MASKED AFFECTION

r weighing heavy on her mind. Every time she closed her eyes, there was Isabella's face, her smile, and her laughterᅳthe gentle and kind way she made everything right in the

city. Marble floors and ceilings made her feel minuscule and unimportant. Clutching tightly onto her bag, the tips of her fingers tr

he air near deadᅳstill enough that it was almost palpable. Ben was waiting jus

lourish over the office. "Thanks for

hem lay an office of the most opulent caliber: sleek modern furniture, shining in light from fl

tailored suit seemed to remind her of the powerful CEO she had read about in magazines. Yet, there was som

voice, solemn with gravity as he rounded his de

broken from her nervousness. "I... I don't entirely und

ide the window. "Please, sit. I'd like to explain everyt

ntimidation that weighed her down. Alexander sat opposite her, foldi

d someone who can help me create an impression over the next few weeks. I need a

rds. "And this would be a temp

f high-profile business engagements coming up that I will be attending, and I require someone on my arm. Someone who

as tinged by doubt. "And that's all ther

eone who can deal with the media and who isn't apt to fold under pressure. Of course, I will

bella. This might finally give her the concrete chance to search for her sister and to actually do

yes locking onto his with a fre

. "Thank you, Maya. I'll have Ben draw that contract containin

place. Her life was about to take a different courseᅳbett

lusive purple ribbon affair where only the cream showed off by getting together and giving to one cause or another. A