Chapter 3

Few days later-Masquerade Ball

A few days had passed and the night of the big masquerade ball had finally arrived. Theresa had changed into 5 different gowns before finally picking a red one with rhinestones, her brown hair in waves, cascading down her back. She didn't know why she was so nervous… 'He probably wouldn't be there anyways,' she thought to herself. As she looked around, she realized how hard it would be to even spot him, with everyone wearing masks. Just then she spotted a familiar face.

"Hey Fancy, you look great."

"Thanks, so do you…are you here alone?"

"Of course. You?

"Ya. Luis doesn't even know I exist."

"Ya, and look, Gwen arrived today and she and Ethan have on their 'perfect couple' façade, like always, making the rounds."

"It's nauseating, isn't it?"

"Definitely."

"Here, we both need this." Fancy handed her a champagne flute.

"Thanks."

"Let's make a toast."

"To what? Our love lives suck."

"To finding men who can appreciate how smart, funny and hot we are."

Theresa laughed. "Ok, ya, I'll drink to that." They clinked glasses and both downed their drinks.

"Bartender another…" Fancy joked as Theresa giggled.

"Hey guys," Whitney approached the ladies. "What are you two up to?"

"We're just drowning our sorrows," Theresa said with a frown.

"Oh, so your mystery man still hasn't arrived huh?"

"Wait. Mystery man?" Fancy smiled, very interested.

"It's not what you think. The other night, outside our hotel, I was almost hit by a car, and a man, a stranger, saved me. Then he disappeared before I got his name."

"Was he hot?" Fancy smiled.

"You know, I only saw him for a few moments, it was kind of dark, I mean, he looked, you know.."

"He was hot," Fancy smirked. "You go girl, I wish I had a hot mystery man sweep me off my feet." She said as she raised her glass before taking another swig.

"And Theresa hopes he comes tonight, you know, to thank him," Whitney winked to Fancy. They both started laughing.

"Ok guys, enough. I'm gonna go mingle, you two can tease me by yourselves." She began to walk away.

"Good idea, how else will you find your mystery man," Fancy teased after her.

Theresa looked back to give them a dirty look when BUMP! ran smack into someone.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean…."

"You're pretty clumsy aren't you?" The man with the raspy voice smiled as he lowered his mask.

"It's you," she said in shock.

"It's you," he smiled. "How are you doing after your close call?"

"Fine, thanks to you."

"No thanks needed, I was just at the right place at the right time."

"Lucky me," she smiled nervously. Their eyes locked.

"Would you like to dance?"

"I'd love to," she said, taking his hand to the dance floor.

He pulled her to him slowly, Theresa's heart racing a mile a minute at the connection she felt with this man. It was overwhelming.

She didn't notice, but four eyes were burning on her from across the room.

"Well, well, looks like Theresa finally has eyes for someone other than you."

"They're just dancing Gwen, it doesn't mean anything." At least that's what Ethan was trying to convince himself of.

As they continued to dance most of the night, they didn't say much, just shared intense stares. It was nearing the end of the night, as they finally made their way off the dance floor.

"Can I see you again?" he asked.

"I'd like that," she smiled shyly.

"You know, I don't even know your name," he smiled at her.

"Theresa, Theresa Crane."

"Beautiful." He took her hand, kissing the inside of her palm slowly. Her body rushed with adrenaline as she closed her eyes.

"Goodnight." He slowly began to turn.

"Wait, how will I find you?"

"I'll find you," he smiled back.

"Wait, what's your name?!"

"It's Jared. Jared Casey," he smiled once more, than disappeared into the crowd.

'Jared Casey,' Theresa thought to herself. 'Wow.'