Mishka learns about Bruce’s family

Mishka was caught off guard by Bruce’s question. She did not even think twice when she decided to wear the fox mask.

“I hope he’s not thinking that I have wolf sentiments in me,” she told herself. The look in his eyes had grown serious suddenly.

“What if he turns into a wolf right here?” she asked herself as she looked at him while he danced.

She was so happy that she wore a mask because then she could dance completely freely. She did not feel self-conscious at all. But now Bruce was getting a bit serious and her heart was beating faster from nervousness.

“Oh, I was advised to come wearing a mask and so I just grabbed the nearest one in my cupboard,” she responded to his question.

She then giggled, so that Bruce would relax and realize that she was anything but a wolf. She did not have any ideas about them.

He seemed to pull himself together then by nodding and smiling at her, but Mishka could sense that he was disappointed with her answer. His face fell briefly before he smiled.

“Have I dashed all his hopes now?” she asked herself as she danced. She remembered what the models had told her when she was talking to them a short while ago.

They had mentioned that there were visitors there from England and that they were staying over at Bruce’s house. They had looked very dignified and had all been dressed formally.

“Why were there people here from England, of all places?” Mishka asked herself. “I’m sure they’re Bruce’s relatives from England and not just ordinary people or wolves. They must be having a family or wolf get together. I wonder if Joan has found out about it. Surely they must be related to her as well if they’re related to Bruce?” she asked herself as she continued to dance.

“I will have to ask her about this,” Mishka told herself inwardly.

The music stopped just as Bruce opened his mouth to say something again. He closed his mouth immediately with the brief silence that followed.

“This must be an uncomfortable moment for him. Or did I imagine it? Did he look disappointed in my response about not having any specific sentiments towards a fox mask?” Mishka asked herself as she smiled. Bruce then gave her a slight bow.

“Thanks for the dance,” he said.

“It’s been a pleasure,” Mishka responded with a bright smile as she turned around abruptly and walked away in search of either those models or Freddy.

She spotted a girl with bright pink hair and walked straight up to her.

“Hi again!” Mishka greeted.

“Hi, oh, I see you had a dance with our boss designer,” the girl responded.

“Oh, yes,” Mishka responded with a quick grin. “But listen, you said that there were people from England here. Where are they now? I don’t see anyone foreign looking around?” she asked.

“I don’t know. They were here, so maybe they went to bed early. Maybe they’re not used to partying until late. Or maybe they went out to another venue for the evening,” the model responded with a shrug and a smile.

“She’s already had a few drinks, so perhaps she doesn’t really know what’s happening around her now,” Mishka thought.

“But you say that they could be family or business people, or maybe even both?” MIshka asked.

“It looked like it could be family. But then it was a bit rude of him not to introduce us to them, isn’t it?” the model commented with a raised brow and a crooked smile.

“Maybe he will do that tomorrow if they’re sleeping over,” Mishka suggested.

“You might be right there. But, why did you arrive here so late? You could have met them and told them about yourself and your career?” the model asked.

“Oh, I found out about the party very late. I was gonna stay home and watch TV,” Mishka responded.

“Oh, that sounds so sweet and homelike. Makes me miss home,” the model responded.

“What do you do, by the way?” she asked.

“Oh, I’m not a model, but I am a singer,” Mishka happily. She loved to talk about her music career.

“But that’s exciting! Why didn’t you sing here tonight?” the model asked.

“Oh, as I said, I wasn’t even supposed to be here tonight,” Mishka responded. “Anyway, I’m talking to you, but I don’t know your name yet,” she mentioned with an apologetic smile.

“It’s Elle,” the model answered.

“What a wonderful name for a model. So, do you like modelling here?” Mishka asked, looking around at the glamourous surroundings.

“Oh, yes, even though our designer is a bit private and mysterious at times,” Elle responded with a crooked grin on her face. “But, he’s quite okay most of the time,” she added with a shrug.

“Oh, he will be strange sometimes if he’s a wolf as well as a human,” Mishka told herself.

“Anyway, there’s still dancing and music, so it will be fun if you just sang at least one song,” Elle suggested with her eyes wide with excitement now.

“Oh, I will need permission from the owner and I will have to introduce myself,” Mishka responded. No, not tonight. Also, I’m wearing a mask,” she added shaking her head.

“Are you strictly under disguise then?” Elle asked with a curious look at Mishka’s mask.

“Oh, yes. I only agreed to come if I could wear a mask,” Mishka responded.

“Any particular reason?” Elle asked with a curious smile.

“Well, I don’t want to surprise the owner with my presence today. He knows me, but I don’t want him to know that I’m here tonight,” Mishka replied as she wondered where Bruce had gone to.

She looked around, but couldn’t see him on the dance floor anywhere. The group on the dancefloor was thinning out, so she could see Freddy still dancing with one of the models.

“So, you’ve met him and he knows you. Does he know that you’re a singer?” Elle asked.

“Yes, he does, in fact,” Mishka responded without paying complete attention to Elle.

“Then he should have invited you to come and sing,” Elle remarked.

“Oh, we only met yesterday, so he wouldn’t even consider asking me to come and perform at his house,” Mishka responded.

“I’m curious to know who you are. Can’t you take your mask off just for me? I promise that I won’t tell anyone. I just might know you face, since you were also at that club last night,” Elle remarked with her hand on her chin.

“Okay then, but where will I show you my face?” Mishka asked.

“In the bathroom? That’s private enough, I think?” Elle suggested eagerly.

“Well, okay then. Let’s go,” Mishka replied because she suddenly realized that she also needed the bathroom.

“Great, let’s go,” Elle agreed and led the way into the hallway.

“We shouldn’t be too long, otherwise Freddy won’t know where to find me,” Mishka remarked as they walked along the hallway.

“Oh, don’t worry about Freddy. He can find his own way home,” Elle joked.

“Your designer boss doesn’t stay to dance for too long,” Mishka commented.

“Maybe he has a secret girlfriend to pay attention to,” Elle responded.

“Oh? Do you really think so?” Mishka asked quickly as she glanced at Elle to see if she was serious. Elle looked as if she was not joking, though.

Mishka swallowed hard. Her heart was suddenly beating fast.

“Why would I assume that he didn’t have a girlfriend?” she asked herself. She suddenly felt silly.

“Yes, people like him usually have their secrets and they keep their love life private,” Elle responded.

“Why do I even care whether he has a girlfriend or not? Mishka asked herself as they walked along the hallway. The tight knot in her stomach didn’t go away, though.