GoldieGirl19:and I don’t know anything about kinky sex
the_mEsmerizer:he’d teach you. obviously.
the_mEsmerizer:in the meantime go read the episode I just posted.
the_mEsmerizer:that’ll teach you a thing or two
47Blob:if you insist on going, don’t go alone
GoldieGirl19:are you offering to fly across the country to come with me?
GoldieGirl19:I don’t even know if I’m allowed a plus-one
GoldieGirl19:there’s no info about how to RSVP on the invite
GoldieGirl19:it’s weird, honestly. they have my full name on here and everything.
GoldieGirl19:no idea how they got my address
47Blob:the rich have access to all sorts of secret databases
47Blob:seriously Goldie, I don’t like this
the_mEsmerizer:don’t be so paranoid.
the_mEsmerizer:let the girl live a little
the_mEsmerizer:we’re talking about someone who doesn’t even have the balls to swipe right on her dating apps
GoldieGirl19:HEY NOW
GoldieGirl19:I’m right here
GoldieGirl19:…and I HAVE swiped right. there just aren’t a lot of options here
the_mEsmerizer:except the billionaires
the_mEsmerizer:one more reason why you should go
GoldieGirl19:maybe…
47Blob:please don’tget murdered.
the_mEsmerizer:stop being so dramatic. She’s not going to get murdered.
47Blob:I just think it’s dumb to accept mysterious invitations from rich guys who shouldn’t know you exist
the_mEsmerizer:so you’re calling Goldie dumb now?
As they dissolved into a silly argument about whether or not I was more likely to get chopped up into a million pieces or end up a willing visitor to a sex dungeon, I sat back on the couch and reached for the invitation once more. The moment my fingers touched the thick, creamy paper, I again felt that strange little shiver run down my back, like raindrops dancing up and down my spine. As I drew it closer, the gold leaf shimmered, glittering like fairylight.
I rose and went over to the window, propping the invitation carefully behind the row of little potted succulents sitting on the sill. It was so beautiful, it deserved to be displayed.
My friends’ words hung in my mind—both Isaac’s paranoid fears and Esmer’s insinuation that I led a very cautious, uneventful life. Maybe she was right—maybe Ididneed to live a little. I wasn’t looking for a romp in a sex dungeon, but I had to admit that I wouldn’t say no to a little extra spice in my life. And this sounded more fun than finally agreeing to meet some douchey guy from a dating app.
What was the worst that could happen? Aside from being murdered, obviously.
Of course, that means finding something to wear.I didn’t exactly keep a closet full of masquerade attire. I owned exactly one thing that might be considered appropriate—a long, silvery dress that I’d bought for an event my freshman year of college and had proceeded to use for every formal occasion since. It could work, but it was only half of the equation. I still needed a mask.
