True Colors
The Masquerades

Four o'clock. They rushed up to the black SUV that was waiting for them at the east exit gate. Youngjoo hints at the driver to leave Lydenn Academy and rushes somewhere.

The car seems to be starting a discussion. The discussion was started by Youngjoo.

"We're going to the Marianne Hotel. They will have a meeting. And this meeting is unusual" Youngjoo said.

"Many Conglomerate children and officials, whether from this country or abroad, will attend the meeting. The meeting they do every six months" continued Simon.

"And they are more like partying than having a business or political meeting. Not infrequently some of them come from the gangsters" continued Joseph.

"Marianne's Hotel? I've never been there." said Adreano softly.

'Lies.', inner Adreano.

"Yes! never mind, we'll come there anyway. You will see for yourself" said Joseph, responding to Adreano's remarks.

Simon only chuckled at Joseph who responded to Adreano with an annoyed face. Meanwhile, Youngjoo talks to his driver to show him a place.

"Exclusive means there must be an exclusive invitation, who has it among us?" Ask Simon.

Joseph looked directly at Youngjoo with a sharp look. "Hey! you must have, right?" .

Youngjoo smiled, then reached into the bag that was in his black coat. He took out three black-gold and neatly sealed envelopes.

"Well, there are, I didn't expect it?". Youngjoo immediately distributed the three envelopes to Joseph, Adreano and Simon.

"Huh?! how about three bro?" joseph protest.

"ah! It was so noisy for Joseph. Yeah, if we go in, who's on guard outside, you idiot!" Youngjoo replied as he showed her the medium black tote suitcase he had picked up.

"ohhhhh! hey okayy!" Joseph said with fingers that made a circle.

"So you're gonna monitor us and give us instructions regarding the circumstances?" Adreano.

"Well! the exact answer from the former military academy student! not like this stupid one" Youngjoo replied as he slowly brushed Joseph off his head.

Simon again chuckled softly at Joseph and Youngjoo's familiar behavior. Then he turned his gaze towards Adreano who was reading the contents of the invitation envelope they received.

"How's it going?" Simon asked as he patted Adreano's shoulder sitting beside him.

Adreano slightly glanced at Simon, "Ah! It says here that this party is "Masquerade", it means you have to wear a mask..." Evidently.

Joseph looked at Adreano while his hair was being pulled by Youngjoo. "What?! (what), God wants to get in!" He said by raising his tone.

Youngjoo removed his hand from Joseph's hair, then he opened his black suitcase. Inside the suitcase, there is a laptop, headphones and some sophisticated device equipment. Youngjoo then took some kind of hands-free communication tool, and gave it to his three friends.

"Wear it to stay connected. For the mask, of course I already know. Simon please check your back seat" Youngjoo asked Simon.

"OK" Simon immediately took three large shopping bags with the brand's inscription and then, distributed it to Joseph and Adreano.

"You're this intent? Isn't this just my problem? Even you got three of these invitations..." Ask Adreano who was astonished to Youngjoo.

Youngjoo corrected the position of his glasses and spoke, "Rather than being said to be intent, am I not exactly meticulous and careful? This is your problem anyway, but from here we can investigate things and see if you deserve to be in our camp and not a peng-"

Uncompleted Youngjoo replied to him, Simon interrupted his conversation. "Hey stop! we've reached the location".

Youngjoo turned towards the window and it turned out to be true, they had already reached the Marianne Hotel area. Car to hotel basement parking area.

"Then be prepared to change clothes and install the communication tool properly and do not get caught!" Youngjoo's orders.

Joseph, Adreano and Simon nodded steadily. Then, the car stopped. The three rushed down and changed their clothes according to the theme of the party.

. . .

Marianne Hotel is one of the five star hotels in the country. The hotel has 15 floors and a Penthouse. Not only that, the facilities in the hotel are complete and classy. Many important people who hold official or private events here. The Heinze family owned 2.5% of their shares.

Six o'clock past thirty minutes of sunset time. The hotel lobby was full of VIP guests. Luxury cars are coming in alternately. The hotel service began to get busy with requests from guests. A lot of guards have done their job. Important event is soon to be held. The event was held in the Penthouse section. Special elevators were busy going up and down carrying the invited guests. It is estimated that sixty-five invited guests attended the event.

The Penthouse area has been decorated in such a way that it is beautiful and looks like several guards in black suits are preparing in their respective places. Many hotel waiters are busy passing by carrying food and drinks. A frenzied voice started to sound, the guests were already in the Penthouse Area and were about to verify their invitations at the entrance area before entering the party area. The Penthouse area is quite large. There are Outdoor, Indoor and some room rooms that are usually used by guests at parties as a privacy or rest room, not to forget the public restroom or toilet.

Seven o'clock past five minutes. Guests who have verified their invitations and passed security checks are welcome to enter the party area. All of the guests from the beginning of the hotel had been wearing masks.

Adreano, Joseph and Simon were already in the party area. In other words, they managed to pass the verification. The three split up and stayed connected with the communication tools as well as the directives from Youngjoo. The three also agreed to meet again in the Penthouse toilet.

. . .

Adreano observed the surroundings, everyone at that moment was wearing masks and appearing to be conversing with each other. Some are in pairs, some are in groups and some are enjoying dishes. Adreano decided to grab a glass of drink and walked up to the building's glass divider.

The glittering beauty of the lights of skyscrapers at that time was really beautiful. Adreano sipped a soft drink in his glass and returned to see the surrounding situation. Adreano felt there was nothing suspicious in the outdoor area. He looked at his watch. Seven o'clock past twenty minutes.

Adreano wandered around the pool area, he turned his glass slowly, and returned to his starting position and let out a long sigh.

"What makes you sigh so much at a party like this"

There was a woman's voice right behind Adreano. He then looked towards the origin of the voice. The woman was smiling behind the white mask on her face. Adreano just kept quiet and watched her walk over.

'ah he's here.' inner Adreano.

"Are you new to this show? you seem to be wandering around looking confused, sorry I noticed you..." Said the Woman.

Adreano smiled, "Ah, thank you for watching me, I just agreed to attend this party"

"Then may I accompany you to see the beauty of tonight?" Ask the Woman.

"Of course, miss. It's my pleasure (with pleasure)" Adreano replied politely.

The woman had elegant black updo hair, with a royal purple cocktail dress, with a sapphire-lined silver necklace exactly like her eye color behind a white mask with fur on her right side.

Adreano really felt uncomfortable with the awkward situation. He immediately opened up the topic of conversation.

"Pestanya-" said the two together.

The woman chuckled and Adreano smiled.

"Please Miss, speak first" said Adreano.

"Haha, thank you. No need to be so formal. It's like you're at a European nobleman's party..." The woman said with a small laugh.

"ah! I'm sorry, miss..." Adreano apologized to the woman.

"But I've never seen you at this party. You're really a new kid, aren't you?" Ask the woman again.

"Yes, this time I just came because at the insistence of someone" replied Adreano steady.

'Sorry to lie to him...' Adreano said in his heart.

"ah! apparently so. It turns out we're the same, I was pushed by my father..." The woman said in a sad tone.

Adreano looked at the woman. The woman looked sad even though she was covered by a mask on her face. His mouth looks pouty. Soon, the dance began, the first song was played. The woman regained her spirit and then was about to stare at Adreano, hastily Adreano turned her face towards the scenery of the buildings.

"Hey! it's my favorite song. Will you be my dancing partner?" The woman asked with a smile towards Adreano.

Adreano looked back at the woman, and smiled faintly. Then he thrust out his hand, asking permission respectfully to be his dancing partner. "Alright, Miss. Thanks for the offer".

The two walked towards the Indoor party area, the woman's hand embracing Adreano's arm. There were whispering voices of the guests who saw the two. However, the woman did not pay attention to him.

Adreano steals the listen, from some who whisper or who talk about both.

"look, they're pretty mismatched huh..."

"Well, Miss, keep rejecting a lot of guys who ask her to talk and dance..."

"don't it be her boyfriend, miss..."

"...he's a miss from a reputable company isn't she??..."

Soon the two reached the party's indoor area, right on the dance floor.

"Shall we dance (can we dance)?" adreano said to the woman while politely thrusting her hand.

The woman smiled behind her mask and placed her hand on Adreano's palm and began her dance.

🎶 Midnight Waltz - Masquerade Party

by Brandon Fletcher

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