Beneath the Mask

A narrow escape

Sophie’s POV

As I returned to my desk, my mind was an absolute mess. The thought of James, the CEO of Blackwood Enterprises, being in love with me was enough to make my stomach churn.

No, Sophie. Stop being ridiculous. He’s not in love with you—he’s in love with Clara, I reminded myself, even though the thought didn’t make me feel any better. I slumped into my chair, flicked on my computer, and stared blankly at the screen, my thoughts spiraling.

Then again, what if it wasn’t Clara? What if it was someone else? My logical side chimed in, trying to reason with me. Either way, it didn’t make sense.

James’s expression earlier—it was different. I’d never seen him so... vulnerable. He looked like someone carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and for reasons I couldn’t explain, it affected me deeply. I wanted to help him, to comfort him, but why? Was it just guilt over my double life, or was it something more?

I found myself drifting back to the last time I was with him as Clara. It had been one of my private performances, and I’d been accompanied by a billionaire exec who wouldn’t stop flirting with me. He’d tried to offer double the money James had paid for the concert, thinking his charm would win me over. I had to laugh at his jokes and stay polite—it was all part of the act. After all, he wasn’t asking to see beneath the mask, and that was the way I liked it.

Before I could think further, Isabella’s sharp voice cut through my haze.

“Sophie! What was that?” she snapped. “I saw you leaving James’s office. He specifically said he wasn’t to be disturbed. And why are you just sitting here, staring at a blank screen like a total i***t?”

I blinked, realizing my computer hadn’t even loaded properly. My hands hovered over the keyboard as if I could fake productivity, but it was useless.

“I thought I heard something breaking in his office,” I said quickly, trying to keep my voice calm. “I went in to check, but he told me to leave.”

“And he didn’t say anything else?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. “No, ma’am,” I replied, meeting her gaze.

“Good,” she said coldly. “You’d do well to remember your place, Sophie. If James wanted someone to step in, it wouldn’t be you.”

I didn’t even have a chance to respond before Elsie appeared, her face tight with urgency.

“Sophie, the boss wants to see you. Now.”

I froze. “Me? Are you sure?”

“Yes, you. Go. Quickly,” Elsie replied before disappearing back into the hallway.

Isabella’s face twisted in confusion, then disgust. I didn’t have time to process her reaction—or the way my heart started pounding at the mention of James. I grabbed my notebook and hurried to his office.

When I entered, James was leaning casually against the edge of his desk, one leg crossed over the other. His expression was unreadable, though his eyes flickered with something—relief, maybe—when he saw me.

“Sophie,” he said finally, his voice low. “You’re attending a private music concert with me tonight. It’s for official purposes, but... look nice.”

The words hit me like a ton of bricks. A music concert? My heart stopped. Did he know? Had he figured out that I was Clara?

I stared at him, wide-eyed, trying to come up with an excuse or explanation. Before I could speak, James’s tone turned sharper.

“Be ready,” he repeated, his voice more commanding this time. “That’s all. You’re dismissed.”

I nodded mutely and hurried out of his office, my face flushed. My thoughts were a whirlwind of panic. How could I be Sophie and Clara at the same event? I needed to call Fiona.

As I reached the elevator, Isabella’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Sophie, are you hiding something?” she asked, her tone accusing.

I turned to face her, my breath catching in my throat.

“Because if I find out you are,” she continued, her eyes narrowing dangerously, “you’ll be out of here faster than you can blink.”

She smirked and walked off, leaving me rooted to the spot. My heart felt like it was going to burst. Between James’s unexpected request and Isabella’s constant threats, I was overwhelmed. And just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, Richard—my obsessed ex—flashed through my mind. His voice, his threats...

I clutched my chest as the panic set in. My breathing grew shallow, and my vision blurred. I leaned against the elevator for support, gasping for air.

The elevator doors opened, and I saw James step inside, followed by Isabella. Seeing them together only made things worse. My knees buckled, and I couldn’t stay upright any longer.

“Sophie!” James’s voice was filled with concern as he caught me before I hit the ground.

I tried to speak, but I couldn’t get the words out.

“She’s having a panic attack,” James said urgently. “Isabella, call for help.”

A few coworkers rushed over, taking me from James and helping me into a chair. Someone handed me a glass of water, but my hands were trembling too much to hold it steady.

James stood nearby, watching me closely. His expression was unreadable again, but there was something softer in his eyes.

After a moment, he spoke. “Sophie, go home and rest. Isabella, you’re coming with me to the concert tonight. It’s for official purposes, but dress appropriately.”

With that, he turned and walked away, Isabella trailing behind him with a triumphant grin.

I took a shaky breath, the tension in the air still lingering. At least I wouldn’t have to face the impossible task of being both Sophie and Clara tonight. But the thought of Isabella being with James all evening made my chest tighten for a completely different reason.

Outside, I waited for the cab Elsie had called for me. Just as I was starting to feel calmer, Isabella appeared again, her smug expression firmly in place.

“Sophie, can I take your cab? I need to shop for tonight’s concert with James,” she said, her tone saccharine.

“I’m sorry, but I really need it,” I replied, keeping my voice steady.

“Oh, stop pretending,” she snapped, her mask of sweetness slipping. “Whatever game you’re trying to play by fainting into James’s arms—it’s pathetic. Let me make one thing clear: nobody can ever come between James and me. Stay in your lane, not even a little nobody like you.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, my cab arrived. Isabella climbed in without even sparing me a glance and sped off.

I exhaled heavily, watching her disappear down the street. At least now I had one less thing to worry about. But tonight... tonight would be important.

If I couldn’t say the words I wanted to as Sophie, then maybe, just maybe, my singing as Clara could show James how I truly felt.

Or so I told myself.

No, Sophie. Focus. It’s just about the money. Nothing more.

My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was the driver of the next cab I’d called. “Sophie of Blackwood Enterprises?”

“Yes, that’s me,” I replied, my voice soft.

“I’ll be there in a minute,” he said before hanging up.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Of course, I was just Sophie. Just an ordinary employee. Nothing more.