Behind The Mask (On-Hiatus)

FIRST

FIRST

Today, a lot of investors came asking for a sudden meeting. My employees just called me in a hurry informing me that the investors are asking that my presence is needed. Actually, I can just ignore them since I own the company but I don’t want to trouble my employees too much and also I want to escape my problems in our house even just for a short time.

I traveled quickly from my house to my company. As soon as I stepped inside the building I saw my employees rushing back and forth. They seemed to be too absorbed in their work as they didn’t notice me yet. 

“Madam!” A voice suddenly called out. I turned in the direction of the person who’s calling me and saw my secretary rushing her way in my direction. She looks so stressed. The employees started turning their heads in my direction. They began to bow and greet me. I smiled and greeted them back before turning my gaze back to my secretary.

We started walking, “How’s the situation?” I asked while asking for my working pad. She handed it to me and glanced at her own pad.

“We already gathered the investors in the conference hall. They are all currently waiting for your arrival,” said Becca, smiling proudly yet respectfully.

 I nod my head at her and bid her grateful thanks.

“Madam, would you like to change your mask first?” She asks. I halted for a second and sigh, ‘I almost forgot.’

“Thank you for reminding me Becca, give me my usual working mask,” I said as I picked the mask she is handing to me. 

“You’re very much welcome ma’am,” she said, smiling.

I smiled at her and untied the mask's strings in my face. I handed it to her and wore the mask she gave me. We walked to the conference hall where they gathered the investors. Becca, my secretary, hurriedly opened the door for me. When I stepped in, I felt the heavy tension in the air.

 I secretly sigh and smile. “Good morning ladies and gentlemen,” I said as I walked towards my chair. I saw some unfamiliar and new faces among them. I even heard someone asking why am I wearing a mask. Well, I understand their curiosity since my employees were like that the first time they saw me. The reason I wore my mask is really simple. My company and everything I had built is supposed to be a secret. No one should know about it except for the few people that I trust and know who I am.

Each of them stands up to show their respect. Well not all of them genuinely respect me but it is fine as long as they remain loyal. When I started my business I learned that everyone wears their own mask to conceal their true emotions and desire. Looks like these investors have an objective today as they look so tensed and worked up. 

I sat down in my chair, crossed my legs, and placed my hand on the table. I stared at them who’s still standing.

“You can now sit,” Silence spread in the room, it was filled with tension. “Why did you call me in a hurry?” No one dared to speak up. “Don’t you know that my time and patience are limited?” I said while smiling at them.

I saw some of them flinched. ‘Aha, you must be the one who created the problems.’

“Mr. Lim? He flinched at my call “Y-Yes, M-miss EL?” I stared at him and noticed how tense he is. I smiled at him, I saw how he sighs in relief probably believing that I’m not mad which is true but I have to let them know the consequences for their actions.

“You’re the one who called for this meeting and yet you are not speaking and explaining the reason you called,” I said, smiling.

I saw his face paled and was but to speak when I interrupt him. “Oh well let me guess.” I saw the mixed expressions of the investors. Some of them are genuinely curious and confused, some are tensed, few are relaxed and calm and there are others who are as pale as Mr. Lim.

I nod my head to Becca who’s standing beside the presentation hologram. She understood what I meant and showed a slide. It was the picture of our unreleased products with the same design and features as ours. “One of our hidden designs was posted by Exicu Company. Their sales went up because of this product.” My face grimaced. “Aurora Tishiente, one of our hidden and best products that are supposed to be introduced tomorrow, got stolen by our rival company and even got published today. What do you think?” I saw almost all of them got shocked but some are very noticeable and have a unique expression.

“Mr. Lishun Lim, Ms. Saella Trinidad, and Mr. Benson Monthel. Would you like to explain everything? Or should I do the talking?” They flinched and their faces went paler. “Surprised? Do you think you’ll be able to deceive me? Ah, what should I do with people who I accepted in my company and yet they stole my products, leaked information to others, and gave it to them, should I end them?” I heard the investors whispering with each other and nod as if they’re agreeing with me. 

They’ve always been like this. Humans can easily be swayed by their greed to the point that they can betray others who put their trust in them. Just like how fast our technology is, humans are also very fast to change their allies. I shake my head at them showing my disappointment in their actions. 

I thought of an idea of how to deal with them but of course, I have to ask the other investors for their opinion. We decided it through anonymous votes. After a few minutes, the results of the votes were published. Earlier while we were voting those three tried to escape. Unfortunately, luck didn’t side with them. Also, my company’s security is so strict and tight. 

Becca showed the result to us through the widescreen. Almost all of the investors vote to fire them and jailed them for more than 30 years. I understand why they did vote for extreme punishment. Honestly speaking the product that was stolen is worth 10 Billion per piece. I created it just for fun but it turns out to be expensive. One-fourth of our incomes if we sold those products were supposed to be donated to different charities around the world. 

I nodded and agreed with the punishment the majority chose. The three of them were immediately captured by the Police Hunters association. 

After the commotion of them being captured, I am sure that it will be shown all over the news. I sigh and massage my temple. I placed my hand on the table and scanned the whole room. The tension didn’t disappear but it lessened slightly. I smiled at them “Thank you for attending this unexpected meeting. I also didn’t expect that they themselves would call for this meeting,” I saw them agree and they asked if I have thought of a solution to our problem. I lean back on my swivel chair while pretending to think, I even placed my hand on my chin and with a playful tone, I said, “What should I do? Hmm,” I saw some of them looked so serious and began discussing with each other. I waved my hand calling for their attention. “Don’t worry, I already fixed everything. By this time it should already spread in the news along with the three captured traitors. So after you go home make sure to watch the news, alright?” I dismissed everyone leaving Becca and me alone in the room.

I stood from my chair and decided to head to my office. As usual, every time I passed through my employees they would greet me with a smile so I returned the favor. When I reach the door of my office my phone suddenly rings. I picked it up and saw the caller’s name. My face grimaced a bit but when I noticed some of my employees walking towards me I immediately removed my grimacing expression and replaced it with a calm and smiling face.

‘Smile, Miel, just keep smiling,' I reminded myself several times.

I smiled as I greet back my fellow workers when they greet me, before entering my office.

I glanced at my ringing phone again ‘Bitchy’ I let out a sigh as I pressed the accept button and was about to greet her when she suddenly yelled.

“Hey, stupid b***h! Where the hell are you? Damn you! Didn’t I tell you to make excuses for me?!”

I closed my eyes tightly and turned my office door open, “I’m sorry Mila, a friend called me and said that she wanted to meet up,” I said as I sat in the swivel chair and massaged my neck softly.

“Sorry? What can your sorry do? Mom ground me for a week! Imagine for a one freaking week! What am I supposed to do here?!” I let out another silent sigh because of her complaint.

“I told you, you should lie low. If you just listened to me none of that will happen to y-“I am interrupted by her loud yell again.

“Who are you to lecture me!? Huh?! If you just cover me and lie to mom that I come with you then I won’t be grounded!” She yelled. “Go home right now!”

“But Mila my frie-“

“What the hell! I said go here right now! I don’t care who that friend of yours is. If I tell you to go home, Go home! b***h!” When I hear the beep sound I know that she hung up the phone. I let out another silent sigh and began to fix my things and go home.

I take my coat in the hanging pole and wear it. I then look at the mirror and let a smile out. ‘Smile Miel, you can do it’ I cheered to myself.

I went out of my office and walked towards the elevator, pressed down the underground floor, and went out. When I step my foot out I heard small growls. I turned my head around and found men's shadows behind the post 11 meters away from me. They are in the corner of the parking lot so I thought they would not notice me. However, one person turned his head towards my direction and our eyes met.

I smiled sweetly, making him still in his place. “Please clean your mess after alright?” I walked to my car and opened the door when I noticed that all of them were now looking at me. Stilled in their places and they look as if they do something they feared. I noticed their red flashing eyes and red liquids in their mouths. ‘Disgusting’ is what I thought inside my head.

“Ah, and also can you at least clean your appearance if you leave after cleaning that place?” When I saw them nod unconsciously, I let out another sweet smile and went inside my car. I dialed a number on my spare phone.

“Hey, Rish someone makes a mess again.” I heard her sneer and I can imagine her eyes rolling right now. “Where?”

“Company. Parking lot. Corner.” I said firmly as I steered my car to get out of here.

“All right, I'll send someone to look into it,” She chuckled, as if she was entertained by what I said. We said our goodbyes when I informed her that I am currently driving.

In less than 10 minutes I arrived home. The guard welcomed me as he opens the gate. I decided to park my car in front of our door since someone will get that to park it inside. As soon as I opened the door, I received a hug.

“You b***h! How dare you! This is all your fault!!” Well just kidding it’s a hard slap although it doesn’t hurt that much or am I just immune, I wonder. Kidding aside, I stare at Mila who’s throwing her bratty tantrums.

“Yes, yes I’m sorry Mila,” I said nonchalantly.

I heard footsteps from the stairs. It seems like it was in a hurry.

“Elanor! What are you doing?!” Great, I am the victim but the table suddenly turned? I let a sigh out. I honestly don’t know how many signs I’ve made today. “I’m sorry mom, but I’m so tired. Can I please go in my room now?” I said in a low voice.

“Tired? But you have the guts to hurt my daughter?!” I was slightly confused about what she said but when I turn to Mila she’s crying and there’s a slap mark on her face. “Sorry? You are really a b***h aren’t you?” She yells at me “Mom! Her slap hurts so much!”

“Look what you’ve done to my baby girl! You insolent b***h” Mom shouted as she hardly hit me with her bag. I noticed a few drops of blood in the corner of her bag that hit my head. “Get out of my sight!”

I slightly bow down my head as a bid of goodbye and walk towards my room not bothering about the maids that have watched the scene and looking at me with sympathy. ‘So much for an afternoon drama, huh.’

As soon as I entered my room, I sat on my dresser table and looked straight in the mirror. I closed my eyes and when I open them again the wounds are now gone.

I begin to remove my black wig and brown contact lens revealing my light red-orange platinum hair and golden eye color. Ever since I was young I know that I am different from the human species. My parents both have black hair and brown eyes and so do my siblings. Everyone said that I’m lucky since I was born in a rich family inside the social circle but I know that I am not lucky at all.

No one knows about my real eye and hair color except for mom and dad, although they know that my eyes are green because it was green when I was a kid but it changes in this color when I matured. I suppose that was also one of the reasons why they hate me or should I say they despise and are disgusted with me? Well, I don’t really know.

Both of my siblings have no idea about my eye and hair color but they honestly don’t like me too. Anyway, I don’t care that much now. The thing is there are some things I hid from my family and one of those is that I can use healing. I don’t know how I got this but it doesn’t really bother me that much

I averted my gaze to the mirror and unlocked the drawer of my dresser. I pulled out a small fairy-like statue inside. ‘Mira Elanor, We love you' is the word that is written under the statue.

I hugged the small fairy statue and looked back in the mirror again. Tears are flowing in my eyes and I felt the comfort that I wished for, ever since I was born. Once again I let a smile out and this time it’s a sincere smile.

‘Yes, Miel, smile there’s still someone out there who truly loves and will love you.’

‘It’s too dark, I can’t see anything!’ I tried to look around but all I could see is darkness. I begin to run as fast as I can. ‘I have to escape’ I kept running to find a way out of this darkness but there is no door or anything else that I can use to escape.

I stopped on my track when I heard voices calling my name. ‘Mira’ I tried to look around and as I turned back, my surroundings changed. I can see silhouettes of two people. A man leaning on the woman laying on a bed holding a newborn baby. Somehow, I feel familiar with this scene. ‘What is this? Where am I?’

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If you learn to really sit with loneliness and embrace it for the gift that it is…an opportunity to get to know YOU, to learn how strong you really are, to depend on no one but YOU for your happiness…you will realize that a little loneliness goes a LONG way in creating a richer, deeper, more vibrant and colorful YOU. – Mandy Hale