Masquerade Ball.
Author's Notes.
The characters do not belong to me the only plot Is mine.
Thank you to Scarlett 2112, Damonfangirl, Riley 38, Happy Gilmore, Tia Salvatore and my guest reviewers thank you so much for your reviews.
Special Note.
Lots going to happen in this chapter and this chapter will be the start of revealing truth and much more.
A huge crowd, paparazzi and reporters from various tv channels are gathered around the Plaza Hotel to get a glimpse of celebrities, singers, athletes, business tycoon, models, fashion designer and politicians as they arrive to attend Baratheon's Masquerade charity ball.
Inside everything was set as Damon (Who was dressed up dark night dressed in all black velvet jacket and pants with midnight blue shirt ) and Elena (Who was dressed in a silvery, blue gown as Moonlight) welcome the guest.
Among those guest arrived famous fashion designer Margery Tyrell along with her brother Loras who is A listed fashion photographer both dressed in white as Angeles.
"Margery and Loras Tyrell!" Elena beamed in surprise as she rushed to greet them. "Bless our lucky stars that you attended our party."
It was clear she was extremely pleased to see them after all both brother and sister are extremely private people and it's a rare sight to see them despite being part of glitz and glamour.
"Well, your event is so intriguing that we couldn't stay home," Margery replied, her eyes darting around the golden lit ballroom, that is decorated lavishly.
"Well, please help yourself with refreshments, I hope you enjoy this event." With that, they walked ahead while Elena and Damon greeted their other guests.
"God Stefan! Will you stop fussing with your tie!" They heard Caroline scream at her husband as they arrive dressed in white Pearl gown as Ocean Pearl while Stefan dressed in Sea green suite as Sea King. "I look ridicules Care." He told his wife umpteenth time as he almost tripped on his long green silk overcoat. "No, you look handsome tell him guys."
By this time Damon is doing his best to keep straight face but soon he doubles over with laughter. "Green does bring out your eyes brother." Watching Stefan's face fell she quickly assure him. "Don't listen to your brother, you look dashing and yes green does bring out your eyes."
Hearing his sister in law compliment placate his worries.
"Where is Bonnie?" Caroline asks and as soon she said it Bonnie joined them in flowery pattern gown. "I'm here!" She hugged everyone as Caroline inquires. "What took you so long?!"
"Me!" A voice boomed behind them as a man appears in a suit of caramel colour.
"Enzo!" Elena and Caroline hugged him while Damon and Stefan patted his back. "Great to see you mate." He told Damon who looked extremely happy but most importantly relieve to see his oldest friend.
After that, all six of them stood together as they greeted guest after guest and soon last of their guest passed away Damon turned toward his wife. "Elena, I think it's time you check if our guests of honours are ready so we can begin this ball."
His wife nods in understanding and soon both her and Caroline left.
He waited for them to be out of their sight as he looked around and whispered to his friends. "Follow me."
They all walked inside and Damon led them straight to the table that was reserved for them. There they find Ric already seated and as soon rest of them were settled Damon began.
"Uncle Mikael did his digging, apparently that Varys guy was the most high ranking and respected detective until his downfall some fifteen years ago."
"Downfall? What happened to him?" His brother asks with a frown on his face.
"Don't know, some highly classified case goes wrong. It's all pretty wrapped up but according to uncle Mikael that man vanished from the face of the earth and no one hears anything from him until his sudden appearance at San Francisco ." Damon told him and watched his friends share worry glances.
"I don't get it! Why some British detective contacts you?!" Ric asks as he drowned yet another drink.
"Not to forget his information about all of us and his warning for Sansa?!" Bonnie exclaimed and then her eyes fell on her husband who seems lost in thought. "Enzo, what did you find out about this guy?"
Her husband looked hesitant as he says. "I'm afraid my information matched with uncle Mikael's, although he is still respected the reason behind his sudden downfall is kind of Taboo and no matter how much I tried I couldn't found one thing about that case."
As he watched his friend's dejected faces he continues. "Although I got this one information from my journalist friend and even though he couldn't give me clear information according to him Varys late daughter is somehow involved with that case."
He sighed and looked apologetically at Damon. "I'm sorry mate but it's all I had got for you."
Damon smiled and patted his back. "Its okay Enzo, you tried and that's enough, let's hope Mr Phantom detective pops up again and reveals his true motives ."
They all share another drink unknown for the fact that a man with Phantom Costume has eyes on them as he enjoyed his red wine."
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All guests were settled as Elena took the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the Baratheon's Masquerade Charity Ball! I Elena Salvatore as their P.R welcome you all to this prestigious event that is held in honour of this respected family and their Son's upcoming nuptials."
Margery applauds along with other guests and yet her eyes kept searching for something or someone.
Elena then continues explaining about entire charity and how entire proceedings will go to Senator's charitable funds.
"Now let's welcome our guests of honours, Senator Robert Baratheon and his wife Cersei Baratheon!"
Damon rolled his eyes but applaud as they arrive dressed as ancient Scottish King and Queen costume. Looking as much snobbish to match the extravagant attire they were surrounded by their guards (Damon suggested their bodyguard dress up as Knights just so their appearance didn't look odd ).
"I take my words back, out senator looks way more ridicules then me," Stefan whispered with a huge smile on his face.
Once they settled on their seats Elena then began to announce. "Now let's welcome soon to be bride and groom! Senator's Son Joffrey and his fiancée Sansa!"
Joffrey first emerge dressed as Golden Prince and sure enough, he was sparkling golden from top to bottom, he too was surrounded by his guards who looked clearly uncomfortable to be dressed in copper Knights costume.
Next, Sansa arrived in her Forest Princess attire looking quite spectacular, even her guards looked great in their Black Leather Knight costume that also includes velvet jacket.
One by one each guest came to offer their best wishes, amongst these guests stood an angel that got Sam's eyes. Unlike many people, she was not wearing a mask instead her face was concealed with a net hat.
As she and her companion grew closer Sam eyes narrow more and he kept his gaze fixated on her when they finally stood in front of Joffrey and Sansa.
"This is a famous fashion designer of Tyrell's fashion house, Margery and her equally talented brother Loras who is their photographer."
Joffrey gave him an appraising look. "That's brilliant, Elena higher him to take my wedding pictures."
Elena looked appalled as she tried to clarify. "He is a fashion photographer."
Apparently, he didn't care as he said. "Then he is the best person for this job after all who else can look more fashionable than the groom on his wedding day."
Margery raises her eyes and something in her expression hits Sam who finally recognises her. "My brother will be please to do your private photoshoot."
Feeling grateful for her handling this embarrassing situation Elena quickly changed the topic. "Loras, Margery meet Sansa, future daughter in law of our Senator and soon to be a bride."
Sam was prepared for everything but he was shocked when both brother and sister smile politely as Margery said. "Our best wishes to the bride and groom."
And that was it, Sam couldn't believe his eyes because he clearly remembers their sisterly love and affection at the airport and right now these two are staring at each other as if two stranger stare each other.
Feeling strange turmoil inside him he watched Sansa but her face remains expressionless as she watched them walk away.
Soon the party starts and Senator led his wife for first Dance and his son did the same and bring Sansa on the dance floor.
Soon everyone joined them and Damon led his wife on stage too.
Elena felt content as she dances with her husband. "Can you believe! in one month you and I are going to take our vacations?! I can't wait to be done with this wedding."
Her husband didn't say anything which worries her. "What? Are you not looking forward to this to be over?"
"What if I tell you that there is a huge possibility that there will be no wedding." Damon blurted out and as soon he said it his wife looked alarmed. "What! Why would you say something like this!?"
"I, Elena, I." But before he could explain anything Pod interrupted them. "Mr Salvatore we need you, it's an emergency."
Her husband looked grateful as he escaped with Pod but now alarming bells were ringing in Elena's head so she waited for ten seconds and then followed them until she saw them entering an empty dining hall. There stood her husband, Stefan, Ric, Enzo, and all of Sansa's guards (minus Brianne) but what surprised her most standing along with them were Tyrell's siblings.
"I don't know her and I don't know what you are talking about?" Margery looked angry at Sam.
"You are lying, you knew Sansa Stark, in fact, you were friends when she first arrives at New York all those years ago."
Elena couldn't understand one thing but she watched as Ric stepped forward. "You met me and Sam that day on the airport and if I recall correctly you were hugging Sansa like friends, in fact, you both could be easily mistaken for sisters by some stranger."
Elena watched as Margery then burst into tears. "Yes, I knew that selfish bitch but that was years ago! Yes, we were friends once who people used to mistook for sisters but she ruined each and every one of her relationship for her big ambitions and dreams!"
Margery spat these words in her pains and none of them knows how to believe her words.
Finally, her brother embraced her and glare at them. "Please leave us alone, our family has already suffered enough because for Sansa her dreams were her only priority. You people think we just met like strangers but truth is that she became stranger to us the day she chose that Baelish over her friends and family."
With that, they left and Sam, the ever sweet guy fumes in anger as he pointed his finger at Damon. "Now you all believe me! I warned you about her dreams and ambitious! I warned you that she is marrying him for his status and money but no you filled Jon's head with dreams of all-consuming love just so you can prove your wife that love exists in this world!"
Elena gasps her eyes filled with tears as she hears these words.
She watched Damon flinched but Jon quickly comes for his defence. "He didn't fill my head, I fall in love with her on my own and I don't believe that my Sansa is the same girl they just described."
"Jon!" Sam tried but he didn't listen. "I am going to confess my love and you will see that she is going to choose my love over Joffrey status!"
With that he stormed away, followed by Sam who glares at them one last time.
Watching all this Tormund ask Damon. "What are we supposed to do?"
It was then her husband finally said in determining voice. "Let's wait and watch! Tonight either my faith in love will win or my wife's words will be confirmed that there is no such thing as true love, it's just the chemical reaction of our brains that fool us into believing of its existence in our lives."
She gasps and cried more as they all went back to the party.
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Elena was walking around the crowd feeling numb to her bone. She couldn't believe that she drove her husband to this stage where he is finding ways to prove loves existence.
'How many people were on this insane quest!' she thought to herself as she walked aimlessly in this dazzling crowd.
"Dear Mrs Salvatore you look extremely ravishing." Elena stared at this person who turned out to be Peter Baelish Sansa's so-called uncle.
"She chose that Baelish." Lora's voice was ringing in her ears as this man continue chatting pleasantly with her as if they were old friends. "I think moon itself will envy your beauty, it's totally divine like angel roaming around us mortals."
She tried to smile at his praise while her eyes search for her husband. "You looked stressed out." He observed.
"No, I mean yes, actually I was searching for my husband." It was then she noticed distaste on his pleasant demure. "Yes, husband! Well, I know you need him by your side but its shame beauty like yourself is in shackles of marriage when there is so much out there for you."
At this point, she finally had enough as she snapped. "Thanks for your compliment but I am happy with my marriage and my family! Now if you please excuse me!"
With that, she left but what she didn't saw was Peters eyes roaming over her retreating form and a shadow who just witness this entire conversation.
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Elena kept searching for her husband when suddenly lights dim and Caroline announced everyone to join for a waltz.
Out of nowhere her husband suddenly appears in front of her and kissed her passionately. "Dance with me."
It was no question and Damon was not asking as he led her to the dance floor and song began.
"Damon." She tried to talk to him but he sealed their lips again as they twirl in circles.
She wanted to tell him that love exists, that he was right and she was wrong. That he didn't need to prove anything and that she does believe that if the choice is given then Sansa will also choose her love but before she could tell him any of this the music changes and so it was time to change their partners.
She was twirl into other man's arms and from few feet from her, she watched Sansa being twirl into Jon's arms who apparently decided to join in the dance.
She kept her eyes on them as Sansa lips almost parted while she sways in Jon's arms and watching them Elena can clearly see what her husband saw between them. A love that consumes them, a passion their eyes held for each other and danger of giving in to these feeling.
She watched with beating heart as Jon masterfully slipped away from the crowd with Sansa still in his arms.
She quickly excuses herself and decided to follow them as he took her to one of the Plaza balconies.
Elena watched as Jon gently cupped Sansa's face. "I love you Sansa Stark, with everything I am, with every part of me. I know that I couldn't offer you much but I swear that I will love you unconditionally as long as I breathe my last breath."
Hearing this love declaration Elena felt tears in her eyes and it was no surprise as Sansa leans in to kiss him passionately.
'You win Damon! You win!' Elena wiped her joyful tears away and she was going to find her husband and declared her true love when Sansa pulled away her eyes roaming over his face as she cooed. "I am so happy to hear about your feelings Jon. Now after my wedding, I will force my father in law to make you join a secret service, that will make it easier for us to continue with this affair."
It was then it felt beautiful picture shattered into pieces as Jon and Elena stare at her in disbelief.
Elena thought she couldn't believe what she just hears and Jon seems to be in denial as he asks. "You are going through with this marriage?! You just want an affair with me?"
Sansa gives him a confused look. "Well yes, I know he is a brat but he is a brat with power and money and besides sweetheart think about it as my secret boyfriend I can make all your dreams come true."
Jon eyes filled with sadness as few tears fall from them. "You were my dream, Sansa."
"And you can have me but it will be our little secret."
Elena flinches as she laughed and Jon stepped away from her. "I don't want to be your dirty secret Ms Stark, I hope you find someone less honourable fool for that position."
With that, he moved to leave but not before he said his last words. "I guess there is no such thing as true love."
Sansa face remains of indifference and Elena wanted to slap her face but something about this expression reminds her of her own reflection.
She stayed out of sight as Jon left and then Sansa followed him out but instead of walking back to the party, she kept walking ahead towards the empty hallways.
Elena who felt seething mad decide to have one on one word with this stupid, selfish girl.
She starts following her and watched Sansa enter a room near the exit door.
Without thinking, she marched towards the door but as she was about to barge inside she heard a man voice and a woman sobs.
Elena looked around and saw a small roof window to that room.
Finding an old chair she climbed on it and gasp escape herself which she stopped by clamping her hands over her mouth because right in front of her Sansa was being manned handle by her so-called uncle.
She was pinned to the wall as tears fall from her face as she struggled against her uncle who was groping her breast. "You did well my dove, I think after that performance the boy won't be trouble for us." He tugged her dress down and kisses her cleavage. "No need to kill that boy now huh? Although I am quite disappointed in your dove, so many people love you, if only they know what a filthy whore you truly are."
Sansa was trashing and Baelish gets angry as he wrapped his one hand on her throat cutting off her air supply.
"You ungrateful whore! Did you forget what you are?! Do you want me to send you back in your cage!" he spat and Elena couldn't bear this anymore as she jumped and then threw one of the empty paint can loud enough to alarm this monster.
"Someone is coming! Quickly calm yourself down and if you misbehave again then I will make your life worse than that hell you came from!"
With that, he dropped her on the ground and kicked her away like she was some kind of insect under her feet.
Elena waited until she was sure he was gone. Then slowly left her hiding place and enter the room where she found Sansa laid on the floor crying like a broken person.
"Sansa!" Elena whimpered and she sat up as she tried to hide her tears. "Its nothing, I was lost."
Elena watched her struggling so she dropped in front of her and cupped her tearstained face. "I saw everything."
It was them dam burst open as Sansa clutched her like a lifeline and gut-wrenching sobs escape her lips.
"Don't worry Sansa that monster will never touch you again?!"
And she will keep this promise no matter what the cost she has to pay.
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Author Notes.
So yeah most of you guessed close but I think this last part may make you think more, so don't worry because everything will be revealed in next chapter.
So stay tuned and please send me your reviews and motivate me to write more and more. Stay safe.