Chapter 17

Chapter 17

ALEXANDER STONE

I know it's just a mask and anyone can have it but, I was thrown into a world of curiosity the moment I saw the mask at Diana's house. I look through the transparent glass and she looks horrible. The hangover must be hitting her hard and I'm dealing with something much worse.

The woman from the ball can't be Diana because, for one, Diana is...typical Diana and the woman from the ball is nowhere near typical. I know that I have enough reasons to discard my doubts but somehow my stomach is unsettled.

My phone rings and it's a call from Pharell. He had called me earlier this morning and told me that he would be heading to the rental store again today because, for some reason best known to them, they didn't open yesterday and the day before. I picked up his call immediately, hoping for some good news.

His words slowly hit me on replay after the call ended.

"The dress was recently rented out to Christina Jacobs, Sandra Dougherty, and Diana Thorton"

My body froze. Without thinking, I call for Diana through the intercom and when she walks into my office I turn on the privacy mode of my floor-to-ceiling glass to block anyone's view from the outside.

"Take off your shirt," I say after locking the door.

Pharell's evidence has given me the ace of spades to erase all doubts but this sense of denial is finicky.

"Excuse me?" She said, her voice shaky.

"Take off the damn shirt or I will do it myself" She remains unstirred. "Fine!"

I take quick strides and stop in front of her. I reached for the top of her shirt and ripped it down through the collar. The sound of the buttons thuds on the floor. She clung to each side of the ripped shirt but, I managed to yank them off her grasp until they were completely off her body. She used her palms to cover the top of her chest.

I start walking, counting down to the moment of truth. When I finally stop behind her, I freeze yet again. The triskele tattoo, it's there.

She is freaking the woman from the ball. My eyes grow wide in shock.

"What the fuck?" I whispered but it was loud enough for her to hear me.

I could tell she was scared because she was shaking. I walk and stop in front of her.

"You knew it was me, didn't you?" I stare dead in her eyes.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about sir" She stammers.

"Enough!" I'm pissed. I wanted to smash something, hit something. My office is not the right place to do that. I head to my wardrobe, grab a shirt and hand it to her before leaving my office.

I need a punching bag and I need it now!!!

********

DIANA THORTON

My day didn't go as planned. After remembering how I got home yesterday and Celeste filling me in with the details in the morning, I knew I was screwed. It's not like I can avoid work forever so I knew I had to face him. Who knew that something much worse would happen? A horrid revelation I never thought would come out so soon.

On my way home, the thoughts of what would happen next dreaded me. What if I lose my job? I hate the job no doubt, but I can't afford to be unemployed at the moment.

What's Alexander thinking about right now? What's his plan?

I've checked my phone for calls and text messages but none from him. I'd called Caroline and she told me to calm down. With all the madness, I knew she'd have the right advice and words for me.

She told me to remain calm until Alex called for me. She's sure he will and I don't doubt that but, I'm not just certain of the outcome.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, there was this unsettling movement in my tummy. Fuck, just how much did I drink last night?

The scene at the office played again in my head. Alex was really mad. I've never seen him that furious before.

I walk the length of my tiny apartment in frustration. The fear of the unknown has a chokehold on me.

The unsettling feeling in my tummy becomes consistent. I hurry to the toilet and throw up in the sink.

I will never drink that much in my life ever again. I make a mental vow of that.

When I return to my room, my phone's notification light is on. It's a text from Alexander and it says that he is on his way to my place.

He's coming here. My heart begins to beat fast. Nothing I do can prepare me for what's to come.

I chew my nails, and tap the floor with my feet, both in a bid to make me feel calm but it's not working. My boss is on his way and the worst is about to happen in about an hour.

The feeling is indeed sickening because I rush into the bathroom again to throw up. At this rate, I will cough out my intestines.

While rinsing my face, I heard the sound of a knock on my door. It's him.

He's here. I begin to pant while trying to gather as little courage as I can. I slowly opened the door and this was the one time I really hoped that my wish would come true. But, this isn't Camelot. This is real life and my boss is standing right in front of me.

I step aside for him to walk in, and close my eyes before shutting the door. What's the worst that can happen?

I'll only get fired. It's not like he can sue me for fucking him.

I slowly turn around as if taking my time to brace myself up.

The sick feeling in my tummy started again, this time accompanied by weak vision. Everywhere was spinning and the last thing I saw was Alexander quickly grabbing my waist to stop me from falling face flat on the floor.