A Masquerade Affair

by Elin Magdelene

  His gaze narrowed. There was something peculiarly familiar about her. Why did he feel like he’d met her before, even though her face was hidden by the mask?

  “On behalf of my family, I would like to thank all of you for attending this ball tonight,” Richard began.

  His eyes searched the room for the stunning challenger he'd seen earlier. Her eyes had become dismissive then, sweeping over him before turning her back deliberately on him to get a drink. Her actions implied unlike the other women, she would not want him within five feet of her. Did she know she'd just issued him a non-verbal challenge he was very much pleased to accept?

  He saw her heading towards the doorway as he continued, “We hope you have fun and contribute generously to a worthy cause.”

  When he got off the stage, he saw her exit the room as the music began. It was time to meet the challenge, he told himself.

  ***

  Vivi sat on a bench in the garden enjoying the crisp cool breeze of the night. Her brief encounter with Richard had been unsettling so she’d exited the ballroom, making her way outside. She’d intended to return shortly but the serenity of the view before her had beckoned to her.

  She stared at the beach observing there was no one else in sight. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the sweet smelling fragrances of the night. She smiled then leaned her head back.

  “A gorgeous serene night, isn't it?”

  Vivi was startled because she had not heard footsteps approaching but she managed to conceal her surprise. After all what kind of lawyer would she be if she was ruffled by the deep baritone of the man she’d left speaking at the ball?

  “It is, which makes your intrusion very much unwelcomed.”

  “Touché.”

  Too bad, he thought, because you just got company.

  “There appears to be enough room for one more.” He gestured to the bench upon which she sat. “Is that seat taken?” He asked, taking a seat before she could respond.

  “Why bother asking anyway when you didn’t intend to wait for my response, Richard?”

  Richard reached up and removed his mask, “I don’t believe wearing this make any difference anymore since you already know who I am."

  “Don’t expect me to remove my mask also.”

  “Then I’m at a disadvantage here. So who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?” Richard asked hoping she would not refuse to tell him.

  Vivi pondered on his question for a moment. She did not intend on giving him her full name but she thought her nickname would suffice under the circumstances.”

  “Vivi,” she replied.

  “Is that short for Vivian?”

  “Sort of.”

  Richard wanted to inquire on that response but he decided against it.

  “I’m surprised you got bored quite easily with the women chasing after you.”

  “I’m an alpha male, Vivi.”

  She could tell what he was hinting at so she asked, “Meaning?”

  He shrugged, “In a game, the alpha male cannot be chased as a prey.”

  “I don’t play games,” she told him, reaching nervously for the locket on her neck. His eyes were drawn to her fingers which he thought were uniquely beautiful. He also noticed her elegant digital wrist watch.

  Richard slid his arm over the backrest and turned slightly towards her, legs crossed. He was close enough that his breath fanned her cheek, warming and caressing it.

  “That is why I’m not sure if you made a wise choice to come out here alone.”

  Certainly she knew he would have come in search of her after that very intense non-verbal exchange?

  She responded, “What could possibly be wrong about sitting alone near the beach in this scenic garden?”

  “Well for one thing there could be sharks lurking somewhere on the beach,” he joked.

  He leaned closer and his hand on the headrest reached out to lightly brush back her hair. Maybe it was time she abandoned her operation here, she thought.

  “Do you mean the sharks that inhabit the ocean or the ones that roam the land?”

  “I wasn't aware there were sharks roaming the land.”

  “Perhaps that's because it’s your school.”

  He threw back his head and laughed, making her aware of his sense of humor. She cautioned herself to be mindful as the stern lines on his face relaxed causing him to look amiable at that moment.

  Richard lifted a handful of her hair and watched her closely as he let it fall. It was light and felt like silk between his fingers.

  Butterflies fluttered deep within her stomach flaring up torrents of warmth cascading like ripple effect from neurons to nerves.

  “And what do the sharks that roam the land prey on?” he said huskily.

  “You tell me. It's your school of fish.”

  “Pursue steamy, hot ladies with impressively beautiful legs, perhaps?” he responded.

  Then he kissed her softly, pulling her closer with the hand which was on the headrest while his other hand roamed her legs visible below her little black dress.

  She hesitated for couple of seconds, knowing that making out with him was definitely playing with fire. But a voice deep within her nudged her on so she kissed him back. His clean spicy scent overshadowed the fragrance from the flowers heightening her response. She would reject his advances soon, in a minute, but not yet. She moaned with pleasure then his lips left hers.

  Richard stood up and extended his hand. She looked up at him, confused and still dazed by the kiss.

  “Trust me,” he whispered hoarsely.

  She took his hand realizing that the gesture affirmed she trusted him. They walked through the garden then went past a fountain glimmering in the moonlight.

  He led her through a hidden door and into a suite with state of the art décor. The carpet was plush and sank deep beneath her feet. In the middle of the room was a table set for two with fruits, crackers, cheese, and wine on ice. Richard poured two glasses and gave her one.

  She sipped the wine, enjoying the smooth velvety taste. She realized that she was setting herself up to be burned by this man who took whatever he wanted whenever he could get it. She questioned her decision to be alone with him, knowing his reputation with women.

  He seemed to have intentionally planned to bring someone to his suite.

  “Well planned. A table for two all lay out,” she said nodding towards the table.

  He shrugged, “I assure you this was done with no other woman but you on my mind.”

  Did he assume she would have being that easy to persuade like the other women? She had proven him right, hadn’t she? After all, she was alone with him just as he’d intended.

  “So did you think I would be an easy target?”

  “No I didn’t, but I thought you were an enticing challenge to pursue. But then that was your intention wasn’t it…to lure me to you and away from the other women?”

  She looked at him with such incredulity that he chuckled. “I’m just kidding. That look you gave me at the ball suggested you wanted me nowhere near you.”

  She smiled. So he had gotten her message. No wonder he was good at business, he understood body language.

  “Are you hungry,” he asked “because I’m starving so how about we eat and then argue later if that’s what you want?”

  Vivi felt her stomach silently offer its agreement with the request so she kept her questions for later.

  He led her to a sofa and sat next to her. Her senses went on high alert, especially when she thought about the scene in the garden. She said nothing but her eyes spoke volume.

  Richard felt her nervousness when his leg brushed hers inadvertently. Dark brown eyes stared into coppery amber colored ones. Did she know what he had planned? So far, it was all playing out well and on course.

  She broke eye contact with him and reached for some grapes. Aware that he was still staring, she ate the grapes avoiding his eyes.

  “I noticed you came in alone; where is your plus one?”r />
  “I’m here on a work related assignment.”

  His gaze narrowed. She was not a reporter was she? There were many instances when female reporters had tried to advance their careers by enticing him.

  “So your profession is …?”

  “Let's just say I help people make the right decisions and help them out when they encounter obstacles.”

  That response only stirred up more questions. She was being evasive but at least it didn’t match the job description of a reporter. Unless… it was probably a cover-up? He would have to be careful.

  Rather than take her back to the ballroom as he normally would have done he said to her, “Try the strawberries. They're good,”

  She stared at his hand holding the fruit to her mouth. Okay, this was getting more intimate by the minute. But she was held immobile by a force she could not describe, making her unable to back out.

  “Here, take a bite,” his voice appeared to have dropped an octave.

  She obeyed biting half of the fruit. Then she watched as he ate the other half. He held her gaze as he did so and she shivered as sensual tension filled the room.

  Hoping to diffuse the tension, Vivi forced her eyes away and reached for some crackers. They ate in silence for a while. Then with the flick of a button, MKTO-Classic filled the room also.

  Before he went out into the garden to find her, Richard had selected that particular music. He did so because when he first saw her in the ballroom the word “classic” had come to mind.

  He pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “Since we are here for the ball I figured we could at least take part in a very important aspect of it, dancing.”

  “So let me guess, these are your signature moves─ wine, dine, dance? To be climaxed by what a hefty dose of seduction?

  In response to her question he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. Her lips were sweet and soft as he sampled them. They seemed familiar to him like he thought when he first kissed her in the garden but how could he have forgotten her if he'd kissed her before? It didn't make sense to him but sense was eluding him with every contact his body made with hers. He pulled her closer and felt her heart beat against his chest.

  The fragrance she wore was exotic causing him to inhale deeply. It was a blend of lilac, which he'd first assumed was from the garden, and another fragrance he couldn’t quite tell.

  One hand reached up to gently rub the tip of an orb. She moaned as her nipple hardened against his touch. Was it her imagination or did his touch feel familiar? She trembled with excitement and reached out to trace his jawline then her hand curled around his neck. The kiss deepened as he explored the warmth of her mouth hungrily. Then she was lifted off her feet and carried gently in his arms.

  Where was he taking her? What was she thinking? Hadn't she learned her lesson from past experience? She could not give in to the yearnings of her body.

  “No,” she said.

  He became still and let her slide to her feet promptly. As he sought to steady his spiraling emotions, he asked, “Why.”

  “I'm sorry, I can’t do this?

  “Why?” he asked again.

  “I'll just say I've been down this path before and it’s not one I’d want to take again,” she replied reaching for her locket again in a way that was becoming familiar.

  “Could you at least be more specific?”

  “Figure it out. I’m not going to spell it out for you,” she replied hurrying towards the door.

  “Wait,” Richard called out to her. She stopped and turned around as he caught up with her in few strides.

  He rubbed his head, “Sorry…, you were right to stop me. I moved too fast considering we just met.”

  It was a sincere apology but she made no comment, just met his gaze. She was to blame also because she’d encouraged it in a way, wasn’t she?

  He gave her a black and gold card, “I thought you should have this… my number.”

  Vivi took it from him and stared at the number wondering why he couldn’t ask for her number instead, if he really wanted to keep in touch with her? Not that she would have given her number to him but at least he would have made the attempt to ask for it.

  Vivi took her phone and key in some numbers. She noticed his phone lying on the table where he’d put it when they entered the suite.

  Assuming she was storing his number, he said to her “Promise me that you will call.”

  Vivi looked him in the eye, “I already did but it is not your number is it?”

  “No, it is my office line.”

  “Meaning it is the number of your secretary who is in charge of filtering your calls? Am I supposed to wait in queue for my turn?”

  She was right Richard thought. He could have given her his direct line but as a rule he never gave his direct line to a woman until after the third date. By then he usually had a report from his private detective on the woman.

  He said to Vivi “I promise you, your call will be forwarded to me immediately. You won’t have to wait.”

  When she made no comment but simply stared at him, he said “Please don’t let this be the only time we spend together, Vivi.”

  “Oh, I'm sure we will be spending some time together, one way or another, Richard.”

  She turned and walked away, leaving him perplexed. She made a mental note to toss the card into the nearest trash bin as soon as she possibly could. She would not be calling him.

  Richard watched her leave. He wanted to get his security to follow her but he thought she might not like that. Like the other women he knew, he assumed she would call him again and if she didn't call him, then he would have to seek his private detective’s help. One problem though―he only knew her nickname but she had called his office line, hadn’t she? He would just have to get his office line records for the night and Bob would get him the information he needed about her.

  Chapter Three

  Three weeks later, Richard stopped at his secretary’s desk to inquire on his messages. “Any new messages for me, Marilyn?”

  “On your desk as always, Mr. Mcgallan.”

  His secretary stared after him, knowing he was actually asking about a call he hoped to receive from the woman she silently referred to as “Mrs. Right.” He had given Marilyn instructions to clear up his schedule when she called.

  She smiled and shook her head glad he’d finally met a woman who had a mind of her own.

  She had been his secretary for ten years and knew he was accustomed to women who never stood up to him. This was new for him but it was what he needed.

  Richard had waited patiently for Vivi to call him but she hadn't. The suspense and wait had been unbearable. Fortunately, the merger with Weisener Enterprise had kept him busy.

  It was going on as planned and now he was stationed at Weisener Enterprise for a while until he'd met with all employees. That way he could also make sure other processes that reflected his company's values were in full swing at the newly merged company.

  Would she call him at all? He could wait no longer. He picked up his phone and made some calls.

  One call was made to his private detective who began working right away on Richard’s request. Marilyn faxed over requested information to the private detective.

  Why did Vivi preoccupy his thoughts so much? Richard wondered. It was the first time in years that he had not thought about his escapade at another masquerade ball.

  Could he ever forget Spitfire? He'd met and had a one night affair with her at a masquerade ball on a resort in the Caribbean. She had left while he was asleep and inquiries made on her had been futile.

  He’d visited the resort every year since that time but he had not found her. He'd never stopped trying to find her until now. What if he didn't find Vivi also? The thought frightened him so he opened his computer and engrossed himself in his work.

  Days later, Richard’s investigator had no favorable information for him.

  Vivi reread the email she'd received from Marilyn. S
he had an appointment scheduled to meet Richard. He had been meeting with the employees and she would be his last appointment for the day.

  He had been working from the CEO's office on the third floor at Weisener Enterprise for few days now.

  She was glad the office was large enough so she did not run into Richard as she had feared but the moment of truth had arrived. Why was she his last appointment for the day? Did he suspect or realize that she was the woman he'd met at the ball?

  She walked into his secretary's office promptly. “Mr. Mcgallan your last appointment is here.” Marilyn told him on the telephone.

  Richard raised his head from a pile of papers before him to reply to his secretary. He was looking at the guest list from the fundraising ball and his office phone records from that night. What he didn’t know was that Vivi had blocked her number when she made the call that night so Bob had not found her. Richard had decided to hire another detective but he wanted to provide the new guy with substantial information. He thought there had to be some clues the lists could offer.

  “Thanks, Marilyn. Please sent her in,” he said to his secretary then went back to browsing the list.

  “Mr. Mcgallan will see you now, Ms. Whitman,” Marilyn replied looking at the name on the appointment.

  Vivi walked into the room bracing herself for the encounter. She was relieved to find that he was browsing over some papers spread out on his desk. It would give her some time to gather up her poise.

  “Please have a seat, Ms. Whitman,” Richard told her without even raising his head from the papers.

  Interesting, she thought. He must really be trying to meet some deadline on a new project, she supposed. Or perhaps he was being condescending, but why?

  Richard had not forgotten about the sarcastic remark made by Elvira Whitman when he'd traveled to Africa. The plan was to make her sit and wait for a while before he consulted with her on her position at the company. It was his way of letting her know that he demanded nothing but ultimate respect from his employees.