The Game of Masks

Jane's phone buzzed on the nightstand. She groggily reached for it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the name flashing on the screen.

Paul.

Her fingers hovered over the answer button before she finally picked up.

His voice was calm, but there was something unreadable in his tone. "Jane… I need to see you. We need to talk."

Paul stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting the cufflinks on his tailored beige suit. The color wasn't his usual choice, but he remembered the way Jane's eyes had lingered on it once. That day, when he had taken her shopping, she had picked out a black and beige shirt for him. She had looked lifeless then—empty, distant—but even in that state, she had chosen something that suited him. That moment had stayed with him.

Tonight, he wanted to look perfect. He had even done something he never did—shaved off his well-trimmed beard. The smooth skin made him look younger, almost like a different person. He smirked at his reflection. In his early thirties, but tonight, he could pass for a man in his twenties. Maybe Jane would notice. Maybe she would see him differently.

He reached for his Rolex, fastening it with precision, then slipped on his custom-made shoes. Every detail mattered. Tonight was important.

As he straightened his tie, his mind drifted to the past—to the many careful steps that had led to this moment.

The birthday party. The reporters. The perfectly orchestrated confrontation with Nick. He had pulled every string, knowing exactly how Jane would react. If Nick pushed her hard enough, she would fight back. And she had—just as he had predicted.

He had even threatened Nick. That memory brought a dark, satisfied smile to his lips. It was all falling into place.

Jane no longer hated him. She no longer saw him as a monster. She had even started seeing him as a friend. And that was enough. For now.

Once they were married, she would see—she would understand that no one in this world could love her the way he did. He would give her everything, spoil her, cherish her like the rarest gem.

Because to him, Jane wasn't just a woman.

She was his.

And tonight was just another step toward making sure she stayed that way.

Jane sat alone at the table, glancing around the elegant restaurant. The soft hum of conversations blended with the faint melody of a piano in the background. She exhaled, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in her chest.

Then, movement near the window caught her eye.

Her breath hitched.

Nick.

He walked in, his posture stiff, his face unreadable. And beside him, a woman—someone new. Not the girl Jane had seen before. This one was different. Beautiful, elegant. A small knot of confusion twisted in Jane's mind, but she pushed it away. It wasn't her concern.

Nick's gaze flickered toward her. His chest tightened at the sight of Jane sitting alone. Guilt gnawed at him. He had hurt her, pushed her away—not because he wanted to, but because he had no choice. His love for her had never faded. But to protect her, he had let her go.

He forced himself to look away. Ignoring the sharp sting in his heart, he took his seat across from his fiancée.

Then, Paul walked in.

Jane turned her head, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe.

He looked different. No, not just different—stunning. His clean-shaven face, the sharp cut of his beige suit, the confident smirk—it was a transformation. He had always been attractive, but now, he looked younger, polished… almost charming.

He strode towards her, his eyes locked on hers, and when he smiled, a warmth spread through her chest.

"You're staring," he teased, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Jane blinked, snapping out of her trance. Heat rushed to her cheeks. "You look… different," she admitted, composing herself.

"I'll take that as a compliment," he said smoothly, winking at her.

Jane found herself smiling back, something she never expected to do so easily in his presence. She had never seen this playful side of him before.

Across the room, Nick clenched his jaw. His grip tightened around his glass as he watched them. Why is she smiling at him like that? The jealousy burned in his veins. His fiancée, Min Jin, noticed.

"You're not even listening to me," she said, her voice edged with irritation.

Nick didn't respond. His gaze remained locked on Jane and Paul.

Min Jin followed his line of sight, watching as Paul casually took Jane's plate and began cutting her steak into neat pieces before placing it back in front of her. Her stomach twisted with jealousy.

Nick had never treated her like that.

She was his fiancée, yet he had only ever seen her as a business partner—a convenient choice, nothing more. But now, watching Paul's effortless charm, the way he catered to Jane without hesitation, made something bitter coil inside her.

Her fingers curled into fists under the table.

She hated Jane.

Not because she knew her, not because of anything Jane had done, but because she was the reason Nick would never love her.

Something in her snapped. Rising from her seat, she smoothed her dress and walked toward Jane's table.

When she reached them, she cleared her throat. Jane glanced up, her expression neutral.

"You're Jane, right?" Min Jin asked, her tone too sweet to be genuine.

Jane hesitated, then nodded.

Min Jin offered her hand with a forced smile. "I'm Min Jin. Nick's fiancée."

Jane's stomach twisted, but she kept her face calm as she stood and shook the woman's hand lightly.

The pressure tightened.

Pain shot through Jane's fingers.

She flinched, trying to pull away, but Min Jin's grip only tightened further.

Paul's eyes darkened.

In an instant, he was on his feet, his hand wrapping firmly around Min Jin's wrist. With controlled force, he pried her fingers off Jane's, freeing her.

Min Jin turned to him, her lips curling into a flirtatious smile.

But Paul didn't even spare her a glance.

His attention was solely on Jane, his grip on Min Jin's wrist tightening just enough to send a silent warning.

"Are you alright?" he asked Jane, his voice low, controlled.

Jane flexed her fingers, ignoring the dull ache. "I'm fine," she murmured.

Paul finally let go of Min Jin, his cold gaze flickering toward her.

Min Jin smirked. Interesting, she thought.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to," she said, her voice dripping with false innocence.

Across the room, Nick's hands curled into fists. He had been holding himself together, barely, but every time Jane smiled at Paul, something inside him shattered. She looked… at ease. Happy. And that realization cut him deeper than he expected.

Unable to stand it any longer, Nick moved to their table, standing beside Min Jin.

"Well, what a pleasant surprise," he said, his tone light, but his eyes were on Jane. Look at me, Jane. But she didn't.

She ignored him completely.

Nick forced a smile as the server approached his table with his meal. Without hesitation, he gestured toward Jane's table. "Place it here instead."

Paul's jaw tightened.

Nick then turned to him, casually asking, "I hope you don't mind if we join you?"

Paul clenched his teeth. I mind a lot. But he had to play it cool. Losing his temper now would be a mistake. He forced a smirk, leaning back. "Of course. The more, the merrier."

Paul pulled out a chair, purposefully sitting closer to Jane. A subtle claim. Nick and Min Jin took the remaining seats, but Nick's eyes never left Jane.

Min Jin noticed.

Annoyance simmered beneath her flawless exterior. She wasn't blind—Nick was still hung up on Jane, and it infuriated her. But if there was one thing she excelled at, it was masking her true feelings. With a sweet smile, she turned to Jane.

"I heard you're getting married to Paul," she said casually.

Jane nodded. "Yes."

Min Jin's expression brightened with fake excitement. "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you."

Jane returned a polite smile. "And I'm happy for you too."

Min Jin's fingers trailed over the delicate diamond necklace resting on her collarbone. She tilted her chin up slightly, making sure the light caught the jewels just right. "Nick got this for me last week. It's custom-made from Paris," she said, her voice laced with pride.

Jane barely glanced at it, offering only a tight-lipped smile. "It's beautiful."

Min Jin's satisfaction wavered. That wasn't the reaction she wanted.

Her mind raced for another jab. Then, an idea struck.

"You know," she continued smoothly, "after lunch, we're going to pick out my wedding gown. Did you get one already?"

Jane hesitated. "Not yet."

Min Jin's smirk deepened. Perfect.

"That's great!" she chirped. "Why don't you join us? It'll be so much fun trying on wedding gowns together."

Jane froze. The thought had never crossed her mind.

Her silence was enough for Min Jin. Got you.

"What's wrong?" Min Jin pressed, her tone sweet, but her eyes sharp. "You are getting married, aren't you? Don't tell me you haven't thought about your dress yet."

Jane's lips parted, but before she could respond, Paul beat her to it.

"I think Min Jin is right," he said smoothly, tilting his head toward Jane.

Jane blinked in surprise.

Paul smiled at her, the warmth in his eyes softening the moment. "I actually wanted to meet you today to pick your wedding dress," he admitted. "But since Min Jin brought it up first, this seems like perfect timing."

Jane studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

A loud clatter interrupted them.

Everyone turned.

Nick's fork had slipped from his hand, clanking against the plate.

For a fraction of a second, his mask cracked. She agreed that easily? His heart pounded. His mind raced. Did she really… move on?

His stomach twisted at the possibility.

Nick quickly recovered, forcing a chuckle as he picked up his fork. "Oops," he muttered, shaking his head like it was nothing. But his fingers clenched around the silverware so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Min Jin smirked. So, even you can lose control, Nick.

She stood, smoothing out her dress. "Let's go," she said, placing a hand on Nick's arm. "We don't want to be late."

Then, with a smile as sharp as glass, she turned to Jane. "Come with us. The boutique I chose is the best."

Jane hesitated for only a second before nodding.

Nick felt his world tilt.

And as they all walked out together, he knew one thing for certain—he wasn't ready for what was coming next.