Chapter 89 Edwin

I was still riding high on my victory over that little**t, Max, as settled back at my seat at the bar. Carefully adjusting my mask on my face, I dusted the last remnants of a scuffle in the courtyard off of the sleeves of my jacket and ordered another scotch-to celebrate, of course.

Charles, finally finding me after my little disappearing act, settled onto the seat next to me.

"Where did you go?" he whispered, keeping his voice low so only I could hear. "Was that you who taught that little s** a

lesson?

I sneered slightly, remembering the pathetic sight of Max cowering on the ground in front of me. Sipping my freshly refilled scotch, I said, "I didn't harm him, if it's any consolation. Not physically, at least." Charles quirked an eyebrow. "He looked pretty beat up when he came running back in here. Security escorted him out, accusing him of doing drugs in the bathroom."

"Good. Let them think that," I replied with a curt nod as I adjusted my tie clip. "And let's just say that he won't be bothering Audrey anymore, at least not for a good, long while

"I suppose you're not going to elaborate, Charles retorted with a chuckle.

I shook my head and quickly wiped a bit of marker off of the tip of my finger.

"Not here, I won't, I replied. "But I'll say this: I gave him a good scare. And the best part? He has no idea who I am. As far as he knows, I'm just some random masked man who caught him in the act and wrecked his expensive suit."

Charles chuckled. "Well, whatever you did, it seems to have worked. Look." He nodded his head toward a table toward the back of the gathering, where Audrey and her friends were currently grinning and laughing. Ms. Morrie was in the midst of calling out the winner's of tonight's rattle, and it seemed that Audrey's night had been a success.

I suppressed a shudder as I considered what might have happened if I hadn't removed that broom from the bathroom door. Audrey and her friend might have even been in the hospital by now. Despite my restraint, a small growl rumbled somewhere in my chest. "Maybe now he'll think twice before-"

"And the male winner is.. Number 491"

Ms. Morrie's voice rang through the speakers, echoing across the large reception hall. There was a brief moment of murmuring and shifting as male attendees checked their cards, only for the fated number 49 to be nowhere to be found.

"I'm number 48, Charles muttered, turning his card over between his fingers before glancing at me. "You don't suppose..."

1 froze, my hand instinctively going to the card I had stuffed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I stared in disbelief at the number printed there: 49,

Yeals, right. Like I was going to accept a reward for a date with a student.

"499" Ms. Morrie called out again, her eyes scanning the crowd. "Does anyone have the number 49 on their card?"

I didn't react, they would just assume that the winner wasn't present tonight.

I cared. But suddenly, the girl next to me, who had apparently seen my card,

Chapter 89

out excitedly.

and suddenly all eyes were on me. I

are," Ms. Morrie called out, beckoning me forward. She didn't recognize me

the room and reluctantly stood up and smoothed

hint of amusement in his voice. "Your

the crowd, my eyes landing on Audrey. To my relief, she showed

with a beaming smile from behind her cat mask. The mask covered her upper lip, making her appear even more catlike. "Congratulations to our mysterious man in the blue mask!"

avoid direct eye contact with anyone-especially Audrey who, thankfully, had her head bent at

raffle box, building the suspense as she dug

up from her table. She looked bashful as she picked up her

couldn't be happening. I couldn't go on a date with her to the planetarium. It was too romantic, too intimate. We shouldn't be romantic with each other. And she wasn't supposed

us all alone, surrounded by the vastness of the cosmos, a bottle of champagne between us,

I kept my face turned away, praying she wouldn't recognize me. Thankfully, as she stepped up onto the stage,

the end of

to just grab my coat and get the hell out of here before it was too late. But, as always, things

"Hold

cooed, eliciting laughter from the crowd. I froze, my shoulders stiffening, as she said cheerfully. "It's now time for the winners'

horror and dismay as the other winning couples made their way to the dance floor. The orchestra began to play a

Da**it.

2/4

C

Mon, Sep

Chapter 89

so as not to be recognized. She took it, and I

Audrey seemed blissfully distracted, her eyes darting around

I was

strike up a conversation with me. "So, um, congratulations on winning," she said. "I

jaw as I looked away; I didn't want her to recognize my voice. Goddess, this was

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