BEHIND THE MASK

Chapter Two- An Unexpected Assignment

The next morning, Aria arrived at work early. She had just sat down when one of her colleagues came to her desk.

“Victoria wants to see you.”

Aria looked up. “Did she say why?”

“No. She just asked me to call you.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Aria saved her work and headed to Victoria's office. She wondered what the meeting was about, but she couldn't think of anything she had done wrong.

When she entered, Victoria looked up from her desk.

“Come in, Aria. Have a seat.”

“Good morning, ma'am.”

“Good morning. I have something to discuss with you.”

Aria sat down and waited.

“Tomorrow evening, the Blackwood Foundation will hold its annual masquerade gala. Hartwell Publishing has been invited, and I want you to represent the company.”

Aria was surprised.

“Me, ma'am?”

“Yes, you. Is there a problem?”

“No, ma'am. I'm just surprised. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.”

Victoria nodded.

“I chose you because I trust you to do your job well. But I need you to take this seriously. Many important people will be there, including business owners and investors.”

“I understand.”

“I want you to be polite and careful with your words. Listen more than you speak, and don't make promises on behalf of the company. If anyone asks you something you don't know, just say so. You don't have to pretend to know everything.”

Aria nodded as she listened.

“You may get the chance to meet people who could be useful to us,” Victoria continued. “If you do, make a good impression. But don't force a conversation just because someone is important.”

“Alright, ma'am.”

“You'll also meet members of the Blackwood family. They are the hosts, so be respectful. And remember, my father, Hartwell, will be there too.”

Aria had heard of the Blackwood family many times, but she didn't know much about them.

“Is there anything specific you want me to do at the event?” she asked.

“Just represent us well. Pay attention to the people you meet and the conversations you have. You don't need to impress everyone. Just do your best.”

“I will, ma'am.”

“Good. And make sure you dress properly for the occasion. The event is tomorrow evening, so you don't have much time.”

Aria smiled. “I'll be ready.”

“Alright. You can go back to work now.”

“Thank you, ma'am.”

Aria returned to her desk, still surprised by the news.

She had never imagined that Victoria would choose her for something like this. It was a big opportunity, and she wanted to do well.

She opened her notebook and wrote down a few things she needed to remember. Then she returned to work, although she kept thinking about the gala.

By lunchtime, she decided to tell Mia.

Mia had barely reached her desk when Aria called her.

“Mia, guess what?”

Mia pulled out a chair and sat down. “What happened? You look excited.”

“Victoria has chosen me to represent the company at the Blackwood Foundation's masquerade gala tomorrow.”

Mia stared at her.

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“The Blackwood Foundation gala?”

“Yes, Mia!”

Mia grabbed her arm. “Why are you telling me this now? Do you know how much we have to do?”

Aria laughed. “I only found out this morning!”

Mia let go of her arm and looked her up and down.

“First of all, what are you going to wear?”

“I haven't decided yet.”

Mia covered her face with one hand.

“Aria, please tell me you're joking.”

“What? I have dresses.”

“I'm sure you do, but this is a gala. You can't just pick the first dress you see and leave the house.”

Aria laughed. “What's wrong with my dresses?”

“Nothing is wrong with them. But we need to find the right one.”

“We?”

“Yes, we. After work, I'm coming to your place. We're going through your wardrobe, and we're finding you something beautiful.”

“You really don't have to do all that.”

“I know. But if I leave you alone, you'll probably choose something in five minutes and call it a day.”

Aria tried not to laugh, but she couldn't help it.

“Fine. Come over after work.”

“Good. And don't start choosing anything before I get there!”

Mia stood up and picked up her bag.

“I have work to do, but we are not forgetting this. Tomorrow evening, you're going to that gala looking your best.”

“Alright, fashion expert.”

“That's more like it!”

Mia walked away, leaving Aria smiling at her desk.

For the first time that morning, she felt less nervous about the event. At least she wouldn't have to figure everything out alone.

---

That evening, Aria was at home when someone knocked on her door.

She opened it and found Mia standing there with a large bag.

“Finally!” Mia said as she walked inside.

Aria closed the door. “I've been home for barely thirty minutes.”

“And that's thirty minutes you could have used to prepare.”

“Prepare what? You haven't even arrived.”

“Exactly. That's why I'm here.”

Mia dropped her bag on the couch and began taking things out. Aria saw a few magazines and some accessories.

She looked at her friend in surprise.

“You brought all that for one dress?”

“It's not just one dress. We need the whole look.”

Aria laughed. “You're taking this more seriously than I am.”

“Someone has to.”

Mia pointed towards the bedroom.

“Now, go and bring out your dresses.”

Aria returned with several dresses and laid them on the couch. Mia started looking through them.

She picked up the first one and shook her head.

“No.”

Aria frowned. “Why?”

“It's too simple.”

“It's a nice dress.”

“Yes, for a normal outing. But we're talking about a masquerade gala.”

Mia picked up another dress.

“This one is better, but I'm not sure about the colour.”

Aria sighed. “You're going to reject all of them, aren't you?”

“No. I'm going to find the right one.”

“And what exactly is the right one?”

Mia looked at her.

“Something beautiful. Something that makes you feel confident when you wear it.”

Aria folded her arms. “You could have just said that from the beginning.”

“Where's the fun in that?”

They both laughed.

Mia continued checking the dresses. She asked Aria about her shoes, looked through her accessories, and complained when she discovered that Aria didn't have many options.

“How do you have so many books but so few accessories?” she asked.

“Because I spend my money on things I need.”

“And you don't need earrings?”

“I have earrings.”

“Two pairs, Aria. Two!”

Aria burst out laughing.

Mia shook her head as if she had been deeply disappointed.

“I don't know how you survive without me.”

“Honestly, I don't know either.”

They spent the next hour trying different dresses and matching them with shoes and accessories. Every time Aria thought they had found something suitable, Mia would suggest another option.

At one point, Aria sat down on the bed.

“I'm tired. Can we please choose something?”

Mia turned to look at her.

“Are you giving up already?”

“No. I'm just asking for a break.”

“Fine. Five minutes.”

“Ten.”

“Seven.”

Aria laughed. “You're impossible.”

“And you're welcome.”

Mia sat beside her, and for a few minutes, they talked about other things. Aria told her how nervous she had felt when Victoria gave her the assignment.

“What if I say the wrong thing?” Aria asked.

“Then you learn from it. It's not the end of the world.”

“What if I don't know what to say to these people?”

“Then listen. You don't have to talk all the time.”

Aria looked at her.

“You make it sound easy.”

“It's not always easy. But you can do it.”

Mia gave her shoulder a gentle push.

“Besides, Victoria wouldn't have chosen you if she didn't think you could handle it.”

Aria smiled. “I hope you're right.”

“I am. Now, get up. We still have work to do.”

Aria groaned, and Mia laughed.

They returned to the dresses and finally agreed on a look for the following evening. Mia helped Aria decide which shoes and accessories would go with it.

When they finished, Mia stood back to look at their choices.

“There. That's much better.”

Aria looked at everything they had picked.

“You really think this will work?”

“Yes. And if you change your mind tomorrow, I will personally come here and remind you of all the time we spent doing this.”

Aria laughed. “I won't change my mind.”

“Good.”

Mia packed the things they weren't using and prepared to leave.

At the door, she turned around.

“Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow is a big day.”

“I will.”

“And please don't spend the whole night worrying about the gala.”

“I'll try.”

“No, Aria. Promise me.”

Aria smiled. “I promise.”

“Good. I'll see you tomorrow.”

After Mia left, Aria returned to the sitting room and looked at the clothes they had chosen.

She was still nervous about the event, but at least she was beginning to feel ready.

Tomorrow evening, she would attend the Blackwood Foundation's masquerade gala on behalf of Hartwell Publishing.

She didn't know what to expect, but she was willing to try.

For now, that was enough.