Behind the Facade

Panic was written all over Claire's face as she kept staring at him, at a loss of words. Knowing the kind of person Mason was, Claire knew that she was in big trouble. Quickly, Claire grabbed her gown and walked away. Unfortunately, Mason went after Claire. 

"Hey, stop, I need to talk to you," Mason whispered in Claire's ears when he was close enough to her.

"There's nothing to talk about so stop following me," Claire replied, unwillingly to give Mason an audience and without stopping.

"I'm sorry, pardon my bad manners, It's just that you seemed quite familiar to me. I'm Mason, a close friend of Ryan and a family friend of the Golds," said Mason, extending his hand to Claire for a handshake.

Claire looked down at Mason's hands, and then back at him, trying her best to hide her hate towards him. 

Eventually, she decided it would be suspicious to not take the handshake on a first meeting with him so she took his handshake and shook him firmly.

"I'm Josie, it's nice to meet you," Claire replied, angry with herself for lying so blatantly after that statement.

"The pleasure Is all mine. Although, I must admit it seems like we've met before. To be honest, I'm almost certain of it. Are you sure you don't know me?" Mason asked, pressing on.

Claire began to avoid eye contact with Mason and beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, slightly ruining her makeup.

Claire knew she had to leave his presence fast. With each minute that passed, things were getting more dangerous as Mason was probably going to recognize her soon enough.

"I highly doubt it, I haven't set my eyes on you before," said Claire, changing her voice a bit to avoid him recognizing it.

"I think not," said Mason, half distracted as he set his eyes on a new girl who walked in and was now grabbing everyone's attention. 

Claire noticed this and thanked the heavens that they had seen her plight and had been merciful enough to send a good enough distraction.

When Claire noticed that Mason still hadn't turned his attention back to her, she became curious and took a good look at the girl.

Bethany was a friend of Ryan's who hoped they would get married in the future when they were still in college. Although they never dated each other, she still held hopes of It because Ryan wasn't friends with any female aside from her.

Watching Bethany steal the show made Claire feel a lot bothered. Although she didn't consider the marriage as anything more than a job, Claire still felt a bit bothered by the fact that she was stealing the attention from her. 

It was Josie's wedding and she could not let anyone else have the attention that was meant for her. Claire thought deeply about what to do to seize the attention again, she looked at Mason and decided he would be of good use. 

"Hey, do you care for a dance?" Claire asked.

Mason turned his attention back to Claire immediately after she said that. Claire smiled, satisfied she had regained his attention.

"Of course," Mason replied with a grin, happy he had had an opportunity to dance with a beautiful lady.

It didn't matter if it was his best friend's wife or not. Mason would never turn down the invitation by a beautiful lady.

Claire offered Mason her hand and he grabbed it immediately, following her to the dance floor. Claire didn't like holding his hand but she endured it.

Josie had taught Claire how to dance on rich occasions because she felt that as one of her bridesmaids, she would get an invitation to dance.

Now, Claire was using the skills to dance with one of the people she hated the most. Claire hadn't wanted to do this but it was all for Josie.

Claire couldn't let anyone take her place so she decided to do anything possible to get it back.

Immediately they reached the dance floor and began dancing, everyone turned their attention back to her including Ryan.

At first, Ryan was confused that his bride was dancing with someone else but quickly turned his focus away when he saw that it was just Mason.

Bethany soon reached where Ryan was seated and extended her hands to him for a handshake after which they hugged before sitting next to him.

Bethany took her set on the chair prepared for the bride to many people's bewilderment but Ryan didn't see it as something special.

"It's a big wedding, I guess it suits you. I can't believe after today you will not be a bachelor anymore," said Bethany keeping her eyes on Ryan.

"Well, I guess it was about time. I've been one of the city's most coveted prey for a while and it's only natural that I would want to put an end to that," Ryan replied. 

Ryan turned his attention back to Mason and Claire who were now getting applauded by some of the audience.

Bethany noticed this and tightened her fists in anger. She couldn't believe that despite her alluring attire, Ryan was still more interested in a stupid dance than her.

"Oh, I see. Still, don't you think it would have been best if you chose your bride yourself? You know, marriage is a very serious issue and whoever you get married to is the one you will be with throughout the rest of your life," Bethany replied.

"Oh please. I don't consider the issue of marriage so seriously. With the kind of wealth I possess, you should know I don't have to do anything. If I wanted, I could even get another wife if this one doesn't doesn't suit me," Ryan replied. 

"Yes, I know. With the way your bride is dancing and keeping everyone's attention, are you sure she's the kind of person you want to be with?" asked Bethany. 

"Come on. There's nothing wrong with it. She's probably just trying to get everyone to like her. She's also very smart, she chose to dance with my friend, I like that. You know, watching them is making me feel like dancing too." Ryan replied.

"In that case, shall we?" said Bethany extending her arm to him.