The morning sunlight hit me harder than I expected. The penthouse was silent except for the hums of the city 60 floors below.
I turned to my side to see if Ava was still asleep.
But there she was, already dressed in her plain black outfit, blowing on a cup of coffee as she kept it on the table with a bowl of cookies.
"Here that's yours.. Alex."
I got up, with the duvet wrapped around my waist.
She reached in for a peck.
During the light breakfast, Ava couldn't take her eyes off me.
'Alex has changed so much it's like he's become a new person.'
"Alex… what happened to you?" She finally asked.
"What do you mean?" I replied, quite confused as to why she asked.
"You… have changed."
"Changed!" I teased.
"It's just that before, you were…"
"A sucker? A simp?"
"No~no, I didn't say that—"
"It's fine.." I chuckled. "I'm just kidding, I know you mean."
"Well, let's say I gained more knowledge and I dropped every burden I carried from the past."
"Why though? I mean you said in front of the whole world that you wouldn't indulge with any partner except for Aubrey.. but here I'm I literally stuffed with your seed."
"Though I've come to realize, she hurt you, but I think you've moved so deep, you may drown in your escapades.."
"I changed for the best, believe it or not, you didn't expect me to stay the same forever, did you?"
"Offcourse not.." she laughed softly.
"I'll stand by you no matter the threat.." She said promisingly with a confident smile.
Seeing her pledge her allegiance to me like that was fun.
Her phone buzzed. It was Ghost: ball party tonight. Don't miss out.
The smile she had on slowly faded out as she saw the text.
Ava stared at the text for a minute. [Don't miss out] The words felt like a trap and an invitation.
"What's that? Any problem?" I asked, seeing the way she reacted, looking at her phone.
"It's…nothing." She sighed.
That hesitation was new. Dangerous. I noticed something off.
"By the way for tonight, I want you to dress up in a classy gown of your choice, the theme is brown.."
"Inform Olivia also, maybe with her influence President Rachel, will be able to make it there.."
I mumbled, with my teeth's closed. "I want to see this scumbag face to face.."
I got up and walked out. On the way to my bedroom. I saw Aubrey standing few meters away, with a glare in her eyes, like she was waiting to see me.
"Hey Alex…" she said, with a short smile on her lips.
I glanced at her sideways, my brows raised, but I kept my expression unreadable, though I remained silent but gave her a listen ear.
"I received a black envelope slipped under my door at midnight, an invitation to a ball party.." Her voice softened to a broken whisper. "C~Can we go as couples, I know we haven't had the best relationship but!"
"But what.."
"Let's work through our differences…"
"I'll think about it, but either way you can prepare for the party.."
"Thank~you.." she said lightly, shifting her gaze to the floor, like she's unworthy to stand before me.
I picked her chin up, and whispered. "Dress in the most fanciful way, cost on me.."
My words made Aubrey blush.
I walked away down the hallway, pausing just long enough to offer Aubrey one last glance over my shoulder with a grin.
Her expression seemed satisfied and completely aware of itself. She stood in the corridor alone for a moment as she watched me walk off.
~~~~~
10:45PM, The Entry….
Large stairs, dressed with a walkable red carpet up to the grand doorway.
Chandeliers dripping crystal, string quartet playing something that sounded like danger. Massive gold vases with intricate patterns lined the massive hall way.
Biege and violet curtains cascaded from the tall arched windows. Making the decor have a luxurious but villainous aesthetic.
The candles on every table trembled in their golden holders.
No phones allowed.
Everyone wore feathered, bejeweled masks except from I and my escorts. It felt awkward as all faces turned towards us.
'That fool didn't tell me it was a mask party, or maybe it's a setup.' I gritted my teeth.
Low murmurs wove through the air, added with the delicate clink of glasses and laughter of elite women. All gathered from every corner of the city and nations.
Then I saw him.
Tall, grey haired masked in matte silver, watching from the mezzanine. Champagne flute in hand. He didn't approach just raised his champagne to me.
He then descended the grand stairs. Trailing light followed behind him. Dressed in a custom made black violet suit, completing the looks of effortless elegance.
He inched closer to me, standing before me. Every head turned their focused to us in silence, cutting through the room like a blade.
His eyes are barely visible, due to the custom made mask.
Ghost Eastley—Leader of the Redline Revolution.
I lifted my cup, to receive the wine from him. He poured.
He looked at my right, seeing Aubrey standing, and to the left, seeing Ava.
For some odd reason, I could sense the tension coming from Ava and Aubrey.
"Attention, my dear guests.." Ghost said, voice sultry—smooth, carrying a practiced countenance of a man who expected obedience. "I believe you all are enjoying the evening.."
Smiles and claps bloomed across the crowd.
"But we gathered tonight to celebrate something truly monumental, the world had undergone a great change over the last two years…"
"… But here we are again and still surviving, and the best plans for the future.."
"For most of you who don't know who I am, I'm Ghost Eastley… but I'm sure most of you know the man standing besides me…"
The hall erupted—cheers, applause, hands lifted high.
Women's chained jewelry, clanking like distant bells, making the moment almost magical.
My gaze sweeping through the room without truly settling on any face. I offered a cunning smile.
Ghost's voice rose again, " for each and everyone of you seated here today and for the world, my alliance is rooted deep with Alexander, to make the world whole again… Thank you.."
His words hit me like a slap, confusion clouded my eyes. " I never said I'm in Alliance with you~~"