Chapter 5: The Mask And The Veil
1887 Words
Two weeks later.
A night before the wedding.
“Ethan, you are really getting married tomorrow.” Josh took a sip of his whiskey, still in disbelief.
“Yes, I am. It’s just an arrangement made by my old man.” Ethan’s fingers tightened around the champagne glass in his hand, almost breaking it.
“Why are you asking such a stupid question, Josh? You already knew that with our status, we have to marry someone who adds benefits to the family business, whether we agree or not.” Donald chimed in, shutting Josh up.
Josh scoffed, leaning back on the leather couch. “Yeah, I understand that very much. No need for you to spell it out. However, Ethan has never been the type to play along. I thought you’d fight it, buddy.”
“He threatened to remove my position as the future head of the family. I can’t risk that. What if he made his bastard the next head of the family, won’t all my hard work for the past few years be in vain?” A muscle ticked in his jaw as he forced out a reply.
Donald smirked. “You won’t lose out, Ethan. I’m sure your bride must be a beauty. Who knows, maybe you will fall in love with her during your marriage. We all know that after Jasmine left, no woman had ever moved your heart.”
Ethan’s shoulders went rigid at the mention of Jasmine’s name. The past came back rushing in like an open book. He didn’t move, only the faint tightening of his grip on the glass betrayed the calm mask on his face.
Josh jabbed Donald with his shoulder, a silent warning flashing in his eyes for him to shut up. Donald immediately shut up, knowing that he had said what he shouldn’t.
Without saying a word, Ethan stood up, preparing to leave. However, a view in front of him made him stop, his gaze fixed on the dimly lit club’s stage. Music and cheers filled the air. Something inside him twisted, a restlessness he couldn’t explain.
The light dimmed further. An alluring woman stepped onto the stage, dressed in a shimmering silver outfit that clung to her curves and caught the light with every slow, deliberate step. Her long legs glistened under the spotlight, her face hidden behind a delicate silver mask,
The crowd went silent as she moved — graceful, confident, yet heartbreakingly vulnerable. Ethan’s breath caught. He hadn’t met or seen her before, but something about the way she moved felt familiar.
He was a regular in this club, and he could swear he had never seen this stripper before. An elegant air surrounded her, making her look classy.
“Hey, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Don’t tell me she really enticed you.” Josh nudged Ethan with his shoulder, his face full of surprise.
He had never seen Ethan lose his cool for a woman except Jasmine. The way Ethan had been staring at the stage since that chick made her presence known was unusual.
“Wow, look at those long legs. How would it feel to have them wrapped around my...” A sharp gaze shot towards Donald before he could finish his words. He couldn’t help swallowing his saliva, and quickly avoided Ethan’s eyes.
A few minutes later, a loud cheer filled the clubhouse after the woman ended her seductive performance. She walked down the stage half-smile, blowing kisses around her, making the audience go wild. All eyes were on her as she walked backstage.
The way she moved, elegant yet raw, powerful, yet fragile, stirred something buried deep inside Ethan. Before he knew it, he was already walking towards the direction she took.
“Ethan,” Josh called, but Ethan didn’t seem to hear him. His gaze was fixed on the woman disappearing through the side door. The noise of the crowd faded behind him, as he followed the hallway’s dim glow, the air thick with the scent of perfume and smoke.
When Ethan caught up, she was out of sight, already in the dressing room. She was standing by the mirror in the dressing room, her back to him. Her hands were poised at the straps of her mask.
For a moment, he hesitated, watching the reflection of her bare shoulders in the mirror.
“Interesting,” he murmured, his voice deep, almost rough. “I don’t remember seeing you here before.”
The woman froze. Slowly, she turned her head, her mask still in place. “That’s because I don’t dance here,” she replied softly, her accent faintly familiar, her tone guarded.
Ethan’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “Then tonight must be my lucky night.” He strode forward, his steps deliberate. His arm wrapped around her tiny waist naturally before he could control himself.
He could feel her body going stiff. Just when he thought she might get angry for his rude behavior, she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer.
“Who knows if tonight might be your worst.” She gave a short, ironic laugh, her breath mixed with his, her eyes glowing under the mask, captivating Ethan’s heart.
He couldn’t help but swallow. Before he knew it, his head dipped, and he captured her succulent lips.
She froze for a heartbeat before giving in, her lips soft, yet demanding against his. The taste of her lips was intoxicating — sweet, fiery, and laced with something dangerous.
For a fleeting moment, Ethan forgot who he was, where he was. All that existed was the feel of her — her warmth, her scent, her heartbeat drumming against his chest.
Just when he planned to draw her in for more, she pulled away, her breathing uneven, the silver mask hiding everything but the tremor in her lips. She unwrapped her hands from his neck.
“That shouldn’t have happened,” she murmured, her voice low and steady, though her eyes betrayed something deeper, fear, or perhaps familiarity.
Ethan’s gaze lingered on her face hidden beneath the mask, searching for something more. “You didn’t seem to mind. I felt you enjoyed the kiss just the way I did.”
She gave a soft, ironic smile. “Maybe I didn’t, but men like you always regret what feels good to be real.
Before he could say a word, she slipped away from his grasp, her fingers brushing against his chest teasingly as she moved past him with light, deliberate and steady steps.
“I don’t even know your name.” He said, just before she could disappear down the hallway.
She paused. For a heartbeat, she didn’t move. Then, slowly, her head tilted back, her silver mask glinting under the light. “Ella,” she said simply, her voice smooth but distant, as if the name itself was borrowed, not truly hers.
Ethan’s gaze lingered on her, trying to memorize the shape of her lips as she said it. ‘Ella.’ The name rolled through his mind like a secret he wanted to keep.
She gave a faint, knowing smile. “Don’t bother remembering it. You won’t see me again.” Before he could reply, she turned around and walked away, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor.
Each step seemed to echo in his chest, steady and haunting, until the door closed behind him. “You don’t decide whether I will see you again. That’s mine to take care of.” A dangerous smirk danced across his lips.
He didn’t stay any longer in the dressing room after she left. His fingers brushed his neck, remembering the warmth of her arms a moment ago.
He was certain he had never seen her before, but she felt familiar. Ethan thought as he walked back to his booth. The lingering warmth of her lips, and the faint scent of Ella refused to leave him, even after hours.
He pulled out his phone and dialed his assistant number. After a ring, the phone connected. “I need all the information about a woman named Ella. She works at Burgundy’s club.” He didn’t give any more details before ending the call.
*****
The wedding.
“You look so beautiful, Jasmine.” Daniel exclaimed from the doorway as he rushed into the hotel room where Jasmine was being dolled up for her wedding.
Jasmine gave a small smile for Daniel's sake. She hasn’t been herself from the moment she heard she was getting married. She flew back to New York two days ago.
She would never forget the disapproving expression on Dr. Andrew’s face when he heard that she was getting married to a stranger.
After what felt like ages, Jasmine was finally ready to walk down the aisle. “I can’t believe you are getting married, Jas.” Daniel muttered as he helped Jasmine with her shoes.
Daniel wasn’t only her assistant, he was also her best friend. He was one of the people who had made her time in Paris memorable.
“I know I owe you an explanation, Dan. I promise to explain everything to you after the wedding.” Jasmine picked up her clutch as she stood up just in time for the door opening.
“Wow, princess, you look stunning.” Grandpa Woods walked in with the help of his butler, who was slightly younger than him.
“Grandfather.” Jasmine called as water filled her eyes. This is the first time she would be seeing him physically in eight years. He looked older than the last time she saw him.
“Don’t cry, Mie Mie. It’s your wedding day.” Grandpa woods strode forward and pulled Jasmine into a hug. She sniffed in his familiar scent, her heart relieved.
No matter how unwilling she was with the wedding, she had to go along with it for her grandfather’s sake.
A few minutes later, Jasmine finally stopped crying. Thanks to her waterproof makeup, it didn't smudge. Grandpa Woods offered his arm, his voice trembling with pride. “Let’s go princess. It’s time.”
The doors opened, and the soft melody of the wedding march filled the air. The guests turned, admiring the glowing bride walking gracefully beside her grandfather.
At the altar, Ethan stood tall, but his thoughts were somewhere else. He couldn’t forget his last night encounter with Ella, the mysterious woman whose lips still haunted him.
The hushed whisper around brought him out of his reverie. His gaze lifted casually, just to see the woman he was about to marry.
The moment his eyes landed on his bride, the air in his lungs stilled when her veil lifted slightly under the light, and there she was. Jasmine — his past, his heartbreak, his ghost. The woman he’d loved, but had left him shattered.
Meanwhile, Jasmine’s calm eyes met his, polite and blank with no recognition, no flicker of the past, only quiet confusion at the intensity of his stare.
Jasmine's heart skipped a beat at Ethan’s heated gaze on her, though she didn’t know why. Something in his eyes felt too familiar, tugging at her heart.
Ethan’s heart pounded violently. The woman walking towards him was his ex-lover, who in any minute time would become his bride.
His fingers tightened at his sides. Impossible.
- Writer
