All Chapters of The Billionaire's Mask (A Dark Steamy Romance): Chapter 151 - Chapter 160

171 Chapters

152

After a few minutes of silence, Mom speaks.“Chris, when are you leaving?”“Right after this meal,” he answers. He seems to enjoy our mother’s cooking; he must’ve missed it so much.“Already?” She sighs. “Is everything alright with your job?”“Everything is fine, mother. I have some important matters I need to attend to.” He eats his food delightfully.“And when are you coming back?” Mom asks.“Saturday, I guess. I already told Alayna I’m clearing my schedule so I can stay longer.”I nod, remembering I was supposed to announce Brandon and I’s engagement this weekend. “That’d be great timing, C.”He looks at me. “What is?”“Okay, um…” I wipe my mouth then look at everybody. “We also want to tell you we’re having a formal engagement party for both our families to meet. Brandon is inviting his grandfather and some close relatives from Greece. We can make it on Sunday. What do you think, Brandon?” I ask, holding his arm.“Sunday is fine, darling,” he approves.“Is everyone okay with Sunda
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153

BRANDON“That’s pretty complicated,” Oliver comments after I tell him who that fucking mayor is to Alayna’s life, minus the most sensitive parts of her story. We’re in my penthouse in Belltown, killing time while the girls are at the spa.I’d been inconsiderate of her feelings because I was fucking angry—not with her—but with our situation. I can’t imagine Alayna in another man’s hands, not to that disgusting piece of shit. So, knowing that something is still holding her back is driving me insane.But I understand. No, I’m really trying. She’s more important to me than anything else I have now, and I’d rather lose everything than lose her. Not again. Theoretically, if that happens, I’d probably have to beg her to hold my hand.I pinch my nose bridge, thinking of what else I should do. Honestly, I have no concrete plan. I’m not sure how I can help Alayna with her problem. Her problems are mine now too. I am claiming it all, so her burden won’t be so heavy.“He’s a mayor,” I say somethi
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154

BRANDONThe girls and Alayna’s mother are already outside when I arrive at the spa. I’m just in time. We will meet a fashion designer for the ball on Sunday, and we basically have two days left. The preparation time is brief, but it’s much better than waiting for days. I can’t wait to be officially engaged to the love of my life.However, to my confusion, as I look from a distance, Alayna’s sister’s eyes and cheek are burning red. Cassius’s Aston Martin is parked in front of the building as well. My cousin gets off his and approaches Casey first. It’s as though she is explaining something to him, and Cassius seems furious by the look on his face.Suddenly, Cassius catches Alayna’s sister in his arms, cradling her as she cries. He then speaks to Alayna and Elizabeth and takes Arianna to his car. I cross the road, and my fiancée’s face meets my gaze.She just looks fucking incredible.“Hey,” she greets me with an affectionate embrace and kisses my cheek.I gaze at her gorgeous face. Her
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155

I step out of the car first and open her door. She takes my hand, but she can’t take her eyes off the storefront.“That’s a beautiful black dress,” she says, referring to the glittering piece of display. I instantly imagined her in that dress, and I’m sure she’d look stunning. I’m certainly not letting her wear black at the engagement.I grin. “Yes, and I can’t wait to see you in one of those. Come on. This is Oliver’s friend’s shop. Omar designs wedding dresses too, and if you like his work, he’ll design your dress.” Omar Taylor is also recognized as an official fashion designer for beauty queens. He made the dress of the crowned Miss World two years ago.She looks at me in awe. “I get to wear a custom-made dress for our wedding?”“Yes, darling. You can tell the designer whichever style you like.”“That’s wonderful!” she says breathlessly. Her reactions are going to be the death of me. I like how relaxed she is about showing her feelings.That’s it, love. You can tell me whatever you
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156

“Monsieur Lucien!” Omar Taylor welcomes in slightly accented English. “I was expecting you.” The couturier leans forward, dabs his cheek with mine, and then extends his greetings to my fiancée. “And Mademoiselle.”“Merci, Omar. Comment allez-vous?”“Je vais bien. Merci.”“Ah, this is my fiancée, Alayna Hart.”He looks fondly at Alayna and smiles. “What a lovely bride! You‘re gorgeous.”Alayna smiles back. “Thank you, Mr. Taylor.”He lightly touches the tip of her hair. “Just call me Omar. Come, come. Monsieur Katrakis called me this morning. Luckily, I am here in town. When he told me you are coming today, I cleared my schedule to show you my newest design.” He takes us further inside as he talks, walking past the showroom and his employees. He snaps his finger in the air, and two attendants swiftly shadow him.After that, we head to another door leading to a spacious room that houses his designs and office.“I could’ve made something else for you, but I’m afraid a designer needs more
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157

Guests fill the event hall tonight. Ecstatic classical music is being played by a live quartette, and I see many unknown faces. Some of those who have attended are our friends and even acquaintances of friends. I recognize a few even with masquerade masks on their faces. Family members I know back in Athens, Alayna’s siblings in Arianna’s care, her family, but I mainly observe the media. The press, journalists, and reporters are all jammed in one place.Alayna’s still in the dressing room with Casey, preparing for the night’s program. I am wearing the matching suit for her evening gown tonight—a custom-made black and white suit with fabric that feels light as a feather.“Brandon,” Oliver greets me with a shoulder pat. He wears a gold mask covering his eyes and an Armani blue tux.“Thanks, man.”“Hey, I missed that mask.” He grins. I am wearing the same one.Daphne stands next to him, holding a black sequined mask attached to a stick.She extends a brief hug in a gesture of politeness
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158

ALAYNAIn the last hour, we answered the press’s questions and interviews. We are live online, hosted by the Gardenia Event Hall. We spoke about our wedding date, introduced our families and friends to the people, and how grateful we were for their attendance and acceptance. Mostly, acceptance. I’m not a woman from any of the prominent families of Greece—but a chef with a compassionate mother and twelve siblings. We made sure they didn’t miss anything else about my family. However, Brandon is also right. They’ve asked me about my restaurant and about my plans as the wife of Grethe and Elga Enterprises’ chairman. It’s nerve-racking. I didn’t expect they would ask me on the spot about it. The engagement party turns out to be a press con too.The next hour, Brandon introduces me to his family. We sit now at a huge round table with our closest relatives, where we are now facing none other than Petros Katrakis. Brandon’s grandfather. He’s late, but he still came. It’s like answering anothe
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159

BRANDON“Brandon invited me. Of course, I’ll come. Isn’t that right, Brandon?” Pauline says, and her fucking remark added to my exasperation.“Is that right, my boy?” my grandfather asks as if amused.His endearment always gives a sour taste to my tongue.“Petros.” Sebastianos acknowledges my grandfather’s presence with a handshake. The family tree is vast, but everyone in the family circle is his friend. Sebastianos Leandros’ great-grandmother is a Dragoumis.“Ah! Sebastianos, come, come.”I roll my eyes. I glance in the direction Alayna went earlier, but I still don’t see her.What are you doing there, love?She’s been in the restroom for over fifteen minutes now. I am beginning to worry. After everything my grandfather had said, of course, she’d feel unwelcomed. It’s not a good sight. I regret ever inviting him here. I’m entirely mortified in front of her mother, and I know I have to apologize to her family later.“Elizabeth,” I call Alayna’s mother’s attention because I can’t prol
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160

ALAYNA“You did good back there. Like always,” Drake says calmly, breaking the silence I try to keep for the last few minutes. We’re now traveling to an airport while a piece of pop music is playing on the stereo. “That’s what I love about you. You’re always following directions.”“Fuck you.”His finger touches my cheek, and I instantly cringe. “You are breaking my heart, Laynie.”I shove his hand away. “You threatened to kill my family and fiancé, and you expect me to submit to you? You can do whatever you want with me, but my heart will never be yours.” I tighten my arms around my body and sink deep into the seat.He sighs. “Enough of your nonsense, and stop crying. In the future, you’ll forget all about him.”I finally look at him. “Why are you taking me to Kansas? You are a mayor here. So you’re just going to leave everything behind?”He clicks his tongue. He pulls out a napkin from the backseat and tosses it into my lap. “Wipe your face.”I draw out a wad of tissue and wipe my fa
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161

I’ve been planning many ways to escape in my head, but it seems impossible. I don’t have my wallet or my phone. Drake threw them all away back at the event hall. He has men watching me.“How can I go with you? I don’t have my things with me,” I say, trying to reason.“You don’t need those. Come, we’re taking off for a few minutes.” He grabs my wrist and pulls me to him, but I struggle.“No!” I yank my hand away, crying again. “I can’t go with you.”He grunts under his breath and reaches for my wrist again. “I have men outside your mother’s house. I can order them to blow up your house.”“No, you said you didn’t lie.” I sniffle. “But you are lying now. You’re maybe a narcissist and a sadist asshole, but you’re not a murderer.”A muscle in his jaw ticks. “Not yet, I’m not. But I will be if you challenge me. Your family’s blood will be in your hands. Amir?” He cocks his head to the side, and Amir, one of his bodyguards, steps forward and hands him a phone.Draken then shows me a picture
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