章 303: Forty eight
A knock on the door has us both startle apart. We both turn to look at the door and then at each other, silently questioning each other.
" I know you're in there," Graham shouts from the other side of the door, and we both heave a collective sigh of relief.
" Maybe, if we keep quiet he will go away," Mason whispers, grinning down at me, and I can't help the smile spreading on my lips.
Resignation settles on his features, as he glances at the door and then at me.
" I'm not going to go away. We need to get moving or we will be more than it is considered fashionably late or acceptable. Don't fuck this up. I won't shut up unless you come out," Mason heaves a heavy sigh and bends down to pick up the dress off the floor. Well, he took it off, he will have to put it back on.
" I swear to god, sometimes don't even know why I'm friends with him. He tends to piss on my parade every chance he gets," Mason grumbles disgruntled, as he holds the dress for me to step into. Luckily, I'm still wearing the sandals, but I'll need to redo my hair.
" So, we are in a beautiful city, with endless possibilities at the tip of your fingers, and you choose to stay cooped up inside in this dusty room," As promised, Graham didn't stop speaking.
" You should see the things they have around here. I've been before but it never gets old. Remind me to visit more often," He says to no one in particular, and it goes on and on.
" The ballroom is something pulled out of a dream. You'll love it. Are you done?" Not, really but neither of us bothers to answer. Mason and I, just smile at each other as he adjusts the dainty straps of the dress and then turns me around to fasten the laces.
Graham might be a chatterbox, but he is a lovable chatterbox with a penchant for getting on Mason's nerves. With one final tug onto the laces, Mason releases me and turns me around to peck my lips, all the while Graham is yapping in the background.
" All done. You look spectacular," He kisses my cheek and then walks with me to the dressing table
" Aren't you going to answer him?" I ask, looking at my reflection in the mirror and stifling a gasp. I look like I've been caught by and spit out by a twister. Mason needs to revise his vocabulary because I look far from spectacular. If it weren't for the dress, I bear more resemblance to a drifter.
" No. Why bother? He is going to keep talking no matter what says. Once he is finished relaying all that is troubling him, he will eventually shut up," I take the pins that he has collected off the floor, run my hands through my hair to loosen the knots.
" He is a good friend," I hum absently engrossed in the task at hand. I'll be meeting a lot of high-standing people, and I can already see the judging looks women will throw my way if they don't find me up to par.
" He is," Mason shrugs, while I begin to retouch my makeup and wipe away the smudges.
" He is as loyal and trustworthy as a thief can be. Trust me, people will lose quite a few prized possessions this evening," He smirks, and I can't help but laugh.
" Does he ever stop?" I ask with a raised brow.
Mason meets my eyes in the mirror," He doesn't do heists anymore, but he never stops stealing things," Mason purses his lips, " He is a bit of a magpie...he likes, sparkly, shiny things," Mason chuckles when I giggle, tucking a few loose strands of hair back into the makeshift hairdo. It looks nothing like the previous one I had, but we are running out of time.
Grinning down at me, he takes my hand into his and kisses the back of it, " Exquisite as ever," He says darkly offering me his arm and leading me to the door. Graham is still going on about some underground pools that he visited during his meandering.
Mason swings the door open, only for Graham to fall right through it at our feet, with a thump and groan.
" Top of the morning to you," He says gleefully, smiling up at us from where he is lying on the floor. I laugh, Mason sighs, resigned.
" I thought we were in a rush. Not a good time for you to take a nap," Mason quips and steps over Graham before he has a chance to stand up.
I lower to a crouch and offer a hand to Graham to help him up. He takes it and sprintly jumps to his feet.
" Why thank you kind maiden," He kisses the back of my hand, and bows. His deep green suit caught the light, clashing against his fair skin and the mop of hair sitting a top of his head, casually tousled. He looks like Graham but with an edge. Usually, he wears, worn-in jeans, and long sleeve shirts, blending into crowds, making him look inconspicuous. Now he looks nothing like someone who could easily blend in.
Behind Graham, Mason rolls his eyes, and turns to open the main door to the apartment, holding my petticoat thrown over his arm.
" You look ravishing, sweet cheeks," Graham praises as we make our way to Mason.
I curtsey, mockingly " Thank you, " We both laugh as we follow after Mason into the hallways.
The house itself is made out of limestone, with brightly coloured tapestry contrasting the against whitewashed walls, bathed in a kaleidoscope of colours streaming through the glass-stained window. Plush carpets line the floor, bearing very colourful designs. Everything is strikingly beautiful, the dark wood accenting the wall, and the wrought iron sconces, illuminating the hallway is tying everything together, creating an eclectic display.
We reach a wide spiral staircase winding down to the end of the hallway, giving us a panoramic view of the city through one of the high vaulted clear windows. Gallassos looks magical.
Despite the darkness blanketing the city, it shines brightly, turrets and gables towering against the skyline, winking down at us.
" Timmea will meet us at Little Palace," That's a strange name for a Palace. I nod in assent too distracted by the view to bother answering.
Mason slides beside me offering his free arm, while we brave the descent before us on the grand staircase. A red carpet lines the middle of the staircase, paving the path leading us down.
A heavy crystal chandelier hangs heavily from the high ceiling, by a chain thicker than my arm. It all screams bold, decadent and money. Lots of money.
My eyes fall on the sculpture decorating the mezzanine, the rich colouring of the painting hanging off the wall, and the art on display that probably costs more than anyone could ever spend in a lifetime.
" I hope you haven't taken any liberties," Mason says under his breath.
" I'm not that stupid. Stealing from the host is always a bad idea," Graham whisper-shouts back, and I can't help but look at both of them, exasperated. We don't know who might be listening.
" Not a good time to discuss business," I nudge Mason with my elbow and he grunts in response.
"Oops, it seems that I'm yet to know my strength," He playfully glares back while Ildi appears at the bottom of the endless stairs, wearing a polite smile on her lips.
"Your carriage is here," She informs, gesturing towards the massive wooden doors. Carriage? What happened to the cars? They have four wheels, roofs, windows, an engine and they can go really fast, I want to vociferate.
When I open my mouth to comment, Graham squeezes my arm," Thank you Ildi. Very kind of you to arrange that for us," Graham says politely bowing to Ildi.
" Not at all. It was our Praedish's wish," She says back but the politeness seems, well, not so polite.
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