All Chapters of BENEATH THE MASK : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

POV: DamianUp.Down.Up.Down.The metal bar moved steadily above me as I lay flat on the bench, my grip tight, my arms burning as I pushed and pulled. My breathing was controlled, slow, and measured. The only sound in the gym right now was the faint and constant hum of the air conditioner that was on somewhere behind me.Up.Down.I have been here in the gym since 4:30 a.m.Fortunately for me, I had slept last night but it was the restless kind. I had tossed and turned, going in and out of sleep, each time it felt like I was trapped in the dreams. They just didn't let me rest at all last night.One of those dreams had been about my father.He had called and had invited us for lunch, but I knew my father better than that. With Harry Knight, it was never just lunch. It was always a meeting. A test. A judgement disguised as family time. In the dream, he sat across from me with that familiar look on his face — disappointment covered up as concern. I couldn’t even remember what he had

POV: AkaydaMy Saturday had gone exactly the way I wanted it to.I wasn't woken up by any alarms.There was no rushing in the morning.There were no emails to attend to.And there was definitely no Damian Knight.I had woken up by after nine in the morning, the sun was already fully up and coming in through the curtains like it had been waiting for me to open my eyes. For once in that week, my body didn't feel heavy with unwanted stress. For once, my mind hadn’t immediately gone to office schedules, unread messages, or the constant tension that came with being Damian Knight’s secretary.And it did come with a lot of tension.Melina had already been awake, because by the time I walked into the living room, she was in the kitchen, moving around like she always did—comfortable, relaxed, humming softly in an off key tune to herself as she cooked.“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” she teased as soon as she saw me.I smiled. “You’re too cheerful for someone who's awake this early.”She laug

POV: AkaydaI didn’t stop walking after I left the cafeteria.My legs just kept walking but I didn't even know where I was going.And I didn’t even dare look back.The minute my feet left the cafeteria doors, I began walking fast down the hallway, my heels clicking loudly against the floor and dragging unwanted attention my way. My heart was pounding louder and louder in my chest by the minute. I could still feel them—the eyes on my back, the whispers following behind me like a second skin.Or was it just in my head?I went straight to the elevator.My hands were shaking as I reached for the button. I pressed it once. Then again. And again.Please be empty.Please, God, let it be empty.The doors opened up.Thank God.It was empty.I rushed inside and pressed the button for the 72nd floor, my finger stayed there for a second longer than necessary, as if that was going to make it move faster. The doors finally closed shut, sealing me off inside the small metal space, and the min

POV: VivianI was currently sitting in my office, with my laptop wide open in front of me. I was looking at the picture again. The picture of Damian and Akayda from Saturday night. I had been looking at the picture since morning and I couldn’t stop smiling at all. The smile on my face wasn’t for the world—it was for me, for what I had planned.That Saturday night, I had told Wilder to send the pictures he had taken of Damian and Akayda in the park together to Jamila, and he had. The next day, Jamila had called me in the morning, practically vibrating with excitement and joy, telling me about the jackpot she’d found. Then, she’d asked me if I had any ideas on how she could expose Akayda for the slut she was, and I had given her a few, of course. Jamila had promised to call me back with feedback, and I’d been waiting all morning for that call. It was afternoon now and she was still yet to call and I was gradually losing my mind.Honestly? I wanted to be in the building myself. I wa

POV: 3rd person Arabella was standing outside the tall glass building of Knight Enterprises, her heels clicking softly on the pavement as she walked back and forth. The early morning sun bounced off the building’s silver panels, almost blinding her. People walked past her, employees swiping their cards and stepping confidently inside the building.Her hands were already sweaty.It had been years since she had to pickpocket.Years since she had used those skills she once survived on, against her brothers.She swallowed and wiped her hands on her skirt for what felt like the hundredth time.“Calm down, Bella,” she muttered to herself. “You’ve done harder things than this. Have some faith in yourself.”She turned slightly and looked through the glass doors to the lobby. The marble floors gleamed. The chandelier sparkled overhead. And standing just near the reception desk was Eric. Mr. Calisto, her boss.He had his hands behind his back, his posture calm, like he was just another exec