I Miss Her

Layla was a challenging individual. Based on rumors and information gathered by Vivian, she tended to be indecisive and could change her mind at any moment. Additionally, she craved attention. Mason might have made his appearance to satisfy her need for the spotlight. This way, the public would focus on M.K. Company and wonder why Mason had visited their CEO, all the while Layla would get what she desired.

As the King of investment, Mason had always operated in the shadows, meeting with only the people he needed to. Even as the CEO of Robinson Cosmetics, Mason has never revealed his identity to the public. He'd meant to keep the promise he made to his mother two years ago. 

However, people who'd met him as the CEO couldn't contain their shock and amazement, and had spread the word, which in turn had earned Mason's company a public figure, as everyone wanted to confirm if the CEO was truly the god of beauty. 

But as the M.K. employees confirmed the CEO's beauty, the word had spread like wildfire, inviting people near and far to come witness it for themselves. However, thanks to the umbrella Mason had taken earlier, his image can avoid getting on the news. At least for another day.

Vivian stared at Mason through the rearview mirror. Though his method was sound, it was still a bit incomprehensible. She couldn't understand why Mason had chosen to risk everything on M.K., when there are a lot more companies who are begging him to be their investor. Or perhaps, was he trying to cause a scandal? No, that would not only ruin his image, but Layla's. But why?

Mason's eyes met with Vivian, and he could sense the questions yet to be asked, but contained.

"I've always invested in companies that would rise, right?" he began.

Vivian nodded.

"But this would be a different case."

Her brows spiked in confusion.

"What do you mean by 'a different case'?" she asked for clarification.

"You know what I mean, Vivian."

"Are you perhaps saying… M.K. company would go bankrupt?"

Mason shrugged and nodded.

"And why did you choose to invest in a company that would go bankrupt?" Vivian frowned.

Mason chucked and wound down the window, allowing fresh air to swoop over his face.

"What do you say about being a major shareholder?" he continued.

Vivian almost shouted WTF! but she calmed herself down. 

"What would being the major shareholder of a company that would go bust benefit us, sir?" she asked.

"M.K. would not remain fallen forever. In just two weeks, it would rise and even surpass all the companies we'd invested in," Mason replied, his eyes fixed at a distance. "But the owner would give up before then and sell off the company for a song. I can't afford to lose this one chance opportunity. I must become the major shareholder to determine the company's future."

"But how are you so certain? Your instincts again?"

Mason glanced at Vivian, and he could see what seemed like disappointment on her face. He let out a deep breath and wound up the window.

"You still haven't trusted me ever since all these days, Vivian," he said. "I found it odd that you're the only lady who had seen me up close without feeling a thing, and for that I'm glad. But if you still don't trust me, what am I to do?"

"I'm sorry, sir, I let my nervousness cloud my judgment," Vivian, feeling embarrassed, managed to muster. "I was just worried about you."

"Stop the car."

"Sir?"

"Stop the fucking car!"

"Yes, sir!"

The car suddenly squealed to a stop, and Mason rushed out. He ran toward a particular direction, weaving among the throng. Vivian followed him, worried she must have done or said something to twist his nerves.

She finally stopped, whirling around, but Mason was nowhere to be found. She wanted to shout his name, but that would only make things worse.

Suddenly, she noticed a familiar figure in her peripheral vision. She glanced and she saw Mason standing in front of a Candy shop. As she moved closer, she realized the CEO was flirting with the lady in the shop. 

Several people lined up in front of the Candy shop, waiting for their turn, but Mason was able to break in because of his good looks. The advantage was purchasing his candy before anyone else, but the disadvantage was far greater. 

Everyone in the area couldn't lift their gaze from him. Some ladies rushed to his side and held him, making Vivian wonder if they had even an ounce of pride at all.

However, Mason seemed to be in a good mood. A wide smile crossed his face, his charming eyes thickening the air.

"Hey ladies, need some candy bars?" Mason said to the ladies.

The ladies nodded and giggled. Mason distributed the carton of candy he just bought. With that, he left and walked back toward his car. 

Vivian made sure the ladies didn't follow him by intercepting their advancement. When she was sure Mason had disappeared among the crowd, she returned to the car, only to find her boss crying.

"Mr. Robinson! What's wrong?" she asked.

"I missed her," Mason sobbed. "I missed my family. I missed Nana…"

"Go meet them then. I'm sure they missed you too."

Mason shook his head sideways. "I can't. Not now. Not yet. I want to, but I can't."

Vivian furrowed her brow; she couldn't understand him, but she remained quiet. When she was sure Mason had stopped crying, she ignited the car and drove away.

***

The following day, Vivian entered Mason's office and saw him glaring at his phone. She opened her mouth to ask what was annoying him, but said nothing.

"Is she fucking with me?" Mason said through gritted teeth. "I was such a fool. How could I be unaware when she took off my necklace?"

It was then that Vivian caught a glimpse of what was going on. It's been a while since she saw such an expression on Mason's face. He'd always dealt with every situation with a calm demeanor, but gets sensitive when it comes to his necklace and family.

Vivian had come to ask him how he'd celebrate his 20th birthday coming up in three days, but the mood she'd found him in had made her forget why she came. 

"What's wrong, sir?" she asked when she couldn't keep her curiosity in check.

Mason tossed his cellphone on the table for her. Vivian quickly took it and she scrolled through the chat he'd exchanged with Layla. No, they're all Layla's texts. She'd sent countless texts the previous day, but Vivian decided to start from today.

I can't stop thinking about yesterday.

Can you come over today?

Please reply to me, I missed you.

I missed your touch and your ****. I can still feel it in me.

Are you ignoring me now that you've gotten what you wanted?

I have with me the record of our conversation. If you don't want the whole world to know that Robinson's Cosmetics' CEO is the King of investment, come meet me now!

I also have your necklace. I don't know if you value it, but if you do, come collect it before I dispose of it.

Mason had been ignoring her text until she mentioned the necklace. Anger boiled within him as he clenched his fist. He hadn't noticed the necklace's disappearance until this morning, while taking his shower. He'd searched every nook and cranny of his house but didn't find it.

And just when he'd almost lost his mind, he saw Layla's text.

"Should I go get the necklace from her?" Vivian suggested.

"She wouldn't give it to you unless she saw me," Mason replied.

"We're fully scheduled for today, I don't think you can meet her."

"Make sure she knows that if anything happens to the necklace, she's going to die."

"Huh? Ye… yes, sir!" Vivian stammered. "Aren't you going to meet her?"

"I think I'll need to break a promise. I must reveal my identity to the world."

"What!? Which identity, sir?"

"Both, make sure it's effective immediately," Mason insisted.

"Was it because of Miss Layla? You can–"

"I hate to be threatened, Vivian. If she reveals my identity before I do, I might lose everything I've ever worked for."

Vivian opened her mouth to speak but closed it. She bowed and left.

****

It was later that day, Mason stood next to the large window of his living room, overlooking the area as light bulbs illuminated the surroundings. He looked to the sky. The stars are twinkling, though, barely visible as the brightness of the streets and nearby buildings has outshone them.

A wistful look came to his face as he thought about his family. He wanted to see Nana again, he wanted to be hugged by Mrs. Robinson. 

He felt the time for meeting them was drawing near.

And at the same time, he felt himself incomplete. He was worried; he wanted to kill her. To make her suffer for daring to take his necklace and threaten him with it. His blood boiled in his veins. But then…

"Hahahaha!! Here you are!"

Mason, shocked, lurched around, looking for where the laughter he'd heard came from. A movement caught his attention, and he glanced. 

A horrifying image appeared on his large mirror, staring back at him. It wore medieval armor, and its snake-like head was covered in scale-like skin. Its yellow pair of eyes seemingly bored through Mason's soul with a hint of a mischievous grin.

"I found you, brother," it said, its thick and menacing voice echoed through Mason's mind, coming from nowhere. Everywhere. "You've been hiding from me for so long. But here you are. I shall find you and I shall slay you as I did our father. And you shall–"

Mason found himself reflexively throwing his half-empty cup at the mirror, shattering the glass and instantly severing the creature's voice. 

His pounding heart sounded like a large drum being beaten. He couldn't sleep throughout the night, fearful of repeating what he'd just witnessed in his mirror.