The Siren and the Wolf

Mishka was thrilled to be in the amazing mansion at last. It was much more glamourous than her own home. Her home was made for family as well as glamour. This mansion was made for show mainly, as she had remarked when Freddy had met her at the door together with a butler and a guard on either side of him.

He had seemed to be flattered by the two strong men beside him, though. Not intimidated at all.

“I didn’t think that I would be so taken by a mere building, but it does exude success, doesn’t it?” Mishka murmured as she walked through the voluminous entrance hall with Freddy.

“Oh, he’s talented alright,” Freddy agreed. “Not to mention handsome as well,” he added.

When they entered the dance area, Mishka was so impressed that her mouth was literally open.

“This is such amazing décor for a mere party! It’s not even a fashion show,” Mishka remarked, gazing all around her like a child in a toy shop.

The chandeliers were purple, with pink hues of light and there were huge, tall bunches of flowers and plumes in every corner of the hall. Some were even suspended from the ceiling dramatically.

“This is called living the good life,” Freddy replied as he stopped a butler to take two glasses of wine from the tray that he was carrying.

“Indeed, I think you’re right,” Mishka agreed as she accepted a glass from him.

“There’s still some food in the dining area, if you’re feeling peckish,” Freddy announced.

“It depends on how long I’m going to be here because I’m not hungry yet,” Mishka responded.

“Oh, are those models in that corner?” she asked nodding her head in the direction of a group of flamboyantly dressed young people.

“I believe they are Bruce’s models, from what I’ve heard here tonight,” Freddy replied.

“That’s them then with the daring hair colours,” Mishka remarked.

“Yes, I suppose they change it when they do fashion shoots,” Freddy responded as he looked around himself at the other dancers.

“I saw them at a club last night,” Mishka remarked.

“Oh, you did? So, you met the designer and his models, but you don’t want him to know that you’re coming to his house?” Freddy responded with his eyes stretched wide in surprise. He shook his head in amazement.

“I love surprises and I love being well-prepared,” Mishka responded with a smug note in her voice as she smiled behind her mask.

“So, you want to surprise him when he invites you into his home one day, when you finally decide to visit?” Freddy remarked with his eyes stretched wide in surprise.

“Yes, I will tell him that I was here before. I won’t pretend that I was arriving for the first time,” Mishka replied with a broad smile as she sipped on her wine slowly. She was happy that her mask had a gap for her mouth.

“You’re already plotting and scheming dreamily after meeting him, how many times?” Freddy asked as he gave Mishka a curious look, teasing her.

“I met him only once in the woods yesterday,” Mishka replied, still smiling. “He invited me to find shelter from the rain at his house, but I already had another way out,” she continued.

“How exciting that seems. Offering shelter from the rain,” Freddy responded with a broad grin. “But you weren’t adventurous enough to accept?” he asked, shaking his head in disappointment.

“Say yes to a total stranger that I just met in the woods? No way. Not safe at all,” Mishka replied.

“Well, yes it’s too risky. Unless you’re desperate, of course and that would not create a good first impression. You’re right,” Freddy responded.

“Let’s dance before it looks like we’re waiting to be asked by other people,” Mishka suggested as she placed her glass on a side table.

“Great, you’re on,” Freddy responded and reached out to take Mishka’s hand.

“So, did you meet the models too last night?” he continued as he led her to the centre of the dance hall.

“I spotted them from a distance when Gillian pointed them out to me. They’re not exactly difficult to notice either with that vivid color in their hair. But we didn’t meet them,” Mishka replied.

“So, we should go and introduce ourselves,” Freddy suggested.

“I think I’m gonna meet them anyway when I come here on Saturday because two of my colleagues know them and we’re planning on visiting here on Saturday,” Mishka responded. “But you can go and introduce yourself. They will like you,” she added as she danced.

“Oh, so you’re coming here on Saturday?” Freddy asked with a curious look in his eyes.

“Yes, that’s what I planned because those colleagues of mine want me to be here with them,” Mishka replied.

“And you yourself were also curious to be here,” Freddy teased.

“Oh yes, I was after Gillian showed me the mansion last night. Just from outside, it looks spectacular.

And of course, I want to get to know the owner better,” Mishka responded.

“Ah, there he is now, looking at the dancers with his friend next to him. Amazing how well-built they both are,” Freddy announced.

Mishka turned her head to look immediately and there he was. Bruce looked different from when she had seen him in the woods, but it was definitely him with the dark, wavy hair and the deep, staring eyes.

His hair was now elegantly styled and he was dressed in a formal dinner jacket and pants.

“Yes, that’s him exactly,” she agreed. “It seems as if they’re fond of staring and not dancing. Him and his friend,” she remarked further.

“He’s a looker and quite a catch if he’s single,” Freddy responded without taking his eyes off Bruce and Lyle.

“I wonder. It didn’t seem as he could be married or in a relationship when he spoke to me. I think that he was actually flirting,” Mishka responded as she cast occasional glances at Bruce. She was very happy to be wearing a mask tonight. It gave her a sense of control over her circumstances. It made her feel safe.

“He can’t see whether I’m looking at him or not,” she thought to herself. He really looked even more handsome in formal wear. Almost unapproachable.

“So, did he just flirt or make a pass at you as well?” Freddy asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Let me put it this way,” Mishka responded with her chin up. “He flattered my voice because I was singing,” she explained.

“Oh, so you were singing and he acknowledged your talent,” Freddy replied with a big grin on his face.

“Do you mean that he was not flirting with me?” Mishka asked as she studied Freddy’s face closely.

“You seem worried about that,” Freddy responded with a chuckle. “Oh, he does seem to be looking in this direction quite a bit. What if he walks over and asks you to dance?” he asked.

“Then I will dance calmly and pretend to be a stranger. A dancer who’s with your group,” Mishka responded with a smile behind her mask.

“So, you’re going to play games. Well, I think he’s single otherwise his lady would have been here already, hanging around him and looking territorial,” Freddy remarked in a playful tone of voice.

“I suppose you’re right,” Mishka responded.

“Okay, don’t look, but it seems as if he and his friend are spreading out and coming onto the dance floor now. They might ask people to dance with them,” Freddy announced excitedly next.