Chapter 15:
"Why don't you just go anyway Katara? The man is literally begging you to come."
"Because Suki, how am I possibly going to explain to Aang that he bought me this without him thinking something is going on? He's already super possessive!" Katara exclaimed
Zuko had bought her the fantastic red dress he basically ogled her in. She did love this dress and it would be a waste to not wear such a lovely dress. She looked at herself once more in the mirror. One thing was certain, she was going to catch attention no matter what in something like this.
"Enough about me. How's the baby?"
"Slowly making me gain weight."
"Are you planning on telling my dad or are you guys going to you know just wait it out until the day you give birth?"
"We'll think of something. Your niece or nephew won't be without love that's for sure. I have to squeeze into my dress before this little peanut gets too big." Suki rubbed her stomach. "Maid of Honor, we definitely need to speed this wedding process up."
Katara was excited for wedding planning and in 7 months a new family member would arrive. Things were looking up.
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Aang and Katara had decided to have a nice date night in. Wine, chocolate, roses, and a nice dinner. Aang had really pulled out all the stops tonight. While Katara was at work Aang had lit her apartment full of candles, laid rose petals out, even set out a bottle of champagne. Katara was shocked to see her handsome boyfriend in an orange dress shirt and khaki trousers, while she was still in her oversized tee shirt and sweat pants. The smell of steak filled her nostrils. When was the last time she had a decent meal prepared for her?
"Hello Gorgeous." Aang said taking her dress bag from her and giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek. He smelled so nice and the candle light really made him look so much more amorous. Suddenly she felt so much more self-conscious. Her hair was in a messy ponytail, she had on no make- up, and she smelled like lemon disinfectant spray. Hardly the look she wanted to have right now compared to the mood Aang set.
"What a surprise! This is so nice Aang." Katara smiled gleefully running her fingers through her ponytail.
"I really want to take your mind off of Zuko and work. How about you slip your clothes off and get into the bubble bath I ran for you then we can go from there?"
Aang set the dress bag on the couch. Katara slipped out of her clothes and left them on the bedroom floor and wrapped a blue towel around her. The bathroom was flooded with candles and rose petals. The bath water was nice and warm, just what she needed for her aching muscles today. As she dipped down into the water she moaned in anticipation. This night was going to be great she could just tell. She shut her eyes, leaned her head back, and just relaxed her body into the water.
Aang came in a few minutes later and poured her a glass of champagne.
"This is so nice Aang. I needed a nice pampering session. Thanks."
"Anything for my girl." He handed Katara the glass. "What's that dress for? I had to take a peek."
"Oh it's just for Zuko's masquerade. I didn't have anything nice enough to wear so I bought that."
Okay, so it wasn't a complete lie but for once she didn't want to argue with him. Aang gritted his teeth a bit at the mere mention of Zuko's name.
"I'm sure everyone will be staring at you that night, but I'm the only one that gets to see what's under it." Aang whispered seductively.
Katara swiftly changed the subject, "Are you going? It's on Friday."
"Of course I can't let my girl go in there without everyone knowing who she's taken by." Aang left the bathroom. Katara sipped the champagne. She was definitely going to need 5 more glasses of this before the night was over.
Katara got out of the bath 15 minutes later, got dressed, and went into the dining room with Aang who was plating food. He placed the plate in front of her. A nice piece of steak, garlic mashed potatoes, and broccoli florets looked delicious.
"You're spoiling me. I can't believe you cooked all of this for me." Katara exclaimed.
"You deserve it. You work so hard Katara and we hardly get to spend time like this alone."
Katara cut a piece of her steak. Her mouth watered. "Mmm well this is really good. I can't wait to see what's for dessert."
"You." Aang muttered. At that comment she sipped some more of her champagne. "Unless of course we can save that for after the party. I'm not sure I'll be able to keep my hands off of you in that red dress."
The only thing Katara was interested in after that party was getting more free alcohol and sleeping off the massive hangover she would inevitably have.
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The night was dark and full of secrets. The room was filled with numerous men and women who had something to prove. The room smelled of lust and inhibitions. As Katara walked in it seemed like everything was moving in slow motion. The exaggerated trains and skirts on the dresses and the extremely neat look of the men's suits made Katara wonder who had really come here alone but planned on leaving with someone. The air was sweet, thought slightly warm. Through her red and black jeweled mask she got sight of people who she would probably never see in her life, but who smiled at her as she floated passed them.
She scanned the room for her boyfriend, who had neglected to tell her what he was wearing. Besides the room was too dimly lit to distinguish anyone from anyone else. I guess that was part of the mystery and intrigue of the masquerade ball. She made her way to the bar and ordered a vodka on the rocks, her red lipstick staining the glass as she sipped. The allure and clique of this scene was too hard to not at least find laughable. Katara was the lone, beautiful woman at the bar, waiting for a potential suitor to woo her off her feet. Tonight with the way the men looked at her she was a regular siren in all her fiery red.
The lights dimmed even darker. She was never going to find Aang in here. She might as well enjoy herself. The dancefloor was full of people looking for more than just a fine dance partner tonight. Hips on hips, hands all over bodies, and skin leading to scandal before here very eyes. A figure tapped her on the shoulder, obviously somewhat aggressive, as he turned Katara around to face him. He was wearing a black tailored suit with a red rose corsage. There was no way she could make out his face. His half white and half black mask completely covered it. Whoever it was they certainly weren't shy. His hands gripped around her waist in what seemed like a desperate need to touch her.
He led her in the dance, confidently controlling her movement with his hands. Her hips swayed against his as she gripped around his neck. Katara felt like her skin was on fire where ever he touched her. She was more than happy to touch him as well, her hands sliding down to his broad, strong shoulders. Sweat began to form on her brow as she wrapped a leg around him. His hands rubbed up and down her thigh begging for her to make the next move. His other hand rubbing her bare back as the two twirled around the dance floor in complete harmony. She adapted quickly to the twists and turns he led her into, not afraid for one moment that this mystery man was leading her deeper into a passionate dance. He brushed stray strands of her from her face, his breathing was getting heavy, and so was her heart beat. No one had ever turned her on this much with just a simple dance. She was entirely invested in this strangers every body movement as their hips collided again in an intimate dance move. His lips were so close to her neck she whimpered, drinking in all his lust.
The lights came back on, leaving Katara and the mystery man breathing heavy still locked together as if they didn't want the dance to end. The mystery man stuffed a piece of paper within the exposed cleavage of her dress then ran off before Katara could say a word to the man she just had an entire physical conversation with. She tucked the piece of paper deeper into her bra and made her way to the bathroom.
She was completely turned on and needed to cool down. She went to the sink to splash water on her face.
"Oh the Help! I see you clean up nicely. No pun intended."
Out of all people to catch her hot and bothered in the bathroom it had to be Azula Agni. All she could think about was her and her ex swapping spit. Well that was enough to calm her hormones down.
"Hello Ms. Agni."
"I see you had a rather arduous time on the dance floor. Better watch out before you end up leaving with someone you wish you hadn't. A cute mask can hide an awful face you know."
"Yeah, thanks. You should really watch out though. There are people you wouldn't believe who wear a mask everyday Azula." Katara washed her hands, flipped her hair then made her exit. If she knew anything about Jet he wasn't to be trusted by Azula or anyone else for that matter.
Once she returned to the party, making sure no one was watching her she pulled the note out. Wrapped up in the paper was a room key and a note reading: There is no passion to be found playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. Meet me upstairs at midnight. Room 412. Don't keep me waiting.
Katara's face got extremely hot just by looking at his handwriting. The cursive was rough and left an imprint into the back of the page. Even in his writing this guy was extremely passionate. Where was Aang? What was she going to do about Mr. Mystery Man?
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The clock struck 10:00. Zuko Agni was greeting his guests, investors, and friends. He had removed his mask, thinking it was impractical at the moment. He was bored out his mind making business talk on a night like this. A certain, beautiful brunette saved him. She was wearing an all-black form fitting dress that hugged her curves with her hair in a classy bun. As he surveyed her he almost cursed himself for turning her down. Mai dragged him onto the balcony. The cool air felt nice, hitting his face. The moon and stars illuminated the green courtyard below. He ran his fingers through his hair and smirked.
"Hey thanks for that Mai. I was drowning in there."
The moonlight made Mai's pale skin glow.
"No problem. I've known you long enough to know when you're less than entertained."
"You look good Mai. Planning on meeting someone tonight?"
"Not planning on it but you definitely are. I know you. You're way too tense not to have someone in mind."
Mai never failed to call him out no matter where they were. Zuko smirked, hoping his body language wouldn't give too much away.
"Thanks again Mai. I have to greet other guests."
Zuko went back into the ballroom and bumped into someone. Stupid masks, ruining people's vision so they can't watch where they're going. Zuko got up and brushed his suit off.
"You should watch where you're going. This suit is worth more than your car note."
Zuko looked up and immediately his nostrils flared. Aang Stupid Zephyr narrowly escaped spilling an entire glass of wine on his new suit. He already didn't like his idiotic smile. The two men glared at each other intensely.
"Well Agni, this is a nice party you have here. I'd like to personally thank you for setting the perfect mood for me and Katara to have a great night together. Have you seen my girlfriend by any chance?"
Zuko just couldn't resist being a complete ass hole to him. To hell with the calmness. Plus, Aang walked himself right into this one.
"Yeah, I actually have. She's been on my dick all night." Zuko snickered. He could tell Aang was ready to burst. Aang clenched both of his fists and gritted his teeth. If it was a battle he wanted Zuko was happy to give him what he wanted. Your move Aang.
Author's Note: Next chapter will be Part 2 of the Masquerade. Read, Enjoy, Review! Thanks for coming back!