Behind the Mask

Christ Jefferson; after all, he was one of the wealthiest men in town. His na

eceptionist barely spared me a glance before pointing

expec

oment he saw me, his l

nt? Or did you come here

ed to turn around and walk out. But Ariel's pa

eally sorry for what happened the other day

ir, studying me like a pr

sk for forgiveness. Because that day, you l

ll, hesitant s

e forgiven. You're lucky I'm in a good mood tod

The irony almos

in my hand. "Please, accep

ted. "You ma

you didn't taste i

This is... the best coffee I've ever had. Wow." He set

ha

-both in the office and at home. Don't worry about your

"Can I thin

lmost too charm

ook h

pened. His grip was firm, warm-but oddly

touched it befor

ed away. Just

ir

l had that unr

et and handed him a ca

s. Goo

like that

to the café, m

Jefferson want

ifted. "Employ

sonal as

as answered your prayers, but child, are you sure ab

hand... Ariel's health..." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Yesterday, he co

rm. "Then you must accept the job. Forget the past

't recognize me," Mami added. "Go there, work

.. but I'll do

d. I had vowed to never see that man again. Now

e, I wasn't

de the house, a familiar

Ariel beamed, hu

ft curls. "How w

teacher taught us

tood beside him, listenin

if we always feel weak and tired,

le. "Well, your heart is perfectly fin

is eyes told me he

teaming plates of noodles,

o I met y

ed her fo

t Jeff

oze mid-air

r reaction. "Yes. And

nked. "Yo

e even offer

"Wait-what?! After eve

ly doesn't remember me. But do y

ur hair was black, now it's coffee brown. You wear lenses. And don't

aybe... or maybe he's just te

ed uneasi

rely above a whisper. "We're go

an is dangerous. If you're thinking of

h, Tracy... this isn't just about revenge a

n her spine. "W

fingers tighteni

nd out soo

for the distant ticking of th

feeling that this

e was

game had onl