Page 12 of Enzo

The tux fits perfectly. Understated, but expensive.

I know Venice well and have been here many times. Each time I always stay at my favorite place, one of the best hotels in Venice, if not the best.

I don't know why I've been invited to this event at the Doge's Palace. I've never met Luca Valizar, but I know of him. Still, Luca Valizar is not a man somebody says no to, so I’m hoping to meet him. Perhaps he's someone I can do business with.

I adjust my bow tie, and my cufflinks, then put my watch on. The invite said the event started at six p.m. I grab my mask, then stop as I catch the view from the window. Lights shimmer across the dark water of the Grand Canal, boats cutting through their reflections.

It's a short walk to the Doge's Palace. I don't need a coat, and I can withstand the slight chill in the air. I hesitate, remembering Mama’s parting words to me. She was excited about me going to a masked ball and wondered if I’d meet someone here.

At a masked ball? Surely not. I’m dubious about meeting someone who’s hiding her face, and maybe her personality.

I’ll go, hopefully meet the mysterious Valizar, and then tomorrow evening or the day after, I’ll go and visit Mama. The thought of her makes me feel better instantly.

I stare at the mask in my hands. It’s a small Venetian face mask which I purchased from an artisan mask maker in Venice. This one stood out instantly. It’s beautiful yet understated, made from fine leather with thin black satin ribbons and glistening dark beads in an elegant design. It covers most of one side of my face, leaving my mouth uncovered. It gives me the anonymity I like so much.

The question is, do I turn up wearing this? Or do I put it on when I get there?

Decisions. Decisions.

I decide to put it on just before I get there. I don't relish walking to the palace wearing this.

I'm about to leave when my phone rings. It's Rio, Facetiming me. I hesitate because I know Dex is with him. They’ve been texting me separately ever since I got here.

I pick up reluctantly.

Rio's big wide face fills the screen. “Hey, little bro. How are you doing?”

He adjusts the phone so that I'm now looking at Dex beside him.

Dex whistles. “You're looking very sharp there, though I'd expect nothing less from you. Very, very sharp.”

“Thank you.” I need to go.

“Come on then. Let's see all of you.” Rio winks at me.

I shouldn't have answered the call. “What do you want me to do?”

“Point the phone at the mirror and give us a full-length view of what you're wearing.”

I ignore his instructions. “You know what I'm wearing. A standard tux.”

“Then let us see your standard tux,” Dex retorts.

Rio presses his lips together like he's annoyed. “Just show us what you look like, and we'll let you go to the ball, Cinderella.”

These guys are a pain in my butt, but I wouldn’t trade the chaos they bring for anything. Rio and Dex are closer now, more like friends who’ve known each other all their lives than brothers who didn’t grow up together.

Their constant teasing and childish humor is a welcome contrast to the secrecy that shaped so much of my childhood. I value the lightness they bring, even as I roll my eyes.

“Show us, Cinders,” Dex whines.

This is so pathetic. I refuse to comply.

“We won’t stop harassing you otherwise.” Rio winks at me. “You could always turn your phone off if this is getting too much, bro.”

I still don't move.

But then I give in. Anything to get them off my back. After that, I'm leaving my phone here in my hotel room. I point my phone at the mirror so they can see me.