*Alecia DeLuca*

The evening of the Hope Charity Gala arrived with an air of quiet anticipation.

Lucas finished getting ready first. He adjusted his cufflinks, glancing at his reflection in the mirror. The black tux fit him perfectly. The mask Valentina had picked out sat on the dresser, and after a brief hesitation, he grabbed it. He wasn't really sure about this.

Without another word, he left the room, heading downstairs.

Valentina, on the other hand, was still in her room. She had just ...