Lucas gave her a once over and added
"There are few details we have to go through before we make an appearance," Jessica nodded and he resumed.
" Your name for the night will still be Rose. We met during a gala in Monte Carlo and you are supposed to be friends with Jack, my step brother, that's your backup story, no details. You'll introduce yourself when I say so, Understood?"
"Yes,"
"Don't worry , you won't have to deal with everyone during the event, I'll be by your side the entire evening . no need to fear the cameras they're not allowed to take pictures unless I agree, is that okay?"
"Okay"
"One more thing, " He took out a small box from his inside pocket and opened it . It contained a couple of silver masks
"May I?" without further do, Lucas helped Jessica off her black mask, and took off his own black mask as well.
He took a minute studying her features Jessica looked him in the eyes fearlessly, the man seemed younger than she thought, his thick eyebrows gave his dark brown hooded eyes a sharp expression, she studied his face engraving his features inside her memory.
"Next time don't put lenses, I'm sure your green eyes are more beautiful" with his words Jessica blushed. How the hell did he know that she had green eyes ? and what else does he know about her ?
" I'm very observant, that's how I knew, rest assured I don't know more than what is written on your profile except for your real name in case someone recognized you or tried to harm you, the rest I prefer to discover by myself , what's the thrill of meeting a new person , if not asking them about themselves"
Jessica could not help but dwell on the former sentence he said
"Next time ?"
"That depends entirely on you"
" what's that supposed to mean ?"
"you'll find out soon enough."
then put the silver mask he brought over her face and knotted it carefully behind her head. Jessica let him do without a word merely breathing in his almost intoxicating scent.
He stepped back and gave her a quick look once over before putting on his silver mask as well.
"You look stunning by the way," he said fixing her eyes behind the masks.
"Thank you," She said soundlessly
" Shall we?" Lucas held up his arm for her once more.
"Yes" Jessica obliged and they finally sauntered towards the door.
He opened the door for her with his other hand and she followed his steps until they reached the elevator.
Images of the feelings she had earlier with this man inside the elevator started to pop into her head. Jessica cursed inside, hating how Lucas made her feel.
Lucas… yet his name rolled off her tongue so strangely. She was having mixed feelings about him already. Not a moment ago he was so arrogant and commanding –not to mention a safety freak– and at the same time he had his hands on her thighs….
Jessica immediately chased the idea of his warm hand between her thighs. Wandering how they felt elsewhere… That was so wrong already. Damn her period was in few days, her hormones were playing with her. She tried to focus , they were already inside the elevator and it was moving. Jessica held her breath. When she remembered being pinned to its wall a while ago. No use, Luca's got under her skin.
"So, what's your favorite chocolate flavor ?" Lucas broke the silence, Jessica was almost taken aback but his random question
"My favorite.. chocolate flavor ?" She repeated mentally giving herself sometime to figure out the mere response to such a question.
"Yes, favorite flavor, unless you're allergic to chocolate?"
"N-no, I… I'm not. I It 's dark," Jessica stuttered,
"But why ?"
"oh, I wanted to know what flavor would I be licking off your body tonight"
"what ?" she gasped her eyes wide open
"I was making small talk that's it, unless you want us talk about your favorite sex position ?" He responded coolly
"Excuse me?" She nervously withdrew her hand from around his arm and looked his way. Not exactly knowing what to say anymore, Jessica was feeling uncomfortable. When Lucas turned to meet her wide-open eyes .
"I'm kidding! Chill, " He laughed silently. Rolling his eyes At Jessica's facial expression that soon turned into a poker face, if he thought that was laughable, she did not even think it was that funny.
"But if you' want to tell me so badly, dear, I'm all ears " He added with a taunting smirk.
Jessica opened her mouth to tell him to go fuck himself but no words escaped her lips as the elevator's door opened and they were face to face with a crowd of journalists holding their microphones and aiming their cameras on them
Caught by surprise Jessica winced at their flashes but Lucas was quicker to react , he slipped his hand around Jessica's body and secured his palm on the small of her back. And dragged her forward.
"Stay close," Lucas whispered to her ear as they walked through the paparazzi ,Jessica leaned to him as his hand guided her through silently. His tall figure almost covered her and she felt safer , with Lucas' hand secured around her.
Jessica's never been in such situation before, and although he told her previously not to fear the media , she felt uncomfortable because she did not expect them to appear at the entrance of the elevator.
Let's face it. He is Mr. Doyle after all, the man almost entirely owns New York city she thought to herself trying to focus on their steps until they entered the ball room.
The crowd of journalists left behind them as they entered into the dim lit space.
"You're okay ?" He wondered softly as soon as they entered the ball room. Lucas looked into Jessica's eyes from behind their masks for a moment .
"Y..Yeah" She nodded
He let down his hand along hers and grabbed it, entangling their fingers together. Jessica was confused about what just happened not sure about what to think of him anymore. One second he was being an asshole and the other he was being… nice to her, holding her hand so gently.
"Good," Lucas said as he walked towards the buffet. Jessica couldn’t stop herself from admiring the ceiling that was covered in tiny scintillating lights. That appeared as stars .
The elegance of it left her speechless. The ball room was filled with couples all dressed in black gowns. And masks covered their faces. Some talked while some were slow dancing to the delicate sound of violin playing
"What's your favorite drink ?" Lucas asked Jessica when they came nearer to the buffet. She looked up to find him grinning she knew where this was going to end.
"No, thanks" Jessica declined politely
"You'll have champagne then," he stated, ignoring her attempt at formulating a protest. He put the flute of champagne in her hand and grabbed his own . Knocked it to hers and took a sip, never leaving her eyes.
Jessica obliged, she brought the drink to her lips and pretended to take a sip. looking up to the immense ceiling, She thought that the ball room was mesmerizing
"Favorite color ?"
" Weren't you told that ?" she replied ironically.
" I do not believe everything that I'm told"
"Is that so ?" Lucas leaned near Jessica's ear and whispered
"You told me you weren't getting in bed with me, I believe otherwise," he said taking the glass from her hand and placing it on a waiter's tray. Jessica gulped in nervously, this man was getting under her skin ever so slightly. How did he manage to affect her with such words. Jessica parted her lips in an attempt to answer him but Lucas stepped closer, in a blink he had his hand wrapped around her waist Jessica almost squirmed at its warmth that she almost forgot what she was about to say. She breathed in his intoxicating smell , cursing him for making her feel so weak.
"Dance with me" he said on a hoarse tone, his eyes flickering from behind his silver mask
"I ..I" Jessica stuttered
"I wasn't asking," Lucas motioned to the orchestra to change the song and led her firmly towards the dance floor area.
He grabbed her hand in his, entangling his fingers with hers again.
Jessica hated him already, for taking control of the situation. Who was she kidding? she hated him for taking control of her. And there were no way she would give in to him that easily. no. Not her, not…
Lucas leaned in brushing his nose against Jessica's hair
"You're my date for the ball, remember? " Jessica nodded in agreement and let him lead the dance telling herself that all of this will soon be over. Lucas Doyle will be a person from her past, the morning after. Besides, an hour or two in his company should not bother her that much. She will easily forget about his arrogant ass tomorrow.
"Haven't I told you were stunning Jess ?" Lucas said to her and Jessica's ' eyes widened ….
"You just did," she replied calmly, she but knew all too well that a man like Mr. Doyle would make sure to know the identity of his escort to a masquerade ball. That was fair enough. And on the other side she trusted Elijah for protecting her true identity."Or do you prefer Jessie ?" Lucas brushed his nose against her ear once more. Swaying her to the side."Rose, is perfectly fine," she replied , starting to feel nervous. Lucas slowly moved his hand and rested it on the small of her back causing her to shiver to the heat of his hand, he guided her hand that he wasn't holding up and placed it to his neck as he stepped closer to her, And then swayed her to the left and then swayed her to the right, and she gave in to the rhythm of the waltz that was playing.Jessica followed Lucas' steps carefully , trying not to trip over her own shoes since her dress was longer than what she'd normally wear. But deep down she kne
flashes blinded her whilst a dozen of cameras surrounded them. Both Lucas and Jessica were caught inside the crowd of journalists. The reporters kept asking questions and holding microphones. Jessica was on the verge of crying right now, she wanted to scream at them and tell them to leave , she opened her mouth to say something but Lucas was faster to react."No comment!" he declared sternly, in a blink he held Jessica closer to his chest, and hugged her tight, wrapping his hand around her head, Jessica closed her eyes and fell into his embrace. her small figure quickly took refuge in his wide shielding arms. Soon security guards came in and interfered , Jessica took grip in his vest while Lucas walked securing his hand around her and went straight towards the elevator. A guard opened the door for them and they hopped inside without delay.The elevator's doors closed behind them and Jessica stood inert in Lucas' arms ,strangely  
"Uh-oh… "She immediately closed the door ,resting her back against it" That was definitely not the dress room !" naked Jessica thought out loud. She shut her eyes closed and took in a long and much needed load of air in order to calm down."When I said you may lock the door I was talking about this one !" Luca's voice from behind the door was audible to her ears and her body froze .Jessica opened her eyes in panic , Lucas must've been standing behind that door and her breasts were floating in the air. Jessica's mind processed that she needed to protect herself and so she reached out to the door knob and pushed the quick lock button at the center. Jessica slowly put her ear against the door careful not to make a sound or move by a single millimeter.She heard Lucas' footsteps moving further away from the door and breathed out in relief. Jessica moved away from that door and went to chec
Once arrived down , Jessica walked by Lucas' side towards the exit of the premium plaza hotel. Both glad that she was able to visit and also sad to leave the five stars plus building after staying overnight in one of its luxurious suites.Once outside Jessica couldn't help but to look around for any potential paparazzi crowd, and she was relieved when no one showed up at the door. It was too early anyway, thank god Lucas woke her up earlier this morning.A luxurious black Lamborghini was parked outside , Lucas clicked the doors open and gestured to Jessica to step inside, and he shut the door and climbed inside as well.Jessica wasn't surprised at all, she knew a man like Lucas was filthy rich and she wouldn't find it strange if he drove a brand new car every day. A man like Lucas … his name roll off her tongue so easily . Yet, he was a man only called by his last name in the entire city .---
"All right kids, that’s' all for today !" Jessica announced to the kids and so they all put down their brushes and got ready to exit class. Their parents were already waiting for them outside and Rita was at the exit to guide them outside.Jessica's phone rang , she had a look at it and picked it up as soon as she saw Lilly's name on her screen."Hello!""Hi ! Jess, how are you ?""I'm good thanks ! how are you Lilly ?""well I can feel better if we grabbed ice cream and went to chat at your place ""Oh, sweetie, what's wrong ?""Nothing that can't wait, I'll tell you everything when you come out the school""Oh ! so you've arrived already, I'm on my way !""I'll be at the entrance, see you!""See you!" Jessica hung up and quickly got rid of her overall and placed it over the desk, checked the class making sure the kids didn't forget anything behind , then grabbed her bag
"Oh my God! " Jessica couldn’t believe her eyes"I'm taking care of it," Lucas looked at her and back to the road, but Jessica didn't say a word. She was reading the paper still.He looked at her again.''God Jessie put on your seat belt" Lucas said to her while she stood in chock. Not understanding what was happening."Jessie!" he called her except she didn't move"Jessica ?" Lucas called her again, but nothing . Jessica was under chock , her picture was on the front page and the press was at her place, mistaking her for someone she wasn't. she was trying to figure out how did all this happenLucas turned to look at her while focusing back on the road."Damn it Jessie! Put your seat belt on! " he cursed as he turned to her and reached for the seat belt with his hand while maintaining his other hand on the steering wheel.When he did so, Jessica came to her senses and fastened the belt when h
Lucas smiled softly before he grabbed Jessica’s hand in his and brought it to his lips ever so lightly, before he rested it back on his lap. The mere gesture was enough to warm up Jessica's face while Lilly observed what had happened from behind, saving her comments for later–meaning when she gets to be alone with her bestie–and so she looked away .Jessica breathed in slowly then turned her focus to the window, busying herself with the view, but for some unknown reason her hand remained on Lucas’s knee. This somehow reminded her that she wasn’t alone this time. She knew she could rely on Lucas to take care of the situation.He drove for a while before entering an out-of-the-way road. At the end of that road was a private white residence. Jessica couldn’t help but admire the surrounding lawn. There were no doubts about Lucas living in the lap of luxury, hence the private residence.Lucas parked his black Ferrari near the
Jessica let her eyes roam over the room for a while before setting her mind to go downstairs. As she carefully descended the steps, she spotted Lucas’ black car leaving the domain from the immense glass windows hugging the staircase.And the phone in her hand buzzed. She checked it out and read the textKind reminder:Don’t worry, I’ve got this. Lucas.A smile drawn on her face she walked over to the entrance hall. To meet her best friend’s worried eyes. Said best friend, narrowed her eyes in suspicion as Jessica approached her“What was that all about, what happened?”She inquired impatiently.Jessica looked at the body building that was Emilio, standing far in the corner–far enough not to hear them speaking– but still wanted to have some privacy with