four

Jennifer’s POV

I back away from the bedroom door, my skin crawling with the lingering ghost of Marco's touch from the hallway, and duck into the shared Jack-and-Jill bathroom connecting our rooms, locking both doors with trembling hands. I turn on the sink faucet to full blast, letting the rush of water drown out any chance of him hearing me. My thumb hits the call button, bringing the phone to my ear as Marco picks up on the second ring.

"You have to tell him I left town, Marco," I whisper frantically, leaning over the porcelain sink and pressing my mouth so close to the phone screen that my warm breath fogs the glass. "Tell him I moved to another state. Tell him I died. I don't care. Just make something up."

Marco's voice comes back through the receiver, slick with sweat and uncharacteristic genuine fear. "Are you out of your mind, Jane? The man brought 2 brick walls in tailored suits to my back office. He offered enough cash to cover 6 months of club rent just for 30 minutes alone with you tonight. If you're not in the VIP room by midnight, I am giving him your home address from your employee files."

At this moment, I know for sure Marco is not joking, as he will do anything to make sure I get there and do what is needed.

"Come on, Marco, you know I can't. You see how dangerous it is. I cannot do this," I panic.

But all Marco does from the other end of the phone is groan like he is also in a tight spot.

"I also need this. Do you know how hard the club has been? I am working so hard to pay you guys your minimum wage, and we don't have many customers despite how important our club is. And if you don't do what Marcus wants, I'm scared he's going to shut me down, and I cannot take that risk," he says.

And I become even more confused about what to do. Oh my God. Just then I realize a mistake in Marco's threats. He clearly claimed he is going to give them my address to come to my place, but it all makes sense now. I am no longer there. I have actually moved in with David's family, which means he won't see me there.

"Fine, just to prove to you how much I don't want to see him," I begin confidently. "I will make sure he doesn't find me. Give him my address; let him search all he wants. I will not see him. I don't want that," I say and end the call.

Even though I am so frightened, I still cannot do anything. How can he actually do something like that? What exactly is wrong with Marcus? What does he want from me?

I cling to my phone tightly, unable to leave the bathroom as I am too scared of bumping into him again and maybe him figuring out that I am the masked girl. Does he want to kill me, or leak my secrets out? I wonder, still pacing back and forth.

Just then, another text beeps. I quickly check to see it is another one from Marco:

'Return tonight for another private set, or I will give Marcus your real address and emergency contact info from your employment file. And I know you think you are smart because you've moved. I know where you live now. I will give him that too. I always make sure to know where my employees stay in case of any problem.'

While reading it in my mind, I feel like I am getting more and more triggered to just scream in frustration. No! Oh my God! Oh my God!

"I don't have a choice but to go," I stutter, my shoulders dropping in disappointment.

I can't hide from it anymore. I cannot run from the fact that I have to do this no matter what. I can't escape it.

I slip back to my room unnoticed and can't even get a single second of rest. My mind is filled with thoughts and possible solutions to escape the situation. But more than anything, I want to know why exactly Marcus is so hell-bent on spending such an amount just to see a masked lady. I didn't even do anything to him. Or did I step on his toes? So many thoughts run through my mind, and then the knock on the door brings me back to reality.

"Yes?" I stutter. "Come in."

The door creaks open and my mom's head pokes in with a smile on her face. She seems so happy living in the mansion now and having to never worry about money anymore. If I were in her shoes, I would also be glad.

"Mom, what's wrong?" I question.

"Come downstairs, okay? David is hosting a formal welcome dinner for me and you, and you have to come down now," she adds, then slowly creeps back out.

I stare at the ceiling, wondering how I am going to face Marcus again. On one hand he's looking for me as the masked lady, and on the other hand he's making my life frustrating as a stepbrother. Now I don't even know which one to escape. No matter where I turn, I can't escape from him.

I quickly stand up and go straight to my closet to find the perfect dress. As it is already evening, I step out to the dining area to see only my mom and David have arrived, with the maids all garnishing the table with different dishes. I smile at both of them, and David gives me a light smile.

"You look so perfect. I have such a pretty daughter," he comments.

I nod, not knowing what else to say. Everything still feels awkward, and I cannot feel the connection I am supposed to feel between the two of us.

Just then, Marcus also arrives, dressed impeccably in a suit, instantly giving me a flashback of his look, looking remarkably like the predator from the club's VIP room. I shake the image off my memory and try to be calm, but he notices how I act.

"Okay, everyone is here. Let's eat," David initiates as we all smile and eat, even if it is awkward.

I can only keep playing with my food. Marcus is quick to notice, as he gives a light chuckle.

"Don't you like the food or what? Or are you used to eating maybe roadside food? I don't understand," he teases, getting the attention of David and my mom.

I give both of them an awkward smile and do not bother to look back at Marcus, instead pretending like I am content with my food.

"Don't you speak?" he teases.

I know exactly what he is trying to do: play a psychological game on me.

"Dad," he turns again, "do you know why I love this city so much? It's their nightlife. It's just the best, and you don't know, you might actually meet who you did not expect to meet there," he adds.

At this moment, I cannot hold it anymore. I tense up instantly, the cutlery in my hand shaking from fright. Has he found out already? Oh my God, did Marco actually tell him about it? He slowly places his hand gently on mine to calm me down.

"Why are you always shaking when I say anything?" he whispers.

"It's nothing."

"Anyways, where did you use to work?" he questions.

Immediately I can see my mom about to speak. I turn to her and give her a stare, and instantly she stays quiet, leaving it all up to me.

"I don't like to share every detail with you. You don't like me after all. Why do you want to know everything?" I say, and instantly the dining room goes silent.

I continue eating like I have not said anything, while Marcus can't stop watching me. My hands shake every time he speaks, and I can tell from the smirk on his face every time he does it that he is getting satisfaction from the fact that I am nervous. But what I hope for most is that he has not found out about my secret, because then I will not be able to escape from him.