Prologue

Althea

December 2020.

Present.

The New year Party.

'Dumb'

The word kept reverberating in my head as I looked around me. Amongst the world's best food and lavicious decorations were few of the most dumb people I ever met. I shouldn't have expected it to be any other way though. This masquerade is organised by my boss. So ofcourse, most people who attend it would be 'I am too good to have fun' friends. I mean, who on Earth organises a Masquerade for new year. And moreover, how did I get this unlucky to spend my New year Eve amidst these stuck up people.

Well dont get me wrong. I like my boss. Carl Wellington, owner of Wellington media, is one of the wisest man I had a chance to meet who happens to love sharing his wisdom. The fact that he loves me like he does his daughter doesnt harm either. Infact, he is the only person in our whole establishment whom I am close to, apart from him secretary Genie that is.

A gentle tap on my shoulder brought me out of my thoughts making me turn towards my intruder. I had to supress a groan as Ben, the creepy editor who doesnt understand a no, came into my view with a huge smile on his face.

"Well well. How did this happen? The most pretty girl of our office sitting all alone at the party. Didn't you say you had a date lined up pretty girl?" He said making me roll my eyes in annoyance.

Ray, my best friend from school days who surprisingly held the post of best friend even now, was supposed to be my date for tonight. A family emergency ended up with him ditching me in the last minute.

I hate public gatherings and Ray was my buffer in most of the parties I had to attend. I knew a party without him would be the closest thing to hell I could encounter which made me contemplate the idea of staying home more times than I would like to accept. However, I was emotionally blackmailed by Jane which ended up with me finally giving into her.

Ben's urging cough made me realise that I didnt reply to his earlier comment.

"Something urgent came up," I said without any further explanation.

"You could have called me. You know I would be more than happy to accompany you." I knew and thats the reason I didn't call. Ben was harmless. Though his persistance to get into my pants was tad bit irritating, he's a good person by heart. He wasnt hard on eyes either. With his long blond hair, lean athletic body and smile that could charm most girls, he gives away classical pretty boy vibes. Had we met in some other circumstances, may be I wouldn't mind falling into bed, but now, it was never going to happen since sleeping with him would break two of my main rules.

Number 1 being no sex with colleagues. I strongly believe in a saying that we shouldnt shit where we eat. And the second rule being, never get emotions involved and Ben couldnt hold hands without falling in love.

"I dont mind coming alone Ben," I say.

"I know. But I do. It's ok though. Lets pretend I am your date from now. New year new beginings and all that." he added.

"Thanks for offering, Ben." I smiled.

" I was about to leave though. I am feeling a little low. Probably gonna call an early night," I added slipping down from the bar stool making my way towards Carl to say my good-bye for the night.

"Hey Carl," I interrupted them.

"Hello Althea! How are enjoying the party?" he asked.

"Its great Carl. I really had good time but I think I should leave now," I smiled hoping he wouldnt catch my distaste for his party.

"Why so soon beautiful.?" Said a voice behind me making a shiver run down my spine.

As I turned back,my eyes landed on one of the most finely carved male specimen I ever met. Coloured tattoos were peeking out from pefectly tailored armani suit made him a perfect combination of male rawness and precise elegance.

As soon as my eyes landed on his face, my breath hitched. He wore a bronze coloured Venetian mask which perfectly pairs with the one I wore. His mask like mine hides most of his face making his eerily familiar deep blue eyes which were staring back at me, more prominent. I felt hair raise at back of my neck as a sudden feeling uneasiness inside me.

"Do you mind if I steal this young lady for a while?" He asked Carl.

"Ofcourse not," Carl replied.

"Can I have a dance with you beautiful," he asked me holding his hand out.

I weighed my options which werent many. I can either get back to my doggo or spend some time with this beautiful stranger. My curiosity won over fear and I chose latter.

He lead me onto dance floor which was almost empty. Soft music played in background as he expertly manoeuvred me around the dance floor.

"You look breathtaking," he complimented making me turn beet red. Three hours of hard work for getting dolled up seemed worthy of a single compliment from this mysterious stranger.

"Thankyou," I breathed.

"Red colour suits you doll."

His comment made my eyes go wide. Only one person ever called me with a similar name and hearing his nickname from this strangers mouth made my heart pound faster.

Not being able to take it anymore, I slowly tried to remove his mask. I motion was halted midway with his firm grasp on my wrist.

Holding my palm in his, he bent down slightly and his lips slightly touched my cheek making all my earlier thoughts dissappear. Suddenly, people all around me started shouting and jumping as the clock stuck 12. But with this strangers lips on me, I was oblivious to every sound around me. With his lips on my cheek, his warmth all around me and his scent filling my lungs, he was all I could feel.

But too soon his lips left my cheek and he left me there, alone with my thoughts and went to join his friends.

Once I gathered my senses I felt something in my closed fist. I mentally searched for various possibilities of what that object could be but nothing could have prepared me to what I actually found.

A simple butterfly pendant with words "together forever engraved on it. With shaking hands and blurred vision, I brought it close to me to examine the bottom but even before my eyes found it, I knew what I would find there.

'Aaron & Thea' it read. I released a breath I didnt knew I was holding. I turned towards the direction he dissappeared only to find it empty.

With heart pounding loud enough to be heard and blood in my ears pounding loud enough to mask any other sounds, I moved towards his friends with shaking legs.

"Carl. Where is he? That man who danced with me? Where did he go?" I asked as soon as I was in hearing range of my boss making his eyebrows scrunch together in confusion.

"Who? Mr.Martinez?" he asked totally unoblivious to the way his words knocked the breath out of me. I stood there frozen to the floor listening to the name that didnt belong to the eyes. it kept reverberating in my ears.

"Althea! Ali! Whats wrong? Are you ok?" Carls concerned voice broke through my thoughts.

"Yes. Yes. I am fine Carl. Where is he Carl? Where is Mr.Martinez?" I didnt even try to mask the franticness in my voice.

"He said he had to make a call. He went towards balcony," Carl said pointing towards balcony doors.

I immediately turned on my heels and ran towards balcony unapolegitically pushing through all the bodies on the dance floor. Once I reached the balcony my eyes frantically searched for any sign of him but found nothing.

I kept searching for next half an hour but its like he vanished into thin air. Just like he does in my dreams.

But one thing was for sure....

Its him, everything from the moment I saw him suggested his presence. I know its him, but how can he be here?

Because the last time I saw him he was put to rest SIX FEET BELOW THE GROUND.