Chapter 2 (Behind closed doors)

Morgan sat behind her desk, her eyes fixed on the documents spread across the table as she worked.

Slowly the door creaked open, and a girl dressed in a chiffon top and black skirt stepped inside. She quietly closed the door behind her and faced Morgan.

"Boss, I came to report the low sales." The girl said .

Morgan slowly lifted her head and looked at her, her fair skin glowing beneath the bright white lights of the room.

" Is that supposed to be my business?" Morgan thundered, causing the girl to flinch. " Why else am I paying you fools if you can't do something about the company?"

The girl's face went pale, she instantly regretted coming to report the issue to her boss. But if she didn't report it, who else would? And that would cost her her job.

" Morgy Wears didn't become successful because people sat around complaining about problems. You are being paid to solve them." Morgan said, her expression hardening.

"Yes ma'am."

" Then solve it." The girl nodded quickly and turned toward the door. She hurried out, quietly shutting the door behind her. Morgan picked up her phone and glanced at the time, she had more important things to worry about.

Shayla finished the last bite of the croissant and wiped her fingers on a napkin. The cafe had grown quieter, only a few customers left nursing their drinks.

"You sure you don't want me to walk you home? You look exhausted." Tessa asked.

Shayla shook her head. " I will be fine. You should head back before it gets too late." Tessa hesitated, then sighed. " Alright. But text me when you get in." She pulled Shayla into a quick, tight hug. " And ignore those people, okay? They are just miserable."

Shayla nodded, her throat tighten. " Thanks Tessa."

Tessa nodded in response and left the cafe. She waited till all customers left the cafe before she cleaned the last tables, switched off the lights, and locked the cafe door. The night air felt colder than before as she started walking home, the mask still pressing against her face.

By the time she reached the Wilson Mansion, her feet were aching. She needed to get to her room to rest. She did not want to face her step mum and father.

Before she could reach the entrance, a black Camry suddenly pulled over. Shayla paused.

The driver's door opened, and Morgan stepped down. Morgan's eyes immediately narrowed, disgust flashing across her face while Shayla gave her a neutral look. Neither of them spoke, Morgan let out a scoff then headed inside while Shayla followed behind her.

In the living room sat Alice and Mr Wilson her father. They both sat side by side on the luxury chair, the television casting soft glow on their faces. Shayla immediately slowed down and let out a frustrated sigh. Great! Of all things she wanted after the exhausting day she had, facing her step mum and Dad was definitely not one of them. All she wanted to do was to go upstairs, lock herself in her room and have some peace, but apparently, peace was too much to ask for.

Morgan walked past her without hesitation.

"Good evening mum, Good evening Dad." She went straight to Alice and wrapped her arms around her, planting a kiss on her cheek before turning to her father and doing the same.

Shayla remained standing a few steps away watching them silently.

Mr Wilson's face immediately brightened.

" How was your day, princess?"

"Stressful Dad." Morgan replied with a frown etched on her face as she settled down on the sofa beside Alice.

Alice immediately reached for her hand, the motherly smile not leaving her face one bit.

"Saw you on the television today and you look absolutely beautiful." Alice stated proudly.

Morgan smiled. "Really? " She asked as she kicked her heels off her legs.

"Of course sweetie."

Shayla's expression remained unchanged but something inside her tightened and she looked away. For a brief moment, the living room disappeared and she was a little girl again. She could still remember sitting beside her parents after returning from school and her dad would ask ask her about her day and her mother would listen patiently. Sometimes laughing at the silly things she said. Whenever she was sad, her mother was always there to pull her into a warm embrace and tell her everything would be fine.

Back then, home had felt like home, she had never questioned whether she was loved until her mum died and her father married Alice then Morgan was born. Along the line, her father's attention shifted, the love and care that once belonged to her now seemed to belong entirely to Morgan. Her chest tighten and she pushed down the memory. She wasn't going to stand there and torture herself.

"I'm going upstairs." Her father finally glanced at her.

"Alright." He replied. She was sure Alice and her daughter heard her but they didn't say anything. Of course she was expected nothing from them.

She turned and headed upstairs. Behind her, Morgan's laughter mixed with Alice and her Father's voices. The farther she walked, the more muffled their voices become.

She pushed open ber bedroom door and the first thing she saw was a tiny ball of fur running towards her.

"Tega!" Her face lit up instantly. She crouched down and scooped the puppy into her arms.

Tega barked excitedly, wagging his little tail as he licked her mask.

Shayla burst into laughter and all her burdens vanished. Tega and Tessa her friend was the only things that still brought her joy.

" Ooh, Tega! I've missed you so much." She ruffled his fur, hugging him closer.

Shayla closed the door behind her. Tega followed immediately, still jumping around her legs and barking with pure excitement.

She looked at the small cushions on the floor they were scattered everywhere. A playful frown touched her face.

She crouched down again and scooped the puppy into her arms.

“Such a naughty dog you are,” she said, pouting. “Look what you did to my room.”

Tega only stared up at her with bright, innocent eyes and let out a soft bark “Woof!”

"Really?" She giggled, then gently set him back on the floor. While he trotted around her feet, she picked up the cushions one by one and put the room back in order. The small task felt strangely comforting after the heavy silence downstairs.

Once everything was neat again, she walked over to her vanity table and sat down. For a moment she just stared at her masked reflection in the mirror. Then, slowly, she reached up and pulled the mask off her face.