Because he come back

"Okay, put on your masks," Erin warned before they opened the doors.

In an instant, they were all unrecognizable.

The night was freezing, the wind caressing their clothes as the group got out of the car.

Finally, Alice looked back with questioning eyes.

"The one I want isn't there, what fun is there in going in without my escort," Erin replied with a smile, almost arrogant, as she crossed her legs and continued to fill her glass. "I'll only draw unnecessary attention to you. Go and have fun, I'll go in when Nero arrives."

Alice blushed a little before nodding. She didn't want to, but she had to admit that Erin's true appearance was on another level. Angelic, divine, even a little demonic. That waist, legs and breasts would attract the eyes of anyone, be it man, woman or bird.

'Not to mention her aura. Come on, I want champagne, you know', as the group walked, the voice in Alice's head tried to lead her astray.

'Don't even think about it. I won't drink like last time.'

Alice still had that shame burning the butterflies in her stomach. Her past wouldn't be forgotten so easily, Nero made a point of having fun at her expense whenever there was drinking involved.

'Why not?! It's always more fun when he's smiling, isn't it? And I finally make a good impression, you cut me.'

'You cut yourself! Talking that nonsense and fainting.'

Stepping a little heavier than she should have, Alice calmed down with the sight of the forests. The smell of flowers was carried by the wind, restoring her impassive self.

'These parties still make you agitated, huh? You have a lot to learn. Leave me in control.'

'No way.'

They had arrived.

A couple of security guards were waiting at the door, so polite and dignified that they could be seen as the face of the party.

The only detail that made the girls shiver was the blindfold and the peaceful expression as they barely seemed to breathe.

Flanking the silver gate, no group that arrived was exempt from suspicion.

"Don't be tense, even if they don't like something they'll just talk."

The girls weren't too sure about that. Even a blind person could understand that they could crush their necks like a dry twig if they wanted to.

"Huuf... If you say so..." Diana preferred to focus on the beautiful gardens around. The few people there were spectators. "But wait, where's Erin?"

"She'll come in later. For now keep walking and...", Alice glanced at the excited little bee next to her, Ema just smiled awkwardly. "... Try not to look at them too much. You'll get tired faster. Too much eye contact can drain your mental energy."

"Oh..."

"Strangely enough, it makes sense. The first time I went out with our CEO, I was dead tired," Carla confided with a half smile.

"That's because you didn't drink. You just listened to us complain all night," Diana was mumbling, almost worried about everyone's solemn atmosphere.

"True. If I had drunk, I would have been taken straight to the hospital on a stretcher."

"Uhhh... That's pretty cool, isn't it? Each one of them is richer and more famous than a movie star... I have a chance of leaving here with a ring on my finger," Ema was still playing the role of the group's Little Lamb.

'They are so energetic. You should learn a thing or two. Have some fun, you're almost the same age.'

'I don't know if I like the place very much. It's always been more of a battlefield than a ball.'

'Passion, money, power and glory. Is there anything more romantic than that?! I'll help you, listen...'

"There's a chance you'll get out with a collar", a soft voice and a laugh as beautiful as it was innocent.

The girls fell silent, looking back like three cats with their tails stepped on.

"So you know how to laugh?...", Ema smiled, not at all bothered.

"You look prettier when you smile... Oh, you're back to normal", Diana never thought she would see that side of that silent cat.

'See, much better now.'

'You!... I already told you to stop.'

'What?! It's more fun when two people play, isn't it? Or do you think I'm going to watch you with Nero all to yourself, from the dark corner.'

Alice calmed down, feigning patience.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you for a while. Where did you buy that jacket?", Ema wasted no time.

"The black one... I wanted one too. I even looked it up," Carla listened intently to the conversation. It was at times like these that her extroverted friend stood out.

"I don't know. It was a gift," Alice looked away. That group was strange.

The people were strange.

'In their eyes, you might be the strange one, you know? You need to smile a little.'

'Quiet.'

"Uh, this castle is beautiful...", walking the last few steps to the castle's door, the white and golden light already filled her eyes, but it was the gray of the castle that enchanted her. An imposing giant, with walls and towers as tall as most buildings and still noble and delicate in every detail.

"Don't even tell me. I wanted a picture. It must be even more beautiful from the top."

Listening to Carla, at least Alice could relate to that.

"That's where we're going," her eyes widened, almost like pearls. "I never tire of the view. There's a hall and a garden in the center of the top floor."

Alice smiled just remembering the scent of such rare flowers, the wind messing up her hair and her arms stretched out over the railing. She was a child the first time she saw it, but the feeling never changed, it only became more refined.

"It's beautiful...", she finished, smiling slightly.

"Yes, you should smile more."

'I said.'

'...'