Life is a masquerade. Everywhere you look are people hiding behind the masks. Stripped of all their masquerades , their fears are quite identical : the fear of loneliness, rejection,  inferiority, unmanageable anger, illness and death. Hiding behind every masks of angel is a devil with dark secrets and ugly lies. Their appearance in reality is a hidden masquerade.

This masquerade ball is no exception. It has its own mysterious atmosphere hiding behind the luxuries and glamour.  In the dim lightings of the beautiful halls, were people dancing in their masks and sparkling dresses. It looks as if the stars are shining too brightly in the dark night today. Behind their masks of beautiful smiles and money , hid a person with harsh and bitter reality.

The charming man smiled lightly, comparing the similarities between the masquerade and real life. He took a sip of champagne from his flute as he drank in the enticing but at the same time enigmatic scene of the ball.

“Max, what are doing here ? Are you not going to dance ?” his best friend asked behind him. He smiled at him and shook his head lightly.

“Not today Adam, I’m not in a mood of dancing.”

“Your wish” Adam shrugged and went away to continue the dance with his lady of the night.

He turned again to continue his inspection. Maxwell Harrison very well knew how people’s mind works. It is not for nothing that he is the sole ruler of the Harrison empire. After years of experience he knew that if the world is full of precious souls wearing masks to hide the pain, then the world is also full of monsters with friendly faces and angels full of scars. He smiled at the familiar faces who may or may not have ill feelings for him.

Everyone is same here. His handsome face suddenly astonished as his eyes fell on the strikingly beautiful lady standing few feet away from him. Her personality was nothing like the other beautiful ladies present in this masquerade. If they were the divas then she is the goddess among them. She looked like a full moon shining brightly among the sparkling stars. The fact that she was directly gazing at him, suddenly made him feel conscious.  He cannot help but walk towards her direction. Her face had a mysterious Mona Lisa smile as he advanced near her.

Without speaking a single word, he forwarded his hands towards her and she, very elegantly placed her hands in his without any question. He wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her closer to his body. Her statuesque body seemed to perfectly fit in his rock hard built. As he inhaled her sweet citrus fragrance, he felt captivated under her magic spell. Her waist length curly raven black hair swayed gently as they began moving their bodies together with the rhythm. No one dared to speak a single word as if it will break the enchanting dream. Her crystal like green eyes twinkled behind her black laced venetian mask as he immersed himself in drinking her charisma.

Though he was holding her captive in his arms but then also she felt distant to him. So he tightened his hold on her small waist and brought her more closer to his chest. The way she was looking in his eyes felt the most intimate thing he had ever experienced. They danced for what felt like eternity and as if they were the sole couple present in the ball. She was like an enigma to him, which he wanted to solve desperately but was unable to solve it. A strong desire to know more and more about her erupted in his mind and without knowing, the words suddenly escaped from his mouth.

“Who is the person hidden behind this mask ?”

“The mask in which you chose to disguise yourself uncovers who you subconsciously are. The mask reveal in the eyes, the face that lies hidden as if the mask is a dark glass mirroring your soul”

He felt confused by her reply. Her beautiful voice left him astonished. He opened his mouth to ask the meaning of her words but he was disturbed by a hand tapping his shoulder. He reluctantly let go her waist and turned around.

“And you said that you’re not in mood of dancing” Adam grinned like Cheshire cat.

“Yeah, I was not, but not now. I met someone”. His eyes twinkled by just a mere mention of hers.

“Who is the lucky lady who captured Mr. Harrison’s attention ?” Adam shoved him playfully.

“Her name is….” He suddenly realized that he hasn’t asked her name. He turned around to ask her but she was nowhere to be found.

“Where is she ?” he suddenly felt disappointed.

“Who?”

“That girl. The gorgeous black haired girl who was dancing with me” he tried hard not to sound desperate.

“Hmm, she must be someone exquisitely beautiful that made the great Maxwell Harrison sound desperate” Adam scratched his chin pretending to think.

“Shut the hell up! And yeah she is unique. Infact she  is the most stunning lady present in this ball”

“Are you talking about Miss Scarlett”

“Is her name Scarlett ? I don’t know. Where is she ?”  he started growing more impatient.

“There. Your darling is standing there” Adam pointed towards a black head dancing behind a man.

Without wasting any further second, he walked impatiently towards her. “Excuse me” he tapped on the man’s shoulder.

“Yes” the couple turned around to face him. His face fell, realizing that the lady standing in front of him is not her. Though she is beautiful but she is nothing compared to the one who danced with him.

“Ah, Mr. Harrison, we are honored to have your company” the man said smiling proudly.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Smolders. I was looking for someone else”  he replied in his professional voice.

“No problem” Mr. Smolders smiled and turned around to continue dancing with Miss Scarlett.

His eyes searched everywhere in the hall. Where can she go ? He double checked at every black head women but no one was as gorgeous as her. He wished to hold her again in his arms. That felt so good. He suddenly remembered her words

The mask reveals the eyes, the face that lies hidden  as if the mask is a dark glass mirroring your soul………

He pondered at her words. He wanted to know what she meant by that. He wanted to see her. Maxwell Harrison never felt this desperate in his whole life.

“I never saw you like this. So impatient for a mere girl”. Adam said behind him in a surprised tone.

“She is not a mere girl Adam. You don’t know her. If only you had seen her, you would have felt the same”

“Was she so beautiful?”

“Yes she is. She is the goddess. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever met”

“Hmm, by listening to you I can tell that she is elegant enough to be noticed”

“Elegance is not when you’re noticed, Adam. Elegance is when you are remembered”

“Oh” was all the Adam could say. He is with Max since his teenage. He has seen him through his thicks and thins, his ups and downs, through every phase of his life but he has never seen his best friend looking lost like that.  He felt an urge to meet the girl who has made his pal impatient.

Maxwell’s eyes kept scanning through the hall. Now, this masquerade ball seemed to lost its charm and enigma. He can smell her sweet citrus fragrance still lingering in the air. He wondered, If she was so beautiful behind the mask, how will she look without the mask.......

Maxwell smiled contently as he ran his skilled fingers through his iron club. Playing golf is his favorite pastime. The lush and trimmed green lawns of the golf course always lifted his spirits. He found the green grass as a source of inspiration. Grow through what you go through. He believed in striving hard, standing still and fighting for your dreams even if the situations are not favourable just like the grass remains green even when many feet step above it. He had a habit of getting inspiration from every animate or inanimate object. He believed this quirk was one of the reasons of his success.

“Things are not going on according to our plans ,Max.” a man grimaced while fixing his tee peg in the ground.

“What  made you worried, Brian ?”

“Blacks have withdrawn their shares from our company and are now planning to make alliance with Starks” Brian bent his torso and positioned his club to hit the ball.

“That’s good.”

“Shit man ! I missed the hole” Brian cursed as his ball went ahead the hole.

“That’s a boogey” the caddie informed behind them.

“Seriously ? The blacks were one of our trusted partners. If they joined their hands with the Starks then it won’t be good for us.” Brian frowned. Maxwell chuckled  and went ahead to make his move. He angled his body slightly holding the golf club in his hands. His sharp eyes calculated the distance between the ball and his goal like an eagle tracing its prey.

Brian shook his head. “You are not taking this serio…….”

“Shh shh..” Maxwell shushed him. He gracefully swung his club and hit the ball. The ball projected in air and directly landed inside the target hole.

“Wow Mr. Harrison you are amazing as always” Maxwell’s PA, Clarrisa, gushed behind him swooned by his golf skills.

“Perfect shot,” the caddie admired along with Clarrisa. Brian stood there unstirred as it was not a new thing to watch Maxwell hitting a perfect shot.

“When I play a game, I only concentrate on winning the game, Brian. I don’t focus on small distractions. Don’t worry, Blacks will eventually realize whom they are messing with and end up with Harrisons only”. He smirked and walked towards Brian.

Brian smiled brightly watching Max's confidence. The hint hidden behind Max’s words was enough to assure him. He trusted his partner's sharp and clever tactics. “You never fail to surprise me Maxwell Harrison, always beyond my expectations” he patted his back “ I’m so proud of you, son”.

“I learned from the best” Max winked. Brian Maugham always wanted to have a son like Max. But not everyone's whises come true. The sixty five years old business expert was Maxwell’s mentor as well as one of his oldest companions.

“Ok, I’m calling the game for today. Meet me outside. We'll have coffee together”. Max nodded and headed towards  the driveway.

“Wow, who is she ?” he heard Clarrisa whispering to the caddie.

“I don’t know" the caddie shrugged. " But damn, she is a hot piece. Maybe she is new here.”

“Uh huh, I will kill to get that perfect figure and black hair” Clarrisa cooed.

Maxwell's interest piqued as he heard black hairs. Is she the Masquerade girl ? He glanced impatiently to find her. It was then he heard a faint giggle coming from a distance. It's the same voice which taunted him in his dreams now a days. He can never forget that nectar like sweet voice. All of a sudden, his eyes caught a exquisite figure standing  near the driveway. She stood facing her back to him. The attendant said something to her and she giggled. Her black hairs cascaded down her waist and the curls swung as she giggled.

“That’s her! The masquerade girl.”He found his heart drumming hardly beneath his chest confirming his prediction. “Damn, how much she made me to wait for her”. The sight of her perfectly toned long legs under her mini skirt immediately turned him on.

Suddenly she turned her head back to see something. He felt the air knocked out of his lungs as he took in her angelic face. Her face looked angelic in the dim lights of the masquerade ball but watching her face in the bright sunlight is something beyond words. Christ ! I knew she was beautiful but I was never prepared for this. Her perfect oval shaped face with rosy white skin shone brightly in the sunlight. And the dazzling smile in her red luscious lips made his heart beat faster every second. Is she really the one I've been searching for?

His attention shifted towards the  attendant who whispered something in her ears and she started giggling again covering her mouth with her conical fingers.

Lucky bastard ! Here I was waiting to catch her glimpse and he already started flirting with her. He noticed a golf club in her hands. She must be a new player. A sudden temptation to impress her erupted in his mind. Lets show her who is the champion of this game.

“Clarrisa, tell the caddie to prepare new set of balls and tees for me.”

“But sir what about Mr. Maugham ?”

“Tell him that I will meet him later. I have a very important work to do right now” he said while his gaze was still fixed on that stunning girl.

~*~

“You seemed to be new here” he stood there leaning on his elbow supported on the golf club. She turned around and smiled at him. “I’m Max.....

“Who doesn’t know about the famous Maxwell Harrison ?” she extended her hand towards him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Harrison. I’m Angela Velasquez.” 

Only one word got registered in his mind. Angela…. What a beautiful name ! Perfectly suits her. He shook hands with her. Her soft hands felt as if they were made only to fit in his hard ones. Like a missing part of his body just got completed. The warmth of her hands radiated through his body. He just wanted to hold her hands forever.

His trance was broken by the attendant. “Mr. Harrison, this miss wanted me to show her the golf course” he said hesitatingly.

“You can go. I will show her the golf course” he said boring into her eyes, without letting her hands go. The attendant nodded reluctantly and went away. “Come with me, Ms Velazquez” he took with him holding her hands.

“Let me show you how to play this game” she nodded in response. He placed the ball on the tee and gave a powerful stroke to the ball. The ball sailed in air and landed directly inside the target hole.

“Excellent shot Mr. Harrison” his chest puffed with pride as Angela praised him.

“Now, you try” she smiled and gently placed another ball on the tee. Her eyes scanned the golf course carefully and once again her gaze landed in his face. He was watching her every action intently. He nodded his head in assurance. Then she elegantly swung the club to hit the ball. The ball flew off, neither too high nor too low and landed on the rim of the target hole. It rotated along the rim and sunk into the hole eventually. Being completely baffled, he tried to hide his shock.

“I’ve seen many players but no one was able to do it like this in one try” he gestured towards the hole and she giggled.

“Thanks Mr. Harrison. But I’ve done this many times”

“You’ve played golf before ?” she nodded while grinning. Now, he felt like an idiot. Turns out that she is not only perfect by looks but is perfect   at everything.

“I always played golf when I lived in Brazil. I love playing in the green lawns of the golf courses. I started playing it since I was 14. It kinda gives me a sense of relief” She explained him and once again he was mesmerized by her.

“You are new in California, aren’t you ?” he asked as they strolled along the golf course.

“Yes I just got shifted to California. Nearly one week ago” it was the day of the masquerade ball, he thought.

“Did you attend the masquerade ball that day ?”

“Of course I went to that ball. And I also danced with you” her lips slowly curved into a smirk. “ I must say that was the best dance I ever had”.

“So you knew me before, huh ?” she nodded lightly.

"What was the meaning of those words you said that night?"

"I don't know Mr. Harrison. You tell me" he was complelety unsatisfied by her answer.

“And why did you disappear from the ball suddenly ?” he asked impatiently.

“Well that’s…..,Mr. Harrison,….is a secret” her crystal green eyes shone with a mysterious glint. While talking they didn’t realize that they have reached at the exit of the course.

“I must go now Mr. Harrison” she handed the golf club to the caddie.

“Wait” he called and she turned her head immediately.

“Would you like to have dinner with me tonight  ?” he asked expectantly.

She shook her head. “I would love to have dinner with you”.

In case you don't about the golf terms

Golf club – its the stick with which we strike the ball

Caddie – he is a person who carries the golf equipments and give  advices to his master

Bogey – . in golf, the act of getting the ball into the hole in one shot (\= hit) more than par (\= the expected number) for that hole

Tee – its is a stand used to support a stationary ball so that the player can strike it

They say that opposite attracts. But who said that things are same for Maxwell Harrison. Everything about her, harmonized perfectly with him. Her perfection, her confidence, her aura, perfectly compliments his personality. Still after so many stark resemblances , there is something different between them which ignites their chemistry. There is a certain kind of simplicity in her nature which clashes with his complex disposition. Simplicity and Complexity need each other. This temperament is so fundamental that he ended up craving her to complete himself. The attraction between them is undeniable. She touches his mind and ignites his body on fire.

"You look like a teenage boy having his first date" Adam muttered. This drastic change in his friend's demeanor had perplexed him. He eagerly wanted to meet the girl who intrigued his friend.

"Cut me some slack!" Max defended himself.

"What ? You look lost  from the time we entered here"

Max was about to oppose when he caught the glimpse of her striking figure. That was the sight his eyes were craving for so long. But she was not alone. She was accompanied by young man , probably of her age. I invited her for dinner and she already brought a date with her. He couldn't help but doubt.

"Good evening Mr. Harrison" she greeted as they reached to their seat.

"Good evening indeed" he took her palm in his hand and pressed a gentle kiss on it. Her soft petals like palm quivered slightly under his lips. Sensing her reaction he smiled against her palm.

"This is my friend Adam Smith and Adam meet Angela Velázquez"

"Nice to meet you Mr. Smith". Adam nodded in acknowledgment. Behind his façade, he was actually dumbfounded by her beauty. No doubt Max is smitten by her.

"And who is this gentleman here ?" Max gestured towards the young man.

"He is my bodyguard and also my childhood best friend, Romeo. " he felt slightly disappointed hearing her words.

"He is like my brother." She said with a gleam in her eyes and with her words, the heavy feeling lifted from his heart. They all exchanged greetings and settled on their respective seats.

"So Ms Velázquez, tell me about yourself." Adam asked while the waiter poured drinks for them.

"There is nothing much significant about me" she gave him an easy smile, "I'm the daughter of Antonio Velázquez"

"Antonio Velázquez as in the CEO of Brasilia groups ?"

"Yes, you're right Mr. Smith". Hmm, I've seen met him before. Adam thought

" But as far as I know, he doesn't have any child"

"Actually I was an orphan" her glowing face fell suddenly " He is my foster father." Max felt a tug at his heart. What a coincidence ! He is  orphan too.

"I see. So, how you happened to visit California ? Any special plans ?"

"I'm not here for a visit. I am actually planning to settle here. My father wants me to learn business, so after my graduation, I decided to work in internship"

"Hmm, but what's the problem with your own father's company ?" Adam asked suspiciously. On the other hand, Max was silent throughout the conversation , gulping down his dry martini but Adam's questions started to annoy him. He stomped Adam's feet under the table, what's with his interrogation? 

"Being a billionaire's daughter pros as well as cons. They treat me as princess and my father wants me to learn business from basic level, as a mere employee. In nutshell, he wants me to provide unbiased training" she explained calmly.

"Well in that case, if you want you can work with me." Max offered her, hiding his excitement. I'd get more time to spend with her if she agrees.

"That's so considerate of you Mr. Harrison" Angela chimed, appreciating his thoughtfulness.

"C'mon, stop calling me that. That makes me feel like old person. You can call me Max" he joked and she giggled at that.

"If only you call me Angela" she smirked.

"Then Angela it is." Max grinned in return.

~*~*~

"Thanks for inviting me Max, I enjoyed the dinner very much" Angela thanked him after they finished their dinner.

"Pleasure was all mine" he looked deeply in her eyes. The intensity in his gaze brought some alien feelings in her stomach, so she averted her eyes.

"It was nice talking to you Mr. Smith"

"You can call me Adam as well" Adam maintained his professional tone, his hands stuffed inside the pockets of his trouser. He even couldn't understand his cold behaviour towards her.

"Alright, good night gentleman" she greeted them for one last time and strode away with her bodyguard.

As soon as she was out of the sight, Max raised his eyebrow and glared at Adam.

"Don't give me that look" Adam rolled his eyes.

"What was all about that inquiry ? You were acting just like my father"

"Hey, I was just curious, okay"

"So, do you like her ?" Max asked curiously as Adam's opinions mattered very much to him

"No doubt she is exceptional but....." Max frowned as Adam trailed.

"But what Adam ?"

"Nothing, let's go" Adam shook his head, trying to avoid the topic. He couldn't conclude anything that early so he decided he keep quiet.

~*~*~

She cautiously stepped inside the building, checking her surrounding. It's the first time she will meet him after she started her mission. Her heels made clicking sounds as she trotted on the marble floor. After reaching the counter, She stopped and smiled at the familiar brunette standing in front of her.

"June" the brunette squealed in happiness and hugged her.

"How are you April ?" She asked while returning her hug.

"I'm fine." She eyed her from head to toe and smirked "Babe, you look gorgeous by the way" April gestured towards her hair.

"Thanks. I missed you, April" April was one of the orphans who grew up along with her. They were like the sisters from different mothers and she shared everything with her.

"Anyway, is he inside ?" June asked nervously.

"No, you go in. He will be coming any time" April informed her. She nodded and headed towards his office. She took a deep breath and twisted the nob of the door.

Without warning, she was pinned to the wall with her hands on either side of her head. She gasped as the cold wall came in contact with her skin.

"Ah, how much I missed this" said the captor in a hoarse voice. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply as he buried his head in the crook of her neck and breathed her hairs.

"Seth....."

"Hmm, you look more hot in this new makeover" he started kissing her nape slowly.

"But aren't we cousins now ?" She suggested in ragged breath while she tried to free herself from his grip.

"Cousins ? Bullshit ! I don't accept it. I loved you before he adopted you. And I already told you, you are mine" he nibbled her ear lobe as he whispered in her ear "Only mine"

His hands traveled dangerously on her body. "But....." She tried to protest but he didn't give her a chance. Seth brought his mouth near her lips and was about to kiss her when the door burst open.

"Leave her, Seth" ordered a strong voice.