Vows and Bullets
Chapter 98: Masquerade (Part 1)

Chapter 98: Masquerade (Part 1)

***

[After several days...]

A week and a few days had passed since then. We got our invitation to the party, the secret letter from Chief Zeus, and Agent Helios received the schedule of his private meeting with him. Finally, we were on our way to little Tiffany Young’s masquerade birthday party. It was dusk at that time since the birthday celebrant wanted it that way.

For my dress, I chose a gradient pastel to midnight blue one that had tiny sparkly thingy on it, making it appear like stars in the evening sky which turned out to be real diamonds—and here I thought they were simple glitters. It had tiny but intricate flower embroideries on the chest, shoulders straps, and back, with the diamonds as their center. The fabric was smooth and flowy, very comfortable to wear—especially the skirt. It wasn’t tight, so I could still raise my leg and kick someone in case something unfortunate happened.

In my white bag—or purse, they like calling it a purse, but it looks like a bag for me—I kept my battlesuit and the basic weapons I could bring. There was a thin dagger that was barely metal, a foldable bow, and other undetectable gadgets that might come in handy. I couldn’t bring much since my luxurious bag was small this time around. My stylist said it would be uncomfortable for me to carry a big one since we would be walking here and there once inside the mansion and probably dance, too. Plus, it wouldn’t suit the dress I was wearing.

’Ugh. Fashion.’

For Agent Helios, he also wore a bluish suit to match mine, paired with a white shirt and blue-gray tie. His shoe was custom made, and his watch, another limited edition—nothing far from his usual outfit. The only difference was we were both wearing masks. It was a midnight blue mask with a hint of silver on them, inlaid with another batch of diamonds and sapphires.

As soon as we got off from Eun-Woo’s most expensive limo bearing their family crest, the house staff from the Young’s residence greeted us warmly.

"Welcome, Mr. Jeon Eun-Woo, and Mrs. Jeon Ye-Ji," they said as they all bowed their heads.

They probably recognized us from the crest—this was why we needed to change clothes once we handed off the secret letter. The masks were practically useless if people saw us getting out of a car WITH a family crest. Seriously, Eun-Woo, why did you even choose this car? Do you have another hidden agenda for this party?

Eun-Woo handed the invitation to one of them, and they ushered us inside where Mr. Young was. He and Eun-Woo talked a little and gave the usual polite pleasantries while I became nothing but a beautiful wife, smiling and nodding my head.

For some reason, most of these Elite businessmen treats their spouse as trophy wives. There were rarely any women who ran a business on their own, except for Old Money. Talk about gender equality, ugh. Unfortunately for me, I had to act like them and make people think I was like those trophy wives.

On the good side, Eun-Woo chose a doting husband facade for us, or else it would be hard for me to interact. It would have been so much better if we were equals, though. I could fight my own, talk on my own, and just be myself. But that would defeat the purpose of the facade and would make us more suspicious. But then again, our facade was useless now that the head of Kraken knew us. The only thing left now was to play as his pawn and do a house cleaning for him. If not that, then maybe... there’s another thing he’s after?

"My dear daughter has been waiting for your arrival," Mr. Young said. "I’m sure she would be delighted to meet you both."

"The pleasure is ours," Eun-Woo replied. "And where might the little princess be so we can greet her as soon as possible?"

"Hm, good question. She had always been the wanderer. I think I saw her in the garden earlier. I let her roam around as she pleases, BUT with proper bodyguards this time. The last incident still haunts me."

"It is indeed very unfortunate. I’m glad she has better protection now."

"Indeed. I feel more assured. And, of course, still grateful to you both. Thank you once again for bringing it to my attention."

"It was nothing, Mr. Young. In fact, it was my wife’s idea," Eun-Woo said, presenting me to Mr. Young, and adding me to the conversation. "She always had a soft spot for children and hated injustice. It was her that noticed the misconduct of Tiffany’s aunt. She was quite aggravated that time."

"Oh my!" Mr. Young exclaimed. "So it was you, madam. We weren’t able to talk much last time since I was surprised myself that day. But allow me to thank you for such a benevolent act. No wonder my dear daughter was looking forward to meeting you most."

Waaaa... Eun-Woo, why did you have to bring me into the conversation?!

Feeling embarrassed, I smiled and quickly replied, "Oh, it’s really nothing, Mr. Young. You can consider it as me losing my temper for seeing something I don’t like. It’s nothing as benevolent as that."

"Ha-ha-ha" the two of them laughed.

"Your wife is a very humble person, isn’t she?"

"She is," Eun-Woo grinned. "That’s why I love her so much."

What the—waaa... That’s so cringe.

"Stop it," I whispered to Eun-Woo’s ears. "Let’s just go to little Tiffany."

"As you wish my dear wife," he whispered back in a teasing way. Turning to Mr. Young, he bid goodbye, "We won’t hold you up any longer, Mr. Young."

"Of course! Please, enjoy yourselves!"

"We definitely will. Thank you."

And so, we went on our way while Mr. Young continued welcoming other guests. Walking further inside the mansion, you could really tell that the owner was very wealthy. The whole social hall was decorated extravagantly, and luxurious items were all over the place. Despite the masks everyone had on, I could easily tell that only prominent people were around by the quality of their clothes, their gestures, and the way they talked and moved. Plus, most masks barely hid the identity of the wearer.

We were about to go to the garden to check on Tiffany, but the emcee suddenly announced that the party would start shortly. We then decided to go to our assigned table and sat down.

"Care for some drinks, sir, and madam?" the waiter assigned to us offered. "We have fruit juices and champagne, or would you prefer wine?"

"What year?" Eun-Woo asked.

"We are serving wines in the year of the miss’ birth for today’s party, sir. We have Sauvignon Blanc, Chateau Batailley, and the usual. But since you are our special guest, I believe master can share his precious collection that dates back to 1947—a Chateau Cheval Blanc, or Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992."

’Oh my goodness. Wine? For real? We’re on a mission, for Pete’s sake!’

Ever since our wedding, I had noticed Eun-Woo’s love for wine. Whenever he gets the chance, he drinks it like water! When I wandered inside his mansion, I even found a huge room with his collection of precious wines that goes way older than what the waiter offered—I think there was 1800 there if I remembered correctly. Whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner, he always takes a glass or two a day. Ugh. I know he never gets drunk, but I’m concerned with his health. He probably won’t live long with that kind of wine addiction.

"Either of those precious collections would be nice," Eun-Woo replied with a wide smile on his face.

"Right away, sir."

As soon as the waiter walked away, I reprimanded him.

"Jeon Eun-Woo," I uttered his name with much emphasis, though in a whisper. "When will you stop drinking wine? When you got cancer or liver disease?"

"I haven’t even drank any today," he complained. "Besides, drinking red wine has health benefits, you know—as long as I don’t go over two glasses a day."

"Bull."

"It’s the truth. You should do some research. It has antioxidants, helps prevent heart problems, reduces the risk of cancer, keeps memory sharp, keeps you slim, and so many other benefits. Though my favorite is..." he leaned in to whisper in my ear, "it boosts sex drive."

His lips curved into an evil smirk.

He really loves teasing me, huh? I wonder why? Was it that fun?

’Calm down, Kim Ye-Ji. You are at a party with a lot of people around. You can’t lash out and kill him as you please.’

And so, I smiled at him as sweetly and kindly as I could.

But then I told him...

"Can I kill you?"

"Ha-ha-ha! Your facial expressions always amuse me. My dear wife is so cute. But I do appreciate that you’re worried about my health. Thank you."

"I take it back. I’m not worried anymore," I scoffed. "Amusing, huh? Why don’t I do the same to you? Will you be amused?"

"Oh, you want to say the same thing I said?" Eun-Woo said, smiling even bigger than earlier. "How I’d love you to hear you say that. Go on, my dear wife. Say it."

I’m so pissed off, but fine. Let’s humor him. Did he think I couldn’t say such words? Hah! It’s so easy.

I faced Eun-Woo and looked him straight in the eyes. Then, I leaned toward his ears and talked in a whisper. To make it worse, I made it sound a little seductive.

"My favorite part is... it boosts sex drive."

Hah! Take that! Go on, dear husband. Be seduced. Then, jerk yourself off, you pervert! Tsk. As if I’d ever have sex with you. Drink all the wine you can, have a boost in sex drive all you want. I’m NEVER ever sleeping with you!