Abby


    Karl leads me onto the dance floor, his hand warm against my back. The soft strains of ssical music fill the air, and the elegant


    masks of the other guests twinkle in the dim light of the ballroom. As we start to move together, his hand wrapped securely


    around mine, | can''t help but feel a surge of nervous excitement.


    “You look stunning tonight in that dress and mask, Abby,” Karl says, his voice so low and thick that it''s nearly drowned out by the


    music. “The color of that dress suits you perfectly.”


    My cheeks flush with a rosy pink sort of hue, and I''m d to have the mask covering my face. | nce down at the intricate


    lacework of my dark blue gown and the delicate Vian mask that hides my identity.


    “Thank you,” I reply, my own voice barely more than a whisper as well. “You look handsome as well. | like your mask.”


    Karl chuckles, reaching up to touch the simple ck mask covering half of his face. “You''re sure?” he asks. “I was worried it''s too


    simple.”


    | shake my head. “No. It''s perfect.”


    For a moment, we just sway along to the music, letting the soft orchestral notes carry us around the room. | almost forgot how


    natural it is to dance with him. We used to dance together so often, and we always fit together like two puzzle pieces.


    Finally, Karl clears his throat as his eyes scan the room. “It seems as though your masquerade idea was a hit,” he observes.


    “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”


    I smile, feeling a sense of pride at the sess of the evening. | nce around at all of the guests and take in their expensive


    gowns and tuxedos as well as their increasingly over-the-top masks. In the corner, one woman is wearing a mask fitted with bells


    and feathers, and a couple of other women are fawning over the intricacies of the mask.


    “Well, you know me,” | say, my tone a little more yful now. “I always have good ideas, don''t 1?”


    He nces down at me, and there''s a fond smile on his lips. “That you do,” he agrees. “This masquerade will be remembered for


    a very long time, I''m sure. And itl be good for the...”


    As he speaks, his voice trails off. But | know what he was going to say: that it''ll be good for the election. It seems as though he’s


    trying to stay reserved, to not spend the night talking about the election.


    “Thank you for doing this for me,” | find myself saying. “I know it wasn''t easy to set all of this up so quickly, especially with what


    happened the other day. And...”


    Now, my voice is the one that trails off. Karl shoots me a curious expression with half of his face still obscured by his mask. “And


    what?" he asks.


    I shrug, biting my lip. “I never asked how you are since the other day,” | murmur. “How it must have been traumatizing for you,


    too. You''ve been so focused on me.”


    Karl''s gaze softens as he looks at


    me. “All that matters to me is that


    you''re safe, Abby,” hesays gery!


    Thre Taatbodre safe and.” He


    pauses, his smirk returning ever so


    slightly, tugging at the corners of his


    lips like invisible strings. “...Spoiled.”


    Please read the original content at


    NovelDrama.Org.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    My face turns red again, and | quickly


    look away to hide it. “| do fee oO


    spoiled” admit, CAVE 631 te


    Heir from me about it soon. But I''ll


    let it slide. For tonight, anyway.”


    Please read the original content at


    NovelDrama.Org.


    Karl smiles and takes my hand,


    leading me in a graceful twirl across


    the dance floor. My dre 8 twinklgslih


    1 [orprmesaore nearby


    onfookers to gasp and point out the


    sparkling beadwork. I''m sure that


    they''re wondering who this ‘mystery


    woman’ is that''s dancing with their


    Alpha. Please read the original


    content at NovelDrama.Org.