Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Inside the dimly lit bar, Tiana had drowned herself in alcohol to the point of staggering inebriation. Her mood hadn’t been sour at first.

But after two phone calls both ended in arguments, it was clear that Gunner was on the other line.

Clinging to her friend, Tiana vented, “That jerk! He’s asked for my hand in marriage, and yet he says he’s in Grace City closing deals when I ask him to pick me up. He’s paying less and less attention to me. Is he really that busy?”

Whitney flicked through her phone to catch up on Stella’s latest news.

Turns out, Stella was filming in Grace City. What kind of ‘deals‘ would he be closing at this hour? Whitney’s face hardened as she looked at Tiana’s dejected expression. Her heart was aching with a mix of pity for Tiana and loathing for that unfaithful pair.

But how to bring it up? How could she minimize the damage for Tiana?

“Whitney, let’s go get a room and have some fun!” Tiana hollered, clearly gone off the deep end. Whitney steadied her.

The bar was a scene of drunken collapses, but there was one sober college guy called Cooper that Whitney barely knew. He mentioned he had returned from studying abroad and ran a diamond import business. Whitney’s eyes gleamed – they were in the same line of work. Skye Gem Ltd. covered everything from jewelry design to production.

“Whitney, perhaps we’ll cooperate in business someday,” Cooper said, handing her his business card with an impressed look.

Whitney took the card with a smile, struggling to support Tiana. Cooper offered a hand to help.

Suddenly, an icy pressure descended upon them.

“Oh, getting a room? Planning a threesome?” came a familiar, mocking voice tinged with chill.

Whitney’s head snapped up to see her husband, shock written across her face.

Then it hit her – what did he just imply with that comment? Feeling awkward when she glanced at Cooper, she asked with a semblance of calm, “What are you doing here?”

–

Oh, the tone of her voice as if he didn’t have the right to show up?

Ludwik’s aura turned even colder.

was clearly outclassed by the newcomer’s presence. He offered a nervous smile and asked

too quick to let the man

face became icy, “Whitney, do you need to be

immediately clammed up, though she felt

suggested to the college guy, “It’s getting

Cooper excused

room fell into an

I’m totally

sighed internally, wishing her friend would

12:00

toward turk, who coldly sidestepped her and let her

but before she could help Tiana up, Ludwik’s arm snaked around her waist. His gaze was dark and teasing. “My kind? What’s that supposed to mean? Enlighten

his intense gaze. Whitney felt uncomfortable, “How would I know what kind you are? She’s

very well he

so proud of? She pushed

out on the

at a loss, Whitney looked to Ludwik and muttered reluctantly, “Since you’re here, give me a hand,

I look like a laborer to you?” he

for your help Whitney batted her eyes, tugging at his

she knew

a subtle roll of his eyes, Ludwik loosened his

Ludwik held her at arm’s length,

a suite upstairs. Tiana kept saying she wanted to sleep,” Whitney said,

irritated Whitney, who complained to the assistant, “is your boss always this fastidious? Would holding

generally doesn’t like

smile, “Except for you, young

at the thought, but dismissed it at once.

a damp cloth to wash her face, only to have Ludwik

That’s for cleaning

get her another? Am I less important than her?” his dissatisfaction

Her gaze lingered on his long flawless hands. It was said