Chapter Three
Duncan
I double check my appearance in my visor mirror in my car. My hair looks good, my tie is on straight. Then I carefully put my mask over my head, settling it against my face. I drew the design myself and had someone make it for me.
My mask is black, covering my eyes. It has a swirling design that raises up all the way to my hairline in the middle, almost like a crown.
A string goes around the back of my head, holding it in place.
It has raised, golden accents, swirling around, not unlike the invitation for this event.
I also took the time to be fitted for a black tux.
It’s a very classic cut and fits me just right.
I still have absolutely no clue what the hell this event really is, but as soon as I saw the invitation, I knew I needed to come and see. There’s something incredibly freeing about being behind a mask. I can be anyone I want to be. I’m more than my parents’ child.
With this mask, I’m just Duncan. The artist doing his best to pursue his dream. The guy who likes to stay inside with takeout instead of going to fancy restaurants or the bar.
The guy who’s more lonely than he’s willing to admit.
With one last look in my mirror, I pop it closed and get out of my car. The air is chilly, like it might start snowing any moment. We’re a few weeks away from Christmas and it feels like it.
The ground and rooftops are covered in a layer of snow, though the parking lot and sidewalks have been freshly shoveled. The trees look like they belong in a picture with how pretty they are with their white tops. I’ve always loved this time of the year.
Some people might think I loved it because my parents always bought me the best gifts. Sometimes we’d travel to different countries, places my mother and father wanted to visit. Some years, my parents would host lavish parties.
None of that mattered to me. Sure, they were fun and I know I’m privileged to even experience these things. I never wanted for anything and oftentimes, was supplied with most things that I asked for.
The thing I love about this year is how it brings people together.
The Christmas movies of people helping each other would always make my chest ache in the best way.
It’s beautiful, when people show other people kindness.
Sure, kindness happens all year round, but when I was little, I noticed it first during this time.
People would donate their time to soup kitchens, or supply toys for kids.
My parents would adopt other families and help them with Christmas. I loved that feeling.
I’ve held onto that feeling and have always associated it with Christmas.
With a steadying breath, I walk through the parking lot towards the entrance to this recreational hall.
It looks like any other I’ve seen before but as soon as the doors open, I’m hit with a wave of peppermint and warm air.
The outside is perfectly ordinary but inside these doors, it’s anything but.
Despite this only being the entrance, already I’m completely transported into a beautiful winter wonderland.
There are lights all across the ceiling, dangling down like icicles.
There’s fake snow all over and light up fireflies decorating the walls.
There’s a little peppermint sign, showing which way the ballroom is.
I look around, a grin across my face. It’s beautiful and I’m more and more sure of my decision to come here tonight.
“Welcome,” someone says, drawing my attention to the table in front of me.
“Hello,” I say, doing my best to sound sure despite the nerves suddenly nipping at my belly.
“Do you have your invitation, young man?” The woman in front of me is dressed in a gorgeous purple gown covered in frills and lace.
It poofs out around her middle and goes all the way to the floor.
She has sparkling makeup around her eyes that I can just barely make out past her intricate mask.
She has bright pink pixie hair and there’s something so incredibly fairy about her.
“Of course,” I say, taking the invitation out of my inside coat pocket and presenting it to her. She grins.
“Wonderful. Now, just one more thing,” she murmurs, almost more to herself than to me. She waves her hand over the invite and it lights up. I watch in wonder as it sparkles so brightly it starts to hurt my eyes before it burns up. The ashes turn to glitter, swaying in the air.
I’m about to ask what the hell is going on but just then, the sparkles surge towards me. No, towards my mask. My mask seems to embrace the sparkles, disappearing all together.
“What the hell was that?”
“Just a little magic,” the pixie-like woman says.
That’s when I notice the little name plate on the table.
Bex. “That’ll help keep the night running smoothly.
Some of your anxiety will fade away, allowing you to enjoy your night.
You won’t have to worry about anyone trying to sneak a peek under your mask either.
So long as you wish to stay anonymous, so it will be.
Finally, it’ll keep you from overindulging.
A night like tonight is one you’ll want to remember. ”
“Umm… okay?”
“Now, why don’t you head inside and enjoy yourself, Duncan. And don’t forget the most important part of the night; Keep an open heart.”
I walk past the table, deeper into the recreational hall.
My head is spinning and I have no idea what any of that was, only that she’s not wrong, I do feel less anxious now that her spell has been cast. I’m also relieved that no one will be able to recognize me.
There’s always this worry at the back of my mind that people only like me because of my last name.
Now, I don’t have to stress about that. If I meet someone here, they’ll be meeting Duncan.
The path leads me to another set of doors that I gingerly walk through.
Once again, I’m stunned by the beauty of this place.
To the right, there are rows of tables set up where people can sit and eat or just chat.
All the way across the room is a full bar.
To the left is an open area for dancing.
Right now, a trio of stringed musicians play but I see they also have a DJ stand, probably for later in the night.
The air smells delightful, like Christmas spirit has somehow become a scent.
There are already people here, mingling and getting to know each other.
Everyone is dressed to impress and I’m glad I decided to get this new suit.
In addition to their dress clothes, everyone is wearing some sort of mask.
I try to focus on one woman in particular and realize I can’t really see her face.
Or rather, I can, but maybe I just can’t properly perceive her. It’s strange but in an exciting way.
I put my hands in my pockets and then take them back out. Shit. What am I supposed to do with my hands? What am I supposed to do now that I’m here? Should I walk around? Should I join someone at a table? Should I go get a drink?
Not wanting to seem like a weirdo just standing around, I walk in the direction of the bar. A woman in a black gown nods at me, giving me a little smile. I nod back. Then I catch the eye of a gentleman talking with two other people. He looks me up and down.
Okay, this is helping. This is helping a lot. I’m hot in my new suit. No one knows who I am. We’re all here to enjoy this ball and meet each other. This is fine. Totally fine!
With a little bit more confidence, my steps become just a little bit more sure. The bartender, a handsome man wearing a white shirt and black suspenders, gives me a wide smile.
“What can I make for you?”
“Can I have a Dirty Shirley, please?”
“Coming right up,” he says, getting to work on making my drink.There’s a little menu showing some of the more festive drinks that they can make including some frozen drinks that require a blender. Wow, they really went all out for this thing.
There’s also a jar for tips. I pull out a hundred, sliding it in, hoping no one around saw me. I don’t tip for attention, I just think they deserve the money for all the hard work they’re putting into working this event.
“There you are,” he says, sliding my drink over.
“Thank you so much.”
He nods before walking down the bar, greeting someone else. I pick up my drink and turn back towards the party, letting out an oomph as I collide with someone’s chest.
“Fuck,” the guy says as my drink splashes all over his front.
“Oh my gods. Fuck. I’m so sorry!”
The guy grabs my arm, keeping both of us steady. I freeze as sparks travel from the place he’s touching me throughout my entire body. I feel lightheaded yet in control at the same time. I feel grounded but like I’m lifting off into outer space. I feel everything and nothing all at once.
His eyes widen behind his mask, mirroring my own expression. His eyes are so pretty. Hazel surrounded by black eyeliner and a shimmery green coating on the lids. Despite being covered in my drink, he smiles and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful.
“Hi,” I say, my voice soft and breathy.
“Hello,” he says back, just as softly.
Everything else in the room fades away until it’s just me and him. I breathe in. Lavender hits my nose, the same scent that was on my invitation. It surrounds me, leaving me feeling warm on the inside, like coming home after a long, hard day.
This man, whoever he is, is somehow special. My inner wolf is howling, calling out to the man, demanding we learn everything there is to know about him. I’m inclined to believe, but we’ll start with the basics.
“What’s your name?”
“Viktor.”
“Viktor,” I say, not even disguising the way my voice sounds awed to my own ears. “I’m Duncan.”
Viktor’s hand tightens on my arm and my stomach swoops almost violently. I open my mouth to say something else but a voice outside our bubbles finally breaks whatever spell is happening between us.
“Gentlemen? I have a towel here to help clean up the mess.”
I blink slowly, getting my bearings once more. My cheeks heat as I realize we’ve just been standing here, clutching each other, staring into each other’s eyes for who knows how long! I cough and clear my throat, finally taking a step back.
“Sorry,” I say, taking the towel from the bartender and handing it to Viktor. He takes it gratefully, dabbing at his suit. Between the two of us, we get him mostly cleaned up.
Bex hurries behind the bar grabbing a few things and directing her workers. She catches my eye, looking between Viktor and I. Then she smiles and hurries on her way.
With one final swipe, I toss the rag back onto the bartop. I turn to the barkeeper who’s grinning, watching the two of us which doesn’t help my blush even a little bit.
“Another Dirty Shirley?"
I nod my head. “Yes, please.”
“And for you?”
“I’ll try one of your event flavors. The uhh, Festive Fuzzy Nuzzy, please.”
“Coming right up.”
We stand, side by side, waiting for our drinks. I can literally feel him next to me, so close but not quite touching. I keep getting hints of lavender in the air and it makes my heart skip a beat. Who the hell is this guy and why do I feel like this?
I turn towards him.
“So,” I say.
“Did you--” he starts to say at the same time.
Our mouths snap shut. Fuck. This is awkward. Why do I have to suck at social interactions so much?
“There you gentlemen go,” the bartender says, sliding over our drinks. “Try not to spill this time,” he says to me with a wink.
I chuckle and do my best not to show how embarrassed I am.
“I really am sorry about that,” I say softly, taking a sip of my drink.
“It’s okay. Really. Better than any icebreaker I probably could have come up with.”
“An icebreaker? You mean you were going to come talk to me?”
Viktor rolls his eyes. “Obviously.”
And just like that, some of my nerves melt away.