Shifting Masks

Chapter 4

The night was his. Benjamin knew it with the certainty of someone who had calculated every step in advance. The event wasn’t just a celebration of his company; it was the seal of his status among the wealthiest and most powerful. Every word, every gesture, every movement had a purpose: to project the image of the successful young entrepreneur, the heir who had achieved the impossible.

Before entering the ballroom, his mother had spoken to him in a low voice, with that mixture of affection and authority only she knew how to convey: “Benjamin, this is the night for you to shine. It’s time for everyone to see the future of Carter Group.” And, as always, he had nodded with a slight smile, without needing words. The night had to be his, and it would be. Perfection, seriousness, the unrelenting image of the man who had conquered the business world was at stake, and Benjamin wasn’t about to let anything disrupt his plan.

In his mind, everything was perfectly organized. As he moved through the guests, greeting them with that measured, professional smile, he knew he couldn’t fail. The event, so far, was running with impeccable precision. No one could doubt his success, and certainly not his place at the top. The rhythm was perfect, like a Swiss watch that left no room for error.

But there was something else Benjamin couldn’t control. Something that surrounded him, something that could be felt, even at a distance.

Emma, with her silent but firm presence, was ensuring that everything went as it should. Her role, though subordinate, had placed her in a position of responsibility. She supervised the staff, corrected small mistakes before they became visible, issued orders that sounded like suggestions. She smiled just enough. She moved through the crowd as if she didn’t exist.

She was still on the periphery of the Carter world. Still invisible to those who mattered. But tonight... tonight was different.

It was her chance. Not to shine—that wasn’t for her—but to prove she could handle it all and, in doing so, earn the trust of her superiors to continue with her plan discreetly.

Every time she crossed paths with Benjamin, he maintained the same distance as always, polite but distant. His gaze seemed to pass over her without truly stopping, but sometimes, in those brief moments of eye contact, something changed. As if, for a second, it was more than a professional exchange. As if his eyes were trying to reach something that wasn’t there anymore. Emma noticed it, but quickly refocused on her task, letting the facade of professionalism prevail. But inside, something began to stir.

The gala continued, and everything was going as expected. Benjamin moved with the grace of someone who was born to be at the center of the stage, while Emma made sure nothing fell apart behind the scenes. The small complications were resolved without anyone noticing her presence.

And up until that point, everything was going as it should. Until Arthur Williams arrived.

A name that didn’t appear on the official guest list.

A man who had rejected the Carters for years. Cold, pragmatic. Immune to social charms.

His mere presence at the gala was an unexpected problem.

Benjamin saw him before Emma could warn him.

And, for the first time that night, something in his posture tensed.

Emma noticed from the other side of the room. She didn’t know why, but unease crept down her spine like a shiver.

She approached without thinking too much, holding a folder as an excuse, just to give him something to anchor to.

By the time she reached him, Benjamin had already regained his impeccable expression. But in his jaw, in the stiffness of his neck, the nervousness still pulsed.

Emma smiled faintly. Not the smile one gives to a boss in the middle of a gala. No. It was something more alive, more real.

And then, she said:

“Mr. Carter,”—her voice was low, barely a whisper that floated between them—“what if you stop pretending everything is perfect? Just for tonight... be yourself.”

Benjamin blinked.

Just once.

But he stopped.

As if those words—so simple, so soft—had touched something that shouldn’t have been touched.

For a moment, it wasn’t Emma speaking to him.

It was an echo. A distant echo that smelled of another time, another life.

Anne.

It wasn’t the voice, not even the gesture. It was the precise wound. The ability to see him without his armor. And Benjamin, who wasn’t accustomed to losing focus, felt a knot tighten in his stomach.

Emma saw it.

And fear crept up inside her.

She quickly dropped her gaze and corrected herself.

“I apologize... Mr. Carter,” she corrected quickly, her voice controlled but tense. “I didn’t mean to sound inappropriate. I was just trying... to help.”

What was she doing? The question crossed her mind like an uncomfortable pulse, as she struggled to regain her usual facade.

Benjamin interrupted her. Not brusquely, but with a forced smile, which seemed to hurt him just a little.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry,” he murmured.

She nodded, handing him the folder, and withdrew as if nothing had happened. But she knew it wasn’t "nothing."

Because that look Benjamin had given her before turning his attention back to others... that contained expression, as if he were seeing something he couldn’t name, hung between them.

And though the words died there, the feeling remained. It stayed, occupying a small but undeniable space.

Despite everything, Emma’s advice worked. After that brief crack, Benjamin seemed to loosen some of the rigidity. When he approached Arthur Williams, he no longer wore the perfect mask of the night. He spoke calmly, with a naturalness devoid of artifice. And against all odds, Williams stayed. He listened. And for the first time, Carter Group managed to open a door that had been closed for years.

Emma, from a distance, watched. She didn’t smile. She didn’t congratulate herself.

She just observed, feeling disappointed in herself. She had let her guard down for a moment. She had forgotten who she was, and, to top it off, she had forgotten how much he had hurt her. She couldn’t fool herself. He wasn’t what he appeared to be. She began to remember everything, the reason she was there.

Lucas, watching from a more distant corner, couldn’t help but notice the exchanged glances between Benjamin and Emma. With a mocking smile, he slipped a hand into his pocket. “Couldn’t be more obvious,” he thought, as if he’d already seen it coming. He approached Emma and, with a sharp tone, said:

“You did well.” His voice held more mockery than praise. “You helped the boss. Looks like you’re getting close to your goal.”

Emma, startled, looked up.

“What goal?”

Lucas let out a mocking smile.

“Don’t play dumb. I know what you want.”

Emma frowned slightly, trying to understand.

Lucas took advantage of a passing waiter with wine, and with a sly smile, took two glasses, handing one to Emma.

“You’ve got bad aim. Many have tried, but it didn’t work for them. Benjamin’s the type who never forgets.”

“I’m just interested in the work.”

Lucas let out a “tsk” with disdain.

“Yeah, sure...” he murmured sarcastically, as if he didn’t believe her one bit, but quickly changed the subject. “You did a good job today. I hope you keep it up. If you’re not sure who I am, let me tell you that I have the power to get you kicked out of this company if you don’t do your job right. So you’d better not make a mistake. I don’t tolerate mistakes.”

He walked away, taking a sip from his glass, and Emma watched him silently, her eyes fixed, but her mind processing.

With a sigh, she looked around, trying to show indifference. But inside, she thought about everything that had happened, and another sigh escaped her lips, frustrated with her own behavior with Benjamin. She took a sip of wine, seeking some comfort in the red liquid.