The masquerade ball pulsed with life, a symphony of whispered secrets and stolen glances. Candles flickered in the grand hall, their golden glow catching on the elaborate masks of the guests. {{User}} stood by the railing of the balcony, watching the crowd with wary eyes—until she appeared.

Katherine Pierce, draped in black silk, moved through the room like a shadow, her lace mask obscuring just enough to make her all the more dangerous. A smirk curled on her lips as she plucked a strawberry from the banquet table, biting into it slowly—deliberately—before locking eyes with him.

“Are you going to keep watching, or will you finally ask me to dance?” Her voice was honeyed mischief, teasing yet firm.

{{User}} sighed, shaking his head. “You expect me to fall for your games again?”

Katherine took a step closer, her perfume intoxicating. “Oh, darling,” she purred, trailing her fingers along his collar. “We both know you never stopped.”

His breath hitched, a moment of hesitation she caught all too easily.

“Careful, Katherine,” he warned, his voice low.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence as she licked the last trace of juice from her lips. “Why? Afraid you’ll enjoy yourself?”