Behind the Mask

In Manhattan, in one of the public houses made up of two bedrooms, Ariel cried out, "Mummy! Mummy!!"

(Breathing heavily) "My heart! My heart is paining..."

Before I could react, he collapsed.

"Tracy! Tracy!!! Please, let's take him to the hospital!" We rushed to carry him and ran through the streets of Manhattan because we didn't have enough money to book a taxi.

"Doctor! Doctor! Please save my son, he's dying! Please save him!"

"Calm down, calm down. He's in good hands. He'll be fine. You just need to stay outside, okay?"

My heart raced like a wrestler in a battle ring.

Please, God, don't let anything happen to him.

We waited anxiously outside while the doctor worked on him.

"How is he, doctor?" I asked nervously.

"He's fine now, but I need to talk to you in my office," the doctor replied.

I followed him, fear gnawing at my insides, praying his condition wasn't as bad as it felt.

"Your son is stable, but he's suffering from congestive heart failure. This means his heart is unable to pump blood effectively enough to meet his body's needs. It's a result of coronary artery issues. That's why he collapsed-his breathing became too shallow. He may experience fluid retention and fatigue at times. But with surgery, he will be fine."

"Surgery?" Tears streamed down my face. "How will I afford that, doctor? Where will I get the money?"

"It will cost £30,000, and he needs treatment quickly, before the condition worsens. In the meantime, you'll need to get these medications for him. You can go to the pharmacy."

"Okay, doctor." I stood frozen, overwhelmed with confusion. Who could help me? Why would God let a child suffer like this?

"Annie, what did the doctor say?" Tracy's voice cut through the fog in my mind.

I stared blankly at her, feeling deaf and numb.

"I'm talking to you!" she pressed, her voice cracking.

"Let's take him home. The doctor said he'll be fine," I said, though my voice wavered, betraying the panic swirling inside.

"But your face says otherwise. Sis, please, talk to me," Tracy insisted, eyes wide with worry

I shook my head, wiping away the fresh tears that came unbidden. "Tracy, please, can you take him home? I need to go to the café. I'm sure Mami will be waiting for me."

She hesitated, her gaze searching mine for any sign that I wasn't falling apart inside. Ariel's voice, soft and trembling, broke through the silence.

"Mummy... is everything okay with me?"

I looked into his wide, trusting eyes and forced a smile, even though it felt like my heart was being torn apart. "Son, you're fine. The doctor said you were just tired, which is why your heart was hurting. After you take the medicine, you'll be fine."

I stood up, wiping away my tears again, trying to steady my shaking hands. Tracy stood beside me, her own tears threatening to spill. She didn't say anything but I could feel the weight of her concern pressing down on me.

"But Mummy..."

Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, my hands trembling, praying it wasn't the news I feared.

Is a text from an unknown number. I opened it.

The message read: Where are you?

"Ooh, take him home,is Mami ,i need to leave."

I walked down the street, a storm of thoughts and bitterness raging in my head. Suddenly, a luxurious car screeched to a halt, narrowly missing my leg

"Ooh, Christ, what is wrong? You almost hit that poor girl!" Carlos yelled.

"Carlos... I'm fine," Chist muttered.

"No, you're not okay,"

"I missed the meeting with Mr. Kashim. I tried to convince him to wait, but he refused. And now my father is furious with me,"

"Wait... you think your father should be happy with you? You showed up an hour late to an important meeting with one of his top investors. I don't blame him for doubting you as the CEO of his company,"

"I thought we were friends,"

"We are, but friendship doesn't mean I'll support irresponsibility. You're immature, and that's why you're struggling,"

"Wow..."

"Yes, wow. Now let's leave this conversation. There's a café nearby with the best coffee in town. Though it's not fancy, I think you'll enjoy it,"

Carlos led me to a small, rustic café. As we entered, I couldn't help but warn him, "Carlos, poor people are always bitter. They think we're the reason for their misery. Be careful."

He ignored me and walked straight to the counter.

Annie, the young lady, glanced at us and muttered under her breath, "Old wicked rich fellow..."

"What did you just say?" I snapped.

Carlos intervened quickly. "Please, just give us the best coffee."

"Okay," Annie said, her tone clipped.

But I wasn't letting it go. "Wait. Did you just call me a wicked rich fellow? Or did I mishear you?"

She turned, unfazed. "And if I did?"

"You desperate, bitter-" I started, but before I could finish, she grabbed a cup of coffee and poured it on my white shir

"Next time, learn how to talk to people," she said coolly.

I froze, rage building within me. Carlos stared, speechless.

"Annie!" Mami called out rushing over with ice water and a cloth.

But I stepped back, trembling with anger. My voice cracked as I yelled, "Carlos, get me out of here!"

Carlos hesitated but finally led me out, his silence deafening.

As we walked away, I muttered under my breath, "That lady has no idea how lucky she is that the coffee wasn't boiling."

"She's lucky, Carlos. So lucky," I said, my voice quivering. "She doesn't know what I've endured. The humiliation, the pain. And now, everyone expects me to stay calm? To forgive? Never!. She will see me"

Annie what did this young man do to you? Mami asked

"Mami," "do you know what he did to me? He evicted me from his house when I was two months pregnant. He beat me in the rain and left me with nothing. Nothing! And now, my son... my son is dying."

Mami's face softened, but her words were firm. "My daughter, holding onto pain will not bring healing. Let it go, or it will consume you."

Tears blurred my vision. "Let it go?" I whispered. "Ariel has heart failure, Mami. Do you know how much his surgery will cost? He barely survived the last time when I was pregnant, and that monster almost killed him before he was even born. I swore that day I'd make him pay for every ounce of suffering he caused us."

Mami placed a hand on my shoulder. "My daughter, I know your pain runs deep, but if you don't release the hatred, it will destroy you. Let go, or you'll never truly be free."

I shook my head, stepping away from her. The darkness inside me felt unshakable.

The storm inside me wasn't calming. It was growing, feeding off the bitterness and despair. And somewhere deep down, I knew this wasn't the end-it was just the beginning.

The next morning, I made a decision-I had to see him. It wasn't hard to find Christ Jefferson; after all, he was one of the wealthiest men in town. His name alone carried power, and his influence stretched far beyond these streets.

As I stepped into his towering office building, the receptionist barely spared me a glance before pointing toward his office. The door was already slightly open.

He was expecting me.

I walked in, and the moment he saw me, his lips curled into a smirk.

"Poor rat, what do you want? Or did you come here to pour more coffee on me?"

I swallowed hard. Every fiber of my being wanted to turn around and walk out. But Ariel's pale face flashed in my mind. I needed this job.

"No, sir," I said, my voice steady. "I am really sorry for what happened the other day. Please forgive me. I acknowledge my wrong."

He leaned back in his chair, studying me like a predator watching its prey.

"Hmmm, surprising. So, you do know how to ask for forgiveness. Because that day, you looked like someone who wasn't sorry at all."

I forced a small, hesitant smile. "I... I-"

He waved a hand dismissively. "It's okay. You're forgiven. You're lucky I'm in a good mood today. But you need to learn some moral rectitude."

Moral rectitude? The irony almost made me laugh.

Instead, I extended the cup in my hand. "Please, accept this as a sign of peace."

His brow lifted. "You made me coffee?"

I nodded. "Yes... you didn't taste it the other time."

He took a sip, then another, his expression shifting. "This is... the best coffee I've ever had. Wow." He set the cup down and looked at me intently. "You know what?"

"What?"

"I'm employing you. You'll work as my personal assistant-both in the office and at home. Don't worry about your pay. I'll double whatever you earn at that rundown café."

I hesitated. "Can I think about it?"

His smile was almost too charming. "Of course."

We shook hands.

And in that moment, something strange happened. His grip was firm, warm-but oddly familiar. A memory stirred deep inside me.

This hand... I've touched it before. I've kissed it.

I quickly pulled away. Just my imagination.

"Sir..."

"Yes?" He still had that unreadable smile.

I reached into my pocket and handed him a card. "Here. My contact."

"Thanks. Good day."

And just like that, I left.

I rushed back to the café, my mind racing.

"Mami, Christ Jefferson wants to employ me."

Mami's brows lifted. "Employ you? As what?"

"His personal assistant."

She exhaled sharply, folding her arms. "I know God has answered your prayers, but child, are you sure about this? After everything that man put you through?"

I lowered my gaze. "I don't want any connection with him again. But on the other hand... Ariel's health..." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Yesterday, he collapsed again at school. Right now, he needs an inhaler, and I don't have a dime."

Mami reached for my hands, her touch gentle yet firm. "Then you must accept the job. Forget the past. Forget the beating and the pain. Do it for Ariel."

I bit my lip. "And it's a good thing he doesn't recognize me," Mami added. "Go there, work, earn your money, and take care of your baby."

I nodded. "Yes... but I'll do it my own way."

As I walked home, my thoughts twisted and turned. I had vowed to never see that man again. Now, I was willingly stepping into the lion's den.

But this time, I wasn't the same girl.

As soon as I stepped inside the house, a familiar warmth wrapped around me.

"Welcome, Mummy!" Ariel beamed, hugging me tightly.

I stroked his soft curls. "How was school today?"

"It was good! My teacher taught us about the heart."

I glanced at Tracy, who stood beside him, listening. "And what did he say?"

Ariel's brows furrowed. "He said if we always feel weak and tired, it means our heart has a problem."

My chest tightened, but I forced a smile. "Well, your heart is perfectly fine, my love. You're strong and healthy."

But something in his eyes told me he wasn't convinced.

Later that evening, over steaming plates of noodles, I leaned in toward Tracy.

"Guess who I met yesterday?"

She twirled her fork. "Who?"

"Christ Jefferson."

Her fork froze mid-air. "No way."

I nodded, relishing her reaction. "Yes. And he didn't recognize me."

Tracy blinked. "You're sure?"

"Positive. He even offered me a job."

Tracy dropped her fork. "Wait-what?! After everything he did to you?"

I smirked. "It seems like he truly doesn't remember me. But do you think I've changed that much?"

Tracy studied me. "Of course! Back then, you were just a teenager. Your hair was black, now it's coffee brown. You wear lenses. And don't forget-you changed your name. That alone is enough to throw him off."

I hesitated, then smirked. "Maybe... or maybe he's just testing me. But you know what?"

She shifted uneasily. "What?"

I leaned in closer, my voice barely above a whisper. "We're going to play this game together."

Tracy's face paled. "Sis, don't. This man is dangerous. If you're thinking of revenge, step back before it's too late."

I smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Oh, Tracy... this isn't just about revenge anymore. This is about something much bigger."

A chill ran down her spine. "What do you mean?"

I leaned back, my fingers tightening around my glass.

"You'll find out soon enough."

The room fell silent, except for the distant ticking of the clock. Tracy swallowed hard.

She had a terrible feeling that this wouldn't end well.

And she was right.

Because the game had only just begun.