Cindy and I glanced at each other and laughed.
Cindy raised her chin as she slid back in the lush, leather seat. "None of your business, Dorian."
Chapter 9
On the seat next to Cindy rested a rectangle box.
"What's this?" Cindy asked, poking at it.
I shrugged.
Dorian, who'd been watching, said, "That's your mask, Snow. Check it out."
"It seems small," Cindy remarked.
I picked up the box and placed it in my lap. It did seem minute compared to Cindy's mask, which had three large feather plumes in baby blue and gray protruding from the right side of her mask. Her mask was baby blue, except around the eyes, which had small sequins the same color as the sequins on her dress, lining the openings.
Timidly I removed the lid on the box, and shifted the white paper inside. The mask nestled within the tissue was simple. Red satin, the exact color of my dress, covered in black lace. I immediately loved it.
"That's it?" Cindy started.
I'd told her Professor Pops was having the mask made specifically for the Ball. She obviously thought it lacked any flare. It wasn't pretentious or over the top. It was perfect.
"I like it. The mask won't take away from Snow's beauty," Dorian said.
I blushed. "Thanks, Dorian. Where's your mask?"
Cindy sniffed.
He rolled his eyes. "It's at the house. We all decided on the same style, and color. Black. Except Bart's. His is gray."
We pulled into the circular driveway, and Georgio put the limousine in park. Dorian jumped out, ran around to our door, and held it open. His eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
"What is it?" I asked.
"You'll see." He leaned in so that I got a good whiff of his neck. I had the feeling he did it on purpose. "Love your shoes," he said, and I shivered. Like Eve with the apple, I was tempted.
Just a taste, my mind cooed. But I resisted. Now wasn't the time.
After Dorian helped Cindy out, we turned toward the house. It was lit up with thousands of white, shimmering lights.
"It's beautiful," I breathed, feeling like I'd stepped into a fairytale land.
"You ain't seen nothing yet," Dorian said. "C'mon." He stood between Cindy and I and held out his elbows. I took his arm in one hand and my dress in the other. We climbed the steps. The front door opened, and the three of us stepped inside. The brothers and Professor Pops were off to one side, several fidgeting with their tuxes. They all wore their masks. And one of the brother's, Sebastian, handed Dorian his. He slid it on, moving next to Heathcliff.
They all looked... dashing. Cindy thought so too. I could tell by the tittering noises coming from her throat.
The tuxes were black, except Bart's. His tux was a dark gray, the same as his mask. There were other, subtler, differences in the cut and shape of their tuxes, but the big variance was the colors of their ties, and vests. Bart's vest and bow tie was golden brown. Salvatore wore black with black, his sleek black hair in a low ponytail. Sebastian's vest and tie was navy blue. Daniel's satin vest and tie was white with white. Heathcliff's were gray. Professor Pops didn't have on a vest, but a black cummerbund with a black bow tie. Gabe wasn't among them.
At the top of the grand staircase, suspended in shiny silver rope, was a gigantic banner that read: Happy Sweet 16, Snow!!!
"Happy birthday," all the guys shouted.
I beamed. I couldn't help it.
Cindy gave me one of her looks. It said, "Holy flippin' hell." I laughed.
The brothers gushed at how pretty we looked. I nodded, said "thank you," and hugged everyone, but I worried about Gabe.
"Where's Gabe," I asked Salvatore as we embraced.
He stepped back, eyeing Professor Pops.
Professor Pops cleared his throat and said, "He's with his father."
The remaining brothers issued comments about the lack of truth to the statement, but I just nodded.
"Is he coming?"
"Yes, he'll be here," Professor Pops responded, patting my back. "You look so incredibly beautiful."
"Thank you," I said, trying to ignore the shadow that crossed Pops' features. What wasn't he telling me?
"You've got to see the ballroom," Heathcliff said.
"You're gonna love it," Daniel added.
I let them lead the way, hoping Gabe would come soon.
Cindy moved so that we were next to each other. She said, "Merde, you're lucky."
I grinned. She was right. These amazing men really did care about me, and I appreciated it so much.
Chapter 10
From the front door we went left instead of right to the kitchen where delicious smells emanated. Cindy's heels clacked against the floor as we passed the library, and the entrance to the indoor pool. The guys pushed, joked, and shoved in front of us. But something definitely weighed on Pops' mind.
When we arrived at the twelve-foot tall double doors, the guys paused, and turned, facing Cindy and I. Her heart beat fast, like a hummingbird, and I knew she was excited.
"Put your mask on, Snow," Sebastian said, coming over to help.
I placed it over my eyes.
Cindy slapped Sebastian's hands away. "I'll do it. I don't want you ruining her hair." She carefully slid the stretchy silk-wrapped band over my hair and placed in against the back of my head. Moving to look at me, she sighed and clapped her hands. "Love it!"
I grinned, the edges of the mask touching my cheeks. "Good."
"You ready, birthday girl?" Heathcliff asked.
"Most definitely." My heart beat in time with Cindy's.
I'd been in the ballroom several times over the years. Mostly when I was younger. I knew the outer and side walls were made entirely of windows. Above, in the center of the ceiling dangled an enormous chandelier. In large, checkered squares, blocks of the ceiling were carved out, and inside hung fans. The wall toward the front of the house held mirrors, making the space look twice as large. As kids, the boys and I would sneak into the enormous room to roller-skate, ride our scooters, or skateboard. Professor Pops would inevitably find us, give us a stern talking to, and then send us on our way.
Daniel pushed open the double doors. He was so theatrical and I covered a smile with my hand. The guys parted, allowing Cindy and I access to the entrance.