BEHIND THE MASK

Chapter Three—A Night Of Masks

Aria stood in front of her mirror and looked at herself.

“I'm not sure about this,” she said.

Mia, who was sitting on her bed, looked up. “Not sure about what now?”

“The dress. What if it's too much?”

Mia stood and walked over to her. “Aria, you've asked me this question many times. The dress is fine.”

“But what if people laugh at me?”

“Who will laugh at you? And even if someone does, will that stop you from enjoying yourself?”

Aria said nothing.

Mia turned her gently towards the mirror. “Look at yourself. You look good. Stop worrying.”

Aria looked at her reflection again. Her hair was neatly done, and Mia had helped her choose earrings and shoes that matched her dress. She looked nice, but she still felt nervous.

She had never attended an event like this before. Many of the guests would be rich and well known. She wondered if she would fit in with them.

Mia seemed to understand what she was thinking. “Listen to me. You're going there to represent your company. You don't have to impress anybody. Just be yourself.”

Aria smiled. “Thank you for helping me.”

“Of course. Who else will do it? Your laptop?”

Aria laughed. “I hope you're not jealous of it.”

“Jealous? That laptop gets more attention than I do!”

They both laughed.

Mia picked up a mask from the bed and handed it to Aria. It was simple and pretty, covering the upper part of her face.

“I like it,” Aria said.

“I knew you would.” Mia helped her put it on, then stepped back. “Now you're ready.”

Aria took one last look in the mirror and picked up her bag.

“I hope everything goes well tonight.”

“It will. And call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Mia hugged her before she left. “Go and make me proud!”

Aria laughed as she walked out.

---

The drive to the Blackwood Foundation was quiet. Aria sat in the back seat, looking out of the window. The closer they got, the more nervous she became.

When the car stopped, she looked outside and went quiet.

The building was huge, and lights covered the front. Cars were parked nearby, and guests in beautiful clothes were walking towards the entrance. Some wore simple masks, while others had masks with shiny designs.

Aria took a deep breath. “This is really something,” she whispered.

She paid the driver, stepped out, and adjusted her dress. For a moment, she watched the other guests. Then she remembered Victoria's advice: be polite, listen carefully, and represent the company well.

Aria walked to the entrance. A man in a black suit checked her invitation and let her in.

The hall was beautiful. Soft music played, and lights shone from above. Tables stood around the room with flowers and candles on them. Waiters walked past with trays of drinks and food.

People stood in groups, talking and laughing.

Aria walked slowly into the hall, trying not to look too surprised. Everywhere she looked, there was something new to see. She wondered how she was supposed to talk to these people without making a mistake.

Someone called her name.

“Aria?”

She turned and saw Victoria nearby.

“Good evening, ma'am.”

Victoria smiled. “You look lovely. I'm glad you made it.”

“Thank you, ma'am.”

“Have you eaten anything?”

“Not yet.”

“Then get something to eat before you start talking business. You don't want to spend the whole evening hungry.”

Aria smiled. “I will.”

Victoria looked around the hall. “I need to speak with a few people. Enjoy yourself, but remember why you're here.”

“I will, ma'am.”

“Good. I'll see you later.”

Victoria walked away, and Aria went to a table with food and drinks. She took a small plate and watched the guests while she ate.

Some people seemed to know everyone. They moved from one group to another without any trouble. Others stood quietly and watched the room, just like her.

Aria was about to take another bite when she noticed a man at the far end of the hall.

He was tall and wore a black suit. His mask was dark and simple. He stood with a few men, listening as one of them spoke. People seemed to pay attention when he spoke.

Aria looked away and returned to her food. She had not come there to stare at strangers.

Still, a few minutes later, she looked in his direction again.

This time, he turned his head. Their eyes met for a moment.

Aria quickly looked away.

“Please, behave yourself,” she whispered.

She took a sip of her drink and tried to forget about it.

---

Across the hall, Erik Blackwood was already tired of the event.

He had attended the gala many times, and every year seemed the same. People smiled at him, shook his hand, and spoke as if they had known him for years. Most of them wanted something from him, even when they tried to hide it.

He stood with a few business partners, listening to their conversation.

“Mr. Blackwood, we'd like to discuss the new project with you,” one man said.

Erik nodded. “We can arrange a meeting next week. My office will contact you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The man smiled and walked away.

Erik reached for a glass from a passing waiter. Blake, his personal assistant, appeared beside him.

“You look like you want to leave,” Blake said.

Erik glanced at him. “Do I?”

“You've been looking at the door for ten minutes.”

“Maybe I'm checking the decorations.”

Blake laughed. “Of course you are.”

“Do you need something?” Erik asked.

“No. I just came to see if you were still alive.”

“Very funny.”

Blake looked around the hall. “Your father is looking for you. I saw him near the stairs.”

“I'll find him later.”

Blake followed Erik's gaze across the room. “Who are you looking at?”

“No one.”

“Then why do you keep looking over there?”

Erik gave him a warning look. “Blake.”

“Alright. I'll leave you alone.”

Blake walked away, still smiling.

Erik looked across the room once more. The woman he had noticed earlier was standing near a table. Her mask made it hard to see her face clearly, but she seemed to be looking around and taking everything in. He wondered who she was.

Before he could look again, someone called his name. He turned to answer, and the moment passed.

---

Aria had finished eating when she remembered why she had come. She needed to meet people, learn about the company, and make a good impression.

She put down her plate and walked around the hall. Soon, she found a group of guests talking about business. She waited for a chance to join them.

One of the men noticed her. “Good evening. I don't think we've met.”

Aria smiled. “Good evening. My name is Aria Crown. I work at Hartwell Publishing.”

“Ah, I've heard of the company. Are you here with Victoria Faulks?”

“Yes, sir. I'm representing the company tonight.”

“That's good. How are you finding the event?”

“It's lovely. This is my first time attending.”

“I hope you enjoy yourself.”

“Thank you.”

They spoke for a few more minutes about the company and the event. Aria listened carefully and tried to remember Victoria's advice. When the conversation ended, she thanked the man and moved away.

She felt a little better. Perhaps the night would not be as difficult as she had imagined.

She walked towards the windows at the side of the hall. From there, she could see the lights outside and the cars arriving with more guests. She wished Mia were there. Her friend would have found something funny to say about everything.

Aria smiled at the thought.

Then she heard a voice behind her.

“Are you hiding from the crowd?”

She turned. It was the man she had noticed earlier. He was tall, dressed in black, and wearing a dark mask.

“No,” she said. “I just wanted some quiet.”

He looked towards the busy hall. “I understand. It can get noisy in there.”

“Yes, it can.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then he held out his hand.

“Erik Blackwood.”

Aria looked at his hand before shaking it. “Aria Crown.”

“Nice to meet you, Aria.”

“You too.”

Erik glanced towards the hall. “Is this your first time at the gala?”

Aria nodded. “Yes. I'm here representing Hartwell Publishing.”

“I see.”

Before she could say anything else, someone called his name from across the room.

“Excuse me,” Erik said. “I have to attend to something.”

“Of course.”

He gave her a small nod and walked away.

Aria stayed by the window and continued sipping her drink. She watched the guests moving around the hall for a little while.

After some time, she finished her drink and put the glass down. She adjusted her dress and walked back into the hall.

The night was still young, and she still had a job to do.