Chapter 30:


Dresses, in every style and color surrounded me. A sea of silk and satin in red, pinks, and blues. As told the night before, we are all going to a gala. And to be properly equipped for this ball, each girl needs a dress.

If you are like me, you would probably under estimate the "rules" of dresses worn to these types of galas. A black tie affair with jewels and color mixed with long and whimsical fabric. Each dress has to reach the floor, fitting the top portion of a ladies body quite nicely. Fitted waists and hips before in can either A) flow loosely, or B) remain fitted to your knees before loosening. But here's where it strays from a black tie event. Bright colors with risqué designs are accepted, if not encouraged. However the attention you recieve with them isn't always suiting with your role in the gala.

Most girls wandered off to other sections and floors of the boutique, while Bailey, Cruz, Lou, Casper, Sophia, who I found out to be Liam's girlfriend, and I stayed near the Sherri Hill dresses. Most of the gowns we had pulled were in reds, whites, or black. All of which were different, considering our body types.

Gown after gown, material after material. Everyone had chosen a dress. Now it was time for a nice luch out to eat, before the training and nerves kicked in.

Our lunch at a nice bakery had been cut short due to an emergency call by Zayn.snappib Arriving arrangements needed to be made along with our escorts, seeing if we were all together it would seem suspicious. Apparently that needed us to get back as soon as possible.

When us ladies arrived at home, we were immediately shipped out into groups. I was partnered up with a rich male from France. He was an extremely handsome looking male, so I had no problem accompanying him. Following the matching, we had our usual pre-gathering trainings, but in large skirts this time. Although I wasn't too keen about the idea that I may or may not have to fight or be caught in some showdown while wearing heals and a dress, the possibility still existed and we needed to be prepared.

I would like to say I have strengthened my muscles immensely since my time here. But frankly, everyone was fit, so there could be no comparisons. Soon after our kickboxing and target practices, an idea started to loom over me. In a place of filthy rich housewives and toys, thirty or so ladies would stand out. They were substantially younger and had five times the strength. Those would be the ladies of our kind, that would make an appearance. Others working behind the scenes. But the thought of the standing out worried me. We are suppose to blend in, and to do that we would need to look older, and more poised. Drawing attention is the exact opposite of what we need. So instead of bulking up, we became ladies. Walking in heels, instead of tennis shoes, curling or straightening hair instead of putting them in ponytails. And I'll tell you something, you can age years, in a matter of hours.

So with each of us dressed to impress, we were driven to the homes of our escorts. Most of the guys were to remain without a date to the ball, for convince. While other were pared up with rich friends of our escorts. Therefore nobody should be able to recognize most of us. With the precaution of wandering eyes, we will be driven to our partners homes via rented cars. Limo to Rolls Roryce, cars pulled up around the block ready for us. It was a contradictional site. Extremely expensives cars and trucks in the old and "run down" side of town.

I sat comfortably in my assigned Rolls Roryce with Liam's girlfriend, Sophia, trailing behind us in a luxury SUV. The two of us will be greeting our men for the night at my partners home on the east side of town, high up in the hills of money. As we alighted in the driveway of his mansion, my nerves kicked in. I never realized how wealthy these people we were going with actually are. And it defiantly didn't help when Sophia stepped out in her sparkly and tight fitting dress with her chest fully exposed in the deep slit as she stepped down. The sleazy, filthy rich, pervert was devouring the sight.

"Paris? I'm Brice." A smiling suit abided at the door with an out stretched hand.

I blushed, clearly Brice was handsome and so far he has yet to deisgust me, so he seemed alright. "It's nice to meet you Brice." I took his hand and started out of the quaint car to his elephantine living room in his prodigious home.

"I know what you're thinking, it's massive." He panned over his own work. "I don't like it, nothing is homely. It's all open and empty, and lonely." He didn't smirk or lead me on with the last word. His words were truthful.

"Well in its defense, the view is incredible. And the curb appeal is the best on the block." I smiled, walking towards the vast wall of glass. You could oversee the whole glistening city and rolling land of his perfect yard.

"Thank you. And I'd love to stay here with you, but I think we have a ball to attend." Brice flashed a smile and took my hand, guiding me back towards the main entrance.

We didn't speak during most of the ride until a question ate inside of me, to the point where I just had to ask. "You don't have to answer this, but how did you come to or acquire your opulence?" The question literally spilled out of my mouth without my control. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." I regret my outburst.

Brice just smiled, leaning back in his spot. "It's alright Paris, no need to worry. I earned my money myself. When I was younger I came across an orphanage at a young age, and started work shortly after. I stumbled across a vineyard of my employer back when I was in the home in Italy. And after my small success with a local wine company, I moved back to France and worked in the construction business. I'm a contractor, you see. I build and sometimes sell million dollar homes."

That quieted me for the ride. It inspires me how he built himself up. I came from an okay family, although I had a shaky past, I had a home and support. But I am still in school, unaware of what I could become. Looking success in the flesh quiets you, because you want it for your own, but the amount of hard work speaks for itself.

"It's about time." The driver called back to the two of us. And just then, the most lavish and sizable castle I have ever seen, in pictures or in person. The plentiful home hosting the gala was in full swing. Music could be heard from our point on the edge of the property. Each window lit up with sights of people gathered together, drinks in hand. Cars lined the driveway, people, drunk and sober, creating memories.

Our vehicle slowed to a stop, parallel to the grand entrance and outdoor wishing fountain. Brice took my hand and turned his attention the our chauffeur, holding the door open. I took a deep breath and let out a sigh, "Let's do this."

Later That Evening...

Brice and I have been having the time of our lives. Fortunitly, I haven't seen any of our own just roaming around. The dance floor is packed as well as the bar, no surprise there. Although Brice and I were able to sneak in a slow dance and sneak ourselves a drink, we haven't been able to do too much.

"Paris, Paris, there are some people who want to meet you." Brice smiled and gently tugged me from my position sandwiched between a crowd.

The way he said want made my heart speed up. It's not like he knew them, or just introduced themselves. They wanted to meet me, which means they knew something about me. But still, I put on a smile and turned to them. "Hi, I'm Paris, it's very nice to meet you." I shook the women's hand before her date turned around. And when an old an large man spun around, I was utterly shocked. She seemed to be in her early thirties, and him in his late sixties.

"Tom Holt, welcome to my home." He flashed a creepy grin and gestured to the large and crowded space. We both shook his hand before his introduced the women next to him. "And this is my fiancé Camila." Tom "descretely" placed his hand on her large, Brazilian ass, and squeezed. Camila didn't even wince, ignoring the gesture all together. "Please, enjoy the party, if you need anything come ask us." She smiled and dragged Tom away by his drink.

"Did you too see his wandering hands?" I raised an eyebrow at Brice.

"Sadly, yes." He chuckled disgustedly with me.

"So, Brice, I know only a few things about you, so please, tell me about yourself." We found a nice and quiet couch the library balcony.

"Well you already know a little bit. But, my favorite color is blue, I have two pet goldfish, I actually designed this house, I hate people with lots if money, I've never been to a ball, Im thinking about renting a log cabin, and I've always wanted a puppy. Is that a good start?" Brice smirked. Not only was he attractive for his looks, but also his personality.

"A wonderful start. So now it's my turn... Hmm... I want a puppy, I hate cocky people, I love traveling, I've never been to a ball either, I love baking, being outdoors is great, I'm super clumsy, and my favorite color is like this light blue-ish, teal with a hint of lime green, but not too much. It has sone baby blue In It too, almost like the color of your pool, like that teal green with blue."

"Shut up, it's fucking blue." Brice teased. He threw his head back as he laughed, looking absolutely stunning.

"Alright fine, it's blue. Now tell me, how did this night all happen? That is, the two of us coming here." I don't know really what he believes or had been told about this whole event, or even his purpose for being present.

"I got an invite from Tom about a party he was going to be having, a few weeks ago it was sent. Attached to the note was an invite one card. And I'm not really the type to click with a girl, but my friend, Sophia's sister, said she knew you and thought we'd be great together. Didn't Gabriela tell you?" Brice seemed a little confused.

"No, it was more of a blind date for me. But I'm glad I agreed to it, I'm having a great time." I smiled which caused Brice to flash his perfect teeth.

"You know Paris, I'm normally not one to really express my emotions," Brice made some mocking hand gestures, "however, that being said, you're such a beautiful," I scoffed and motioned to all the make up I had on, but Brice continued on, "and funny women, and it's really been my pleasure to be you with tonight. And I hope you had as much fun as I had, even though this isn't really my cup of tea." Brice tossed me a wink after he notice my funny and impressed face after his finish.

Brice had taken a seat on the ledge of the balcony, now I hopped up to sit besides him. "Well, although this defiantly not my forté, I had a great time with you. You made me laugh and didn't look down on me when I nearly fell on my face while entering your home. So thank you."

In the heat of the moment both Brice gave me a sweet peck on the cheak. "Now how about we go hit that dance floor again?" He smirked and brought us back in.

Sitting right outside of the wooden doors, a gaudy and contumely dressed "lady" crawled on the lap of none other, Harry. The two were too busy in their insolent behaviors to notice the presence of Brice and I. Both of us were disgusted by the sight, seeing that we had to shimmy our way around the couple in order to reach the hall. The gift of too much skin showing was surely accepted by Harry, but us getting a full moon was not something we were both comfortable with.

It hurt a tiny bit, knowing that the man who had once wanted me, is sitting in the flesh with some slut. The one who claims this was "strictly for business", but I guess I was right. I can't trust him, and this just strengthened my point. That actually relived me in a bit, I wasn't waiting on the grenade. But if I were to say it didn't hurt at all I would be telling a lie. Being rejected, or replaced never feels good.

"You alright Paris? Do you need me to get you anything?" Brice was defiantly a gentleman, always protectinhis women. Or in is case, his date.

"No, I'm fine. Let's just get in with the dancing." I started speeding down the grand staircase, avoiding the scene I just saw. A man "accidentally" spilling something on Bailey's chest, and cleaning it up.
Brice and I danced the night away, avoiding drama at all costs. But all of a sudden, all of our lives were changed forever.

Three bullets, one target, three hits.

A bullet broke skin just below my neck, a stream if blood darkening my already red dress. Two more men across the room are laying cold and dead on the marble floor. Screams erupt and people swarm towards doors and windows. The gunmen fire again, striking two additional men, no more women being targets. Brice had been swept away with the rest of the suits and gowns. Nobody I knew was visible in my state.

"Don't move." A figure tugged my hands behind my back, fastening them with tightly bound ropes. A mouthful of fabric and a blindfold were next to come. My feet were kicked at till my body grew limp from blood loss and chemicals.

"Don't touch me." I growled back. These bastards ruined a perfect night, and for them to think I was going down without a fight, they were even more ignorant than I thought. I shot my legs out, try into hit the one controlling me. The bandana wiggled loose after my constant thrashing. But by now nobody was in earshot of my scream. "Don't you fucking touch me."

"Shut the bloody hell up, or we'll kill you right now." The voice literally spit at me.

"I'm already bloody, why not kill me now?" I shrugged, becoming a pest for the group. A few moments later I was forcefully impelled down granite stairs, into the driveway fountain.

"Get up." A hand had aready started hoisting my body above. Moments later I was shoved into a spaceious vehicle, probably a limo. And it's times like this where I silently thank myself for making a decision. The fact that I chose a red colored dress with a moderately low slit and high neckline proved to cover me pretty we'll in situations like this.

I tried to stay relatively calm even though I was already on the verge of passing out. Much to my surprise, they untied my mask, revealing two other ladies with men on both sides of them. Both of them had a small letter in hand, no even bothering to look up from the script.

"If we don't have it by tomorrow morning, she's dead!" Some other voice gritted, the noise barely audible through the plexy glass.

We had a silent and painful ride to their "base". Hands getting touchy and people being pushy. So the usual.

We were dragging by our hair to a small and rusted room with a single light. It reaked our must, blood, and chemicals. Dresses were removed in order to intimidate us for whatever reason they brought us here. It was a scene from James Bond, I think. Or at least in this state of confusion, I thought it was.

A rather busty and curvey women stood proud after stripping. Retaining all the hawks she received in her frippery. It disgusts me. Another pair of boots joined our contained and bound group. Only he, was dressed in a full suit.

One girl smirked while the other quivered some more. "Listen up," the man besides me started. "We want something that two of you share. If we don't get it soon enough, we will kill you." He grinned a slimy smirk. "Do you know what that means?" He chuckled.

"You're holding us for ransoms." I told him straight up, in a monotone voice.

"What was that red?" He shouted, acknowledging me by my previous dress color. "I could kill you right here, right now if I wanted to. It's just one pull of the trigger." He spit on me.

The quivering girl let out a yelp, cowering in fear. "Go for it, shoot me." He started drawing his gun and the girl cried even harder. "You won't get whatever you want then. Like they'd trade a dead body for whatever you are desperate to get your grimy hands on." I added on. Almost laughing with my smug smirk when he placed he gun back in its hoister.

I feel as if every scenario I'm in, no matter what, has already been done. But I'd take some cartoon over deadly any day. "You are gonna call your leaders, tell them what we want." The guy started up again, ignoring my presence.

"Old school kidnap." I muttered under my breath, barely audible.

The man shot me a glare. "You're first." He made sure my handcuffs attached to the walls were tight.

"Who am I calling?" I wanted to test their real knowledge. Whether they were actually successful in uncovering my designated gang. Like I said, this was too cartoony.

"Brice's boss." His teeth being clenched so tight, I could hear them shatter.

I laughed, loud and proud. "I met him last week. And we chose to keep our work separate. You know more than I do about any of that. This is just a waste." Idiots, though I was in some sort of business bearu.

The suit retreated out of the room. Letting our body's hang by arm and legs chains, a mere two inches off the ground. Something's i think I have no emotions. Or maybe I'm finally learning how to cope with my fears, to not let them shut me down. Cause honestly, Even drunk I would be scared.

"You, loud mouth." The suit pointed, echoing steps becoming cacophonous. Water dripping from piped calming me. "Come with me." My chains were released all at once. Plummet me onto the hard and wet metal floor. "We've got to fix that mouth of yours." He smirked, tracing his sordid fingers around my jaw. Thankfully this time I was allowed to walk. Shackles dangling with each step.

A tenuous incandescent shone in the stygian halls and rooms. The raucous rust tareing up my feet with each negligent step. Soon loiter await a punnishment. Specialy designed or preformed for me.
Posthaste my beating would undergo. Presently, I was locked in a jail like cell. Its walls defaced by masks of garfetti and aged metals. Water droplets plunging onto the floor beneath it, just an arms length away. Other than that, it was soundless.

But that all changed.

Five men torrented through the shadowed doors. Carnivorous hands lunging to restrain me. Pinned to the rust, a tube was forced down my throat, a funnel at the other end. Gasoline caustically drowned me. Denying to swallow the poison, A foot encroached my ribs and stomach. The gasoline spraying out as my ribs were brutally pulverized. Some abhorrently bloodthirsty humans lashed my skin with leather belts. After my first cry out, the tube was thrashed back down my esophagus. They bade words I couldn't understand. More gasoline nearly immersed my lungs, suffocating me.

"Please, I didn't do anything! Please let me go!" I yelped between lashes. However, the tube was still lodged down my windpipe. I gasped to inhale as much air I could keep to hold myself conscious. "Please!" I stared one man right in the eyes, a pitiful look.

The suit returned, his lavish loafers clacking on the hard surface. "You've got to learn how to keep your fucking mouth shut." His tone was caustic and dripped with satisfaction. "Now, you're going to call your boss and share our deal with him." The man cantered clockwise, avoiding my pools of spit and blood. Over the last hours of being chastised, I didn't even notice surging blood. "First I think you are looking a little thirsty, don't you agree boys?"

More poison burning my insides. "I understand sir!" My salty tears seemed to sting the wounds. He nodded, hauling my limp body, by chains, to the exit. I tried not to show weakness. I knew better. "What am I suppose to say?" Picking myself up enough to reach the phone on the desk.

A script was written, word for word. Although it was meant for Brice, I made my mind up to call Harry. Hopefully he would pick up me hints and bring Brice to retrieve me.

"...counterinsurgency will be reinforce if agreement is denied. A leviathan amount of defenses will be present. No ruses..."

Transportation was supplied on the way to the arranged rendevous. Now, in the early hours of the morning, the roads were clear and serine. I hadn't actually been able to converse with Harry directly. A harbinger carried news, harboring our identities. Brice was not going to present, he has a "required affair" to attend. In his place, Brice's assistant, or Jay, along with Harry, will conceal the treaty. A hoax, nonetheless. But a rather porus and perilous scheme that may easily be proven flawed.

As we approached the boundaries of the millionaires versus the slums, our vehicle pulled to a stop. Words bade, people yelling. And then I saw it.

Notes

The Gowns

I'm so sorry guys for not posting!!! I went on my three week trip to Italy and Greece and had the time of my life!! I literally met this Californian boy who is like every fan fic. You can meet really cool guys at weddings. Sorry again! For all of you near me, good luck with sports this week! It's he week of hell!

sorry for the sucky chapter.

Brice