My office was swarming with police officers with serious expressions and employees with terrified ones. Word had gotten out about what happened to Susan, and I could hear the concerned whispers as I answered the officer's questions. I could see the nervous glances as I helped clean up the destruction.
They were all wondering if they were next. And I didn't blame them. Wherever I go, destruction follows.
By the time the officers left, baffled that no fingerprints were left, and no one seemed to have forced themselves inside the building, the office took on a deafening silence that threatened to throw me into a guilt spiral. I was the one you called in to get things done, but lifting people's spirits was completely out of my comfort zone. I made people work harder. But making them feel better was like asking a porcupine not to poke you when you asked for a hug. It was just going to be painful for everyone involved.
I sat on the top rung of the ladder, my hair up in a wild bun, paint smudges across my face and clothes as I painted over the threat that had been left across the back wall, trying not to stare at the bright red letters that looked very much like blood, as my employees scuttered around, trying to return order to the chaos.
Suddenly, a loud voice blared over the speaker system that had been set up throughout the office. "NEW CUPID, TIME FOR A CHANGE!" echoed across the room, starling everyone to life. The closest speaker was right above my head and the sound of the voice was so startling that I nearly fell off the ladder.
I dropped my paintbrush, but I managed to stay on. A dance beat suddenly filled the office and everyone looked around with confused expressions. "Cupid shuffle, Cupid shuffle..." a voice whispered loudly through the speakers.
I looked around, trying to pinpoint the culprit. Who on earth is playing music?!?! I saw several people start laughing. Michale who was standing in the corner of the room began to bounce to the beat against his better judgment. He was very particular about his music choices, but he seemed to fall into a rhythm as a guilty expression crossed his face.
"What are you doing!" I shouted down to Michale.
He shrugged. "Don't look at me! This is far from my first pick. But I have never refused the call of the cupid shuffle and I refuse to start now!"
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Yanking it out, I spotted a text from Tate. Show em how it's done.
My eyes scanned the room until I found Tate sitting at Susan's desk, feet up on the desk like he owned the place. He offered me a bright wave, and then motioned to the clear area in the center of the office floor plan. He shot me a pointed expression as if to say, get your butt down here and cheer up your troops.
Pass. I texted back.
Tate tilted his head towards the makeshift dance floor again. Come on. I think you all need to blow off a little steam.
I looked around the room again. My employees were glancing from me to the dance floor, a conflicted expression on each of their faces. I had wanted to do something to make them feel better, and Tate had just dropped it right into my paint-covered lap. Crap...
Climbing down the ladder, I walked right up to Tate and glared down at him. "Remind me to kill you later."
"Noted. And you are so welcome." He leaned back in Susan's chair, fully comfortable there as he stretched his arms above his head. "Now come on. Show us how it's done." He lifted his phone and started the song over again, then he waved me away, making it clear that there was no room for argument.
I walked over to Michale and held out my hand. He raised a skeptical brow at me. "You must be joking."
I laughed. "If I am going to make an idiot of myself, I need backup."
I turned to the rest of the room. "Dance break time. Let's go!"
I was met with surprised smiles but zero protests as they all shuffled into the free space as I dragged Michale along behind me. The floor was suddenly filled with people as the song launched into its first set of directions.
"To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right."
We all danced to the right, then to the beat danced our way back to the left. I hadn't danced the Cupid Shuffle in years and forgot what I was supposed to do next. By the time I remembered that I was supposed to kick my feet up, I panicked and sent my shoe flying across the room and nearly hit Tate in the face. Well, that's a plus.
He caught it an inch away from his face.
"Shoot I missed your face!" I shouted above the music to cover my embarrassment. The room filled with laughter.
Jogging out of the dance lineup, I ran up to the desk and held out my hand for my shoe. Tate held it out of my reach. "I don't know if I should give this back to you. It's proven to be a dangerous weapon."
High on adrenaline and dancing fuel, I reached across the desk and gripped his tie tightly, yanking him forward to help me reach my shoe. Unprepared, he jolted forward and stopped inches from my lips.
His eyes went wide with surprise. I slowly leaned forward, my face inching ever so closer to his, I felt him gasp against my neck. Taking advantage of his distraction, I snatched my shoe from his hand and was rewarded with an utterly flustered blushing Tate face.
Pulling my shoe back on with my free hand, I yanked Tate out from behind the desk by his tie and pulled him towards the dance floor. "You started this mess. You better get your butt onto the dance floor," I said up at him with a dangerous expression.
He blinked several times before he found his smile. "Sure thing boss."
I moved to join the lineup again but before I could, I spotted Michale standing frozen in the middle of the dance floor, on the verge of tears. Oh crap. I broke Michale by making him dance.
Pulling him out of the crowd I led him to my office. Sitting him down, I turned and closed my office door, shutting out the music. "You didn't have to dance if you hated the song on a gutwrenching level," I said sitting down across from him on the edge of my desk.
He covered his mouth and shook his head. A broken, hollow laugh fell through his fingers. "Oh darling, that was wonderful... even if the song choice was questionable. But no, it isn't that."
I took his hand, giving it a tender squeeze. "Is it the pictures? I am so sorry we lost them. It's awful. I know how much work you put into them. And they were so beautiful."
He shook his head again. "It is terrible, but that is not the reason for my tears."
He lowered his head, guilt crossing his expression. A look that scared me. "Michale?" I whispered tentatively. "What is it?"
"I can't work with you anymore."
The words stopped my breathing, shutting down my ability to process words. Michale and I had worked together for years. He was the first photographer I ever hired. One of the only people in my life that had been there as I struggled to climb and build a name for myself.
"I don't understand." The words sounded weird. Like I spoke them underwater. The conversation felt far away. A strange contrast to the laughter right outside the door as another song started.
Michale pulled his hand free from mine. His hands fell into his lap, defeated. "I... was offered an exclusive contract."
I crossed my arms, confused. "You hate exclusive contracts. You like the flexibility to choose who you work with." I cleared my throat to make it sound even. "I know I messed up butâ"
Michale shook his head. "No. It's not your fault. Truly."
"Then what is it, Michale?" My voice rose, fear making it hard to think. I didn't want to lose Michale. "Because your reason sounds like a lie."
"My sister isn't getting better," Michale said, his voice breaking on the last word. He wiped at his lower lids with the tips of his fingers to catch tears before they could leave his eyes. His sister, Claire had been in and out of the hospital since they were little. Things had gotten better over the last few months. At least that is what I was told.
"I didn't know..." I bit my lip. Concern carving its way inside. "Michale, I'm so sorry. What can I do? We can adjust your fee."
He shook his head, words spilling from his mouth in a panic rush. "I need far more than you can pay Allie." Pain flashed in his eyes from behind his spectacles. "And he was willing to do it. So long as I just work with him from now on. It will help save her. It's worth it for her." Michale fidgeted with his scarf, his hands trembling. "Laurence Royalâ"
My jaw dropped open. "Laurence Royal?!?" I fought the bile that ran up my throat. The utter betrayal I felt. I snapped my mouth shut to stop myself from saying something that would make things worse. That would hurt both of us. Michale wasn't vindictive. His heart was too big. He was just trying to save someone he loved.
After a deep breath, and counting to five, I trusted myself to speak again. "Don't do that Michale," I insisted. "I'll help you find another way. Don't sell your creative freedom to Laurence Royal."
He hung his head, silent.
Ice filled my veins as the truth dawned on me. "Oh my gosh..." I covered my mouth. "You already signed the contract didn't you?" I stood to my feet and began to pace. "Did you give them your photos? Did you help them break into Susan's apartment?"
Hurt flashed across his face. "You know me better than that!"
"Do I?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even. "Michale, someone is out to get me. And now you are leaving and the final thing we worked on together has been stolen..." I ran my fingers through my hair. "You know I suck at trusting people. It's just hard to know what is true."
He sighed and stood up. "Well, let me tell you what is true." He pulled my arms out of their angry crossed state and held my hands. "It has been an honor to watch you grow as a designer and as a person." I wanted to say something mean. Anything to distract from the feeling of goodbye. But Michale deserved better than that. I deserved better than that.
"You terrify Laurence Royal." A sad smile filled his face. "And if you keep doing what you are doing, you will send that man running for the hills, and the faster you destroy him, the faster I will be right back by your side."
I sighed, staring at the ground. "I want to be selfish and tell you not to go," I admitted. "Claire is so lucky to have you as a brother."
He tossed his scarf over his shoulder. "Yeah, I'm pretty awesome."
I smiled sadly. "You are."
Michale walked back to his chair and picked up his bag. "Well... I have something for you." He placed a small box on my desk. "I have a backup drive of the pictures. They are just the raw files... but with some editing, you should have enough to fix what happened."
I stared at the box, surprised. "How did you?"
He waved his hand like it was nothing. "I keep emergency files. I would have told you about it earlier, but after I saw your office, I thought you'd need a few hours."
Michale walked towards the door. "When you are ready, there is something else in the box. Some fabric I found that matches the dress you are designing for the Masquerade Fashion Show. You don't have to use it. It just made me think of you."
I had completely forgotten about the Masquerade Fashion Show. It was a very exclusive event that showcased the Titans in the Fashion Industry and it was my first time being invited. It was a huge honor and a sign that I was doing things right, but angering others in my field in the process.
But I suddenly didn't want to go. I wanted to hide forever. To wrap my friends and family into bubble wrap to keep them safe from my life and from myself. I didn't want to lose anyone else. To be hurt by anyone else or hurt anyone else. I had been so excited three months ago when Winters Fashion was invited. But now I just wanted to burn the invitation, become a hermit and pray that it would be enough to spare everyone.
"I'm so sorry Allie," Michale said pulling me out of my thoughts. Then he opened my office door, the sound of music and laughter suddenly blaring into the room before he closed the door behind him, leaving me in silence again.
I slumped down in my office chair, too exhausted to cry as my heart broke. "Goodbye, Michale. I'm so sorry I couldn't do enough..."
I was tempted to pull a Beast from the Beauty and the Beast, destroying my office in a fit of rage when my fingers brushed against a wrapped box on my desk. A familiar set of cursive sat at the top on a piece of white paper.
This made me think of you. So I can find you at the Masquerade. If you will allow me one thing, I will tell you who I am. Save a dance for me.
- Your secret admirer
I wrinkled my nose at the note. It came across as Phantom of the Opera level creepy but with no singing. Would singing have made it better? Probably not.
Tugging at the wrapping paper, I found a small masquerade mask inside. It was a red mask, trimmed in black lace. I dropped the mask, irritated. Why can't you just leave me alone? What do you want from me?
I closed my eyes, trying to block out the feeling of loss, fear, and the sound of laughter outside my door. The noise was making it hard to breathe.
I don't want love. It hurts. I am so tired of being hurt.
Michale had been one of my best friends and now he was gone, stolen by a monster, leaving a hole in my heart. But the letter gave me a spark of hope. If this so-called admirer wished to meet me. Then I would wear the stupid mask, wait for him to reveal himself, and then demand he stop sending me ridiculous plants, promises, and masks. I had no time for it.
I made a mental checklist, thinking of Tate's advice that I needed a clear plan.
1. Find the admirer. Duh.
2. Find the person who destroyed my office and hurt Susan. And beat the living daylights out of them before dragging them to the police.
3. Destroy Laurence Royal. This will be my Birthday present to myself.
The list made me calm. It had a lot of potential for destruction and revenge. Something that I was familiar with. And if I got to destroy things while wearing a fancy dress and a pair of heels, well then that would just make it all that much more fun and add a flair of drama that would make it something no one would ever forget.
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Thank you for reading chapter fourteen! I hope you are enjoying the story! Or are at least curious to see where it goes!
UPDATE DAYS - A NEW CHAPTER EVERY FRIDAY!
It looks like Laurence Royal is continuing to mess with Allie. How much more will Allie take before she decides to burn down his office?
What do you think will happen at the Masquerade Fashion Show?
Do you think we've met Allie's secret admirer? If so, who is it?
If you don't know what The Cupid Shuffle is, then check out the song below and get your dance on! This song always gets me moving!
CHAPTER QUESTION - If you could dress up as anything for Halloween, Masquerade party, what would it be?