Chapter 23
Celeste
“I know who this ‘Mystery Girl’ is.”
The moment Sabrina’s voice uttered those words, I retreated further into the stall, praying she wouldn’t discover me. My breath hitched in my throat as I pressed myself up against the wall.
The whispers and giggles filled the space, my heart rate accelerating with every insinuation.
“Come on, Sabrina, just spill already! Who is this mystery girl? And what’s with the mask?” I recognized Eliza's voice; she and Sabrina had been two peas in a toxic pod since… well, since forever.
Sabrina let out a teasing laugh. “A girl has to have her secrets, doesn’t she?” she cooed. “Just wait. Time will tell.”
“Aww, Brina!” another voice whined. “You can’t leave us hanging like this!”
Sabrina just chuckled again and tapped the side of her head. “You’ll find out soon enough. I’m cooking something up in here. It’s gonna be good; trust me.”
Hidden within the confines of the stall, my breathing grew shallow as the cold bite of Sabrina’s words continued to spread. Her mocking tones echoed through the marble-lined bathroom, a cruel counter-melody to the ballroom’s distant music.
Just as I tried to find a way to disappear further into the stall, the cruel twist of fate made itself known. The shadow of Sabrina’s figure approached, and I couldn’t help but peek through the tiny crack of the stall door.
Our eyes met. Hers widened momentarily before narrowing into slits, a malicious glint sparkling within. “You know, girls,” she began, her voice dripping with honeyed venom, “there's something so intriguing about a locked stall in an empty restroom. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?”
One of her friends, a tall girl with a birdlike face, replied, “You think someone's eavesdropping, Brina?”
Sabrina’s smirk widened. “Oh, I'm quite certain of it. But let's not ruin the surprise for our shy listener. Secrets are much more fun, after all.” Her gaze remained fixed on the crack, ensuring I felt every word.
A third voice, more timid, piped up. “Come on, Sabrina. Let’s not cause a scene.”
Sabrina chuckled, her cold eyes still on mine. “No scene, I promise. But let's remember this little moment, shall we?” She finally stepped back, shooting one last triumphant look my way.
The chatter resumed, but now with an undertone of stifled excitement, as if they all shared a juicy secret. And then, as abruptly as it began, the weight of their presence lifted. The door swished closed behind them.
Inside the stall, the walls felt as if they were closing in. My stomach churned, emotions whirling—a nauseating blend of embarrassment, anxiety, and the crushing weight of recognition. Sabrina knew, and the power of that knowledge was her newest weapon.
It was only after their laughter and chatter faded away, replaced by the soft hum of the ballroom’s music, that I dared to emerge. I was alone once again with nothing but the ache in my chest.
My gaze fell on my reflection in the ornate gold-framed mirror. The beautifully adorned twilight blue dress that had given me so much confidence earlier now felt like a cruel joke.
Brushing away a tear, I found myself face to face with the girl hidden behind the mask.
“You’re so foolish, Celeste,” I murmured, touching the delicate lace that barely concealed my identity.
Why did I ever think this could work? Why did I believe, even for a moment, that I could be like one of them? My fingers brushed the mask, feeling the intricate details, as a single tear trailed down my cheek.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my clutch, its luminous screen revealing Matt’s name. “Where did you go? Everything okay?”
Hesitating for a second, I replied, “Be right out. Drinks?”
Taking one last glance at my reflection, I braced myself and made my way back to the main hall. Matt stood by the bar, his tall frame easy to spot. He was animatedly talking to a bartender, but his eyes darted around, looking for someone—looking for me.
As I approached, he turned, his face brightening instantly upon seeing me. It was a welcome sight after hearing the words that were spoken in the bathroom, but I couldn’t shake what that one girl had said out of my mind: that he only pitied me.
“There you are! Was starting to think you got lost in that huge bathroom or something.”
I laughed, though it came out a bit more nervous than I intended. “Yeah, it’s almost like a maze in there.”
“You said you wanted a drink?” He asked, signaling the bartender.
“A light cocktail would be nice,” I murmured.
Matt nodded and ordered the drink for me. Technically I was under the legal drinking age, but no one really cared at this ball. The bartender made me the drink without question and handed it to Matt.
Handing me the drink, Matt leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “It’s getting a bit stuffy in here, don’t you think? How about some fresh air?”
“That sounds lovely,” I replied, grateful for the escape.
The gardens beyond the ballroom were a breathtaking sight, illuminated under the moonlight. Delicate silver beams filtered through the glass roof, casting a soft glow on intricate stone paths.
Fragrant blossoms filled the air with sweet and heady scents, from blooming roses to night-blooming jasmine. Even though it was the middle of winter, the air in the greenhouse gardens was like a warm, fresh spring.
Matt led the way, his fingers lightly brushing mine. The further we ventured into the gardens, the more the ballroom’s noise faded, replaced by the tranquil sounds of nature—crickets chirping, the distant murmur of a fountain, and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze.
“This place is amazing,” I said, looking around at the vibrant flowers. “Like a fairytale.”
Matt laughed, his eyes twinkling. “A mystery girl in a masquerade ball in a fairytale garden. Sounds about right.”
He paused, then continued. “You know, this is an old place, and didn’t always look like this. But… The town came into some money over the past couple of years, so they fixed it up.”
“Money?” I asked.
Matt nodded. “Yeah. Some mystery benefactor.”
“Oh.” I chewed my lip for a moment; this was the first I had heard of that. I couldn’t imagine why a mystery benefactor would want to give money to the tiny town of Mountainview, situated on some little island that no one ever cared about.
But I wasn’t complaining; the atmosphere in this sprawling greenhouse garden was too nice.
Our path led us by a serene little fountain, its surface smooth as glass, reflecting the silvery moon. Matt stopped and turned to face me, his fingers gently tilting my chin upwards, our eyes meeting.
“You know, for someone wearing a mask, you're quite expressive. It's your eyes. They’re so… blue.”
Feeling a flush rise to my cheeks, I playfully nudged him, hoping that he wouldn’t notice that my ‘eye color’ wasn’t genuine.
“Maybe you’re just good at reading people,” I murmured. “Or maybe I’m just an open book tonight.”
His fingers interlaced with mine, pulling me closer. “An open book with some missing pages, maybe. You’re still a mystery.”
The closeness was intoxicating. The warmth of his body, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, it felt reassuring. Our shared laughter and easy banter continued as we wandered, the world outside the garden forgotten. The towering hedges and blooming flowers became a cocoon, sheltering us from the realities outside. The intimacy of the moment was undeniable.
Suddenly, he halted, causing me to stumble slightly. His face was serious as he turned to face me, the golden glow from the lanterns painting his features in a soft light.
Then, with a deep breath, he whispered five words. Five words that made my breath catch in my throat. Five words that made my heart stop, and nearly made me drop the cocktail glass I was holding onto the ground.
“I know who you are.”
