BEHIND HER MASK

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~Mackenzie~

“I heard the CEO seemed off today,” Amy remarked as the secretaries stepped out of the building.

Rumors about Alexander’s uncertainty had already spread across the company, mostly fueled by the executives who never supported his appointment and were eager to see him fail.

“That’s not true. Mr. Gracias just hasn’t fully settled into the office yet. With time, he’ll adjust,” Mackenzie defended firmly.

As his secretary, it was her duty to stand up for him, whether he was right or wrong. After all, her boss’s success was a reflection of her own competence.

“Or maybe someone just isn’t doing a good job assisting him,” Tonia said, her voice dripping with jealousy and sarcasm. “Why don’t you admit it, so I can take over and handle things properly?”

Mackenzie was about to snap back when Amy caught her hand, stopping her.

Amy turned to Tonia. “We all know who the best secretary here is. Mackenzie has proved it time and again. If she can’t manage it, what makes you think you can do any better?”

The other secretaries nodded in agreement. Mackenzie had won the Best Secretary award several years in a row.

“So you’re trying to say I’m dumb?” Tonia scoffed, anger flashing in her eyes.

“You said that yourself. I never did,” Amy replied with a laugh, prompting the others to burst into laughter as well.

Realizing her attempt to humiliate Mackenzie had backfired, Tonia’s face burned with anger and embarrassment. She pointed a finger at both Amy and Mackenzie. “I’ll let you two off this time,” she hissed before storming off.

“She’s so full of herself. I don’t understand her problem,” Mackenzie muttered.

“She just needs someone to put her in her place and I’m always ready for that,” Amy said with a grin. The group laughed again, agreeing with her.

“Thanks for earlier,” Mackenzie said appreciatively.

“No problem, girl. I’ve got your back.” Amy slung an arm around Mackenzie’s shoulder, and together they walked home, giggling like high school girls.

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Mackenzie pushed open the door to the small apartment she shared with her grandmother and eleven-year-old nephew. The familiar scent of lavender and home-cooked food greeted her instantly, easing some of the day’s weariness.

At the dining table, her Nana sat with a ball of yarn in her lap, carefully crocheting a sweater. Ever since injuring her back years ago, the old woman rarely left her chair, yet her hands never seemed to rest.

“Hi, Nana,” Mackenzie said softly, tossing her bag onto the couch before stretching with a tired groan.

“Kenzie, child. You’re home so soon?” Nana’s eyes brightened with a smile.

“Yes, Nana.” Mackenzie crossed the room, took her grandmother’s frail hand, and pressed a kiss against it. She brushed her fingers gently through Nana’s thinning hair, smoothing it down with affection.

“You must be hungry. Dinner’s ready,” Nana said, her voice filled with warmth.

“Thank heavens, I’m starving,” Mackenzie exclaimed, her mood instantly lifting. She hurried into the kitchen, her stomach rumbling at the sight of food. She’d barely touched her lunch at work, and now even the steam rising from the pot made her mouth water.

Between hurried bites, she asked, “By the way, where’s Eric?” The apartment was unusually quiet without her nephew darting about, causing his usual mischief.

“I told you not to speak while eating,” Nana scolded gently, her brows knitting.

Mackenzie swallowed quickly and winced. “Sorry, Nana.”

“He’s in his room sulking,” Nana explained with a sigh. “I refused to buy him that new video game he wanted.”

Mackenzie shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips. Eric’s obsession with games was nothing new. “Don’t worry, Nana. I’ll have a word with him,” she promised.

She stacked her empty plate in the sink and wiped her hands on a towel. The apartment was quiet, except for the muffled sound of gunfire and shouts coming from her nephew’s room. She sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face before heading down the short hallway.

She tapped lightly on his door, but didn’t wait for an answer before pushing it open. “Hey, champ,” she said, trying to sound casual.

Eric was perched on the edge of his bed, eyes glued to the glowing screen in front of him, fingers moving rapidly across the controller. “Uh-huh,” he muttered, not looking up.

Mackenzie leaned against the doorway, arms folded. “How was school today?”

“Fine.” He mumbled

She stepped farther into the room, her eyes softening. “You know, you don’t always have to sit in here alone. We could watch a movie or...”

He paused the game suddenly, finally turning toward her. His expression was flat, guarded. “You don’t really want to talk, Kenzie. You’re just here to scold me because you promised Nana you would.”

The accusation sting. Mackenzie’s jaw tightened, and she felt her patience snap. “Is that really what you think? That I just come in here to nag you? You think everything is about you and what you want.” Her voice rise despite herself. “You never stop to think about how we feel, about how worried Nana gets, or how hard I try to keep things together for all of us.”

He flinched, the controller slipping a little in his hand. Mackenzie’s chest heaved, her anger spilling out faster than she could reel it back. “You’re not the only one living in this house. It’s not just about you.”

Silence filled the room, broken only by the faint hum of the paused game. She looked at his wide eyes and clenched fists, she run her fingers on her hair, swallowing down the guilt already creeping into her throat.

“Oh, here we go again,” Eric scoffed, rolling his eyes. “You keep reminding how you push so hard to hold this family together, but when does it ever end?” He was clearly fed up with her nagging.

His words stung, and Kenzie snapped back, unable to contain her anger. “How dare you....”

“Enough, both of you!” Nana’s voice cut through from the doorway.

She glared at them with disappointment. “Shame on you both, especially you, Kenzie. Arguing with your own nephew? What kind of example are you setting?”

“He started it!” Kenzie tried to defend herself.

“Stop. You’re both going to apologize. Eric, you first,” Nana ordered firmly.

“I'm Sorry,” Eric muttered half-heartedly before grabbing his hoodie and storming out, slamming the door behind him.

“really,” Kenzie rolled her eyes at his attitude.

“Kenzie, I told you to talk to him, not fight with him,” Nana scolded, her expression heavy with disappointment.

“He never listens! What do you expect me to do?” Kenzie groaned in frustration.

Just then, her watch beeped, reminding her of her next shift at the club. She walk out of the room to grabbed her things.

“Where are you going?” Nana asked, noticing her heading for the door.

“My part-time job,” Kenzie replied shortly.

“I thought you quit,” Nana said with surprise.

“Not now, Nana,” Kenzie snapped, slamming the door behind her. The echo rattled through the house.