Chapter 13 Beneath The Mask
1223 Words
Sophie
What were they doing together? My mind blanked as I stared at the two men and my heart sank to the pit of my belly.
“Yo—you are—” I stammered, unable to speak. I should've known I thought bitterly, my gaze fixed o. Max. I shouldn't have trusted him.
“Sophie,” Max spoke up but I didn't answer, my mind deep in thought. “Sophie,” Max snapped me out of my thoughts and I flinched.
“So you're with them,” I said, staring at coldly.
“Hahaha,” the man beside Max burst into laughter.
“It's not that,” Max hurried to speak, he glanced at the man with a cold look and he promptly shut up. “I’ll explain later okay,” Max sighed, giving me a pleading look.
What did he want to explain? I frowned in displeasure, the words of the man about Clara only too fresh in my memory.
“Okay,” I finally whispered, meeting Max's gaze. I didn't know why but I felt I could trust him. Max flashed a smile at me before he turned to the man beside me.
“Keep to you word,” he said, his lips thinning into a scowl.
“Ofcourse,” the man chuckled, his eyes glancing at the lackey behind me. “let's go,” he hissed and he turned to leave without another word.
They were leaving just like that? My brows shot up, I couldn't understand the present scenario. What was going on?
“It's okay,” Max's features relaxed when he turned to me. “They won't be coming back.”
I nodded, and questions filled my mind even as I heaved a sigh of relief. “What did you do? Who are they?” Who are you? I nearly asked but I swallowed my words, Max was an enigma I still couldn't see through.
“I’ll explain everything Sophie,” Max suddenly said, seeing through my thoughts. “Soon.”
“I…” my cheeks flushed and I chuckled drily, not saying anything. In any case, I was glad they were gone and I wasn't implicated. Perhaps Lucas and Aria would feel better right?
“So—” Max glanced around, his gaze slowly coming back to me. “What time are you getting off work?” His question seemed casual but I felt the hairs on my neck stand on end, I still didn't completely trust him.
I quietly kept away my cellphone that I was fiddling with nervously.
“I'll be working overtime,” I lied, forcing myself to keep a straight face. “A colleague… she called in sick… I didn't have a choice,” I stuttered, seeing Max's quiet gaze fix on me.
“I'll come find you later,” Max didn't say much, before I could react his arm curled around my waist and he pulled me into his grasp.
Oh no! I screamed mentally even as I was frozen in place.
“Was just giving you a hug,” Max chuckled lightly, his eyes were filled with a mischievous light. “What were you expecting?”
“Nothing,” I blushed, my face a bright shade of red. “I have work to do,” I said, wriggling out of his grasp.
Max nodded, letting me go. “I'll see you later,” he meant it. I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, I still couldn't be sure if we would.
Max smiled, before turning around and striding off.
“How's he already walking?” Clara's exclamation snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned around to see Clara staring behind at the retreating Max with wide eyed shock.
“I…” I froze, unsure what to say. I couldn't possibly just shrug it off and say; 'Oh well, he's a werewolf with supernatural healing ability.’ Clara's eyes would probably pop out I thought.
“He's a strong one,” I chuckled drily, trying to look casual about it. “Says he has a farm to take care of and an old granny,” I lied, cooking up a fairytale story.
Clara didn't exactly look like she believed it, “What's a handsome dude like him doing on a farm?” She said doubtfully, her eyes holding a little glow as she stared at the doors Max had walked through.
“You—” I felt a prick of annoyance watching how Clara's eyes glowed when she mentioned Max. I was just about to snap at her when I regained my mind. Was I jealous? Was I nuts? I mentally slapped myself over the head.
I said nothing, choosing to smile as I walked past Clara and headed back to the nurse station. Evelyn wasn't there, probably out on her rounds I thought.
I couldn't sit still, the thought of Max filled my thoughts.
Who was Max? What was his plan? Why was he with those men? Was there a bigger plan in all this? Why did I even feel this way towards him? My mind swirled with thoughts and I thought I was going crazy.
I exhaled slowly, overreacting wouldn't solve the problem I knew. I took out my cell phone and dialed a number.
“Sophie?” Lena's voice called over the line. “What's up? It's been ages,” a smile tugged at my lips when I heard her voice.
Lena was an ex classmate of mine back in college, she'd switched majors before joining the force. We hadn't really kept in touch, but I didn't have a choice.
I needed her help.
“Lena,” I tapped on the edge of my desk nervously. “I kind of need your help with something,” I said, fidgeting. I was scared she'd turn me down.
“What's the matter?” Lena asked, “A problem at the hospital?”
“Well…” I hesitated, my mind working at the speed of light. “It's a complicated issue, but I need help identifying someone,” I carefully chose my words.
I held my breath for what felt like forever before Lena finally spoke. “Okay, send his details. Anything you have, a photo, biometrics…” Lena spoke quickly and I could faintly hear the sound of keypads clicking in the background.
“I don't know much,” I hesitated, “Just his first name, Max… and a photo,” I quickly sent the photo I'd sneakily taken of Max earlier, it was grainy and not too clear but it'd have to do.
Lena didn't say anything for a few seconds, obviously concentrating on the job. She suddenly winced and my heart skipped a beat.
“Is this the guy?” Lena asked even as my cell phone buzzed. It was a sized up photo and my breath caught when I caught sight of Max.
It was a newspaper clipping, dating back to two years ago. “The Reclusive heir to the Stark Fortune.”
The other writings were too small for me to read but even then all that was ringing in my head was the last statement. Max was one of the Stark's? Like the billionaire Stark's? The revelation hit me like a bolt of lightning, freezing me to the spot.
What was really going on?
- Writer
