Behind The Mask

5

Lance POV:



"So why are these masks required again?", I asked Jake, annoyed I have to wear this damn mask. When I talk to someone, I like to know who they are.

"Each guest gets a mask sent to them. The matching mask belongs to the employees. Whoever has your matching mask is who you approach tonight. So which mask do you want", he said, showing me a gold and silver lace mask.

"I will take the one you do not want", I said with an eye roll. Jake gave me the gold one. And I put it on. The mask is really comfortable, keeping it on all night will not be bad at all.

"Also, there are rules tonight. According to the invitation, no taking off the mask during the event, we are not allowed to use our real names, if we see someone, we know we are not to approach them", he said. After reading the invitation,

I nodded as I listened to the list of rules. They made sense to me. We turned down a dirt road, there are a lot of trees here. Which is good because no one would think there would be a huge house here in the woods, out of sight, out of mind. As we drive close to our destination.

I start to see expensive car after expensive car, some lined up, some are parked. There are fifty or so cars, Jake and I put on our masks and got out of the car. The valet took the keys and noticed he was wearing a mask as well. The house is beautiful. It is a colonial mansion. We gave the security guard our invitations, then walked into the house.

Walking into the house, I was amazed; this place reminded me of a picture I had seen of an 1800's brothel in New Orleans in the 1800s, but much better. s**t, if I did not want this place before, I damn sure want it now. And by any means necessary. The first thing I see is when we walk along a long flight of stairs going to the second floor. The room to my left has walls that are made of red velvet. I can tell it is the original wallpaper. This is a waiting room of some sort.

The floor is cherry wood, the furniture is all back. The next room is a ballad room. The walls are all cherry wood, there are two pool tables, a dartboard hanging on the wall. The next room is a full bar room. It has a bar against the length of the wall with three women and two men working at the bar all wearing the same type of mask the valet was wearing. The room has tables, chairs, and small lounge couches.

"Wow", Jake said. I am not sure if he was talking about the house or the half-naked ladies in it.

Jake and I looked for the lady with our matching masks. Jake found a petite blonde with long legs wearing his matching mask just his type. He smiled at me as I looked around for the woman that had my matching mask. The song changed and everyone went quiet and their attention went to the woman walking down the stairs.

With her wine-stained lips, yeah, she's nothing but trouble.

Cold to the touch, but she's warm as a devil.

I gave all my heart, but she won't heal my soul.

She took a break and I couldn't get more.

Walking down the stairs nervously is a woman with glowing cinnamon skin, wild curly hair, wearing red lipstick. Damn, I bet she is more beautiful with the mask off. The woman has curves for days. She is so different from what I am usually attracted to. You know the skinny, fake blondes, with a s**t load of cosmetic work done. No, this woman is natural, all of her curves are natural. She looks like she can take anything I can give her sexually.

"Damn, Lance, you are lucky as f**k dude", Jake said, which confused me.

"What?", I asked, not taking my eyes off the woman walking down the stairs.

"Take your eyes off her body and look at her face", she said, and I looked up.

I just realized that she and I have the same mask on. f**k it is my lucky night, and judging by her nervousness, this is her first time at a party like this. Jake walks towards his woman for the night and I walk towards mine. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs; I noticed men leaving their partners to greet her, wanting her for themselves. Maybe next time, gentlemen, tonight she belongs to me," I said to myself as I walked towards her. I cleared my throat and the men turned to me see my mask. They went away reluctantly.

"Hello beautiful", I said to her with a smile.

Karma POV:

As I wait for the music to change, I can't help the nervousness I feel right now. What if I am rejected? What if the man thinks I am fat or something? Why the hell did I agree to do this s**t? Nothing will happen that I do not want to happen, I said to myself in my head. The music changed and I walked out the door towards the stairs.

You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love.

But I wouldn't change. wo, no. No, I wouldn't change this love.

You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love.

But I wouldn't change. wo, no. No, I wouldn't change this love.

Damn it, all eyes are on me. I look at all the different faces looking at me, none of them have the same mask as mine. Maybe that person can not come tonight and I am free to relax. Then I noticed the men were not looking at my face but at my body. Are they disgusted by what they see? Does this outfit not look as good as I think it does on me? If wearing this outfit did not make me feel nervous before, I am surely nervous now. And to make matters worse, I saw Aunt Jackie in the corner looking at me with a smile. She is enjoying the attention I am getting.

Alone in the night 'til she knocks on my door (oh no)

Oh no, wasted again, but I can't say no (no)

Baby tell me why, why do you? Do me wrong.

Baby tell me why, why do you? Do me wrong

Gave you my heart, but you took my soul

It took what seemed forever for me to get down the stairs. When I finally got downstairs, men and women whose masks did not match mine approved me and introduced themselves. I can see the want in their eyes. And I have to say I feel a little better that I see want and not disgust. I have to admit it, but Aunt Jackie might have been right. I looked over at her and she was smiling from ear to ear, giving me what I told her to see. Someone cleared their throats from behind me. I turned and there is a man wearing my matching mask.

"Hello gorgeous", he said as he took my hand and kissed it.

I did not realize we were left alone until I looked away. I looked back at him and took him in. He is wearing a suit and an expensive suit, which I am not surprised at all. All of Aunt Jackie's clients are stupid and rich. However, he is so handsome. I doubt he is actually interested in me. It must be the fact that we have the mask he has no other choice but to talk to me. He looks like the type that likes smaller women. Like small, like a size four or smaller.

"Hello, I guess I am yours for the evening", I said with a smile.

"Yes, you are lucky to have such a beautiful woman as my company for the night", he said, smiling at me.

"Can I get you a drink?", I asked him. Even behind the mask, I can tell he is handsome.

"Sure, lead the way", he said with a smile showing his pearly whites.

I walked him over to the bar. He ordered an old-fashioned and I ordered a dizzy peacock. After getting our drinks, he followed me to the canopy-covered daytime. He held on to my drink while I got on the bed, trying to look sexy and totally failing at it.

"So, I would ask your name, but that is against the rules. So, what should I call you?", he asked, drinking his drink and not taking his eyes off me.

"Kay, you can call me Kay", I said.

"Okay, Kay, you can call me L", he said, then we toasted.

"How long have you been walking here?", he asked and I nearly choked on my drink.

"It is actually my first day", I said with a nervous smile.

"What made you decide to work here?", he asked, looking deep into my eyes.

"Well, it is kind of a family business. And Mistress Jackie is a very nice lady", I said, watching him watch me.

"Do you see many men on a regular basis or do you just stick to your regulars", he asked.

"I do not have either, since today is my first day. But Mistress Jackie said I can work on request only. That is why I am working for this party. What about you? What brings you here tonight?", I asked to get the questioning off of me.

"My cousin/ best friend brought me here as a special request", he said, whispering in my ear.