Chapter Twenty-Two: Alejandro

Today's the day the Masquerade ball is held.

My father bought a house in the countryside of South Korea only for the ball. It's going to be a waste since this Masquerade will end rather...quickly. I decide to wear a feather-printed Burgandy one-button blazer suit. The texture, elegantly made, when your hands slide across the suit, your hands slip. The first suit I made by myself. I am going to be wearing a gold mask covering one of my eyes while the other one is exposed.

I hear the doorbell ring. I walk out of my room, down the stairs, and to the door. It's Ci-Xi. She is wearing a blue Victorian Gothic Luxury dress. It is a dress that would be worn in balls long ago. This type of dress is made to stand out. I picked this dress for her...purposely.

"Do I really have to wear this ridiculous dress?" Ci-Xi enters as she picks the dress up so it doesn't touch the floor, closing the door behind her.

"Yes, you do. You told me I m the boss of this plan and don't forget. I run you and your parents. This game is going to be played by my rules. I am 26 already almost 27. It's about time I had some fun. And while I am having fun seeing my father's face, you will benefit entirely"

"Yeah, yeah"

"Where's your mask?"I laugh, "Oh right, I haven't given that to you yet," I direct her to follow me to the basement that no one knows about. Before we head down the stairs to the basement, I receive a notification on my phone that someone is at the door. That must be Akio. I text my Secretary Kim to let him in and show him to the basement. Footsteps approach us. He is wearing a blue Victorian suit matching Ci-Xi. They look ridiculous but this is how the game goes.

"Have you seen this?" He looks at the flounces on his suit.

"I know," She responds, obnoxiously.

"No one saw you come here right, Akio?"

"No, you told me to come through the secret backyard entrance"

"Correct, you listened," I put my mask in my pocket "Now for your masks." I leave the basement to grab their masks. Once I head back down, I tap a code, 010221, on the wall for the door to appear. The day I went to the Esplanade and realized that I am in love with Gwen.

"Is this my mask?" She looks at the customed mask with diamonds and gold around the whole mask along with silk strings on the sides.

" Here is your mask" I hand Akio his mask, "It covers with 3/4 of your face. This is all gold mixed when a Chester concept." He attaches the mask to his face.

"How did you think about something like this?"

"Another of my many...many talents"

"Arrogant," Ci-Xi rolls her eyes, "Now, what about my feet? Am I really going barefoot? What if my perfect feet get all rough? Where is my special lotion, Akio?"

"You don't have perfect feet because then you wouldn't have rough feet would you?" I get annoyed how women think they are nothing without their precious cosmetics. "Tonight there will be lots of running. But you know for there to be a game, it can't be just the three of us. I invited TJ, Stacy, Ben, Rosa, Ross, and the sisters, Jane and Ann-Marie."

"Who are they?"

"We met most of them through Gw-"

"What did I say to you about bringing up that name?"

"What name?" Akio nervously chuckles.

"Good," I swipe my hands through my straight black fluffy hair, "I couldn't invite Azul and Hunter because they just started with their wedding plans"

"Yup, marriage plans for everyone," She cheers.

"Alejandro, what are you trying to do here exactly?" Akio asks abruptly. I clear my throat loudly.

"I am doing this for you two either way whatever I do, I have the power too"

"How would it be for the two of us if we don't even know what we are supposed to do," I get a notification from Seceratory Kim.

Chairman Park, we have arrived, your friends are here.

"The others are arriving now. Wait here," I walk upstairs and I see all of the 7 people left. As I walk to open the door I hear loud talking, "Shhh," I put my finger against my mouth. They all close their mouths. Secretary Kim nods his head and I mouth 'Thank you' for bringing them safely without getting caught.

"Sorry, Alejandro this place is just huge," Rosaline whispers looking around her.

"I don't care about that right now. Let's go," They follow after me.

"You 7 need to get changed since you got here the latest"

"Yeah, 15 hours, Park," I let out my hands to show that I know. "And these two with those fits looking like someone from the old days" TJ wipes his nose trying to hide his smile.

"We know," They sigh. I pull out my Ipad and slide pictures virtually in the air.

"TJ you will be wearing this green Chester suit with this che-"

"It's jester," Ross and everyone starts to laugh but I didn't care because I don't get embarrassed anymore.

"Ok, jester"

"I was going to let it slide but Nah" I ignore Ross and continue talking

"...jester suit with this white mask that covers all your face except for your mouth, eyes, and nose" By the look of TJ's face, he looks satisfied. I press a button and a door opens in the corner of the room, "There is your suit," TJ runs and shuts the door, "Sisters you will be wearing black cat masks with one of you wearing green feathers. Ann Marie, you will be wearing a mask with blue feathers. The dresses will be all black glitter with black fur wrapped around but elastic."

"This dress is not my type," Jane says scratching her head.

"The ball has a mix of Victorian Gothic and Modern. Most of what I am going to give you is like this"

"She might not like it but I love it, Oppar," Ann-Marie yells.

"It's not that I don't like it. I love cats. I don't mind it. But, I will not call you Oppar like her"

"I never asked her to call me that," I swipe to the next few outfits and I point to the door next to TJ's changing room.

"Next, the old couple and new couple outfits," Ci Xi and Akio say.

"Who's the new couple?" Rosa turns around to see Stacy and Ben waving their left hands showing their wedding rings.

"The always arguing two's from Alejandro's Coffee Shop"

"Oh, you two. Congrats!"

"Thanks and when are you two getting married? If we may ask"

"Soon," Rosa puts her arm around Ross. I zoom in on the old couples' dresses and suits first.

"For the new couple, a black and gold, literal gold, no fools gold, suit with a matching mermaid dress. It comes with these gold masks. Ben, you are going to have to hold yours by the little stick"

"I'm fine with that," Ben puts his thumbs up. I zoom in on Stacy's outfit.

"You all are going with the Blue velvet concept. This here is a blue velvet evening gown with blue sapphires. The blue sapphires hanging from the side of the dress along with this blue rose mask. You are the only one who is going to wear heels tonight. As you see you will have a blue bloomed rose made of silk on the side of the shoe with diamonds," Rosaline's eyes sparkle.

"That is my favorite color," TJ, Ann-Marie, and Jane leave the changing room. The married couple goes into a room together and Rosa goes into another.

"See look. You couldn't have given me something like that?" Ci-Xi asks.

"No. You two are the main characters. In the situation you are in, it won't help you, you might get hurt," I respond, "Ross, you have no Saphire on your mask. It is just black silk. I don't want you wearing anything feminine. Also, all of these suits, masks, dresses, shows, are custom made and are for you to keep. After the Masquerade ball, you may sell it since my company's brand is already engraved inside"

"Thank you," Ross runs to the next separate room where his suit is placed.

"Yeah, thanks, Park"

"Mhmm. I have no reason to keep them either. They are not my type of style. And for the dresses...I think you all know the answer," We all wait for Rosa and Ross. They come back quickly. They are fast changers. "Let's start with the plan. It will make more sense when we get there which is a little early to check the place out and then leave right away. This way no one will find us suspicious. My family doesn't know any of you all are invited in the first place. I will start with Ross and Rosa since your positions are the easiest"

"Oppar, you are blabbing a lot," Ann-Marie blurts out.

"Won't you ever get over me?" I pull my eyebrows down together becoming irritated with everyone adding their little comments everywhere.

"Never, Oppar," Ann-Marie blushes.

"You two will stand under the chandelier at the mansion, to be the surveillance from the center of the room but also you're going to be dancing since it is the middle of the room. The shape of the ballroom is the colosseum of Rome"

"That's a big room," Akio looks up.

"When you fill it with people, it gets smaller"

"But we just stand and dance while surveilling?" Ross asks and I nod my head in agreement.

"Wait, upstairs so the other's plans don't get confused with yours," I open the secret door with my device.

"Acrobatics is going to be done by Ann-Marie and Jane," Ross and Rosa shut the door scaring the girls.

"Fun. We already got this," They cackle.

"There will be a rope hanging to the chandelier. It's a clear rope. It's thick too. This is for people to think you are walking or sitting in the air. Which will bring their attention and entertainment to the room. Ann-Marie before you get on the rope, you have to check that the strings are intact especially before Jane gets on. You, Jane, will pull a rope that opens up a bag full of black glitter but that's after the last part" I say looking at Jane hoping she is focused, "Ben and Stacy. I know you two are into sports. How about a game of throw and catch?" I grab a football from the shelf and throw it at Ben. He catches it.

"Sounds like fun," Stacy smiles "Like at our little wedding at Central Park. No one knew of us married because it was only our parents who were there. We were never rich neither were our families so a small wedding was the way to go"

"Bum," TJ looks up, "Have I ever told you that you look like a French Souffle chef?"

"No," TJ snorts.

"You are going to be working in the kitchen as the main chef except nowhere near the kitchen technically," I smirk, "You know how people drink wine?"

"Yeah," He gives me a look as if I am dumb.

"I don't want anyone drinking wine instead why not some strong coffee? Drip coffee? Its levels of caffeine through the roof. This will make all the guests attentive to what game I am playing. Lastly, Ci-Xi and Akio. The reason why the night is going to be the way it is," The others already upstairs waiting in the living room. I go around the house and turn off the camera so we have privacy, "Akio you won't be joining until a little later...But you still have to pay attention to this part"

"I trust you," Akio lays down on the couch.

"Ci-Xi, me and you, will walk in arms since we are supposed to be a couple announcing our engagement. I will walk up to the stage after an hour or so. A little after each one of everyone does their part. A few words will come out of my mouth and Boom!" I yell as Aio jumps up falling onto the floor. "Akio will make a stunning entrance by picking you up and taking you to the stage right next to where I will give my speech. You will say this is my husband"

"He's not though"

"Oh no, no. I don't lie. You know that...you are getting-" I stop right there, "That part of the plan is not going to be revealed yet"

"Just listen babe," Akio says to her.

"Fine. I am married and then what?"

"Then you will say things to insult me. You will then run out of the main door and Secretary Kim will help you with the rest. Now to the lino so we can check out the place." We all head to the living room and I tell everyone to get to the limousine waiting outside.

Hours later we reach the mansion

"This place is...I don't have words," Rosa says in awe. I point at the clear ropes, "So there is where you and Ann-Marie will be. The handle to make sure the rope is stable and right behind there. Stacy, Ben you will each be on one side of the ballroom. The ball is going to be in a wooden container." They look to where I point "TJ. The kitchen is over there. You read the text I sent you for how to make the coffee smell and look like wine"

"Yeah," TJ skips to the kitchen but I yell his name to stop because I forgot to say something. "When Ci-Xi and Akio disappear the ballroom. Secretary Kim here," He bows down, "Will take you to the airport in a black van so you can go home."

"Can you even trust this guy? What if he works for your dad?" Rosaline gives Secretary Kim a dirty face.

"My father has nothing to do with him," I respond to her.

"But riding a plane in these clothes?" Jane looks down, "For hours," I ignore her and check the time.

"We have to leave now. The ball will start soon so let's go a place a little farther from here and when more people arrive we will each leave separately," I call TJ to hurry up. 30 minutes later, he finishes his job and joins us in the car. I turn off all the lights before we leave the premises with no sign that we were here.

-

From a distance, I can see many cars pass by. Elegant foreign cares and limousines entering the masquerade mansions land. I see enough people join in so I let Secretary Kim know to enter the premises now. Secretary Kim parks in the farthest parking lot. Ci-Xi and I leave the vehicle first. I let everyone else know the order they enter. The parking lot road is made of small gray pebbles as I walk on it I hear car wheels and women heels. We enter through the front door. I look at the setting, the design of the ground floor, and the rest of the rooms. It has completely changed from an hour ago. The room with black and white silks, delicate feathers on clothed white round tables, and scattered about in the room highlighting the diamond chandelier. Ci-Xi and I were greeted by guests as we roam around in locked arms. This frustrated me. I adjust my tie like I do when I am irritated. I should go with the program it won't be too long.

"Hello, my son-in-law," Ci-Xi's mom walks up to me looking at me up and down, "Oh wait," She covers her mouth with her newly polished nails, "That hasn't been announced yet," She giggles.

"It is nice to have your presence here," I say as I slightly nod my head.

"It's nice to see you mom," Ci-Xi says sweetly as she hugs her mom. Ci-Xi's dad strolls up along with my father. They are both wearing casual black and white suits, different fabrics. Along with a black and silver mask. My father wearing a black and bronze mask.

"Beautiful red, you have there," Ci-Xi's dad looks at my suit.

"Burgandy," I correct him with a chuckle so his mood doesn't become agitated. I see my grandpa.

"Alejandro!" He pauses, "I know you made this yourself," I smile seeing my grandpa's face which I haven't see in a while. I look down at his hand and he has a glass of wine-like coffee. Sorry, Grandpa.

"Son always the charmer, Am I right?" My father says raising his glass towards Ci-Xi's dad to get his attention. Why not? I am the charmer and a successor. Who can forget about the looks?

"You two have fun tonight. We are going to talk to others now," The mom locks arms with her husband and disappears into the crowd. Ci-Xi and I continue roaming around the rooms greeting more people. I notice each one from the car come separately through the entrance planned except for Akio. I look up and the second floor is occupied as for the third that is the empty floor where Ann-Marie and Jane are going to be. Time passes and each person I come across has a glass of wine-like coffee.

My game shall now begin.

I let go of Ci-Xi and I whisper to her to go by the entrance. I slowly stroll to the platform of the room.

"Good evening everyone how are you doing?" Everyone raises their glasses and smile. "I'm glad you all are having a good night. Why not a round of applause to the ones who made this happen, the Nan's and my father," Applauses are made, and then the attention is drawn back to me, "I would like to thank you all for coming because tonight there is a special announcement that I want to share," I notice my father and Nans perk up. I look up to Jane and Ann-Marie getting into place. I look at where Rosa and Ross are and only find myself looking at Ross. I continue, "During the past years, it has been going pretty fast and difficult for me. The truth is I have been in the hospital the past year," gasps disperse throughout the crowd. My father's facial expression alarmed me, "I have memory loss," I say. Usually, you can't be a Chairman if you have a mental illness or disease of any sort. "Yes, it's true," Akio barges through the front door right on time and picks up Ci-Xi taking her to the stage next to me. The looks of the people are shocked by what they are seeing. Ci-Xi pushes me away from the mic.

"It's true. Many of you think this ball was made because of the engagement of me and Alejandro but mom and dad the truth is I am married to this man," She grabs Akio's hand, "I know you have tried showing me his sides that everyone thinks is there but I would never marry this man. His arrogant and bad attitude makes him useless. All he does is drown himself in work and forget those around him" Couldn't have said it better myself. Murmurs start to rise in the crowd. A football slides across the ball changing the direction of their eyes.

"Catch," Stacy yells. Ben catches it and throws it back.

"Got it, baby," I try to hide my laugh. They are speaking in English and the language this is used here is Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and a few European languages so almost no one understands them

"You all need drip coffee like the guest down here are drinking," The guests look at their glasses mysteriously.

"I can fly," Jane mounts the tightrope and so does Ann-Marie. Jane pulls the glitter making it falls on everyone. In an instant, Ci-Xi yells.

"Zai Jian," She runs with Akio through the entrance. They are gone. My father gives me a death stare, he must know I am the mastermind of this game. All I do is smirk. I look up to see Jane sitting down trying to get up but as she starts to walk off, her foot starts to slip. She wobbling, she's unstable. Where is she? Where is Ann-Marie? Maybe she's behind the wall balancing the rope holding onto Jane but can't? The chandelier starts to shake. It-It's going to fall. I look up again to see if anyone is helping. I notice a blue velvet dress fling across the third floor but she is running away. What is Rosaline doing? Rosaline, What is going on in that head of yours? The chandelier hangs by a string. The people move to the side away from the chandelier. In a blink of an eye, Jane falls with the chandelier causing fire to scatter through the floor now. TJ runs to me.

"We need to call 119. Now!" I dial the number on my phone. I let the person know the address and issue. The guests scatter out of the ball and through the exits. I run with TJ to Jane.

"Jane," I call out to her. She groans. I lift her head and that is not wine-like coffee.

"Blood," Stacy cries out. Ben hugs her taking her eyes away from Jane. Ann-Marie comes rushing to Jane's side.

"Where were you?" Are the first words to escape my mouth.

"Rosa!!" Ann-Marie bursts crying, "She's not breathing," The EMTs bursts through the doors and take Jane on a stretcher. I notice my father's face of disappointment as he walks towards me

"You better hope the news of you being sick doesn't travel back to the fact that you made this problem," He slaps me, "You keep acting like a child that needs his mom to watch him." Why would he mention mom when he is the one wh- "I was wrong, you haven't changed," He walks off but before he leaves the ballroom I open my mouth.

"I can never be a good enough son for you can I?" He stops and disappears from my sight. Anger rises in me and a thought comes to mind. How did he know this event turned out like this because of me? I remember Jane and storm out to see the ambulance leave the premises but the firefighters are now putting out the fire. Rosa and Ross are the only ones in the lot. I jog to them.

"What did you do?"

"I just wanted to help," She cries. Even her tears make me feel something is off about her. They feel...false. A call from Ci-Xi comes in.

"Hello"

"Alejandro! I can't believe you did that. You're amazing. We got married!"

"Surprise"

"And you have an island for us to be alone in peace," Akio yells, "Best honeymoon. Thanks so much"

"I guess you knew what you were saying when we would get married," I feel happy that they are I don't mention the situation that happened before they left, "Well our plane is about to depart. Thanks again for helping me be with that one person I love. Be happy Alejandro," Ci-Xi hangs up the phone. I never was told by anyone to be happy. Those words ringing in my ears. My plan to have fun to help old friends I had failed causing me to hurt them. Secretary Kim pulls up the car. I want to go to the hospital but I can't because then suspicions will arise that I caused a person to get hurt. Then I will definitely get my position taken and I can't afford for that to happen.

"President Park, Rosaline Palay," He says showing me a video from the third-floor camera, "She did something with the rope but her dress is covering so what she is doing isn't shown." My suspicions keep growing higher. "The news of you having memory loss and being in the hospital is causing various questions by reporters but nothing to worry about. The planes to the West for your acquaintances, Do I cancel them?" I nod my head yes. When I arrive home, I sit in front of my aquarium taking up one wall. The reason why I bought this fish tank is that it's fascinating how fish do the same thing every day.

For them, life just passes by and they move on.

I always think why can my life move on like them?

Why can't I forget that one person?

Not only that but I hurt someone close to them. I did not want to hear from her and I haven't for almost 2 years.

The next morning

"Good Morning, Alejandro," I open my eyes, seeing my grandpa.

"Morning," I sit myself up.

"Enough trouble for one day huh?"

"How's Jane?"

"She's fine. She broke many bones and had to go through a few surgeries already but for the most part, I think she will recover"

"It's my fault. I will pay for all of it"

"No, your father will handle it. He knows what to do. So don't do anything else. But what you need to do is tell me where Ci-Xi is. Her parents are looking for her"

"She's gone with her husband on a faraway island not married to me," I say feeling good that I avoided an arranged marriage.

"At least tell me where she is exactly her parents are worried sick," I could care less but I guess it is her parents.

"I will give you her number but you cant tell them an address until a month later. Promise?"

"Promise," Grandpa sits next to me, "Maybe you need a little break. It seems like you have a lot on your mind. Go somewhere to relax like N.Y.C?" I don't say anything in the beginning but I decide I should. The very next day around 4 p.m., I head to N.Y.C.

9 p.m. New York City

Instead of going to my apartment, I walk down Wall Street and sidewalks for a breeze of air. The weather is moist but chilly. I see lightning shine in the sky. It's going to rain, I knew I am going to sleep well tonight. I walk down the way to Alejandro Coffee Shop. It's closed now but when I walk to the window I see Mr. Alejandro on the phone. He turns around squints his eyes and waves at me. He probably didn't recognize me. He holds up a hand signaling me to wait. I tuck my nose in my coat. Mr. Alejandro puts down the phone and opens the door for me.

"My boy," He wraps his arm around me. But it's different, IM different. I wouldn't mind people putting their arms around me except for Grandpa or TJ. Now, someone I haven't see in a while makes me feel uncomfortable. I shuffle away from his arm, "How have you been?"

"I'm doing good, I think," I respond not knowing how I was feeling.

"Come on sit, sit," I sit down at the tall counter in front of the coffee brewing machines. "Let me treat you to some coffee after all this time!" Mr. Alejandro goes behind the counter and starts to make me coffee. I look at how he makes the drink intensely. I have never seen him make coffee. The coffee shop fills with the scent.

"Surprised? That I am here?"

"Of course! Look at you! All in a suit and tie. You look like a grown man. So how have you been?"

"Busy," He chuckles pouring me a cup of coffee "Anything new with you? You used to come in here with jeans and a random shirt. Now, look at you with an expensive suit, watch, and coat. You look more sure of yourself now. Confident type. I can feel it"

"I am a Chairman now. Park Group," His facial expression amused, "I live in South Korea now so yeah just a break from everything," I take a sip, "It's delicious, sir"

"Now, anything new with Gwen?" He teases. My temper changes. Everyone mentions that name.

"I don't associate with her anymore...haven't for a long time," He doesn't say anything. I look at my watch and chug down my coffee, "I guess I have to go now, sir"

"Ok, well seems like you have money so you are living an easy, happy life," Is it really easy and happy like he thinks? "If you ever need anything I'm here," I wave goodbye and decide to continue to walk down the street. It starts to rain as I thought. I don't avoid the rain. I let the rain drain my coat my hair my clothes and my eyes. My eyes start to become watery, blurring my vision. Tears I have shed in over a year. Tears that would always fall at the slightest have finally come down. I feel embarrassed that I have never overcome something I tried to change. I think of that one person that I ignored my thoughts about. Those memories flood my head. Her eyes. Her smile with the one dimple on her left cheek. Her laugh. Her hair. The ones I wish I would abandon me. The one I love. Suddenly, I hear someone crying. I look up and it's a woman with her head slightly ticked in her knees. She soaked. She looks up in my direction for a second. It's her...Gwen. She doesn't notice me. I don't think she can see me. I noticed a convenience store. I can buy her an umbrella. I can drop it off next to her without her knowing it's me. I go to the convenience store and buy the umbrella, rushing back to where she is. However, when I rush to her a man is in front of her. It's the friend of hers that came to my apartment and asked me those questions. I was slightly annoyed back then that she had a guy friend. I was glad she has someone else that was there for her but I wanted her to forget me but I didn't. Deep down, I truly did not. But it seems like she did.