All Chapters of BEHIND HER MASK : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Alexander unlocked the hotel room and stepped inside. The door clicked shut behind him, and a light smell of lemon and fresh linen filled the air. The place felt quiet and expensive. He dropped his suitcase beside a chair, pulled at his tie, and loosened it with one quick tug.The room was clean and modern. Warm yellow light glowed from hidden lamps. Big windows showed the city outside—tall buildings glowing against the night, lights blinking like fireflies in the dark.He took off his blazer and tossed it on the bed. His shirt was half unbuttoned by the time he walked into the bathroom. The mirror caught his reflection—tall, lean, his muscles tight from years of working out, even with his busy travel schedule. A thin scar ran along his ribs, a reminder from his rough college rugby days.He stepped into the shower and turned on the water. Warm streams hit his skin, running down his shoulders and chest. The heat made his muscles relax, but his thoughts kept moving.He tilted his head b

Mackenzie’s heels clicked faster against the hallway floor. Every few steps, she glanced over her shoulder to see if someone was trailing her. She didn’t slow down until she pushed into the restroom.How is this even possible? she thought, gripping the sink. The man from last night… is my new boss? There has to be some mistake. If he exposes me, everything will be ruined. I can’t let that happen.She forced herself to breathe. “Calm down, Mackenzie. Panicking won’t help,” she whispered.Turning on the faucet, she splashed cold water over her face, then dabbed it dry with a tissue. Digging into her purse, she pulled out her makeup kit. She reapply powder, blush, lipstick.“You cannot let him see your fear,” she told her reflection. “You’ll play this cool. The ball’s in your court now.”But her stomach twisted when she remembered the look on his face earlier, disgust, as if she were something filthy. Clenching her fists, she braced herself and left the restroom.Outside, Amy was rushing

“I heard the CEO seemed off today,” Amy remarked as the secretaries stepped out of the building.Rumors about Alexander’s uncertainty had already spread across the company, mostly fueled by the executives who never supported his appointment and were eager to see him fail.“That’s not true. Mr. Gracias just hasn’t fully settled into the office yet. With time, he’ll adjust,” Mackenzie defended firmly.As his secretary, it was her duty to stand up for him, whether he was right or wrong. After all, her boss’s success was a reflection of her own competence.“Or maybe someone just isn’t doing a good job assisting him,” Tonia said, her voice dripping with jealousy and sarcasm. “Why don’t you admit it, so I can take over and handle things properly?”Mackenzie was about to snap back when Amy caught her hand, stopping her.Amy turned to Tonia. “We all know who the best secretary here is. Mackenzie has proved it time and again. If she can’t manage it, what makes you think you can do any better?”

~Mackenzie~She stepped out of the dressing room, the bass rumbling through the floor like a second heartbeat. The air reeked of alcohol, smoke, and clashing perfumes.Her heels clicked in steady rhythm, her stride confident, deliberate. Heads turned, men and women alike eyes widening as though she carried a gravity that pulled them in, silencing some while exciting others.“Hey sweetheart, give us a spin!” a drunk at the bar called out, his buddies laughing, beer spilling from raised glasses. Another leaned forward, hand twitching as if he could snatch a piece of her as she passed.Mackenzie’s gaze cut to him, cold and sharp.“Touch me,” she said, steady and low, “and I’ll slice your hand off before you blink.”The laughter died halfway. A few whistles, half admiring, half mocking, but no one dared test her again. She adjusted her bra strap with a flick and kept moving. Her hips swayed because that’s how she walked, not for their amusement.At the end of the hallway, the bouncers str

~Mackenzie~The racket from the kitchen was enough to rouse the dead. Pots clanged, utensils scraped, and the unmistakable chaos of breakfast being made filled the air—her Nana was at it again.Kenzie groaned, rolling onto her back before dragging a pillow over her head in a futile attempt to muffle the noise.“Kenzie, up! You’ll be late for work,” Nana’s voice rang out from the kitchen.With a reluctant sigh, she pushed herself upright, her joints protesting with a series of cracks. The instant she lifted her head, a stabbing migraine split through her skull.“Damn it,” she muttered under her breath.“No swearing in this house,” came Nana’s swift reprimand.“Sorry, Nana,” she replied softly, almost too weary to speak.Her vision swam, edges blurring, but she managed to steady herself and shuffle toward the bathroom. Every step felt heavy, her body dragging as though she had spent the entire night carrying the weight of bricks.She stood before the mirror, studying her reflection. Wha