The black silk dress slipped over Reese's shoulders, hugging her tiny curves. She stared blankly at her reflection in the bathroom mirror debating if she should add make-up to her already smooth complexion. She sighed and applied a light layer of foundation, giving her a more even look, along with a thin layer of eyeliner and mascara which refined her chocolate almond-shaped eyes. She added a scarlet lip to complete her look. Finally, she put a light trail of glitter down her plunging neckline.
Naomi calling…
Reese glanced over at her phone as she cleaned up her vanity. The steady faint vibration continued, longing to be recognized; it was already 7:15 which meant she only had 45 minutes to get over to the Melrose listing before the start of the masquerade party. She refilled Loki's feeder, grabbed her clutch, and headed to her car.
Naomi calling…
7:23 PM Victor: I hope you're on your way.
7:23 PM Victor: Everything looks great btw.
Victor calling…
Reese pressed harder on the pedal, speeding as her phone constantly alerted her of texts and phone calls. She was sure everyone was anxious for the event to start. She pulled into the crowded driveway of the Melrose mansion where valet waited to park her car.
"Invitation please," the man said in a haughty tone.
"Oh hi," she smiled, shyly, "I'm Reese Sutherlin, the listing agent."
"My apologies Ms. Sutherlin," he said running around the car to open the door, "I'm Jackson, we've been waiting for you."
"Oh," she said surprised as she climbed out of her car.
"Yes," he paused, "Darby," he yelled to the other valet, "Can you please show Ms. Sutherlin inside?"
"There's no need," she smiled, "I know my way around."
"We insist," Jackson said flashing a smile.
"Right this way Ms. Sutherlin," Darby said holding out a stiff arm.
Reese reluctantly took his arm as he led her up the path to the concrete patio steps which were embellished with dimly lit lanterns; they looked magical as if entering into a fantasy world. Inside, the lanterns continued to lead the way alongside a red carpet where photographers waited on either side to take pictures. She didn't remember hiring them or the red carpet for that matter. The idea was to show off every element of the mansion including the calacatta marble floor, not cover it.
"Darby," Reese whispered, "Who are all these people?"
"Your guest Ms. Sutherlin," he chuckled softly.
"I didn't invite all these people," she said as she tried to avoid the flashes of light from the cameras.
Darby continued to lead Reese inside but continued past the crowd, through the sunken living room. Music floated in the background above the distant chatter; she could hear people praising the seductively haunting, yet elegant decorations of the party as they sipped champagne.
"Where are we going?" Reese asked confused as she waved to guests she passed.
"Mr. Grey asked me to escort you to his office. He has something for you."
Reese walked into the perfectly staged office. It was an improvement on how Christian had things. She walked over the empty desk and there sat a note and three velvet boxes.
I was hoping that one of these would be to your liking.
-Christian Grey
Reese rolled her eyes at the gesture and tossed the note onto the desk. She opened each of the velvet boxes revealing uniquely crafted venetian mask, they were beautiful. The only thing she wanted from Christian, was for him to uninvite Elena. It was already unfortunate that he had to be there so she could meet his buyer but if Elena were there, it would turn her event into the sideshow the press wanted. Reese made her way back to the party and met up with her colleagues who were surrounding the auction table.
"Hey everyone. Ladies!" she paused, "Vincent. Victor," Reese smiled confidently, "enjoying the party?"
"Oh my gosh Reese," Naomi embraced her, "you look amazing! So much for professional," she teased in her ear, "No mask?" she said pulling away from her."
"No," she paused, "It didn't go with this dress, but I like yours," she said motioning to Naomi's, "Still has a bad romance type vibe."
"Just a little bit," Naomi smiled confidently, "but how can you be at a masquerade party with no mask?"
"It'll be fine," Reese smiled.
"Here, I brought an extra one," she said opening her clutch, "I was going to change mine midway through the party."
"Ugh fine," Reese said reluctantly grabbing the black venetian cat mask, putting it on.
"Now, you look perfect," Naomi beamed.
"You both look great," Victor smiled, "So uh…where's Josh? Is he showing up tonight?" he said raising his brow.
"I doubt it," she said in a low tone, "I haven't heard much from him since last week."
"Oh," Victor said surprised, "I didn't mean to bring it up."
"Oh, no…I'm fine," she stammered, "We aren't serious," she said glancing over at Naomi.
"So, when is this thing really going to get started," Vincent said draping his arm around his date.
"What do you mean?" Reese chuckled lightly, "there's food, booze, music, and a dance floor. What more do you need?"
"I meant the auction," Vincent beamed looking at his date, "I'm trying to win this lucky woman an all-inclusive vacation."
"Oh," Reese said shaking her head, "You'll have to wait until we're a little further into the evening for that. Guests are still arriving," she smiled, "Now if you excuse me, I have to meet my buyer."
Reese glided across the marble floor that flowed between the open layout of the Melrose mansion searching for Christian. She wasn't sure who the potential buyer was, but she knew that if she found Christian, then she would find the buyer.
Finally, she spotted him across the lush backyard at one of the cocktail tables surrounded by doting women. She leaned against the oversized accordion glass doors, watching him. He stood confident and unperturbed by the attention. He charmed them with no effort, and it seemed to bore him. Reese laughed to herself and grabbed a champagne glass from the passing waiter. She made her way to his cocktail table.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat, "Mr. Grey, if I could have a moment of your time."
"Excuse me a moment," Christian said turning away from the crowd, "Ms. Sutherlin, you look absolutely stunning," he said exploring her body with his eyes, "that's quite a neckline."
"Thank you," she hesitated, blushing slightly.
"I see you aren't wearing any of the mask I left for you," he tilted his head, "Why not?"
"They weren't really my style," she smirked.
"Is that so?" he smirked, "Well, this one doesn't seem like your style either."
"It isn't, but it's a party, right?" she said taking a sip of her champagne, "I mean your mask doesn't exactly seem like your style. Who are you supposed to be? Phantom of the opera?"
"Exactly," he smirked.
"Oh," she said softly.
"You see," he said moving closer to her, "Just like the phantom, I find myself becoming obsessive and possessive over things that I want," he said looking down at her intensely.
"What sort of things," she said softly.
"Let's not pretend you don't know," he smirked.
"You know what I do know?" she whispered seductively.
"What's that?" he whispered.
"Your buyer better be legit," she smiled, "because if he's not, I will be selling to one of these lovely potential buyers roaming around your house."
"Ms. Sutherlin," he paused, "do you not trust that I have a buyer?"
"No, I don't," she said gazing up at him, "you could have said that to just prolong the process of us working together."
"True," he paused, "but that's not the case."
"Good," she said breaking eye contact, "then, where is he?"
"He'll be here after the event to sign any and all paperwork. He's camera shy," he smirked.
"I didn't invite them," she snapped.
"Neither did I," he said firmly.
"No," she paused, "your scandalous photographs did," she said turning to walk away.
"Reese," he said grabbing her arm, "please don't punish me for my past. I've suffered enough."
She stared into his eyes, trying to fight falling victim to his alluring gaze.
"If Elena shows up," she said pulling her arm from his grip, "then you will know suffering. Enjoy the party Christian."