Chapter 4 Behind the

Aria's P.OV:

I sat in silence, avoiding eye contact with anyone, as the Saturday noon sun cast a gloomy shadow over my mood. Julian's concerned voice broke the silence, "Aria, are you upset about assassinating Mr. Grey, or is it because you won't be able to meet Phantom tonight?" He looked at me with a mix of worry and curiosity, but I just nodded slowly, unable to meet his gaze.

Julian's expression turned thoughtful, and he said, "I know you're sad about missing the Phantom concert, but isn't he just a guy in a mask? You've never even seen him before, so why are you so obsessed with him?" His tone was innocent, but his words cut deep. I felt a surge of defensiveness and replied, my voice laced with anger, "I don't know, okay? I just have feelings for him, and I feel like we have a connection. It's hard to explain."

My voice cracked, and I fought back tears. Julian's expression changed, and he let out a low chuckle. I looked up at him, curious about what he found so amusing. "What's funny?" I asked, my voice still shaking.

Julian's smile grew wider. "You're in love with a ghost artist. You must be crazy," he said, his tone teasing. "You need to get your priorities straight and focus on the job tonight. Dad said I should drop by Elijah's house, and I hope you've got all the necessary tools for the elimination." His concern for my feelings seemed to vanish, replaced by a more practical and detached tone.

I didn't respond, feeling a mix of emotions: frustration, sadness, and determination. Julian's words stung, but I knew I had to push through. "I'll be waiting for you outside when you're ready," he said, his voice firm. "And remember, we're running out of time, so hurry up." With that, he turned and left, leaving me to gather my thoughts and prepare for the night ahead.

As Julian dropped me off at the Grey mansion, I felt a mix of emotions: anxiety, guilt, and disappointment. I had to do what my dad wanted, which meant giving up on the opportunity to attend the Phantom concert. Just as I was about to make my way to the entrance, I spotted Elijah's junior brother, Max, approaching me with a jovial smile.

"Hey, dear! You must be Aria," he said, extending his hand for a handshake. I took it, trying to muster a smile, as he introduced himself. "I'm Max, Elijah's junior brother. I didn't know Elijah had a girlfriend," he added, winking at me. I felt a flutter in my chest, but quickly pushed the thought aside, reminding myself that dating a family rival like Elijah would be a betrayal to my own family.

Max led me to Elijah, and as we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. When we reached Elijah, he looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance. "What brings you here?" he asked gruffly, his tone making me feel even more nervous. I stumbled over my words, unsure of what to say, but before I could come up with a coherent response, Elijah cut me off.

"Enough of this drama, let's get straight to the point," he said, his voice firm. I took a deep breath and tried again. "I was just... maybe we could brainstorm together for our project that's due next week?" I suggested, trying to sound casual.

Just then, Elijah's friends, the Elite, hiappeared behind him, and one of them snickered, "Bro, have you got a new girl every day? First, Jane, and now this one?" They burst out laughing, and I felt my anger rising to the surface. I had to bite my tongue to keep from lashing out at them.

Elijah's expression turned cold, and he said, "I'm sorry, Aria, but I have other plans for tonight. You should leave now." He escorted me out of the house, and as we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. It seemed like my dad's plan was falling apart, but in a strange way, it was also a success. I didn't have to go through with the assassination, and I still had a chance to meet Phantom.

As I walked away from the mansion, I let out a silent cheer, feeling a sense of freedom and excitement. "Yeahhh!" I whispered to myself, a smile spreading across my face

Later that night I made it to the concert as I pushed my way through the crowded venue, the excitement was palpable. The air was electric, and the vibe was infectious. I couldn't help but get caught up in the energy of the crowd, all of us united in our anticipation of seeing the Phantom perform live.

Finally, the moment arrived, and the Phantom took the stage. The crowd erupted into cheers, and I was screaming along with the rest of them. The music was pulsating, and the Phantom's performance was mesmerizing. I was completely entranced, my eyes fixed on the figure in the sparkling jacket and mask.

After the concert, I was lucky enough to get a backstage pass, thanks to my brother's influence as a celebrity. I was practically bouncing with excitement as I made my way to the meet-and-greet area. And then, suddenly, I was face to face with the Phantom himself.

My heart was racing like crazy, and I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears. The Phantom was standing right in front of me, his mask glinting in the light. He turned towards me, and for a moment, our eyes met. And then, in a movement that seemed almost accidental, his mask fell off.

I gasped, my eyes widening in shock. OMG, did I just see the face that the whole world hadn't seen? The face that was hidden behind the mask, the face that was supposed to be a mystery? I felt like I was frozen in time, my eyes locked on the Phantom's face, my mind reeling with the implications of what I was seeing.

And then, just as suddenly, the Phantom's eyes met mine, and I saw a flash of something - surprise, maybe, or alarm. He quickly reached up to grab his mask, but not before I caught a glimpse of his features. Features that looked... familiar.

My mind was racing, trying to process what I was seeing. Who was the Phantom, really? And why did his face look so... familiar?