Behind the mask

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

I had no intention of running away from the estranged girl I bumped into without a proper apology but Ava was already in front of me before I could get myself together. I saw the fierceness in her eyes as she spoke with Ava and I knew that Ava wasn't apologetic. I was stopped by Cain, Nathan’s guard before I could make my way to them. Due to the urgency of the summon, I had to leave with the hope of seeing her again before the day ran out. How do I find her? That was the question that crossed my mind before I recalled those legs and the black heels. I know it is very silly but that was my only hope until I saw it again. Those legs move slowly with the rhythm of the beat and the slow music we are all dancing to. She has brown skin I could picture even in the dim lights, she seems far off in the arms of the man she is dancing with. Is she married? I wonder.

“You're stepping on my toes again,” Ava complained. A way of bringing me back from my world of thoughts.

“Did Big Nath say something unnerving to you? You are just acting so awkward again,” Ava sighs.

Yes, the news I got from Nathan wasn’t so pleasing. That is just a part of my worries. Why should I even care? I am still Andrew Declan, one of the biggest birds flying in the tech industry. I shouldn’t be worried about the kind of spies sent to track information from me. I know there is someone out there who is sent to spy on me but I also know that Nathan has everything in control, he has promised I will never doubt his words for a moment.

“Let’s add more fun to this folks. Time to switch partners!” Nathan announced with a smirk. What is he up to this time?

“Spin your current partner and whoever falls back to you is your new partner…” he is not done with his sentence when someone lands in my arms, and Ava falls back on another guy.

I noticed the slender legs and the black heels first, then the golden dress and her dark curled hair. My chest tightens as the realization hits me, I am holding her in my arms, moving slowly to her beats with her hands in mine and our legs moving in sigh. I beheld her face for the first time. Her face is beholding mine too, I feel her tensed up in my arms. She doesn’t take her face off me either. I notice her nose, pointed from where the mask rests. I move my eyes to her lips taking in every line and she of her mouth. I don't know why I am examining her with my chest rising and falling as we keep moving. But I don't speak and I don't look because she is doing the same. She looks at my face as if it is something foreign, something she has been waiting to see all her life. I wonder if she would have been this bold if my face wasn’t masked.

An unknowing smile left my lips as I drew her closer to me, my right hand on her waistline and my left hand intertwining as we kept moving, slowly and in sign.

“You…” I trailed off.

“It was you. At the bar.” I spoke loud enough for her to hear as there was still a reasonable distance separating our bodies. She doesn’t react to my words. I watch as a mouth falls open and closes without altering a word in response.

“It was my fault, I didn't mean to…” I couldn't complete my sentence before she snapped out of my arms with a sigh, the expression on her face that I could read.

“You should teach her some manners,” she fired back at me before stomping out of the room leaving me stunned and confused about what kind of girl she is. I have never met her before, I know 90 percent of the people at this gala tonight. Who invited her? What is her name? Is she a tech lady?

Andrew was still lost in thought when Nathan tapped his shoulder, he leaned in and whispered in his ears.

“We have been sent the picture of the spy, you need to see it. Come with me.”

****

Nora moves straight to the bar and orders a drink, she is gulping down her third glass when someone whispers to her “I told you.”

It was TRUE, he had his annoying grin spread all over his face as he took a seat facing her.

“You are playing your role so well and I tell you again, you need this anger,” he said, grabbing a glass of drink.

“How?” Nora asked with her brow twisting in curiosity. “Maybe it is time to cut to the chase and go straight to the game agent. I admit that I am an intent and a new employee but if I am going to be carrying out this task then I need to know the target.”

TRUE unbuttons his suit, removes something from his inside pocket, and hands it over to Nora. She takes it and studies it for some seconds before looking back at him.

“Go on! Tap on the ON button, the answer you are looking for is there.”

Nora scrutinizes the small device that looks camera-like again before pressing the button. It doesn't take up to a minute to boost.

The first thing she noticed was the dark curled hair and his clean shave, his grin just like the one she was admiring seconds again. Her hands and legs begin shaking, her heart beats rising and falling in irregular patterns as the device falls out of her hands. She looks up and he is ten feet away from her, staring directly at her direction and his face. This time not with curiosity and a grind as he was doing minutes ago but with a complete expression she can't interpret.

He takes a step toward her, each step slowly and calculating like he is trying to give her the last chance to run or disappear. Nora's heart pumps with each step.