Chapter 4: The mask beneath

“I... uh, was looking for some painkillers. Felt a cramp.” I patted my stomach awkwardly, hoping the gesture would sell the lie.

Jayden’s expression softened, just a little. He took a step closer, looking at my tummy. “A cramp?” he repeated, his voice lower than normal. Before I could respond, he reached out brushing my stomach lightly with his hand. 

The touch was so gentle and sweet that I almost forgot why I was here in the first place. I stiffened and quickly placed my hands on his pausing the touch.

His lips quirked into a faint smirk, as if he knew the jazz he had on me. “That’s not where I keep them,” he murmured.

Turning away, he strode to a nearby drawer, opened it effortlessly, and pulled out a bottle of pills. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it toward me. I caught it instantly, though I couldn’t help but glare at him.

“Next time, just ask,” he said over his shoulder as he walked out, leaving me standing there, stunned and frustrated.

---

The next morning, the aroma of freshly made coffee filled the dining room, but it did little to lighten my mood not even by 10%. I poked at the scrambled eggs on my plate placing my hand on my chin. Across from me, Jayden sat reading the paper, sipping his coffee.

“You don’t strike me as someone who gives up easily,” he said suddenly, his eyes looking up to meet mine. There was a hint of challenge in his voice, one that made my jaw tighten.

“You don’t strike me as someone with a soul,” I shot back, my voice cold. 

He chuckled softly, as if my defiance amused him. “Charming. But you might want to practice being more civil. Our engagement party is tonight.”

I nearly choked on my coffee. “What? What do you mean engagement party?”

He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. “You heard me”

I paused, folding my hands “you know you can’t just wake up one random morning, making life choices that has to do with me without informing me”.

He tilted his head smirking “well I can and It’s a big deal. Try to eat properly, by the way. You’re scowling at that poor fork like it insulted your family.”

The smug grin on his face made me want to throw my coffee at him. Instead, I forced a tight-lipped smile and shoveled a forkful of eggs into my mouth. “Happy?” I muttered around the bite.

“Ecstatic,” he said smoothly, returning to his paper.

---

Later that afternoon, Jayden decided we needed to go shopping for the engagement party. I should have expected it, he loved these outings, using them as a chance to test me, to see how far he could push, I’d punch him one day tho. 

He picked out dress after dress, handing them to me with a neutral expression. I stepped out of the dressing room in a sleek crimson gown, the fabric hugging my curves, and it caught the faintest flicker of approval in his eyes.

“This one, this is it!,” he said, his voice firm. “It suits you.”

I wanted to argue, to pick something he wouldn’t like, but I didn’t even like the idea of pulling this dress into another one. And deep down, I couldn’t deny that the dress was stunning.

---

The engagement party was a grand affair, with the who’s-who of the city mingling in Jayden’s sprawling mansion. He kept me close, introducing me as his fiancée with a possessive hand resting lightly on my back. 

When he led me to the dance floor, I hesitated, but his grip tightened just enough to let me know there was no saying no. As the music swirled around us, so did the unspoken tension between us. He held me close, too close and I felt trapped in his arms, yet strangely safe at the same time. His charm, his confidence, his undeniable pull... it was all a dangerous game, and I was losing.

The Castro Vanganzo had given me a mission, to identify Jayden’s allies. And I had, reluctantly. But guilt weighed heavily on me, enough to make me seek solace in a glass or two or even three of champagne.

---

I stumbled onto the balcony tipsy, the cool night breeze created a welcoming relief. I leaned on the railing, staring out at the city lights, trying to push down the growing guilt that twisted in my chest.

“You’ve had enough,” Jayden’s voice came from behind me, startling me. He stepped closer, his face unreadable. 

“Why do you care?” I snapped, turning to face him.

He studied me for a long moment before speaking. “Because this... all of this... it’s not as easy as it looks.”

There was something in his voice, something that sounded raw and It caught me off guard. “What do you mean all of this?” I asked softly.

He leaned against the railing beside me,“The legacy. The expectations. The sacrifices. You’d think it would get easier, but it doesn’t.”

For a brief moment, the intimidating mask he always wore slipped, and I saw the soft man beneath. It made my chest ache in a way I didn’t understand.

Before I could stop myself, I reached out, my fingers brushing his hair. 

He turned to me, his eyes searching mine. And then, without thinking, he kissed me.

At that point world seemed to fall away. His lips were firm yet gentle, his hand coming up to cup my face as if he couldn’t bear to let go. For a moment, I forgot everything, my mission, my resolve, my hatred.

When he finally pulled away, he lingered, his breath warm against my skin. “Goodnight, Ava,” he said softly before turning and walking back inside.

I stayed there, my fists clenching as I stared at the spot where he had stood. “What am I doing? He’s still the enemy. I can’t forget that! I can’t!” But deep down, I wasn’t sure I believed it anymore.