Chapter 21 UNMASKING SECRETS
Chapter 21 UNMASKING SECRETS
Esmery pulled the hood of her oversized hoodie over her head and secured the black mask over her face before stepping out of Jayden’s office.
The long hallways of Vermillion Phoenix Skyller Entertainment Industry stretched before her, lined with employees engaged in hushed conversations.
She tried to walk past them unnoticed, but whispers floated through the air like wildfire.
"Have you heard?" one employee murmured.
"Our CEO… got married!" another gasped.
"Impossible! He hates women. There’s no way!"
Esmery’s steps faltered for a fraction of a second before she composed herself. Jayden… hated women? She knew he was cold and distant, but hate? That was a strong word.
She forced herself to ignore their chatter and continued toward the cafeteria. But what she didn’t know was that two very familiar faces had overheard the gossip.
Standing near the entrance of the cafeteria were Damien and Akilah, her best friends. They had been working at Vermillion Phoenix Skyller Entertainment for a few years now, but they had no idea the truth they were about to find out. They had been searching for their best friend, Esmery for hours now.
They'd had continued if not for their managers contacting them.
Akilah scoffed. "Tch, as if our CEO would ever marry. The man barely tolerates breathing the same air as women."
Damien chuckled. "Maybe he finally found someone worth his time."
Akilah rolled her eyes. "I still don't believe it. We should investigate...."
Just then, an employee nudged her friend. "Look! That’s the CEO’s wife!"
Damien and Akilah froze. Their heads snapped toward the direction the employee pointed.
And there she was.
Esmery.
Walking through the cafeteria, wearing an oversized hoodie and mask, oblivious to the storm she had just walked into.
Akilah grabbed Damien's arm, her nails digging into his skin. "Tell me you’re not seeing what I’m seeing."
Damien's eyes widened, his jaw clenched. "It’s really her…" he murmured.
Their missing friend. The one who vanished without a word.
The one who was apparently married to their CEO.
Esmery bought her packaged food and walked towards the direction of where she came from,Jayden's office.
Before Esmery could turn left, Damien moved fast. He grabbed her from behind and yanked her into an empty room.
A startled squeak escaped her lips as she stumbled forward. "What?!"
As soon as she turned, her eyes widened.
"You two?!"
Before she could react, Akilah launched herself at her, crushing her in a tight hug.
"You little brat!" Akilah shrieked. "Where the hell have you been?!"
Esmery gasped, trying to breathe. "A-Akilah tight!"
Damien sighed in relief, wrapping his arms around both of them. "Damn it, Esmery. Do you have any idea how worried we were?"
Her heart ached. These two… her best friends. She had missed them so much.
But she also knew what was coming.
When Akilah and Damien finally released her, the scolding began.
Akilah placed her hands on her hips. "Okay, start talking. Why didn’t you call us? Why weren’t you answering our texts?"
Damien crossed his arms. "Do you know how long we searched for you?"
"And most importantly," Akilah's eyes narrowed, "why the hell are we hearing that you got married to our CEO?!"
Esmery froze.
Oh.
Shit.
She had forgotten one tiny detail.
Damien and Akilah worked for Jayden.
Her cheeks flushed bright red, and she looked anywhere but at them.
Akilah gasped. "Wait. Why are you blushing?"
Damien arched a brow. "Es, do not tell me you actually...."
Before he could finish his sentence, Akilah gasped even louder.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait." She grabbed Esmery’s face and stared deep into her soul.
"Is Jayden actually impotent?"
Esmery choked. "What?!"
Akilah nodded sagely. "I mean, I get it. You were a virgin, and I know you never cared much for sex, but girl, do you realize what you’ve done?! You married a man who can’t get his thing up!"
Esmery wanted to die.
Jayden. Impotent?
If only Akilah knew just how wrong she was.
Damien sighed, rubbing his temples. "Akilah, stop making assumptions."
But Akilah wasn’t done. She grabbed Esmery’s shoulders. "Listen, girl. I love you. But sex is amazing. You don’t understand how delicious it is until you’ve had it."
Esmery covered her face.
"I...I don’t want to talk about this!"
Akilah pouted. "Come on! Give me details! Is he really...."
"NO!" Esmery blurted out, her voice a pitch higher.
Damien gave Akilah a pointed look. "Let it go."
Akilah sighed dramatically. "Fine. But Esmery, you owe us an explanation. Starting from the beginning."
Esmery hesitated. Could she tell them the full truth?
How Her's and Jayden's marriage happened?
She took a deep breath. "I will. But… not here."
Akilah sighed. "Alright. But don’t think you’re off the hook."
Damien smirked. "And don’t think we’ll let you run away again."
Esmery smiled softly. "I missed you guys."
Akilah grinned. "Yeah, yeah. Now let’s get you fed before your ‘husband’ comes looking for you."
Esmery’s stomach dropped.
If Jayden saw them dragging her away, what would he do?
She really hoped Akilah and Damien wouldn't end up on his bad side.
But something told her this was only the beginning.