Chapter 10: Masks.

Louise's POV

..., only to find Maya looking so beautiful in a black dress with sheer chiffon panels floating over an empire  waistline.

We descended down the stairs to the foyer which had been transformed into a mini ballroom.

I observed the luxury from the lights, to the food trays, the drinks and the seats. Waiters were everywhere and the music was playing softly.

I roamed around, particularly eyeing the food and also the guests as they made their grand entrances from the beautiful women, happy couples and handsomely dressed bachelors.

I wonder when he's gonna show up.

I sighed as I reached for one of the tacos on the buffet table

When another hand also reaches for the same taco at the same time.

I stiffened and blinked, looking up I saw the most bluest eyes I had ever seen with a mop of blond hair.

He looked so good in his tailored suit.

I couldn't get a good look at his face because of his mask.

"You can have it," I smiled politely.

"Why would I want to challenge an angel," He replies with a boyish grin.

I decided to flirt back.

"So you think I'm an angel, Mr...,"

"Jason Mcdowell, it will be an honor to know your name." He replies as we shake hands.

Suddenly the lights dimmed as whispers filled the room.

"Alejandro has arrived."

Ohhh.

"You know him?" I asked. He was too close, I could feel him right behind me as he nodded.

The lights brightened as the crowd started singing led by Dr. Teresa.

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday, Happy birthday

Happy birthday to you.

Claps erupted from the crowd as Alejandro waved and bowed.

The music continued.

I moved to the balcony, away from Jason and away from the party.

****************

My mask was long forgotten as I gaze at the stars trying to gather my thoughts.

"I thought you looked familiar."

I spun around to look at the intruder.

Wait! Is he talking to me.

It doesn't look like he's on the phone.

"Err.....rrm,"

"Are you suddenly dumb."

So rude!

O tongue where at thou?

"No need to be rude Alejandro, I was just caught off guard."

"One would suspect that you were not the same girl who had wanted to bring down the roof with her cries."

"What do you want."

"The question should be, What do you want to tell me?" His eyes betrays nothing except the moon's reflection.

I wonder what He knows.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Third Person POV.

He watches her as she makes her way back to the party.

Beep Beep!

His phone alerts him to a message.

He glances up to see her dancing with Jason Mcdowell.

"Speak......I need more information. I want to know how they are both connected. Hmm... "

The call ended.

He kept his eyes on her. Aunt Teresa always treated her like a porcelain doll , he wondered who she really was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Louise.

The night moved so slow as the bar continued to fill up with customers.

"Lou, table 5 has been waiting over two minutes for you to come and take their drink order," Jenny said as she walked by me with a tray.

"I'll be right over,"

It is a Friday night so the bar was packed. The dance floor was filled with sweating bodies wringling, groping and drinking.

"Will you go home with me, sexy," He couldn't even stand still.

The man was obviously drunk. I am supposed to be used to a little harassment from unpleasant customers.As a bartender/waitress, I always meet different kinds of drunks:

The emotionals

The cry babies

The flirts

The vomiters and

The horny ones to which this Man belonged to.

I reply him as polite I can be.

"Not today, Go home and have a shower."

He soon staggered towards the exit.

"Good evening, My name is Lou and I will be serving you," I greeted the two men, offering them a wide smile.

The two men both turned to look at me at the same time and I felt my stomach drop as I recognized Mr. James Mcgyver.

The other man had an ugly looking scar running down the left side of his face to his jugular vein which added to his dangerous look.

He had an evil gleam in his eyes as he looked me over.

"Hmmmn... Louise Williams in person. It's nice to finally put a name to the face," The strange man said, his tone cocky and confident.

Bam!

Bam!

Bam! The sound of my heartbeat thundered loudly in my ears as if threatening to leave my chest.

Don't let them know how scared you are. I just have to be careful, no one will notice if they try to make you go with them.

"We will have 2 shots of whiskey," he said.

I was able to stop my hands from trembling as I served their drinks. I moved on to serve other customers as I tried to calm my nerves.

My shift soon ended but still James and his companion persisted. After about 30 minutes, they got up and left.

"Lou! there is an envelope addressed to you on table 5."

I rushed and grabbed it from her before she could check the contents.

"They are old acquaintances, I am sure it's just a phone number to reach them. I will call them later," I was able to calm my nerves while answering her.

She studied me for a minute before returning to her chores.

------------------------------------

Unknown POV.

It was quite late when they came out and made their way to the blue mercedes benz. The men argued for a few minutes but it was obvious the older man was being threatened. His shoulders were slumped as he watched the younger man.

Antonio Ruíz worked for a well known mafia, the Caponelli's who mostly dealt in drugs and human trafficking.

Now Carl needed to find and connect the missing dots and report back to the President.