Enchantress by Kenzhie A. (good fiction books to read .TXT) 📕

How can two people looked so damn alike yet so different?

The odd images kept flooding my vision---Ellis and my-look-alike girl are dancing intimately and looking beautiful together. I can't see their faces since they're wearing fancy gold Venetian masks that partly covered their faces but oddly I know who they are. “Evangeline...” I heard him whispered---when Natasha pulled me back to my senses.

"Aw! Why'd you do that for? I jolted and touched my right cheek. Natasha slapped my cheek a little too forceful.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Zy... You were not yourself just now... It was sort of creeping me out.." She said in a worried voice. "Your eyes even looked so dark while looking at me expressionless and I called your name many times but you just continued staring at me blankly." She continued.

What were those images that I've seen just now and why am I seeing them? I asked myself confused.

I don't know what just happened to me but I'm not surprised anymore. After all that has happened to me recently regarding a scary supernatural creature who chased me, any more weird stuffs wont surprise me the least. Well, I hope so...

"What happened to you just now? Are you alright?" Natasha asked still worried when I didn't answer right away.

"Nothing to worry about. I think I'm just tired and sleepy." I made up. I can't tell Natasha what I've been through. I don't wanna involve her in any of it. I also don't wanna worry her or even scare her and worse, she might think I'm losing it.

"Are you sure?" I nodded. "Alright, let's sleep then. Let's have some beauty rest since tomorrow will be a long day." She said and motioned me to sleep.

"Yeah.." I agreed but before I get on the bed, I saw Fluffy, on her own small bed not very far from mine, staring at me strangely with a knowing eyes that I can't quite apprehend. I went to her and stroked her fur but Fluffy seemed agitated about something. "Hey. What's wrong, Fluffy? Are you hungry?" I asked, still stroking her thick fur.

"Hey Zy, leave the cat alone. She probably wants to sleep too. Come on, go to bed. You need to look gorgeous tomorrow." Natasha said sounded a little displeased. I just smiled and got up but Fluffy made a hissing sound at Natasha's direction, showing her displeasure to my friend.

"So, I guess the feeling is mutual." I denoted jestingly looking at Natasha and Fluffy. I can't comprehend why the two of them seemed to hate each other unknowingly.

"You should know that I hate cats. I don't even understand why you like her." She said sulking.

"Yeah, I get it." I giggled. "Night, Fluffy. Don't hate Natasha. She's my friend, OK?" I said and went to bed.

Fluffy is such a weird cat but I love her. I found her almost two years ago right after I moved in to the old manor with my late parents. I was roaming around the big house when she jumped on me from the window. I had asked the caretaker, Mrs.Jenkins about its owner but she said that it's just a stray cat so I asked my parents to adopt it and thankfully they'd agreed. In my life, there are just a few people that I care about; Natasha, Mrs.Jenkins, Mr.Pearce, aunt Stephanie, my cat Fluffy, and now, Ellis..

Ellis.. What's your real identity? What're you thinking? What're you hiding from me? Are you coming to my party tomorrow? I hope so... and who is Evangeline? I remembered Ellis called me that name in my dream before. I fell asleep thinking about Ellis and the girl who resembled me so much.

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I woke up by the sound of cars pulling over on our driveway and I noticed that Natasha had already gotten up. I checked my clock on my bedside table. It says; Eleven past thirty-five. It's already late. It's not usual for me to wake up this late but I must've been tired. I lazily got out of bed and went through the french door to the balcony. My room is facing the front and entrance of the manor so I can see the people bustling about below. I spotted Natasha giving orders to the men carrying some decors, tables, and other stuffs for decorations. I smiled. Natasha really did play her role as an event coordinator for today. A light knock from my door called my attention then Mrs.Jenkins entered the room with a bright smile, holding a breakfast tray on her hands. She carefully placed it on my tea table near the french door.

"Hello dear, although it is not your actual birthday, I want to wish you; Happy birthday!" Mrs.Jenkins greeted enthusiastically and went to hug me. I hugged back jovially.

"Thanks Mrs.Jenkins." I responded cheerfully.

"Oh you are all grown up now, dear... I wish your parents could see you now.. Oh God! I pray for their souls!" She said teary-eyed.

"It's OK, Mrs.Jenkins." I said a little weary and teary. Remembering my late parents still saddened me.

"Oh dear! I am so sorry for bringing them up.. Here, please take this.. It is just a little present from me and Edward." She said and gave me a beautiful trinket box.

"Wow! It's so pretty. Thanks a lot Mrs.Jenkins. I'll say my thanks to Mr.Pearce later." I said and hugged her again.

"You are welcome, dear. I am glad you liked it. Come now, have your breakfast and help your friend downstairs. She was up early and did not even have breakfast. That poor girl, she is working too much.. It is good to have a friend like her."

"Yeah..Indeed.. Anyway, did you see Fluffy? I didn't see her since I woke up." I asked curiously while grabbing a bite of the french toast.

"I did not notice her around this morning. That cat usually disappears but it also comes back so do not worry."

"Yeah, you're right..."

"Alright then, finished your breakfast and go downstairs." She said then went out.

=====####=====

It said; six past forty-five when I glanced at my old wrist watch. The masquerade ball will start at seven and I'm getting ready at the moment. Aunt Stephanie hired some hair and make-up stylist for us tonight and right now, a woman with fully make-up on is trying to beautify me. I'm actually worried of how it'll turn out since I'm not used to dressing up and putting makeup.

"It's done." The woman informed me smiling confidently and contented at the outcome. I turned to face my antique dressing table and looked awed at my reflection. My honey-blond hair was laid down from its usual ponytail and is now shining vibrantly with wavy curls hanging on my shoulders. My eyes became more well-defined because of the dark eye shadows and eyeliners or whatever shimmering thing the make-up artist had applied on. My lips even looked luscious and fuller with the brick red lipstick on. Looking at myself in the mirror made me believed the wonders of putting on cosmetics. I stood up and went to gaze at myself in front of the full-length mirror in my dressing room. My blue long gown has a white transparent cap sleeve, the seductive transparent net extending just above the gorgeously bejeweled braided bodice hiding my white skin in mystery with layers of pleated full hem matching with a fancy blue crystal jeweled headpiece. I looked completely different but I like what I'm seeing. It's fine to indulge myself even just for tonight. I thought smiling and swiftly turned around, showing my bared back with tiny glittering blue jewels lining up on the cloth just beneath my backbone.

Hmmm.. I looked like a lady from the old century... like the girl that I somewhat resemble together with Ellis.. Somehow, why do I feel insecure... or jealous of a girl that I'm not sure if really exists? Maybe I'm just seeing those images or flashbacks because of my unconscious mind that wants to be with Ellis...

My wandering thoughts was cut-off when my aunt entered the room.

"Oh dear! You look stunning, hon." Aunt Stephanie complemented me with a bright smile. She also looks amazing with her red ball gown and fancy hairstyle. She looked a lot younger from her real age which is thirty-six. I sometimes wonder why she still remains unmarried and single when she's so damn beautiful. Well, I guessed too much wealth is not good for women. Wealth means Busy. Busy means No Romance. I pondered.

"Thanks, you look great too." I said and remembered something. "Aunt Stephanie, do you have a boyfriend?" I asked abruptly.

"What? No, no time for that. Why?" She asked a little taken aback.

"My History teacher will come and---"

"And?"

"Well, he's very handsome and I think he's still single so I wanna introduce you to him later. Is that OK?" I said feeling like a matchmaker.

"Silly girl.." She said pinching my cheek lightly. "If I'd want a boyfriend, I'd have it now. Do not worry about me, dear. I have so many things to worry about than a silly romance." She told me smiling.

"I see, 'Kay." I said with a giggle.

"Here. This is my present for you." She said and gave me a small box.

"Thanks! Can I open it?" I said excitedly and when she nodded I opened it quickly and was astounded. It's a car key! A Porsche to be exact!

"Do you like it?"

"Oh my God! Aunt Stephanie, I love it! Thank you so much!" I answered incredulously happy and hugged her.

"I am glad you liked it. You can ask Mr.Pearce to teach you how to drive on weekends."

"Yeah, I'm so excited to tell Mr.Pearce and test it." I said smiling widely. When Natasha went in to check on me. She's already dressed-up with full makeup on and hairstyle. She looks beautiful as well in her black shimmered long gown. Natasha smiled upon seeing us.

"Gorgeous! Gorgeous, both of you!" She exclaimed. "Here, I bought these at the antique store downtown." She said afterwards, handing me and my aunt the glittered Venetian masks with a bit of fur at the side. She gave me a silvery-white pearled mask and a black mask to my aunt. Natasha chose the gold mask to match her black gown with gold sequined on the bodice.

"Thanks, dear. You are surely handy." Aunt Stephanie praised her and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"No problemo." She said and grab my right wrist. She briskly fastened a silver Pandora bracelet with best friend charms.

"Wow! It's pretty, Nat. Thanks.." I said touched and teary-eyed then hugged her.

"Keep it well. I have the same pair of it as well." She said smiling and raising her right hand, showing an exact friendship bracelet.

"I will." I said smiling.

"Hmmm.. If I have known that such a small thing such as that can make you cry, I'd never have bought that Porsche Boxter 981 and just gave you a bauble." Aunt Stephanie jested laughing.

"What?! A bloody sports car?! You lucky kid!" Natasha burst out with exaggeration and they all laughed.

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The music playing in the background is adding to the enchantment of the ballroom. The dim lighting and the crystal ball decors are fascinating my eyes. The flowers, dazzling buffet table with delicious looking dishes, and a fountain of blue and red liquid, probably a cocktail drink, are all amazing. The ambiance is giving the place a medieval look with the expensive curtains draping on the windows. The tall cake is also beautiful. Everything is magical. Natasha has done a pretty good job. I thought smiling. I slowly went down on the grand staircase, careful not to fall after Natasha announced my grand entrance as the celebrant. Everyone stopped and gazed at me, looking amazed and mystified. I felt my face flushed and thankful that I'm wearing a gorgeous mask to