The Billionaire’s Mask

Chapter 4

Sophie had not stopped grinning since Adrian left. Her chin rested on her hand, her eyes gleaming like some gossip columnists with the scoop of the century.

“So?” she pressed

“So what?” I tried to act unaffected, still holding on to the handkerchief he had given me.

“Don’t play dumb Lena, that man was practically carved from marble. Dark hair, eyes like liquid gold and a voice that can literally melt steel…… C’mon girl you can’t pretend you didn’t notice.”

I rolled my eyes, though my cheeks betrayed me with heat.

“He spilled coffee on me, that’s all Case Closed.”

“Pfft” Sophie scoffs. “If coffee accidents looked like that, I’d be buying lattes just to throw at strangers.”

“Your taste in men has always been questionable, Soph” I laughed and teased.

“My taste is adventurous”, she shot back dramatically. Yours is….. well nonexistent.”

“Seriously Lena, the last time you got excited about someone was a barista with a crooked smile. And even then, you couldn’t get over the fact that he spelt your name as HELENA on a cup”

“That was a dealbreaker” I tried to look stern but the memory made me snicker.

“Uh huh and this Adrian guy appears, all charm and mystery and you’re trying to pretend like you didn’t feel anything? Girl you didn’t even try to get his number!!!! My goodness Lena” she protested further.

“Doesn’t that come off as being desperate?” I said calmly

“Who cares?” she said sharply. “Girl, I swear if you don’t go on At least one date, I’m filing a complaint with the universe.”

I shook my head, gathering my sketchbook. “I’m not ready, Soph. I came here to start over, not….complicate things”

But even as I said it, I couldn’t stop my fingers from brushing the folded handkerchief tucked into my bag. The very thought of his name made me feel like I’d just stepped into something I wasn't ready for and I didn’t like that.

Meanwhile across the city Adrain stood in the quiet of his rented apartment, city lights bleeding through the window, his focus was clearly somewhere else.

“She’s actually more clever than I gave her credit for”, he thought to himself. “She had vanished for six months, slipped through every net i cast and yet here she was standing in front of me as summoned.”

She looked different outside the shadow of her family’s dynasty. Just a lady in a simple dress, sketchbook in her hands and a crease on her brow that vanished the moment she smiled.

I noticed too much. Her eyes, steel grey but alive and fierce even when she tried to hide it. Her defiance wasn’t load but it was there humming beneath her politeness.

My phone buzzed interrupting my thoughts, Uncle George. I hesitated then answered

“Ethan”, his voice was sharp but weary. “I’ve been waiting for your call”

“I had an encounter today….” I said evenly, swirling the glass of whiskey in my hand.”With Elena.”

He pauses then sighs.”You found her?”

“I didn’t just find her,” I said, a cold satisfaction creeping into my voice. “She walked right into me, it seems like fate is finally one my side and the game has just begun.”

He mutters something beneath his breath before replying, “Listen to me carefully son. Leave this foolishness behind, she's not worth it.”

“Not worth it?” I laughed bitterly. “She humiliated me Uncle, in front of the entire city. In front of men who measure respect in blood and power. Do you have any idea what that cost me?”

“You’re still standing aren’t you? The business is intact, stronger even. Those men are still lining up to partner with you because they better than to cross you. What does one runaway bride matter now?”

“She made me bleed” I said through clenched teeth. “Not with a blade but with humiliation, and nobody makes me bleed and goes untouched.”

George’s voice softened, almost pleasing. “Listen Ethan, vengeance isn’t victory. I raised you to be better than petty grudges. If you stay there chasing her, you’ll lose more than your pride. You will lose yourself!”

For a moment, silence filled the line. His voice stung because part of me knew he was right . But pride, my oldest companion burned hotter than reason.

“No uncle”, I said firmly. “I won’t lose, I’ll win and when I do she’ll learn that walking away from me was the biggest mistake of her life.”

He sighed, deep and defeated. “You stubborn fool. Just remember that there is a thin line between punishment and obsession”

“Then let it be an obsession,” I muttered before cutting the call.

I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. Her image carved into my mind. Elena thought she could run, but what she couldn’t possibly understand was that the moment she looked up at me in the cafe our game began. And I always finish what I start.