Chapter 4

"I don't want to take it off anymore."

Hal's expression darkened, and he switched off the microphone. "What's that supposed to mean? Didn't you agree to it just fine last night?"

He grabbed my wrist, anger already creeping into his voice. "I didn't spend all this time preparing just for you to back out at the last minute."

I looked at him. "And if I insist on keeping it on?"

Hal stared at me for a few seconds, then threatened coldly, "Then the next time you get bullied, don't come running to me. Without me protecting you, you know exactly what Melissa and the others will do to you."

With that, he switched the microphone back on, his gentle smile returning. "Gina, stop messing around. Everyone's waiting for you."

I glanced down at the time.

Seven-forty.

It was about time for my surprise.

"Gina, how much longer are you going to drag this out?"

Melissa walked onto the stage holding up her phone, the camera pointed right at me.

Over a thousand people had already flooded into her live stream, and the comments were all urging me to take off my mask.

"Hal's done so much for you, and you won't even show your face? Or do you know you're so ugly that you're afraid you'll scare him off?"

Laughter rose from the audience.

Hal didn't stop her. He only lowered his voice and warned me, "Don't make me do it myself."

I raised my eyes to his. "Didn't you say you'd like me no matter what I look like?"

"Yes." He answered quickly, but his eyes were full of impatience. "That's exactly why you shouldn't string me along."

Melissa opened the gift box and shoved the mirror into his hand. "Once she's done, make sure she gets a good look at herself."

Someone immediately shouted, "Hal, take it off for her! The betting's about to close!"

Hal ran out of patience. He set down the roses and advanced on me, step by step. "I'm asking you one last time. Are you taking it off yourself, or am I doing it for you?"

I pressed my hand over my mask and backed away.

The laughter in the audience grew louder.

Hal seized my wrist. "Gina, that's enough. Do you really think anyone besides me would ever accept you? I spent three years with you. You should be grateful."

This time, he didn't even bother to turn away from the microphone.

His voice carried clearly through the entire auditorium.

The audience went quiet for a moment.

Melissa hurried to smooth things over. "Hal's just frustrated with her. Who told her to keep being so dramatic?"

Hal also realized he'd lost his composure, and he softened his voice. "Gina, I just want you to be a little braver. Be good and take off the mask."

He reached out again.

Just as his fingertips were about to touch me, the auditorium lights suddenly went out.