turned back to Sir Ethan who was now smiling. The old man immediately extended his hand.
• "Nice to meet you, Mr. Marquez," said the old man happily and his grin widened when Sir Ethan accepted his hand without hesitation.
• "Nice to meet you too, Mr.." Sir Ethan hung up on what he said.
• The old man laughed when he realized that Sir Ethan didn't know him. I just stayed in my position and acted as Sir's guide because I think he didn't know yet
• these.
• "I'm John Arellano. I know your Dad," he said and laughed again. "So, are you gonna be the next Mr. Marquez?"
• I didn't listen to what they were talking about because I was already looking for a place to sit. There are many vacant tables and seats. I also lifted my gown a little to be able to walk properly.
• My response to those I meet is a smile. I don't even know them, but it's not bad to smile at strangers, especially since that's what should be done at parties.
• When I found a seat, I pulled up and decided that I would just wait here for Sir Ethan because he seemed to be enjoying talking to the old man who looked like a comforter.
• I turned my eyes and head to the right side where I heard the gentle laughter of women. I think our ages are not far apart.
• I would have ignored them but they got my attention because of what they talked about. I didn't make it obvious that I was listening to them.
• I sat up and bit my bottom lip hard.
• "Omg! I am so happy for you, Megan. Maybe Steven realized that he misses you a lot. Look at you, you're beautiful and sexy!"
• My lips parted and I turned to them in shock when I heard Steven's name. I swallowed and looked at the girls talking. The woman with the golden gown color gown spoke. It was wearing a mask but I knew that behind the mask was a beautiful woman.
• "I know, right?" the woman replied with a smile and held her hand.
• "I'm so happy that Steven is back home, Allysa. I feel like he's planning to fix our marriage instead of having an annulment."
• My heart sank when I looked at the woman. I could clearly see the joy on her face as she caressed her ring finger. It was like my heart was being torn apart little by little because I realized that this woman was none other than Steven's wife. I looked away and rubbed my forehead.
• "Hey, are you okay?"
• I was shocked and immediately grabbed my chest when I saw Sir Ethan standing in front of me. I blinked my eyes and nodded weakly.
• "It's okay, Sir Ethan." I adjusted my seat.
• I looked away. I saw him nod and pulled a chair in front of me. A waiter came and served us drinks. I didn't listen to what the two were talking about because I might go even more crazy trying to figure out a solution to get away from Steven. But from what I heard, it looks like he won't do that anymore.
• "Your communication skills are great."
• I turned to Sir Ethan who was looking at the stage. I glanced at the stage for a moment before bowing.
• "Yes," I answered. "I'm used to it since I worked at your parent's company."
• I'm now staring at the drink on our table. I took a deep breath and thought about drinking it. I quickly swallowed it and I almost fainted because it was so bitter and my throat felt numb. I rubbed my neck and swallowed.
• "Are you okay?" Sir Ethan asked, his eyes no longer on the stage but on me.
• "It's okay." And looked away.
• "And now, the masquerade ball is about to start. Get your partners, folks!" the Emcee said happily before getting off the stage.
• Sir put his wine glass on the table and looked at me.
• "I'm not a good dancer" He shook his head.
• I laughed and nodded. "We're the same."
• I have no talent in dancing. It's not like Minda who almost knows how to twerk. Because she is a party girl and has had many boyfriends.
• "Let's just stay here."
• "Where is Steven, Megan? He still hasn't arrived?" I heard the woman ask Steven's wife.
• "No."
• "You don't get along?"
• "No, he said that I would go first and I did. But where is he?" Steven's wife asked sadly.
• I could feel her sadness because it was obvious in her voice. My chest tightened because I was one of the causes of her suffering and sadness. I closed my eyes and bowed.
• Steven, please give your wife a chance. She doesn't deserve the bait. She doesn't deserve this. Please... be a good husband to her at least.
• I stood up when I felt like I was about to pee. I saw that Sir Ethan was shocked because of what I did.
• "Where are you going?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
• I swallowed and bit my bottom lip.
• "I'm going to take a wash first."
• He nodded and snorted, playing with the glass with his hand. "Alright."
• I nodded and walked towards the restroom. I even asked a waiter where and it was a bit far to walk. Besides peeing, I also want to leave because every time I hear Steven's wife's sad voice, my chest tightens.
• After I peed I adjusted myself in front of the mirror. I removed the mask and saw that my eyes were red. It's already watering and if I didn't stop it, it might have been leaking before now.
• "I'm the worst," I said to myself as I stared lifelessly in the mirror.
• I spent a few minutes before I went out. I put my mask back on and went to the parking lot. I thought about going home but I can't because Sir Ethan is still here and I can't leave him. I'm also not suitable for this event.
• I feel, I don't deserve the world and I repeatedly ask God for forgiveness for what I have done.
• When I got enough air, I was about to go back inside when I suddenly felt dizzy. I leaned one hand on the side of a car and one hand was already holding my head.
• I shook my head quickly when my vision suddenly blurred. I didn't know what was happening to me but I felt scared. I tried to take another step but I was just fumbling.
• I blinked my eyes.
• My world is spinning and I'm about to fall. What is happening to me? Why am I doing this?
• I was about to fall down when someone suddenly grabbed me and violently pulled me to a chest before I passed out.