Beneath the Mask

The morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains of Sasha’s room, casting a golden hue on the polished marble floors. Despite the warmth of the Italian sun, a chill had settled deep in Sasha’s bones. The impending gala, where she would have to wear the mask of Dominic’s obedient wife, loomed over her like a storm cloud. The uncertainty of what this event would reveal gnawed at her, and she had no doubt that something darker simmered beneath the surface of this business affair.

She stood by the grand mirror in her room, gazing at her reflection. Iris, with her usual brisk efficiency, had already laid out the gown for the evening—a striking, deep crimson dress, fitted and designed to draw attention. Everything about it screamed elegance, yet all Sasha could see was how it turned her into a perfect doll, a showpiece for Dominic to parade.

Her thoughts drifted to the night before. Dominic’s words—“You’ll learn to embrace this life”—echoed in her mind, sending a shiver down her spine. He was wrong. She would never embrace this. No matter how much he tried to mold her, no matter how tightly he tightened the chains around her, she refused to lose herself in his world of control and danger.

But for now, she had to play her part. She needed to understand the world she had been thrust into. And that meant staying close to Dominic, even as his presence threatened to suffocate her.

A knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts. Iris entered, carrying a small velvet box in her gloved hands. She placed it on the vanity and stepped back with a quiet nod, her eyes cast downward. Without a word, she left the room, leaving Sasha with the box.

Sasha stared at it for a moment before opening the lid. Inside lay a delicate diamond necklace, shimmering in the morning light. It was beautiful, but it felt like a collar. A symbol of the ownership Dominic had over her. She clenched her fists, resisting the urge to throw it across the room.

But she couldn’t afford to make a scene, not yet. Not when she was still figuring out how to survive in this web of lies and power.

The door opened again, and this time it was Dominic. He stepped inside without knocking, his gaze immediately locking onto her. He looked different this morning—his suit sharp and immaculate as always, but there was an added intensity to his presence. His eyes, dark and predatory, traced over her as if assessing his property.

“You look… acceptable,” he said, his voice low, though his eyes lingered a little longer than usual on her form. It was as close to a compliment as she was ever going to get from him.

Sasha bit back a retort, keeping her expression neutral. She wouldn’t let him get under her skin. Not today.

“Wear the necklace,” Dominic instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Sasha glanced at the diamonds glittering in the box, her chest tightening. She didn’t move, not immediately, and for a moment, the tension between them crackled in the air. Dominic’s jaw clenched, but instead of pushing her further, he stepped forward, taking the necklace from the box and clasping it around her neck himself.

His fingers brushed against her skin as he fastened the clasp, sending an uninvited shiver down her spine. His touch was cold, calculated, like everything about him. When he stepped back, the weight of the diamonds felt heavier than they should have. Another shackle, another reminder of her situation.

“There,” Dominic said, satisfied. “Now you’re ready.”

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door, pausing only briefly to glance over his shoulder. “Remember, Sasha. Tonight, you represent me. Don’t forget that.”

She didn’t respond, merely watching as he left the room. As the door closed behind him, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. The gala was just hours away, and she had no idea what awaited her. But one thing was certain—she had to keep her wits about her.

The car ride to the gala was a quiet, tense affair. Dominic sat beside her, his eyes scanning the streets of the Italian countryside as the villa they had been staying in faded from view. His silence was oppressive, as if he was already deep in thought, plotting and scheming. Sasha’s nerves were frayed, her mind running in circles as she tried to prepare herself for what lay ahead.

She turned to look out the window, trying to distract herself with the passing scenery. The sun was setting, casting the vineyards and rolling hills in a golden light, but even the beauty of the Italian landscape couldn’t ease her anxiety. Every mile they drove brought her closer to whatever Dominic had planned, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something sinister awaited her at the gala.

When they finally arrived at the grand estate where the event was being held, Sasha’s breath caught in her throat. The mansion was even more opulent than Dominic’s own, its towering stone walls and sprawling gardens a testament to the immense wealth of its owners. The driveway was lined with luxury cars, and an army of suited security guards stood watch at the entrance, their sharp eyes scanning every guest who arrived.

As the car pulled to a stop, Dominic turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Remember what I said, Sasha. Stay close to me. And don’t do anything foolish.”

She swallowed hard, nodding. There was no room for mistakes tonight. Dominic had made that clear.

They stepped out of the car, and immediately, all eyes were on them. Dominic, with his powerful presence and air of authority, commanded attention. But it was Sasha, in her crimson gown and glittering diamonds, who drew the whispers. She could feel the weight of their stares, the curiosity, the speculation. She was a mystery to them—a new player in a world where everyone knew everyone else’s secrets.

Dominic took her arm, guiding her up the grand staircase and into the lavish ballroom. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and cigars, the murmur of conversation a low hum beneath the soft strains of classical music. Everywhere she looked, there were faces she didn’t recognize—men and women dressed in the finest designer clothing, their smiles sharp and their eyes watchful.

Sasha stayed close to Dominic, just as he had instructed, her heart pounding in her chest. This world was foreign to her, but she could sense the danger lurking beneath the surface of the polished exterior. These people weren’t just wealthy—they were powerful, ruthless. And she was walking into their den, unarmed and vulnerable.

Dominic moved through the crowd with ease, exchanging pleasantries with various guests, his hand never leaving the small of Sasha’s back. She could feel his possessiveness in every touch, every glance. He was marking his territory, making it clear to everyone in the room that she was his.

But as they made their way through the crowd, Sasha couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. Not by the curious eyes of the other guests, but by someone else—someone more dangerous. She glanced around, trying to pinpoint the source of the unsettling feeling, but there were too many faces, too many strangers.

Suddenly, Dominic’s grip on her arm tightened, and she looked up to see him speaking with an older man—a man with silver hair and cold, calculating eyes. The conversation between them was quiet, but tense, and Sasha could feel the shift in Dominic’s demeanor. Whoever this man was, he wasn’t just another business associate.

“This is Luca Moretti,” Dominic said, his voice low as he introduced the man to her. “An old friend of the family.”

Sasha forced a polite smile, though something about Luca made her skin crawl. His eyes lingered on her for a moment too long, as if he was appraising her, sizing her up.

“She’s beautiful,” Luca said, his voice smooth and oily. “You’ve done well, Dominic.”

Sasha’s stomach turned at the way he spoke about her, as if she were nothing more than a trophy. But she kept her composure, reminding herself that she was playing a role—a role she had no choice but to play.

Dominic’s smile was tight. “She’s exactly what I need.”

The conversation moved on, but Sasha couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. The way Luca had looked at her, the way Dominic had tensed—there was more to this meeting than just business. And as the night wore on, that sense of impending danger only grew stronger.

As the gala continued, Sasha found herself standing alone near the edge of the ballroom, watching the crowd from a distance. Dominic had been pulled away into a private conversation with Luca and a few other men, leaving her to fend for herself.

She hated the way she felt—like a caged bird, trapped and helpless. But as she stood there, watching the elite circle around each other like predators, a realization began to dawn on her. She might be trapped in Dominic’s world, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t learn from it. If she was going to survive, she needed to understand the game they were playing.

Her eyes drifted across the room, landing on Dominic’s tall, imposing figure. He was deep in conversation with Luca, their faces tight with tension. Whatever they were discussing, it wasn’t good. And Sasha knew that, sooner or later, she was going to be caught in the crossfire.

But she wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Not anymore.

As the night wore on, Sasha resolved to find out the truth behind Dominic’s world—and how to break free from it.

Even if it meant stepping deeper into the lion’s den.