Chapter 1

• Rebecca
• "I'm not sure this is a good idea," Amelia said sitting across me with a scowl on her face. She didn't like the idea. The idea of attending a party posing as someone else.
• It was everything but a good idea and that was what inspired me. It was a risk, and I definitely love risks. I ignored her observation and continued looking at the dresses I spent my last dime to buy.
• I've always been the type of girl to try new things no matter how risky and this— I raised the ticket that I picked up from the floor and smiled. This will give me the chance to explore.
• "You should at least tell me what you think about this gown," I told my best friend, Amelia. Her blue eyes rolled and she shook her head in disbelief.
• I get it, it was strange that a new girl like myself would feel comfortable enough to go to a party I know nothing about.
• Not just that, but a party where I have to pose as someone else.
• "You are new to New York," she continued. "You are meant to be thinking of that firm and how to get on the District Attorney's good page."
• I swallowed hard. I came all the way to New York to meet my sister and most importantly, to find a firm that would employ me with little or no work experience.
• I just graduated from law school and I think I'm doing a really bad job at being the adult everyone expects me to be.
• "You don't even know why she threw the ticket away," Amelia continued. "There are a lot of crazy people roaming around the world and you think this is a good idea?"
• I paused. Maybe I shouldn't have told her about the part of picking the ticket from the floor but she is the only friend I've made in four months and I really don't want to keep it away. "Amelia," I called and held her hands. "I promise you I'll be fine. This is my only chance to see the outside world. You know how demanding my new job is about to get."
• "Fine," she scoffed and fell to the couch. "What if Samantha calls me?" She asked. "You know how your sister acts."
• "I'm old enough to take care of myself," I told her. "You don't take her calls."
• "What??"
• "Yes. Listen, I know what I'm doing. I should at least have some fun before I turn twenty-three. Don't you think?"
• "This is crazy," she frowned.
• "I know."
• Amelia Isn't the type to take risks or even explore like myself. She is more of a reserved nerd who likes to read romance novels, trace countries on maps and sit in front of her computer all day. I've known her for a few months but it does seem longer.
• I’m amazed at how a single dress and a makeover can make someone feel so… new. The red cut out gown clings to my body… the color making my skin sharper.
• This isn’t the type of dress I’d be caught wearing on a normal day but I figured that if I’m going to spend the night at an exclusive club, then I might as well do it in style.
• Amelia’s brown hair was packed in a ponytail and her face was buried in a book by the time I was done dressing. "Hey," I called and she looked up.
• "Oh wow." A smile tugged on her lips. "You look— different.”
• "Really?" I asked and she gave a nod. “Slutty type of different. You look like a slut,” she added, in case I missed it the first time.
• I smirked. “Mission accomplished then.”
• "Promise me you'll come back early no matter how much fun you're having."
• "I promise," I chuckled and grabbed my purse. I shoved the ticket inside and reached for the door.
• The fact that the venue was a club on the downside was a reasonable discouragement but I brushed it off. I swallowed the lump in my throat when the taxi stopped me at my destination and slid some bucks into his hands.
• "Thanks!" I smiled and finally turned away. I reached for the mask and covered my face.
• The place was guarded with some bouncers and for a moment, adrenaline rushed through me.
• What if someone noticed me and—
• "Your entry ticket," a huge man asked and I nervously smiled back into consciousness. His massive frame is impossible to miss.
• I handed it to him while trying to cover up how nervous I was.
• "Camilla Bourdillion," he said looking at me.
• A familiar knot of guilt twisted in my stomach. "Yeah, that's me."
• "Good to have you. This way, come with me," he notified.
• Glad it was a themed party and I could wear the mask all night, I adjusted the mask on my face. As I stepped into the room, red and blue strobe lights illuminated the place. The background music playing had some girls dancing by the pole. I weaved across the dance floor, taking care not to rub against a girl’s bare breast.
• They were stark naked and I stood in awe of the view. This was the first time in twenty-two years I was witnessing a party like this.
• "Camilla," a voice greeted and beckoned me to join a table. "The VIP table is over here."
• As I made my way through, the sounds of laughter and chatters grew louder. I smiled, trying to fake a confidence I don’t feel.
• She looked at me as I approached, staring at me like she had so many things to say. “Damn, girl. That’s an A-game with that dress.” It came off as a whisper as she kissed my cheeks and I went blank.
• "Please sit."
• I looked around me and everything else was eye-catching. Whoever organized this party was creative as hell.
• "I welcome you to TILL DAWN SIN!!" The MC cheered from the stage. "Are you ready to have fun??"
• "Yeah!!!!!" The crowd yelled.
• "DJ play us some crazy beats!" He said and a loud sound echoed in the hall.
• "Camilla."
• "Camilla?" The voice called louder.
• Shit, I forgot that was me. I swallowed hard and turned to the blonde man. He smiled in that moment, going from a scary behemoth to a friendly teddy bear.
• "Heyy," I responded in a reflex action and reached to kiss his cheek. "You look good."
• His expression went blank with a small smile and I thought of what could have been wrong or better still— what I had done wrong. "Is something wrong?" I asked him.
• "No— this," he said touching the cheek I kissed. "It's just new."
• "Oh, yeah. Excuse me, I need a drink,” I muttered, walking past him hastily to the bar. I let out an exasperated breath before signaling the barman. "Distilled whiskey."
• That was a damn close shot. Whatever personality Camilla had was definitely confusing 'cause now, I don’t even know what to do.
• I gulped the whole drink and lowered the glass to the slab. "One more."
• Just as he turned to get me an extra shot, I noticed the blonde guy walking towards me.
• "I see you need them for the night," he chirped with an half smile.
• "Yeah." I turned back and gave a small nod in appreciation to the barman. I gasped when I finished the content and breathed out.
• "I need to get you ready for your dance."
• I froze. "What?"
• "Camilla, your dance. It's the most anticipated show for the night."
• "I'm sorry, I just—"
• "Do you want to take that off and get some fresh air?"
• When I figured he was talking about the mask, I shook my head in disapproval.
• "No no. I'm good."
• This wasn't what I wanted for my night. I wanted to have fun like every other normal person was but— whoever Camilla was had a complicated life.
• "This way," he said and I walked behind him.
• "It's easy, be as seductive as you can and have these thirsty men drop their bucks to feel your breast."
• What the fuck? Camilla is a fucking stripper? I tried to hide the shocking expression on my face.
• "The organizers are over there and they've made a bet that you'll be the biggest fundraiser with that sexy ass of yours."
• "Hmm-hmm."
• "I'll be right back," he said.
• "Wait, hold on!"
• "Yes, Camilla? I need to choose a sexy pair of lingerie for you." He was sounding so engrossed but I just shook my head. "I'm not dancing."
• "What?"
• "We're canceling. I fell and—my ankle. It uh—hurts. I can't dance."
• "Holy shit, Camilla. We have just ten minutes left."
• "Then go ahead and tell the organizers."
• "Aaron."
• The blonde guy turned to respond to his name. "Get Camilla ready, it's time."
• Aaron turned to look at me and for a moment I was conflicted. I had no idea how the real Camilla would have acted but something told me she was a fierce bitch who did what she wanted. Aaron looked back at me and raised his brow. "What is going on??”