BAD INFLUENCE
Bad Influence - Episode 51&52
(•Tainting Her Innocence•)
GENRE: College romance
By, Mide L.
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✮{...THE MASKED PARTY...}✮
NEXT DAY*
Hailey stood in front of the mirror one last time, adjusting the collar of her blouse. Her hair was neatly tied back, and the light makeup she wore made her look effortlessly polished.
The apartment was quiet now, it's always quiet anyway. Asher had left late last night, just after that strange phone call.
With a sigh, Hailey grabbed her handbag from the table and slipped on her shoes. Her car was still at the automobile shop, another day waiting on repairs so she would have to take the bus again.
Locking the door behind her, she stepped out into the bustling street. The cool morning air brushed against her skin as she made her way toward the bus station a few blocks away.
Lost in thought, she almost didn’t notice the figure ahead until she bumped right into him.
"Ah, I’m so sorry!" Hailey blurted, stepping back quickly.
The man’s face was hidden beneath a dark hoodie, the shadow swallowing his features. He said nothing. Just nodded slightly and walked away.
She watched the figure disappear before forcing herself to look forward, marching on to catch her bus.
•••
KNIGHT HOLDING*
The bus ride felt longer than usual, the city’s familiar sights blurring past the window as her mind raced through memories and questions. She finally stepped off and entered the towering glass doors of Knight Holdings.
She made her way to her office on the third floor, nodding to colleagues in passing, the hum of activity buzzing softly.
Then she saw it.
A bouquet of flowers sat neatly on her desk. Vibrant and freshly picked, arranged effortlessly. Soft pink roses, white lilies, and sprigs of lavender filled the vase, their scent delicate but unmistakable.
Hailey’s breath caught. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached forward, brushing a petal gently.
"Could it be... Asher?" she whispered to herself, a hopeful smile touching her lips.
Her heart beat faster as she imagined him.
But as her gaze lingered on the flowers, a flicker of doubt crept in.
Who else would know exactly what she needed today?
It was exactly the kind of surprise Asher could pull.
She picked up her phone from the desk and dialed his number.
The line rang twice before he answered.
"Hailey baby, what's up?"
"Hey, Asher. I... I just got the flowers. Thank you" she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips.
There was a pause on the other end.
"I didn’t send any flowers, but I’m planning to"
Her smile faltered. "You’re... planning to?"
"Yeah, this evening"
Hailey bit her lip, confusion knotting in her chest. "Okay... well, thank you anyway"
She ended the call, and she lowered the phone slowly, her mind spinning.
First, there was that strange, silent call last night... no words, just silence. Now this bouquet, a gift she believed was from Asher but wasn’t.
Who else was watching her this closely?
Hailey sank into her chair, fingers still clutching the delicate petals, wondering what game was unfolding around her.
•••
SUPERMARKET*
Lucy stepped out of the supermarket, a small, sheepish smile tugging at her lips as she chatted quietly on her phone.
At 22, Lucy had grown into a confident young woman, not longer that 17 years old girl.
As she tucked her phone into her pocket, her eyes caught sight of a guy coming toward her. For a moment, her smile faltered.
It was Cory.
Her high school crush. The boy who called her a thief and a whore, a bitter memory.
Cory hadn’t changed much. He still carried that same easygoing grin, the kind that had made her heart race so many years ago.
They collided... almost literally.
Lucy stumbled back, her eyes widening as she hissed under her breath, a sudden sharpness in her tone.
"Oh! Sorry" she said quickly, stepping aside and trying to avoid his gaze.
Cory only nodded , watching her. He took a step closer, as if to say something, but Lucy didn’t wait for words.
With a brisk nod, she turned sharply on her heel and walked away.
Cory stood still for a moment, watching her retreating figure. The soft clack of her shoes on the pavement echoed, and then she was gone.
•••
EVENING*
Hailey stepped out of the glass doors of Knight Holdings. She scanned the parking lot, expecting the usual sea of cars, but there parked right by the entrance was Asher’s black car. Her heart fluttered unexpectedly.
As she approached, Asher was already waiting by the driver’s side, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers... soft pink roses and delicate white lilies, just like the ones on her desk that morning.
"Hey" he greeted with that calm, easy smile.
"Hey" Hailey replied, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
He handed her the flowers. "Thought these might make up for the mystery bouquet confusion earlier"
She took them, the petals cool and fragrant in her hands. "They’re beautiful. Thank you"
"I was invited to this mask party tonight. Figured… why not take you shopping for a mask? It’ll be fun"
Hailey hesitated for just a second, this was sudden.
"I’d like that" she said finally.
He opened the passenger door for her. "Perfect. Let’s go"
As she slid into the seat, the bouquet resting on her lap, Hailey realized how unexpectedly sweet and thrilling this one day with Asher was turning out to be.
They arrived at a chic boutique known for its unique accessories and masks, just the kind of place perfect for tonight’s party.
Inside, soft music played, and rows of sparkling masks hung from elegant displays. Hailey’s eyes widened in delight, running her fingers along feathers, sequins, and delicate filigree.
Asher smiled, watching her light up.
"Take your time. We’ve got a few hours before the party"
Hailey wandered toward a corner filled with Venetian-style masks, the rich colors and intricate details captivating her.
Suddenly, in the narrow aisle ahead, she nearly collided with a figure wearing the same dark hoodie from this morning. Her breath caught.
The man’s face remained hidden in shadow, his presence quiet, almost ghostlike.
"Sorry" Hailey whispered, stepping back quickly.
He said nothing, just gave a subtle nod, then slipped past her, disappearing deeper into the store.
Who was he? And why did it feel like he was watching her?
Shaking off the chill, she turned back toward Asher, who was now browsing masks nearby.
"Did you see that guy?" she asked softly.
Asher glanced over, then shrugged with a casual smile.
"No idea. Let’s find you the perfect mask"
Hailey nodded, trying to focus on the moment.... on Asher, the party, and the strange dance of mystery that seemed to be unfolding around her.
•••
THE KNIGHT'S RESIDENCE*
Ariella sat by the large bay window of the living room, legs curled beneath her as she flipped through the pages of her favorite fantasy novel.
She was completely absorbed, her lips moving silently as she read, eyes dancing across the words. Nobody was home presently, Vanessa went out with friends, and Mrs Knight is still at the office.
Then suddenly… she paused.
Her small fingers stilled on the page, and her head lifted, turning slightly toward the window as a strange sensation prickled the back of her neck like a whisper of eyes on her.
Ariella frowned, her gaze sweeping the quiet garden outside.
Nothing.
But just as she started to turn back to her book, something shifted in the corner of her vision. Her heart skipped. She snapped her head around.
There... just beyond the garden hedge, vanishing into the trees was the flicker of movement.
A figure.
Dark hoodie.
She stared hard, her little face tightening in unease. But the space was still again, like nothing had been there at all.
Still gripping the book tightly, Ariella slid down from the window seat and moved cautiously away, her eyes lingering on the glass, uncertain whether she had truly seen someone or if her imagination had wandered too far into the pages of her story.
She left the living room to her bedroom. Ariella had just reached for the light switch when a gentle knock came at her bedroom door.
Knock knock.
She froze, still shaken by what she’d seen… or thought she saw.
The door creaked open, revealing Rosa, one of the housemaids, stepping in with a small smile and something nestled in her arms.
"Ariella, sweetheart. This just came for you"
Ariella tilted her head, eyes narrowing as she spotted the object in the maid’s hands.
A teddy bear.
Soft, beige fur. A red ribbon tied around its neck. Brand new.
"Who sent it?" Ariella asked cautiously, stepping forward to take it.
Rosa gave a small shrug. "It was left at the gate. No note. Just your name on the tag"
She handed the bear over. Sure enough, dangling from the ribbon was a tiny tag that simply read: For Ariella in neat, slanted handwriting.
"No return address. The guard said he didn’t see who dropped it off" Rosa added, a slight frown creasing her brow.
"Should I take it back? Maybe ask your grandma?"
Ariella shook her head slowly, still staring at the bear.
"No… it's okay" she murmured, hugging it gently to her chest.
But as Rosa left and gently closed the door behind her, Ariella's eyes flicked once more toward the window.
The hoodie. The bear. The name tag.
Something didn’t feel right.
She clutched the teddy tighter.
•••
AT THE MASK PARTY*
The grand ballroom shimmered under the soft golden glow of chandeliers. Music blared from the background, a blend of soft violins and slow jazz.
Hailey entered, her hand tucked gently into the crook of Asher’s arm. Her silver mask glinted under the lights, its delicate blue feathers arching above her brow. Her dress hugged her in all the right places.
Asher looked at her like the stars had fallen right in front of him.
"You look…" he paused, eyes locked on hers, "…stunning"
A soft blush colored Hailey’s cheeks. "Took you long enough to say, but i will take it"
He smiled and extended a hand. "May I have this dance, my lady?"
She nodded, slipping her fingers into his. He led her to the dance floor, where the music shifted into a slow, enchanting rhythm. His hand settled at her waist, hers rested on his shoulder, and together they moved in time with the melody... close, easy, completely in sync.
Asher leaned in, his lips grazing her temple. "Tonight is perfect"
"I was just thinking the same" she murmured.
He pulled back slightly to look at her, his eyes soft. "I want to kiss you"
Hailey’s heart jumped, but she didn’t speak only nodded once.
Asher leaned down slowly, his breath mingling with hers, and then his lips met hers. Her fingers tightened slightly on his shoulder as the world around them dimmed to a blur.
When they pulled apart, she couldn’t stop smiling.
"I’ll be right back," he said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Restroom"
She nodded, watching him walk away before turning to the refreshment table.
Then she felt it.
A hand slipped around her waist from behind... firm and possessive.
Before she could turn, the masked stranger spun her toward the dance floor.
"What—?" she started to say, but her voice caught.
He didn’t speak. Just led her into a slow dance, one hand at her waist, the other holding her hand with quiet control. His grip was familiar.
Her heart began to race.
She looked up at him, the mask covered most of his face, but something about him made her stomach twist in that way she hadn’t felt in weeks.
She danced with him, uncertain and tense, for less than a minute.
Then he leaned in, close to her ear.
"Nice dancing with you, Princess"
Hailey froze.
Only one person ever called her that.
And the voice…
She knew it.
Her breath hitched, eyes wide behind her mask but by the time she blinked, the masked guy was out of sight.
___
💕TBC💕
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