Chapter Two

The preparations for the evening began. Sofia showered and left her hair wrapped in a towel and slipped into the robe provided for her. Her mind shifted to Lucian and so badly, she wanted to ask him where he was going, and who he was going with. In a frustrated sigh, she closed the robe, stood up and made her way downstairs.

"Perfect timing," noted John as he led Sofia towards a bunch of people walking in. "Sofia, this is the team. That's Chris, Patti, Doug, and Rebecca. They are going to get you ready."

Sofia looked at John with an arched brow and a confused look. "Team?"

"Just trust me."

**

Sofia wasn't allowed to open her eyes until every single detail of her costume was completed. "We're almost finished," called Doug standing somewhere to Sofia's left.

She felt her hair being wrapped around her head held by a bunch of bobby pins. Her eyes were closed and she could swear she felt poking near her eyelashes. She tried her hardest to relax but was finding it more and more difficult. Someone whisked something over her head causing her to feel a tightening sensation as it was secured in place. The feel of a soft cool sponge was smoothed over and over her face followed by a soft brush.

"Relax," Chris said in a gentle voice. "I need your makeup to be perfect. Think of something happy. That should help."

She did her best to relax and felt something being arranged on her head and pictured a scene from the movie The Bird Cage and let out a soft giggle. Hands were everywhere and soon she couldn't keep track of anything anymore. She became numb.

"Okay, we're ready for the dress," called Patti in an excited voice. "All the men, out."

"Thank you," Sofia replied as she stood up for the first time in a little over an hour. "Can I finally open my eyes?"

"Just a few more minutes," called Rebecca as she unzipped the garment bag and walked towards Sofia. "Oh wow. This is fantastic. You're going to be the bell of the ball."

Before long, she was dressed and able to open her eyes. On her feet were silver sparkle peep toe stilettos; her long dress was a white almost sheer fabric with an array of crystals intricately sewn into the thin material. It was form fitted with a long slit that exposed more leg then she would ever dare. The bodice of the dress was extremely low cut exposing ample breasts held up by two crystal made straps.

On top of her head was a specially made spiked crystal crown with iced tiny flowers. Her hair was long, wavy and a white/ice silver color that flowed down her back and reached the curve of her spine. Her eyes were framed with silver shadow and long, thick white eyelashes that gave a frozen appearance. The mask was handmade and matched the crystal crown on top of her head giving her the Ice Queen look.

"Wow," complimented David as he stood in the doorway dressed in an amazing Summer King costume. In walked John in his Fall King costume and their friend Tammy walked in with a beautiful gown made of flowers, Spring Queen.

**

The limo pulled up to the Old Mill Mansion down a private road in Greenwich, Connecticut, causing Sofia to let out her breath. Fairy lights of purple, blue and white outlined the mansion, shrubs and trees.

"One picture before we go in," demanded John as he handed the camera to his driver. "Take a bunch," he whispered as he moved towards the group. They all posed in different positions smiling and laughing knowing how fabulous they looked.

"Come on. Let's go inside," Tammy called with excitement in her voice. "I can't wait to see all the costumes everyone's wearing."

Sofia slowly walked up the romantically lit cement stairs and paused as she got to the top. Her eyes took in her appearance from the reflection of the huge double glass doors and she smiled. All four of them looked fantastic.

With their invitations in hand, they walked inside the mansion and noticed all the attention they were receiving. Sofia felt close to naked but dismissed the notion and decided to lift her chin, hold her head high, flirt, mingle, and have some well-deserved fun.

Six huge brass and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling dressed with huge floral vines mixed with ivy. The staff stood in various places around the room, each dressed in costume and a mask holding an enormous silver tray with flutes of champagne for the guests. The entire room seemed enchanted with huge fake trees, with crows, fairies, and trolls hanging from the ceiling.

The four of them stopped for a bunch of photos and made their way inside. Sofia found herself walking around taking in all the sights.

"Don't look now but there's a few men headed our way," gushed Tammy as she stood there with her beautiful golden flower gown, bright red hair with a crown of ivy and baby's breath on her head, followed by bright pink eye shadow, blue lashes, and purple lipstick. She looked like a bright spring day and each girl complemented the other.

***

Lucian had positioned himself perfectly. He wanted to be sure he could see everyone and anyone that made their way to the masquerade ball. Especially the lovely Sofia Drivas. Finally, he spotted her and the more she moved the more he saw of her. His hands clenched at his side in two fists as he did his best to remain calm. He knew in the back of his mind, acting like a caveman would only lead her into someone else's arms. He needed to be calm, cool, and collective. Not an easy task especially the way she was dressed this evening.

***

The music stopped, the lights flashed, and a drumroll sounded. A man dressed in black balloon pants, white frilly blouse, red tuxedo jacket and tails, a red and black top hat, with a bright red mask covering his eyes. He made his way to the center of the crowd with a brilliant skip to his step.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our very first Halloween Masquerade Ball. For your pleasure this evening, we have many different venues going on. If you'll look around the room, there are various games, food tables set up along the wall, are doors to different rooms of intrigue." A slight rumble was heard mixed with chatter causing the masked man to pause. With a deep, booming voice, he continued, "I'm quite sure you're all curious and inquisitive. Keep in mind that this is an evening of mystique so let your hair down and have some fun." He took his hat off his head and vanished in a huge puff of smoke.

"Cool!" yelled John taking Sofia's hand in his. "Come on. Let's go and explore."

"Oh look. There's a door," called Sofia with excitement as she stopped and pointed to her right.

"Open it," demanded John in an anxious voice.

In the far left corner of the room stood a man dressed in a court jester outfit bowing for a king and queen.

"Welcome. Please do come in. Henry here was about to swallow my sword," said the king in a sexual tone.

David snickered, closed the door, and moved into the small room. The jester lifted up a huge sword, opened his mouth, and slowly pushed the sword down his throat.

Once the show was over, the lights flashed and the door was opened and the small group made their way out of the room.

"Well that was disappointing," joked David.

"You were expecting?" asked John with a raised brow.

"Something a little more exciting."

***

"Come on, it's getting late," cooed David. "Let's check out as many rooms as possible."

Room after room they went. Before they knew it, they made it to the very last door and stepped inside. The room was set to look like a church with an altar, a religious statue on either side, and three rows of pews.

"Welcome. I'm Minister Caruso and will be performing the final ceremony for this evening. I'll be choosing six people to stand here and recite wedding vows as I perform a triple marriage ceremony.

Sofia looked around the room and noticed an ogre, a leather clad man, a group of super heroes, a fairy, a gangster, and the original people she came with.

Minister Caruso cleared his throat and had everyone stand in front of the first row of pews. "The fairy, Leather man, Green man, Frost lady, Flower girl, and the Leaf man. Everyone else please have a seat."

John moved next to Sofia and whispered, "This should be fun."

The minister looked at each and every one of his choices and sighed. He walked back and forth examining each person. Finally, after what seemed a lifetime, he began to rearrange the people.

"Fairy and the Leaf man over here," he said as he pointed to the exact location.

"Flower girl and Leather Man, over there," he said as he pointed to the location he wanted them. "Frost Lady and Green man right here."

Sofia heard the Minister clear his throat, began the ceremony, and before long, there was an exchange of rings and vows. Sofia stood there like a statue and had to remind herself that this was all for fun and finally remembered to breathe.

A deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts and said, "By the power vested in me through the state of Connecticut, I now pronounce each and every one of you husbands and wives. Kiss, dance, be merry."

Tammy spoke first, "Well that was fun. I think I like the choice the minister made." She winked at Sofia and left.

"Oh, before I forget," called the Minister while extinguishing the lit candles. "Please sign the form at the back wall and leave a comment. Thank you."

"Here," called the Green man as he handed Sofia a piece of paper that each of them signed. Once she was finished, she placed her pen on the table and made her way towards the door.

"Not so fast," called the Green man in his thick accented voice. "I don't believe I got to kiss my bride."

Sofia blushed, walked over to him, and placed a soft kiss on his lips. A chill went down her spine and goose bumps covered her arms and legs. Her head felt fuzzy and she wondered if it was the alcohol or nerves. She quickly moved to the opposite end of the huge room and leaned against the wall for support. 

"There you are Sofia," called John in a relieved voice pulling her back from her thoughts. "Time to go. It's midnight. Can't have us turning into pumpkins."