Amanda's POV

Latching the main door of the room, I zipped the sides of the gown as per my fitting . I let the tassels flow through my sleeveless skin . I am glad I kept this extra clothing in my bag . I wasn't prepared for the masquerade ball at first place , if I had any idea about it then I would've definitely carried a proper exotic outfit . Though , this one wasn't bad .

It was a floor length flowy dress which showed off my curves till the waist . I surrounded my neck with a simple chain so as to give it a decent effect .

I chose small heels over the outfit as the gown was a bit too long for me to handle.  I puffed the compact powder all over my face so as to maintain a balance over the uneven pores .

Twisting my hairs into a bun I let off the small strands out giving it a messy look . Mess was hot , right ? . I gave a smokey effect to my eyes and applied a nude shade on my lips .

Usually I didn't like to get ready but today I wanted to look different . Good kind of different , in his language . I tried blushing red to my cheeks as the thought of him had done half of it's work.

"I want t-to confess something ", I stammered "I like you , I mean I love you . I can't deny the fact that I have started feeling for you . I don't expect the same from you, I lo-love you and I really do ", I pouted whilst practicing with my reflection in the mirror .

I tapped on my head as I was reciting the lines but never once I found it overwhelming and perfect . Shut up Amanda , just go with the flow .

Looking at my reflection one last time I exited the room .  I took deep breadths as I marched towards the hall room . The place was royally decorated with white curtains all around . The carpet was red . There were small tables around which had an orchid bouquet over each . The ceilings were vaulted with light blue lights . The decoration was very impressive .

I twirled my eye balls around to find Mr Reynolds as he wasn't visible .  "Who are you searching for ,  Miss Waters ?", I felt a touch on my earlobe when I heard a murmur .

"You ", Mr Reynolds wore a black fit tuxedo over a white shirt. His perfectly toned torso showed his perfect body . My eyes widened in awe and amazement . I shamelessly gazed at his perfect face for a while , the moment my reflexes passed a message to my eyes , I turned away as it felt quite inappropriate to stare at someone without sunglasses .

"yes , me " , he stepped closer as he examined me from head to toe. I pursed my lips tight to avoid the smile which was taking birth. Come on Mr Reynolds I have wasted whole 30 minutes of my life to get dolled up  , compliment me.

"You look amazing ", I regretted the words which escaped my lips .  I tried to look away but his eyes were interlocked with mine .

"I always do ", he smirked . The waiters moved around the hall-room with trays which were filled with different kind of masks .

"Excuse me ", I called him and covered my face with a red mask . Red went well with the color of my dress . I knotted the ribbon of the mask through my hands . Everyone had their faces covered so it was quite difficult for me to locate the few people I knew.

"Aren't you going to wear one ?", I questioned as he didn't collect his mask from the tray .

"I am not a firm believer of such balls . I don't think I should attach a mask to my face ", he contradicted.

"I insist please ", I picked up one silver mask for him .

"Okay , not because you insisted ", he took the mask and wore it over his face . The mask covered three fourth of his face , his pale pink lips and sculpted jaw were yet visible . I smiled as he did something I asked him to do.
"Love birds ", we heard a familiar voice . Without even guessing I could say that it was Cody . David was latched with him . I hugged them both warmly , Mr Reynolds greeted them with a nod , I always wondered why he distanced himself so much from every one .

He placed his hand on my waist and squeezed me closer to him,  I gasped in astonishment, "Make yourself comfortable Miss Waters , I'll see you around ", he looked at me one last time and disappeared in the crowd.

"I am glad I finally have some people to talk with, Mr Reynolds is so silent all the time ", I sighed looking at Cody and David "So tell me how did you confess your love to each other ?", I wasn't just intrigued but was trying to secretly take tips .

They smiled looking at each other , David was the first to speak up "Though , it's been only a day of us as official but I feel he's my soul mate already "

"We didn't really have to confess our love to each other . We had those sexy eye contacts , unbreakable ones . Eyes speak , they do --", Cody cut his sentence .

"Of course they do ", he caressed David's hand. " I just couldn't resist my desire to kiss him and to my delight , he kissed me back . We had our thing ever since ", they looked at each other and kind of got lost .

Oh , he kissed me and I kissed him back. Not once , not twice but a lot more than that  . We should be having a thing then . No , their love story definitely didn't prove out to be one sort of help in my situation . I didn't really intend to interrupt their cute moments so I distanced myself away from them .

I smiled cheerfully when we had an eye contact . This party was monotonous for me , It would've been relishing if I had Gina , Francis and Sonia along . I went towards the buffet , filled my plate with delicious delicacies and took a seat at the nearest table .

Food kept me sane , Mr Reynolds was no where to be seen . The lights were dim by this moment as more then half of the people gathered around the dance floor.  Food kept me satiated .

On sensing a gentle touch on the wounded area over my shoulder , I gasped and turned behind to have a look at that person . It didn't take me much long to personify the human figure . Knowing the fact that he was Mr Reynolds , I refocused my attention in the direction of my plate.

How did he touch me on my wounded area and caused me affliction ? . He has tortured me , insulted me , passed sarcastic comments but never once caused me harm . In fact he was my knight in shining armor.

"What ?", I questioned , noodles swooped down from my folk.

He didn't answer me , was he numb ? He instead propelled his hand in my direction . Was he escorting me till the floor ? Oh no no . I chewed the food and gulped them with coke . My hand's weren't dirty but I yet wiped it with the tissue.

I laced my hands with his and accompanied him to the floor . The touch didn't electrify my nerves , it didn't question my sanity . I peeped as I turned my face towards his direction to cross-check . He had the same suite , same mask and the same ruthless attitude . He was definitely my Mr Reynolds .

Why was I so unsure then ? You're going crazy Amanda . The thought of confessing your feelings to him is driving you insane.

"Where to , Mr Reynolds ", I interrogated as he leaded us to the terrace . All this time I was wondering that he was escorting me to the dance-floor . I was wrong and also confused.

Walking through the stairs towards the terrace which was situated at the first floor , he held me closer through my waist . My reflex pulled me away . "Sorry ", I apologized.

I felt embarrassed to make an eye-contact , I didn't remove the mask from my face . He didn't either.  He yanked the door from his leg, his kick was forceful as the door fled open .

We walked separately , the terrace was quite airy . It wasn't occupied with a lot of things . There were 3 chairs and the 7  inch wall was decorated with lights . I couldn't control my blush . I only wanted to scream and shout and let it out .

"I want to say you something ", I tried to hide the strain from my face .

"Mmhmm ", he nodded with his pursed lips . It felt like he was more scared then I was . I saw reflections of two young men through the door . I was very sure that they were the bodyguards which were suppose to safeguard me .How can James come here ? I decided to lock the door of the terrace for a while so as to have a private moment .

After doing the same , I walked in his direction and broke the silence "Mr Reynolds ", I looked towards the floor. I didn't get any answer so i continued "I-I don-don't know how to say this . I've never fe-felt this short for words ", I stammered.

He gave a little squeeze to my shoulders with both of his hands . I took a deep breathe and gathered all my courage before uttering any word . There were 26 letters in English language but they all failed to help me phrase a sentence .

"I am attracted to you ", I exhaled "Okay , attraction sounds more or less like physical attraction but no ", I pushed the strand of my hair back behind my ear.  "I like you . I like you so much . I didn't really liked you when I first met you but now,  you are always on my mind ", I shrugged.

"I never knew if someone could dominate my mind and heart this badly . I don't regret it , I can never . I lo-love ", he didn't let me complete my sentence as he pulled me closed through my waist roughly .

His hands were dug in my back-hair and he slowly rested his lips on mine . What does this action of his depict ? Does he likes me too ?  Is he into me ? Why didn't he say anything then ?

I kissed him back after curling my hands around his neck . He ruthlessly kissed me , he roughly bit my lower lip asking for entrance . I sealed my lips tightly because I didn't feel comfortable . I pulled away but he tugged me closer and kissed me sensuously again .

Giving him a push through his chest, I inhaled the fresh air . I yanked away the mask and threw it in the air . I expected him to do the same , he didn't . "So, you do love me Baby girl ?", the voice was familiar . It wasn't as deep and sexy as of Mr Reynolds.

He slowly took his mask off and pulled me closer . How can someone disguise his personality, wear the same suite and also have the same beard and hairstyle? . My legs trembled in trepidation as I somewhat knew who it was.

"James ", my lips shivered as I took steps backward . He broke the distance by walking closer .

"Always at your service baby girl ", he smirked . His eyes twinkled like he was enjoying this .

"Please leave me alone ", I cried.

"Not so soon , the cops are looking for me . You spoiled my life , I would've been at a happy place if you weren't a hurdle . You've to pay for it ", he paused "pay with your life ", he removed a revolver from his pocket and directed it towards my forehead.

The dream I had last night was turning into a reality . I am glad that Mr Reynolds wasn't around . James could kill him , I didn't want him to save me . I was going to die and I knew it  , the only thing I'll regret was not speaking out my feelings to the man I love .

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Hey ! I know that I've been updating a bit slow. I'll complete my exams in like 5 days and then I can give this book all the time.

Thank you for sticking with me and reading this book.

Much love .