BEHIND THE MASK

A Crownless Queen.

They said she was perfection defined. I saw why.

Veronica Decker was the kind of girl who was bred in circles where wine was presented rather than simply poured. A world where kids learned how to bow before they could learn how to run. A world where a woman could render a man bankrupt with little effort — a smile and a signature.

But then there was just something about the lady that set my blood on edge.

It was probably because of the grace with which she walked into the restaurant, like the world owed something to her and she was here to collect.

Or probably because of the color she was putting on. Crimson. The exact shade that Alicia wore to every runway event.

Or maybe it was just.... nothing. Or everything.

I didn't know, I didn't care, it didn't matter. All I knew was this: I hated her on sight.

She smiled upon seeing me, and I almost threw up.

"Sinclair Hale! "she purred, sliding into the booth across mine. "It's such an honor to finally meet you. I've been anticipating it."

Even her voice ticked me off. She sounded similar to polished glass— smooth, cold and elegant.

I didn't offer a handshake and I don't think she expected me to either.

At least she's smart.

We were currently seated in one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city — it didn't have any menus because the chef already knew the guests beforehand and prepared what suited their class.

Our table was surrounded by nothing but empty spaces. Per my order, Quinn had reserved the whole restaurant.

I wanted privacy.

Veronica took a sip of her wine and nodded in approval.

"You've got good taste," she commented.

"I don't drink," I spoke blankly.

"Oh? One of those, I see."

"I'm not. More efficient and not ascetic."

She tilted her head to the side as if attempting to study me. She could try.

While the mask covered most of the scars it didn't cover the sharp edge of the one trailing from my temple to my jaw. Her eyes lingered there a second longer.

She was surprisingly not repulsed. More of...... curious?

It wasn't good. But it wasn't bad either.

She was somewhere in the middle — I guess.

"I'd rather we went straight to the point and cut the chase," I said in a flat tone. "This isn't a date. I'm here solely for a transaction."

"Fortunately, so am I." Her lips curled.

According to my research, she came from old money, but hardly the kind that ruled in Avalon. She was what I'd call old oil. Dripping in fading prestige and desperately wanting to evolve. Her dad had made a run for senator twice and... well, he lost both times. And as for her mother, she'd chaired about four different charities but still wasn't widely known.

So it was understandable why Veronica got trained to be like this.

A perfect PR match, but a terrible human being.

"I'm assuming you've gone through the terms? Agreement?"I asked and she nodded.

"Of course, I have."

"Then you should know that I expect the wedding before Friday."

She blinked twice. "Sorry, I didn't catch that. You mean, this Friday?"

"You heard me."

"But... that's not what your grandfather and I agreed on...." She looked confused.

"Do I look like I care about my grandfather's expectations? It's none of my concern."

"Oh?" she folded her arms, looking so amused. "But, if I may ask, why the rush?"

"Because I hate unfinished business. I don't have it in me to spend another week with the pretence of being interested in rehearsals or flowers or stupid photo ops."

She smiled again. "As expected. Very Hale-ish."

I didn't reply to that.

"And I'm also assuming that you'd prefer something civil? A ceremony with no guests or fuss. No paparazzi."

"You got that right."

"And after that?"

We will release a photo by Friday morning. That's when the world knows of the wedding."

"How sweet," she cooed, and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Chill," she laughed. "I'm just kidding.."

Our meal finally got served.

"Thanks," she nodded at the chef.

"So, back to the discussion. Our living arrangement wasn't stated in the contract. We won't be living together, right?" she asked, barely touching her food.

"We won't."

"No act of intimacy except necessary in public?"

"Yeah."

"That's alright with me."

"I'm glad it is. We meet at the court office tomorrow morning. We sign the papers, and then I'll handle it from there."

"Alrighty then, I'll be there," she said, standing up, smoothing her dress as she glanced at my face again, still maintaining the smile. "Oh, and one last thing."

"Yeah?"

"For what it's worth, I really love your mask."

I was left stunned, so I said nothing. Just watched her sashay her way out of the restaurant.

★

On getting into the car, Quinn passed me a file.

"Seems the meeting was a success. She's already drawing up statements," he spoke. "The PR teams are already aligned, and I've got the courthouse booked."

"Mhmm. I see. Excellent. The background check I asked for?"

I'd wanted to go a bit deeper. See if they've got anything to hide.

"It's all clean."

"Excessively clean?"

He hesitated. "Well, suspiciously, yes."

"Thought so. It's best to keep her at arm's length."

"But she kinda seems harmless though."

"Seems, "I repeated. "Everybody seems to be something before they show their true skin."

He knew better than to offer advice when my voice was already that low.

Just as he gestured for the driver to drive, my phone buzzed.

"Sir, we've got a small issue," the voice came.

How many minutes have I been gone for? Being CEO wasn't even funny.

I pinched the space in between my brow and sighed. "Speak."

"It's something to do with the security breach at Hale HQ. Apparently, the data siphon was never external. We managed to trace it back to someone inside."

My fingers tightened around my phone.

"Do you have a name?"

"Not yet, but whoever it is, they're feeding Liam Crest lots of information. Project schedules, movements of the board, meeting leaks, real-time updates and so on."

"Whoever they are.... Find them."

"Yes, sir."

I hung up.

Dang it.