Beneath The Mask: Loving Mister Conti

Anna “You'll be fine, Grandma. I promise you. My job pays me well and don't forget I am starting my new position at the headquarters in New York today.” I smile as my lips twist, the thought of having Grandma worry about Grandpa's heart failure makes me feel useless anytime I think about it. Growing up, my grandparents took care of me when my mother left after her failed relationship with father. Dad never married her and to be honest, I don't blame him for his decisions— she's the real devil. She blames me for her failed relationships afterward. Occasionally, the dimly lit apartment reeked of alcohol with terrible-looking men who mother would rather call her boyfriends. I cleaned up their mess and not only that, I became a mom at a young age to my baby sister, who later grew up to be a brat that would rather see me cry than have a nice life. Mother favors Ella over me— I guess that's why she took her with her and left me with Grandma. I sigh heavily, my chest won't stop heaving. If I don't make an impression at the meeting, I won't ever get the promotion I long for and Grandpa's heart transplant depends on it. Big position— huge income. “Anna, I don't want you stressing about things you can't control. I will take what life has to offer me, but know this, we are more than proud of you, my dear child! You should be out there living your best life. You deserve it.” “Nana!” I snap, my eyes almost popping out. “Never say that again.” “I–” Nana cuts in, but I let out a loud growl across the speaker and she sighs. “I love you, dear!” Her voice drops low, and I can feel the pain in her heart. “Love you more, wish me luck, Nana.” My eyes lit up even though my jaw clench as I end the call. I look deeply at my reflection in the mirror, the shabby walls covering my room feels like a nightmare, they are a constant reminder of my miserable life. “Is this the best New York has to offer?!” I whine even though I am the problem here. I am broke— my job is a mess, I can hardly feed myself with the little I earn and today, the f*****g board wants me in their headquarters. I have no idea what the manager said to them that made this day possible. That bastard never gave me the raise I deserved. Thud! “s**t!” I scream at the top of my lungs when the wooden door beside me cracks, almost collapsing on me. “This is ridiculous! Damn you, poverty! You hear me?!” I yell, running out the door, making my way to the office. “I am late, not today, Anna! You need this job….” AN HOUR LATER “Hey, girl!” “Now is not the time, Emma. I have to get to the office.” “Relax!” Emma sighs over the phone, “Today is your big day. I am so happy for you.” “Yeah! Whatever! I have to go. Bye!!!” “We are here, miss,” the driver announces from his seat. All this while, I look like a mess, and he would occasionally take a glance at me as I try to make some magic on my face. The damn apartment gave me no such opportunity— not with that leaking roof and those nasty walls that makes my skin crawl. “Goodness!” I slip out of the taxi in a hurry, tossing some cash to the driver, but he growls. “Hey! You should show some manners,” he yells but I wave at him from a distance and adjust my dress at the entrance of the building. “Here you go, Anna!” I sigh deeply, plastering the brightest smile on my face. “You look perfect!” I raise my gaze to the glass towers, their magnificent mirrors swallowing the early morning sky. My legs instantly start to shake like jelly— This is huge! With my hands holding onto my briefcase, I feel insufficient and undeserving being here— Almond's corporation. This is it— The center of ambition. People stream past me, heels clicking on the marble floor, badges flickering on their chests like some kind of medal. No one paid me any attention. I feel small– I mumble faintly and take a deep breath as I make my way to the reception hall. The giant screen flickers in my eyes as I make my way to the stand, Project launches echoing in the air, employees everywhere. I gulp down my saliva nervously— This is bigger than I imagined. It's such a shame I am only here to assist with the ongoing project. I approach the reception desk, beads of sweat forming on my forehead. Her brown eyes cast on me through those black glasses. “Transferred?” “Yes.” “Name?” She asks with a disdainful tone and my belly knots at her audacity. “Anna–” I say reluctantly, and she shoots me the most deadly glare ever. “You can't talk?!” She snaps, flipping through the employees list. “You know what, just take a seat and make sure you don't touch anything. You look like filth,” she scoffs, adjusting her glasses as she scrolls for the name Anna. I stand right in front of her, I can't make any mistakes. What if I go back, and she never attends to me? I have heard so many stories about receptionists like her— bad bitches, all of them! “And why are you still there?” She shoots me a cold glare and I swallow. “Whatever! Your name is Anna, right?” “Anna Rossell–” I cut in with a giant smile. She instantly pauses, her jaw dropping as she adjusts her glasses on the list before her. She takes a good look at me and I take a step back. My eyes flicker at the list from afar, and it appears that no one else bears the name, Anna Rossell except me. Am I in trouble?! I wonder. Her smile curls up instantly, and she stands, bowing slightly before me. “Miss Rossell! Welcome!” Huh! What just happened? “Are you okay?” I ask. “Your office has already been prepared. It’s located in the southeast corner— I hope you’ll like it.” My eyes widen in disbelief at her sudden switch. I hold onto my briefcase like my life depends on it and try to make sense out of the situation. She quickly runs towards me, snatching my briefcase from my hand as she makes her way to the elevator with a smile on her face. “I'll lead the way,” she declares. * I haven't been this nervous for the longest time. I spin around my office, my face almost going pale because how on earth did I end up in such luxury?! There must be a mistake somewhere. Ring! “You have to help me, Emma,” I say. My anxiety is almost reaching its peak. “You don't like your new job?” “I have my own office, babe. Something is wrong and I can feel it.” “Relax! Maybe the company finally acknowledges your expertise. I mean, you're the best at what you do.” “I can feel it, girl!” I bite my lips and stop at the door when my cellphone buzzes. “I will call you later. It's lunch break. I heard they have the best chef here, and it's all on the company. I can't afford to miss that. I have been starving for days now….” “Call me when you're done, okay?” Every turn I make, I get the most charming smile from employees. Awkwardness runs down my spine as I make my way to an empty table by the side. I lay my gaze low, stylishly eating from my plate just to fit in. Core whispers fill the air, causing a reason to panic within me. All eyes are on me and I can see their lips moving— the sound of my name echoing in the hall like a silent whisper. Slowly, I take the courage to walk away, but something stops me. I hear them– loud and clear. “Have you heard? That’s Rossell’s niece, Anna Rossell…” “Huh?!” I gasp. “Oh my god, that Rossell family? The family of Mark Rossell, the founder?” “Keep your voice down! I heard she’s here to gain experience at the grassroots level, and she’ll soon enter management…” Who the hell is Mark Rossell? I wonder. I quietly slip inside the restroom, escaping the hell out there. I gently splash some water on my face, running my fingers through my hair as I let out a deep sigh of relief. “Mark Rossell?!” I whisper. In a heartbeat, I slip out my cellphone, the constant buzzing erupting in my ears, but I pay no attention to it. I quickly type the name ‘Mark Rossell’ and my eyes widen at the search result. “No f*****g way!” I snap, swallowing so deeply that I can feel my stomach rumble slightly. “Could this be the reason for the special treatment? No way! I have to put an end to this before it gets messy.” I dip my cellphone inside my pocket, taking a step forward, but something in me holds me back. Grandpa. What if I keep this up just to get what I want and disappear afterward?! My head spins as tons of ideas run through my mind. Think about it, Anna. You owe your grandparents a good life. This can be the breakthrough you've been searching for all your life. Mark Rossell — one of the three founders of the group — a name of great influence in the business world. The Rossell family had never appeared publicly, making them the most mysterious of all. An absurd yet shocking misunderstanding that can change my life— simply because of my last name! * A WEEK LATER The conference room went dead silent the moment the door shut. No one dares to speak. Not even the senior managers in charge of the project. The screen at the front flickering across the room as if the project itself is halfway planned. I slip out my pen, thinking to myself what has possibly gone wrong. A low murmur echoes through the room, causing a chill in the air. Everyone suddenly turns to the door at the far end. A strange figure and his team steps in. No announcement — just a quiet presence yet commanding and thrilling. His well-tailored suit shimmering across the room, his eyes thrilling, like it was calling for me. I rub the back of my head, looking slightly away from the man. His team's face remains indifferent— more like professionals. “Who is he?” I whisper, not wanting to be heard, but there was a catch. My manager briefly smiles at me. “That's Patrick Conti— The acting CEO of Conti Corporation and our company's partner on this project.” “Wait! What?!” I half yell. That's the most talked about empire in the country.