Page 3 of Masked Encounter

With one hand, he rubbed my hair. As he touched it, he felt its texture. In a word, it was sensual. Indeed, it provided some much-needed solace. My heart rate was slowing and I felt calmer. There was something about being in his company that made me feel secure. Again, coming from someone whose face I wouldn’t be able to identify had he been without a mask, that was a very strange thing to say. It's equally comforting that someone who I couldn’t even see could make me feel that way.

"Then again,” he said, causing my heartrate to pick up again, “what a miserable thing it would be to, ya know, cross each other's paths on the street and not be able to recognize one another.”

He was right: eventually, we had to see each other’s faces. The anticipation was palpable; we were both eager to reveal ourselves. This was meant to be a chance for us to grow closer and build a deeper connection. We had just finished exploring each other's bodies, after all. His member was twitching with pleasure as I watched him reach his climax. He had seen me reach mine.Hell, he had licked me dry!

After brushing my hair, he used the same hand to lift my mask. In a way, it was as if he recognized me. But then the flash of insight passed, and he said, "You are beautiful, like,really.” His awe soon transformed into confusion. “But I'm sure I've seen you somewhere."

A moment passed.

It was now obvious that a look at his face was in order. When he removed his disguise, I instantly knew who he was and I felt an overwhelming sense of regret and rage.

I was only able to mutter one word: “Skydeck.”

Not too long ago, I had applied for a job at Skydeck, a role in IT. This job would have been a great opportunity for me to further my career as a programmer. As I prepared for the interview, I was filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. I was determined to do my best and make a good impression.

However, when it came to the interview itself, I was met with an unexpected challenge. The interviewer was unimpressed with my answers and began to verbally berate me. He made me feel stupid and small, and my confidence plummeted. I knew then that my chances of succeeding were slim.

To make matters worse, the interviewer's words had spread and it seemed like everybody in the industry had heard about the incident. I was left feeling helpless and embarrassed. I felt like my professional future had been ruined by one ill-fated interview.

"Randy Maven." Startled, I sat up quickly in the bed, covering my pale breasts with the sheet.

Interesting, it wasn’t me knowing his name that startled him; seemingly everyone in this industry knew Randy Maven. Rather, it was the hiding of my breasts that seemed to provoke bewilderment in the man across from me.

"You remember the interview from last year?” I said, summoning what was left of my courage. “The one where you turned my life into a living hell?"

I seethed with rage as I watched the wheels turning in his head. He couldn't remember, and that just fuelled my fury even more. I stormed away from the bed, gathering my clothes as I went. I had no intention of ever seeing this man again—he could go to hell.

Chapter 5

Randy

I have never felt so uncomfortable in the presence of a woman before. She seemed so appalled and disgusted by me that she quickly put her clothes on. Her reaction made me feel like an unwelcome intruder, like I was the one inflicting harm.

Recalling the details of the interview, I felt embarrassed. I had been intoxicated that day, and my judgment was severely impaired. I had taken a critical look at her outfit and ridiculed her CV. I had gone so far as to call the people who had brought her in “idiots.” My drinking problem had caused me to feel a sense of arrogance and a false sense of control.

Once I had gone through a recovery program, I was finally able to find a place in society again. I had not consumed any alcohol for over a year and since stopped counting the days. Although I was proud of my progress, I was also aware of the danger of letting go. It was like gripping a massive gold nugget, and if I let go, it would be gone forever.

I was determined to move forward and make a life for myself. I had to focus on the present and the future, instead of dwelling on the past. I was determined to be sober and build a life for myself that didn't involve alcohol. I was also aware that sobriety was a journey and not a destination.

“Hey, come on now! Let me explain!

She scoffed as she pulled her bra over her head. “Let you explain? Are you kidding me? You humiliated me in front of a room full of people simply because I didn't look the way you wanted me to? Because my resume didn't have six internships? I will never forget the embarrassment, disrespect, and discouragement you inflicted on me. But I won't let it stop me from succeeding—and showing you that I'm more than capable of success despite your belittling!” And then, an admission: “I have news for you: I have done more than okay for myself! I'm working in marketing now, at a rival company—Umbrella Enterprises! And I'm sure you've heard of them!”

My company had an adversary called Umbrella, which was an undeniable fact. Although it was annoying to discover that the girl I had just had sex with wearing a mask worked for my competitor and held a grudge against me, they were still a long way from achieving the same level of success as us.

“Please, Madison,” I said. She was surprised and appalled that I recalled her name. “Can I just explain myself, please?”

“There's absolutely nothing to explain. You ruined my life and I regret ever having sex with you,” she said, her voice raising into a crescendo. “Do you understand me,Randall? Take a look at my vagina, because you're never going to see it again.” She motioned toward her groin, but I averted my eyes. “Remember what you just did, because it will never happen again. You will never see me again—not ever! I'm so furious with you and I will never forgive you for what you did.”

The woman's scathing remarks were enough to make me realize that any further interactions with her were off the table. As soon as I realized what I had done, I was overcome with a deep sense of despondency and guilt. The thought of the night I got drunk with that guy came flooding back and suddenly, all the effort I had put into improving myself seemed to be for nothing.

“OK, I won’t say another word.

I watched sadly as she pulled her thong up her legs, my last chance of seeing her beautiful body gone. I was going to miss her and the time we spent together. But I had to accept that she wasn't interested in me and try to move on. As she put on the rest of her clothes, I knew that I had to find a way to get over her.

The slamming of the door shook the entire room. Door slammed, a motivation grew inside me like no other. I couldn't believe it; she had just left me. I was determined to get her back, no matter the cost. I had to find a way to make her understand that I was not the person she saw in the interview. My addiction had caused that situation and I had put it behind me.

I rose from my bed and paced around the room, my mind spinning with possibilities. I had been successful in the business world and had grown my company to one of the biggest in the world. I had knowledge, resources and creativity—surely there must be a way to get her back. I just had to be inventive and find the answer.

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