Page 41 of Reckless Hate

She smiled at his text. Although she had no idea what she would wear since she wasn’t prepared, she was looking forward to the event. Taking out a dress from her closet, she went to her suitcases and took out black lace before sitting in front of the sewing machine.

She had seen the pictures of her parents attending the masquerade at Simha University. Her father had taken a mystery woman to most of the dances rather than her mother since they hadn’t been a couple during their university days. And it was the mystery woman’s dress that inspired her to use the black lace with pearls.

As she repurposed her dress for the event, her mind once again ran to her enemy. She didn’t know why the thought of him going to an event with a date made her feel oddly restless. She shouldn’t care, but she did. Despite what happened between them, she felt hurt and let down that he was breaking a promise they had made to each other as children—to go to the Simha masquerade event together.

***

Samantha spent the next morning catching up on sleep. She had worked until late hours to have a dress and a mask ready for the masquerade event in the evening. She had made a matching mask for Rishi as well.

She ate a late lunch while discussing the dress with Rishi on the phone so he could wear something accordingly. Soon, it was evening.

The entire housing unit was buzzing with activity. There was laughter and excited shrieks as students began gathering in corridors and downstairs waiting to take the shuttles to the ballroom where the masquerade event was being held.

Samantha showered and put on her dress, makeup and finishing touches. But she decided to walk to the place instead of joining others in a shuttle. Since she had been cooped up in her bedroom all day, the fresh air would energize her.

It was a good twenty-minute walk, and the cool evening air fell on her back. When she reached the destination, she saw that the entire building was lit up inside and outside. Students poured in wearing long designer dresses. A few students saw her and looked shocked. Unlike the rest of the students, she was wearing all black color scheme, and her dress ended above her knees. Ignoring the stares, she walked up the steps and entered the huge hall.

Even though she had been spending days volunteering for the event and had even helped the previous night with decorating, the final result were still breathtaking. The massive crystal chandeliers on the ceiling were turned on, transforming the entire place.

Rishi was waiting for her at the entrance.

“My God, you look stunning, darling! I simply love how you added the lace and faux pearls and feathers.”

She smiled, handing him the black-glittering eye mask. Unlike her, he chose not to wear all black. His suit was in metallic blue aqua shades. He wore it on top of a black crew neck t-shirt.

“You look good too,” she said, truthfully.

Rishi laughed. “I know. Come on. Let’s go grab some drinks.”

She smiled and went along with him to the area where welcome drinks were being served. She greeted some of the volunteers she had worked with for the event. There was golden bubbling liquid poured into long-stemmed crystal glasses. She handed one to Rishi and went to the other section, where she picked the non-alcoholic version of it containing apple cider with fresh strawberries and peach.

Holding their drinks, Rishi and she went inside. They sipped on their drinks watching as several couples danced to the live music band. Suddenly, her neck began prickling when she felt someone’s gaze. The feeling was so strong that goosebumps broke over her skin.

With a small frown, she looked around. Her heart jerked when her eyes met with her enemy’s. He was standing on the upper floor balcony talking to his two cousins, but his gaze was directed her way.

***

“If you stare at Samantha any harder, you’ll sprain your eyes.”

Ved didn’t look away despite Abhi’s teasing. “How do you know it’s her I’m looking at?” he asked.

Rana laughed. “Samantha is the only one you hate glare and hate fuck at the same time with your eyes.”

Ved frowned that he was so obvious. He was glaring because she wasn’t lying when she said she had a damn date to the event. He was unreasonably pissed about the fact. And the damn female was being ogled by every damn guy standing around her.

“What the hell is she wearing,” he growled. “Where the fuck is the rest of her dress?”

Amid the vivid-colored dresses, Samantha stood out in her dramatic all-black short dress. The length of the dress wasn’t the problem, although many guys were staring at her long, tanned legs. It was the back of her dress. Or rather, the lack ofany covering at the back. Her entire back was exposed until only an inch above her butt. People were staring at her, some in shock and some with blatant lust.

But as usual, Samantha Roy was hardly bothered or conscious.

His cousins laughed.

“You sound like a prude, bro,” Rana teased.

“Or rather like an outraged grandfather,” Abhi said drily.

“Actually, even our grandpa wouldn’t care,” Rana stated. “Grandma wore quite the racy clothes in her day.”

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