Semua Bab Masked Desires: Bab 11 - Bab 20

“Don’t worry, there are a lot of people coming to this thing. How does she even know all of them? Isn’t she just a law student?” Jake looked down at the list in his hand, every bank owner, every politician and every business man was coming. It was a VIP guestlist and it was arranged by a mere law student.His brow furrowed as he went down the list and realised some of these people were notorious for no showing up to things and yet they had all RSVP’d yes. Something was off here.He watched as Ethan practised his speech for the hundredth time. He was nervous and rightfully so. This was the cornerstone of everything that he was trying to build and a failure today would mean the ruin of his company before it could even start properly.His perfectly tailored black tuxedo and his spotless white shirt had been kept ready from the past week. He had to be at the top of his game. Exude confidence. Confidence that he did not have.“Where’s Minnie?” Jake asked distracting him from his own though

The park was quiet that evening, brushed in the soft gold of twilight. Leaves rustled overhead, and the faint scent of jasmine drifted on the wind. Ethan sat on a wrought-iron bench beneath an old sycamore tree, glancing at his watch every few seconds. He wasn’t used to being nervous. Not anymore. Not after everything he’d survived. But Ruby wasn’t just some masked escort to him anymore—she was a friend. A confusing, frustrating, captivating friend who had become the one constant in his life.He muttered to himself, "If she stands me up, I’m charging her for emotional distress." Then smirked. "Nah, she’d probably triple-charge me for being dramatic."He wasn’t sure if he wanted her to come just to see her... or just to know she still cared enough to show up.But Ruby made him nervous.She made him feel things he couldn’t name. And now, after weeks of silence, she had reached out. Said she wanted to meet. No time, no place. Just a cryptic message: the park by the old fountain.When he

The sleek headquarters of the online security firm towered above the rest of the industrial park. Glass and chrome glinted in the sunlight, its lobby filled with the low hum of voices, footsteps, and distant elevator chimes. Marlena strode in with purpose, Minnie trailing silently behind her, tablet in hand, lips pressed into a line of polite professionalism. They were here to consult on the company's legal policies—an area Marlena trusted Minnie to handle with precision."Hunter’s waiting in the executive suite. I’ll head up to meet him," Marlena said without slowing her stride. "You head to Legal and check over the policy integration files. We’ll regroup in an hour."Minnie nodded. "Of course."She peeled off down a quieter corridor lined with glass-walled offices, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Everything about the building screamed elite, secretive, and high-stakes—just the kind of environment Amanda thrived in.Minnie didn’t expect to run into her. And certainly n

It started with a half-eaten pizza and a late-night rom-com.Ellie, Minnie’s endlessly dramatic roommate with a flair for impulsive decisions and glitter eyeliner, slammed the laptop shut mid-credits. “Okay, that’s it. I can’t take this anymore.”Minnie blinked, still chewing on crust.“Take what?”“You! Looking like a hot librarian with a heartbreak complex.” Ellie jumped off the couch like she was about to stage an intervention. “You’re smart, gorgeous, and single. Ethan’s going to be at the company retreat tomorrow, and you are not showing up looking like a spreadsheet in heels.”“I like spreadsheets.”“Spreadsheets don’t get revenge. Or compliments. Or fun elevator moments.”“Elevator moments?” Minnie asked suspiciously.“You know—slow music, shared glances, accidental button mashing—rom-com gold. But not if you show up looking like an Excel formula.”Minnie groaned. “Ellie, no. I have court briefings Monday and three contract reviews to prep for. I don’t have time to be a plotlin

The auditorium buzzed with excitement, the air thick with the scent of fresh flowers, perfume, and the distant hint of nerves. Minnie stood near the edge of the staging area in her graduation gown, fidgeting with the edges of her sleeve, eyes sweeping the crowd through the heavy curtains.Caps, gowns, families. Laughter, applause. It was everything she had expected—except for the hollow ache in her chest.Her mother wasn’t here.Neither was her sister.She had known this day would be difficult. That no matter how many classmates she celebrated with, no matter how loud the applause when her name was called, there would be an empty space in her heart reserved for the two women who were supposed to be proudest of her.“You did this, Minnie,” she whispered to herself. “All on your own.”“Talking to yourself now?” came a voice behind her.She turned, smiling faintly at one of her classmates. “It’s called a confidence ritual.”“Well, whatever works,” the girl said with a wink, then darted o