Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Inside the dimly lit bar, Tiana had drowned herself in alcohol to the point of staggering inebriation. Her mood hadn’t been sour at
first.
But after two phone calls both ended in arguments, it was clear that Gunner was on the other line.
Clinging to her friend, Tiana vented, “That jerk! He’s asked for my hand in marriage, and yet he says he’s in Grace City closing
deals when I ask him to pick me up. He’s paying less and less attention to me. Is he really that busy?”
Whitney flicked through her phone to catch up on Stella’s latest news.
Turns out, Stella was filming in Grace City. What kind of ‘deals‘ would he be closing at this hour? Whitney’s face hardened as
she looked at Tiana’s dejected expression. Her heart was aching with a mix of pity for Tiana and loathing for that unfaithful pair.
But how to bring it up? How could she minimize the damage for Tiana?
“Whitney, let’s go get a room and have some fun!” Tiana hollered, clearly gone off the deep end. Whitney steadied her.
The bar was a scene of drunken collapses, but there was one sober college guy called Cooper that Whitney barely knew. He
mentioned he had returned from studying abroad and ran a diamond import business. Whitney’s eyes gleamed – they were in
the same line of work. Skye Gem Ltd. covered everything from jewelry design to production.
“Whitney, perhaps we’ll cooperate in business someday,” Cooper said, handing her his business card with an impressed look.
Whitney took the card with a smile, struggling to support Tiana. Cooper offered a hand to help.
Suddenly, an icy pressure descended upon them.
“Oh, getting a room? Planning a threesome?” came a familiar, mocking voice tinged with chill.
Whitney’s head snapped up to see her husband, shock written across her face.
Then it hit her – what did he just imply with that comment? Feeling awkward when she glanced at Cooper, she asked with a
semblance of calm, “What are you doing here?”
–
Oh, the tone of her voice as if he didn’t have the right to show up?

Ludwik’s aura turned even colder.
Cooper was clearly outclassed by the newcomer’s presence. He offered a nervous smile and asked Whitney, “Who’s this?”
Annoyed, Whitney said in a low voice, too quick to let the man decipher their relationship, “He’s my roommate.”
Ludwik’s face became icy, “Whitney, do you need to be set straight? Repeat what you just said.”
Whitney immediately clammed up, though she felt her analogy wasn’t wrong.

To avoid further trouble, she quickly suggested to the college guy, “It’s getting late, maybe you should head home, Cooper?”
Sensing the tension, Cooper excused himself with embarrassment.
The room fell into an eerie silence.
In her drunken stupor, Tiana giggled at the sight of ‘L‘, “Why not a threesome? I’m totally down for the kind of man like Mr. L, and
so should you, Whitney!”
Whitney sighed internally, wishing her friend would just keep quiet.
12:00
Tapa stumbled toward turk, who coldly sidestepped her and let her fall flat.
my prom a glare but before she could help Tiana up, Ludwik’s arm snaked around her waist. His gaze was dark and teasing. “My
kind? What’s that supposed to mean? Enlighten me”
Caught in his intense gaze. Whitney felt uncomfortable, “How would I know what kind you are? She’s just

Oh, I thought yould know very well he murmured, his eyes hinting at something more sinister
Whitney’s cheeks burned with embarrassment – what was he so proud of? She pushed away from his crisp shirt with force
Tiana had passed out on the floor, snoring softly.
Unable to lift her friend and at a loss, Whitney looked to Ludwik and muttered reluctantly, “Since you’re here, give me a hand, will
you?”
Do I look like a laborer to you?” he sneered.
I’m asking for your help Whitney batted her eyes, tugging at his shirt in gentle touch, her gaze pleading.
Damn it, she knew how to charm.
With a subtle roll of his eyes, Ludwik loosened his tie.
Grudgingly picking up the drunken Tiana, Ludwik held her at arm’s length, asking coldly, “Where to?”
T book a suite upstairs. Tiana kept saying she wanted to sleep,” Whitney said, leading the way.
But the way he carried Tiana, was like carrying a bag of trash. It irritated Whitney, who complained to the assistant, “is your boss
always this fastidious? Would holding her kill him?”
Felix replied honestly, ‘Sir generally doesn’t like women getting too close.”
But he quickly added with a smile, “Except for you, young mistress. I believe sir quite enjoys holding you.”.

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Whitney pretended not to hear. Her cheeks warmed at the thought, but dismissed it at once. Her husband’s interest was surely
driven by certain needs.
Once in the room, Ludwik tossed Tiana onto the bed. Whitney covered her with a blanket and fetched a damp cloth to wash her

face, only to have Ludwik take it away. His shirt still crisp and clean, he intended to clean his hands.
Whitney stared, That’s for cleaning her face.”
“Can’t you get her another? Am I less important than her?” his dissatisfaction was barely concealed.
Was Tiana beneath him? Whitney thought indignantly. Her gaze lingered on his long flawless hands. It was said that such hands
could bring immense satisfaction.
Caught in her thoughts, Whitney didn’t realize where her mind had wandered until Ludwik’s voice snapped her back to reality.
“Is there a problem with my hands?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
Caught off guard, Whitney blushed, “Not at all...”
She internally scolded herself. What had she been thinking? Frustrated with her wandering thoughts, she nearly wished to bury
her flushed face.
Noticing her pink ears, Ludwik’s smile deepened but soon faded as his mood soured.
“Are you done yet?” he asked.
After Whitney finished tending to Tiana, she turned only to be pulled into Ludwik’s grasp, his other hand still casually in his
pocket.
2/13
12.00
She thought about the muscles hidden beneath his shirt and blushed even more. Raising her eyes to meet his sy stare, she
asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Her face darkened further. “It seems you don’t realize what you’ve done wrong. A pregnant woman daring to hit the bars?
Weren’t you supposed to go home and tend to your man?”
Whitney furrowed her brow in frustration, “Look, I came to the bar but I didn’t have a drink, she protested, tilting her chin up
defiantly. “What’s this about ‘tending to you‘ all the time? When did I ever say anything like that? Why on earth should I wait on
you?”
There was an awkward silence.
Felix was at a loss for words. Quite the lady of contradictions she was, seemingly oblivious to who she was dealing with.
Whitney was puzzled. She had only made up an excuse to get away from Ludwik, but how could her husband, have known it?
Was he clairvoyant or what?
She stood her ground, “We only agreed to a marriage of convenience, and we’re free to live our lives. I haven’t harmed the baby
by going to the bar, so what right do you have to drag me out? Besides, you don’t come hom every night either, do I meddle in
your business?”
There was a hint of acidity in Whitney’s voice as she mentioned his nocturnal absences.
“Is it the same, though? I’m working. What are you doing? Gallivanting in the bar, all smiles with every Tom, Dick, and Harry,” he
thought, irked by the memory of her laughter with another man. The jealousy was undeniable, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.