Auburn Beauty

He stood at the end of the tunnel

And all he saw was unending darkness

He had come this far with hope of the light.

But he found nothing.

There was no light at the end of this tunnel.

Not when he kept his face masked and his eyes closed.

As though the sun was lying on the earth's surface, light radiated from the DeAngelis mansion from miles away, loud music could be heard emitting from the place. It was the usual way of the DeAngelis, they were all about this sort of event.

"We're almost there sir". Bernard said to Ralph who sat in the back seat with Jack. He nodded briefly to the young man, Bernard has been his driver since he returned to London, he knew every inch of London and was pretty good at his job.

The DeAngelis always held the biggest events, you could see lots of cars trooping in and out of the mansion gate. This was going to be the biggest event Ralph will be attending since his return to London.

Bernard continues talking, Ralph barely nods at everything he was saying. He wasn't in any way interested in what Bernard was saying. His mind seemed to have been wrapped around the lady in red and the content of Thomas's note.

"How dare they?" He muttered under his voice.

Don Ralph. Jack spoke out thinking Ralph had said something to him. He quickly realize Ralph had muttered something to himself.

As Bernard drove from the gate to the mansion, Ralph couldn't help but admire the beauty of the DeAngelis Mansion, it had Waterfalls and gardens at every angle, it was about fifteen minutes drive from the gate to the mansion, it is pretty obvious that the mansion is not lacking in size. They were directed to another building a bit far from the mansion, it was a hall. The DeAngelis halls for balls.

Bernard stopped the car at the doorstep of the hall. The place was fully packed, it was indeed a gathering of torcs and gowns.

"We're here Don". Jack said as he opens the Door for Ralph.

"Meet us inside," Ralph said to Bernard as he composes himself and stepped out of the car.

Bernard drove off immediately to park the car.

Ralph felt the gaze of a lot of people on him but paid no attention. Everyone seemed to be wearing a  mask, He never thought about that. He would have gotten one.

"Any information on the Lady in red?" he asked Jack

"Not yet" Jack replied with his head down.

Ralph breaths in deeply." Let's go in"  He said. Jack simply nodded and led the way through the crowd into the hall.

Inside the hall seemed pretty big, however it was overcrowded, no wonder there were a lot of people outside.

The building was painted white and gold, It had a spiral oak staircase, wrought with iron railings, and beautiful chandeliers hung over Ralph's head from the high ceiling at the center of the hall and all over the hall, the floor tiles were very elegant too, and despite the crowd present, it didn't seem as though they were short of staffs to attend to guests and everyone seem to be involved in an activity, either drinking, mingling or dancing.

Ralph found his way to a corner of the ballroom moments after Bernard joins them. He could see the whole of the hall from here while he stayed unnoticeable. He sighted the Lord Mayor of London and The Mayor of Tower Hamlets as well as other high political dignitaries. He expected nothing less from the DeAngelis, keeping a good public image to attract the good people of the public while they continued their underground mischief.

He grabs a glass from the waitress who strolled past him wiggling her waist in a bid to get his attention but he was least interested in a mere waitress.

"Jack?"

"Yes, Don". Jack responded immediately. Ralph moves his glass directing him to come closer then whispers something to him. Jack immediately walks off.

Ralph kept watching the ball, he could see some ladies and gents watching the event from the interior balcony as he lifted his head. they were some members of the DeAngelis family.

"You seem not to be interested in the ball". A female voice said from behind him.

He turned to see who it was, but he didn't notice her until she had spoken, She wore a mask which made it hard to see her face. He immediately notices her light auburn hair which was pinned and tucked perfectly, at that moment, he wished for nothing more than to be able to bury his fingers into it. Her elegant white dress emphasizes her curves and the slit on her did nothing to hide her slender, flawless legs. He could have sworn to himself, that behind that mask is a beautiful face. 'This one is a temptress' Ralph mused.

"Should I be?" He asked as he tucked his right hand into his suit jacket, brings out a cigar, and lit it.

"Maybe". "That's if you ain't so terrible at the dancing of cause".  She replied.

Ralph ignored her. He didn't come here to have a conversation with some strange lady.

"Dancing is not for the likes of us". He replied as he turned away from her.

"Who would believe that the Don of the west can't do something as simple as dancing?" She asked.

His eyes widened, and the thought immediately hit Ralph, 'She had beautiful Auburn hair like the lady he had seen at the funeral and she knew him, Could this be the Lady in red?' he thought.

Jack turned swiftly to face her as realization struck him.

She smiled briefly as if she read his mind then turned to leave. Without realizing it, Ralph stretched out his hand to grab her arm, she turns immediately.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked before he could pull a brake from his thoughts. He felt stupid asking because he knew nothing about dancing. He had asked because it was the first thing that popped into his mind the moment she turned and now he hoped she will say No.

"Yes, I will," she smirked, her red lips curling up in a way that told Ralpheal he had been goaded by her little stunt.

'Shit, he had made a mistake.' Ralph looked around to see if Jack was around. Possibly to ask for one or two dancing tips. But the young man seems to be missing in action.

They both moved to the center stage to join the league of dancers who seem to be enjoying themselves. For some reason, Ralph felt uncomfortable, possibly because it seemed to him like he was being watched by the DeAngelis from the balcony. He hoped they won't recognize him.

He grabbed her waist to bring her closer to himself.

He has watched people dance before, he has never seen a more fascinating dancer. She was simply amazing and stunning. He admired her Auburn hair and imagined how it would look if those pins which held it bound were taken off. He felt her foot on his toes briefly. Yeah, it was his fault, standing there and not moving but thinking about the temptress in his arms. He quickly readjust, he needed to start a conversation to take her mind off the dance because he was certain he was a horrible dance partner.

"What is your name?" he asked

"Why do you want to know?". "From what I hear,  you're a man who won't mind putting a bullet into the brain of anyone whose name he does not fancy". She replied.

"So you know me?" He smirked

She laughs briefly. "Don Raphael Zander Wesley". "The king of west London. I believe Everyone knows you".

" I see my reputation precedes me". He said with his gaze on her. Her eyes were true sapphire in color. They were beautiful like the skyline.

"It's not something to be proud of".  She replied as she steps hard on him.

Ralph felt a sharp pain, but said nothing and kept it in.

Almost immediately he unconsciously steps on her.

He felt her gaze angrily fixed on him. She felt he stepped on her purposely.

"You should apologize Zander?" She said angrily as they kept moving.

Ralph's eyes opened widely as he was shocked and pissed at the same time.

"No One calls me Zander, you stepped on me earlier without apologizing and that just now was a mistake".

"Still, you should apologize Zander". She repeated more angrily while ignoring what he said.

"You have quite a nerve referring to me as Zander". He said angrily, she was getting on his nerves now.

"How childish. Have I  hurt the pride of the king of London?" She tauntingly asked him with a laugh.

Her laugh sounded provocative. She was insulting him. And no one spoke to him in such a manner.

As they turned, he noticed Jack at one end of the room. That meant he must have completed the task he gave him.

"Don't leave till I get back". He said as he stops the dance.

"You should say please if you want to make a request". She replied.

"Don't you dare leave"? He said as he takes a bow and walks towards Jack.

"Watch her and make sure she doesn't leave this building until I return". He said to Bernard as they passed by him.

"Yes Don, As you wish," Bernard said with a bow while Ralph walks off with Jack.

As they both walk out of the hall, he noticed her climbing the staircase towards the DeAngelis at the Staircase balcony.

'Was she a DeAngelis?

Or she is just someone who knew them?'

Jack led him to the DeAngelis flower maze which was a good distance from the mansion and the ballroom.

"Don Ralph". A man who bowed with one knee on the ground greeted him.

It was Johnny, his uncle's personal safe manager, and right-hand man. He was also a prominent member of the London cabinet. Jack wanted to see him cause he needed his uncle's ledger which he knew pretty well was in Johnny's possession.

"Mr. Johnny", stand up". He held Johnny's shoulders to pull him up.

"It's a real honor to finally meet you physically. Your uncle always spoke of you".

Johnny was one of the few people who knew he was alive, one of the few his uncle trusted.

"My uncle spoke very highly of you. Did you bring the ledger?" Ralph asked.

"Yes," Johnny replied as he hastily take out a black book from his pocket. He looked through the first few pages before handing it over to Ralph. There is also something I'll like to discuss with you.

Just immediately screams were heard from afar. It seems to be coming from the mansion.

'Did something happen?' There were signs of smoke moving toward the sky.

"Mr. Johnny, I guess we won't be able to talk today. In two weeks. I will pay you a visit".  Ralph said.

"Okay Don," Johnny said. Ralph and Jack walked briskly back to the mansion.

As they got closer, things became clearer. The DeAngelis ballroom was on fire. Everywhere was a mess. Everyone was running helter-skelter.

"Where is Bernard?" Ralph asked as he looked around. He had asked him to watch the strange lady he had danced with before he left.

Jack who joined in the search held a man who just came out of the almost collapsed building.

He coughed and then said

"There's still someone inside. A young man". He cannot leave".

"Wait here". Ralph said and before Jack realized what was happening Ralph dashed into the burning building. He briefly saw Jack in shock at the entrance. Jack was Asthmatic, He won't survive a fire like this. Ralph knew that and made the quick decision to do this alone.

Ralph placed his hand over his nose and quickly made his way out of the ballroom. Looked around in search of Bernard and found him on the floor, one of the chandeliers had fallen over him. He moved quickly towards him.

"Don". Bernard said coughing.

Ralph didn't respond. He placed his hands over the big chandelier and pushed it over.

"Are you hurt?" He asked Bernard who slowly stands up.

"Only a bit but I can move".

"Good, let's get out of here". He said as he tries to lead the way.

"Don, over there". Bernard said while pointing at someone lying on the floor at the foot of the stairs. He quickly rushes towards the person.

There was no doubt about it. It was the lady he had danced with, her hair gave her away. She was unconscious. She must have fallen from stairs amidst all the chaos. Her masks were off but Ralph could barely focus on her face cause of the smoke. He knelt over her, took off his suit, and place it over her to cover the part of her body which were bare. A burning piece of wood falls towards her from the ceiling but he blocks it with his hand and flings it away, he felt a sharp pain in his hand. He must have hurt himself.

He lifts her and makes his way to the entrance. Bernard follows closely. The building was on the brink of collapse. Ralph felt the heat, the building pieces were falling but he paid no attention to it. His only thought was on getting Bernard and this auburn beauty to safety. The entrance seemed like a door of fire. "Is there a  way out of this hell". He stopped for a moment to think.

"Bernard?"

"Yes, Don" The young man who followed closely replied.

"Can you run?"

"Yes, I can try". He replied.

"Good". "Trust me and run right behind me through that door. Okay?"

"Yes, Don".

"Ready...Now!" Ralph screamed. Almost immediately they both dashed towards the door, and Bernard followed closely. The both of them in the twinkle of an eye dashed through the door.

Outside the place was crowded. The gaze of the crowd was upon him like they had just seen the devil walk out of hell. He walked a few distances before his legs failed him and he fell over, immediately the building crumbled down. Jack rushed towards him.

Some other people he didn't know surrounded him as well. He looked down at the lady, he could see her face more clearly now. The pins were off her Auburn hair, he raised his hand to touch it. He felt her silky Auburn hair and smiled sheepishly.

So this was the face of the strange lady?

He had saved an Auburn Beauty.