CHAPTER TWO: The Invitation.
"Some people wear masks even when they're not at a masquerade".
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I didn't understand that sentence when it first dropped in my mind.
I was still brushing my hair the next morning, thinking about Jude's strange touch, the garden, and how peaceful it all felt. But that sentence just stayed there, like someone whispered it to my heart.
I was still holding my comb when I heard a horn outside.
I rushed to the window and there it was. A black car, and not just any car, it's Jude's car and it was parked right in front of my small apartment.
And not long after my phone rang.
"Lillian," the voice said, calm and firm.
"I'm outside,"he said.
I blinked. "Jude?"
"Yes," he said.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"I am," he replied. "Are you free this evening?"he asked.
I looked around. The flower shop was closed today, Micah was asleep and Bella wasn't home.
"Yes," I said softly.
"Come with me," he said. "There's something I want you to see."
"Now?"i asked.
"No," he said. "Tonight. But I want you to come with me now and stay with me till then."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I can't stop thinking about you," he said quietly.
My heart skipped for a while. Just like that? No games, no lies.
"Okay," I said.
Ten minutes later, I was in the back seat of the car with him. His driver didn't say a word. Jude sat beside me, his hands folded. Our shoulders didn't touch, but I could feel his presence.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"To get you ready," he replied.
"Ready for what?"
"For the party," he said. "My aunt is hosting it."
I turned to him. "You're taking me to a party?"I asked, surprised.
"Yes," he said. "I want you by my side."
"Jude, are you sure?" I asked. "You barely know me."i added.
"I touched you," he said. "That's enough for me."
I didn't reply. I just looked at him. He wasn't smiling, but he wasn't cold either. Just serious.
We pulled into a long street with glass stores on both sides. One had sparkling dresses in the window. Jude stepped out first and opened the door for me.
"I want you to wear something beautiful tonight," he said. "Something soft. Something that makes you feel powerful."he added.
I blinked. "I already have a dress."
"I know," he said. "But I want this one to be from me."
I walked in.
The boutique was silent and full of light. A tall woman with white gloves walked up to us.
"Mr. Martins," she said, smiling. "Welcome."
"She'll need a dress," he said. "Something for tonight's gala."
The woman turned to me. "Come with me."
Before I followed her, I looked back at Jude.
He gave a small nod.
The changing room smelled like flowers and new cloth. They brought me five gowns, all long and soft like air. I picked the last one—a deep green dress that wrapped gently around my body and made my skin glow.
When I stepped out, Jude stood up.
His eyes scanned me slowly.
"You look like spring," he said.
I smiled. "I thought I smelled like it."
He smiled too. Just for a second.
We left the boutique quietly.
Back at the estate, the whole house was moving with activities. Staff walking around, cars coming in and out. The garden lights were on, but no one stopped to look at the flowers.
"Do I need to act a certain way?" I asked as we entered the main hall.
"No," he said. "Just stay close to me."
"Why am I going?" I asked. "You could've taken anyone else."
"I don't want anyone else," he said simply.
Before I could say anything, a tall woman walked in. She was beautiful—but looks mean and powerful.
"Aunt Agatha," Jude said.
She looked at me. Then back at him.
"This is the girl?"she asked.
"Yes," he said.
She turned to me. "Do you speak?"
I nodded. "Yes."
She raised a brow. "Where are you from?"
"I live in the city," I said.
"Do you have a job?"
"I own a flower shop."
"A flower girl," she said under her breath.
"She's with me," Jude said firmly.
Agatha looked at him, then turned to leave. "Do what you want. But remember, people talk."
I looked at him as she walked away. "She doesn't like me."
"She doesn't like anyone," he said. "Don't worry."
"But she looked at me like I was a stain on her dress," I said.
He smiled faintly. "That's better than most."
The evening grew darker.
People started arriving—men in suits, women in diamonds, laughter echoing across the halls. Everything sparkled. Everything smelled expensive.
Jude stayed close to me.
Every now and then, someone would greet him and glance at me.
"Who is she?" they whispered.
"She's different," I heard one woman say.
But I kept walking.
And suddenly , a man stepped in front of Jude.
"Elian," Jude said.
He looked young, with sharp glasses and a white coat over his shoulders.
"You brought her," Elian said, looking at me.
"Yes," Jude replied.
Elian stared at me too long. "She touched you?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't react?"
"No."
Elian looked nervous. "That's… impossible."
Jude stayed silent.
Elian walked closer. "I need to run more tests."
"Not now," Jude said.
"But this changes everything," Elian insisted. "You don't understand what this means. She's not—"
"Enough," Jude said quietly. "Not here."
Elian turned and walked away, looking both afraid and curious.
I leaned toward Jude. "Who was that?"
"My doctor," he said. "And my friend."
"He doesn't act like a friend."
"He's confused," Jude replied. "Maybe scared."
"Scared of me?"
"Maybe," Jude said. "Or maybe of what you mean."
I frowned. "What do I mean?"
He looked at me. "Hope."
We walked toward the ballroom.
Soft music played. People danced behind masks—gold, silver, feathers.
I stood by the window, looking at all of them and that same sentence came back to me.
Some people wear masks even when they're not at a masquerade.
I turned and looked at the crowd again.
And then I saw Agatha. Watching me, with a really bad look as if I'm here to spoil something.
Like she had a plan.
And suddenly, I knew—
This wasn't just a party.
This was a warning.