Chapter 1: The Mask I Wear

Standing outside Martell Enterprises, my heart beats faster than usual. The building is huge, all shiny glass and metal, and I feel a sense of awe mixed with nerves. I glance at my reflection in the door—sharp suit, confident stance, and the face of a man who looks nothing like the shy kid I used to be.

It’s been ten years. Ten years since I last saw Zane Martell. Back then, I was the quiet kid in glasses, always looking up to him, the boy who would share his lunch when I forgot mine, the one who laughed with me until we couldn’t breathe. But that was before everything changed. That was before life pulled us apart, before I became someone I didn’t recognize just so I could stand a chance at getting close to him again.

I take a deep breath and push open the glass door, stepping into the lobby. The place is just as impressive as I imagined—modern, sleek, the kind of place that screams power. I’m not used to places like this, but I keep my cool, walking up to the receptionist.

"Good morning," she says with a polite smile. "How can I help you?"

“I—uh—I’m here for an interview,” I say, my voice is a little shaky. I handed her my resume, trying to look confident even though my insides are a mess.

She scans the resume quickly, then looks up at me with a raised eyebrow. “Mr. Navarro, your appointment is with Mr. Martell?”

I nod, my throat tight at the mention of his name. "Yes, that's right."

"Please have a seat," she says, pointing to a waiting area. "Mr. Martell will be with you shortly."

I sit down, doing my best to calm myself. The lobby is quiet, with soft music playing in the background and the faint sound of heels clicking on the polished floor. I try to distract myself by looking out the window, but all I can think about is Zane. The boy I used to know. The man I still think about, even after all these years.

Zane Martell. He’s not just the kid I grew up with anymore. He’s the CEO of this company, a powerful man who commands respect with every move he makes. He’s successful, confident, and everything I could never be. I was the shy, awkward kid who didn’t fit in. But now, I’ve worked hard to change that. I’ve ditched the glasses, built a new life for myself, and become someone else. Someone who looks like he belongs in a place like this.

But even with all that change, I still feel like that scared kid who used to follow Zane around, hoping he’d remember me. And now, here I am—standing in front of the man who used to be my best friend, pretending to be someone I’m not.

“Mr. Navarro?” The voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I look up to see Zane standing in front of me. It takes everything in me not to freeze, but I can’t help the way my heart skips a beat.

He doesn’t recognize me. Why would he? I don’t look the same anymore. I’m not the boy he used to know. I hold out my hand, doing my best to appear calm.

“Mr. Martell,” I say, my voice is steady, even though inside I’m panicking. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

He shakes my hand, his grip firm but professional. “The pleasure’s mine,” he replies. “Please, follow me.”

I nod and follow him down a hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. I’m close now—so close to the man I once called my best friend. But he doesn’t know that. He doesn’t know who I really am. And maybe it’s better that way.

Zane opens the door to his office and gestures for me to go in first. The office is just as impressive as the rest of the building—modern and sleek, with a view of the city that takes my breath away. I take a seat across from his desk, trying to keep my nerves in check. He sits down as well, his eyes studying me for a moment.

“So, Mr. Navarro,” he says, his voice calm and polite. “Tell me about yourself.”

I clear my throat, suddenly feeling the weight of the moment. I could tell him everything—about the boy I used to be, about how I left, how I changed—but I don’t. Not yet. Not now.

Instead, I give him the version of myself I’ve created—the confident, successful man who’s worked hard to get to this point. I talk about my experience, the jobs I’ve had, the skills I’ve developed. The man sitting across from him is someone Zane doesn’t know, and for now, that’s the way it has to stay.

“I’ve worked in a number of industries,” I say, my voice sounding more confident than I feel. “I’ve managed teams, led projects, and I believe I can bring a fresh perspective to your company.”

Zane nods, listening carefully. He doesn’t seem to recognize me. And maybe that’s for the best. I don’t know if I’m ready for him to know the truth. To know that I’m the same boy who once sat beside him in class, the one who laughed with him, the one who thought they’d always be friends.

But life changed. We changed. And now, I have to live with the mask I wear.

For now, I’ll keep pretending. I’ll keep pretending to be someone I’m not—someone who can walk into his life without dragging the past along. Because if I don’t, I’ll lose the only chance I have to get close to him again.

And that’s the hardest part of all.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***