Introduction
“Where do you think you are going?”
“Over there.” I whimper, nodding in the direction of the stools.
He stares down at me, a stare so intense it causes a shiver to run down my spine. I swallow hard, and he dips down, his warm lips covering mine. I moan and fist his tee, kissing back. Conrad runs his hand down my back and places it on the small of it to hold my body tighter to his as we kiss. I snake my arms around his neck.
A part of me has been craving his kiss since our first one. The kiss is passionate but not forceful or rough. It is pretty perfect. Conrad’s free hand lands on my cheek. I forced my tongue into his mouth; I needed a little more. Conrad doesn’t seem to have an issue with it because his tongue soon dances in perfect sync with mine.
I walk backwards, not parting from his lips, until my back hits a counter. There are so many emotions circulating in me. I grip his hip and pull him against me. Conrad groans loudly into my lips, and I can feel his length harden against me. He is turned on this much by just kissing me. I am the same, though. I am aroused for the first time in a long time.
**********
One night.
One masquerade ball.
A handsome stranger.
It is how it all began, All because I was forced to attend by my boss to pretend to be her daughter or I would be fired.
The handsome stranger's eyes fall on me the second I walk in. I hoped he would move on since he is surrounded with beautiful women, but he doesn’t. The second he decides to approach, I finally realise he isn’t a stranger at all. He and his family own the company I work for. He can never find out who I am.
I try everything to avoid him, but nothing works. It is hard to resist when he stares at me with those eyes and charming smile. I give in trying to fight it, spending a few hours with him can’t do any harm, right? As long as I keep my mask on, he doesn’t need to know who I am.
I have never felt chemistry in the way I do with him, but it doesn’t matter because after tonight, I will disappear and he will have no idea who I am. Even if he walked past me in the street he wouldn’t notice because what he see is a woman who he is attracted too, one beautiful who fits in with everyone else, but in a reality I am a no one. I am nothing special. So our time spend together will only be a memory.
Well, so I believed. I couldn’t have been more wrong because all it takes is one night and everything changes. I hoped he would have forgotten about me but it seems to be the last thing he does.
No matter what, he can never find out the truth because he will only end up disappointed.
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About Author

Emma- Louise
Chapter 1
Maya
I am sitting at my desk in my workplace, trying to keep up with the load my boss slammed down on it this morning. I just keep telling myself I only need to make it through the next year and can be done with the place. I need the money for my online classes. I have managed for the last two years; another year should be fine.
I am putting information from the paperwork into the proper files on the computer. I swear I sometimes think my boss messes with the files just to piss me off.
“Maya, come to my office,” Meredith demands.
I need to stop from rolling my eyes. I understand she is the boss, but there is no need to be rude and mean. No wonder she goes through employees at the speed she does. In my time here, I have seen about ten people quit or get fired for silly things. I have thought about it more than once! To be more precise, I think about it at least once a day, sometimes more.
“Yes, Meredith,” I say sweetly.
I wish I had the courage to stand up to her, but I don’t. I struggle with any type of conflict because I was raised in a neglectful, abusive household.
I put my computer to sleep and head to her office. She is sat at her desk, impatiently tapping her fingers on her desk. She is acting like I took forever to come through. I came as soon as she called.
“What do you need, Meredith?” I ask softly.
She doesn’t say anything, not at first. Instead, she looks me over, almost like she is studying me. It is making me uncomfortable.
“Yes, you will do,” she says.
“For what?” I ask, confused.
“You will attend the charity masquerade ball this weekend in place of my daughter. It is important people believe she is there, but she is currently out of town. You are the same height and have the same hair colour. You will be in a mask, so no one will know any different.”
Out of town is code for rehab. Her daughter suffers from addiction. She is in and out of rehab at least three times a year.
“Y-y-you want me to go to the ball?” I stammer.
I don’t do well at social events. I am a loner who prefers her own company.
“Yes,” she replies, annoyed.
“Can’t you find someone else? I don’t do great with social events.”
“I am not giving you a choice, Maya. You don’t go, don’t come in on Monday, as simple as that,” she snaps.
I can’t afford to be fired. I sigh, “Okay.”
“Good. You will stay late after your shift because someone is coming in with dresses and masks for you to try on. You better not embarrass me. Do not take your mask off. And don’t worry about anyone recognising you because the only place my daughter’s name will be is on the invitation and at your seat. I have made sure you are seated with people who have never met her, people who aren’t ones for making small talk. Speak when spoken to and nothing more,” she states firmly.
“Do I need to stay the entire night?”
“Yes. You will also make a donation in my daughter’s name. I will write a check to take with you.”
“Okay.”
“You can leave now. You have a lot of work to do.”
She waves her hand in dismissal. I smile and nod, disappearing out of her office. I can’t believe she is making me do this! My anxiety will be through the roof. I don’t have a choice, though, because if I get fired, then I will have no money for rent, bills, food and classes. I will need to find a way to get through it. It will be easier said than done because I don’t tend to drink much. My parents put me off alcohol for life. I will need to make an exception at the event because it is the only way to calm my damn nerves.
I am freaking out in case someone realises I am not who I am supposed to be. It is a big event. The rich and famous attend. It is being held by the family who own this company, alongside many more. I can’t mess up or embarrass myself. I don’t know if I will make it through the entire night. Would Meredith really know if I left early? On the other hand, do I want to risk it?
I groan in frustration as I sit back down at my desk. My mind will be in overdrive all day. Why couldn’t she find someone else? Or go in her daughter’s place? Why does it need to fall on me? I was looking forward to my quiet weekend alone, and now I can’t even do that. It sucks!
Ten o’clock at night, and I am just getting home! I should have been home four hours ago, but no! Meredith stayed behind as I tried dresses, shoes, and masks on. I must have tried about six of each on, none of which she would like. She spent most of the night criticising me. Thankfully, the last outfit I tried on she liked.
The dress is a beautiful strappy, mid-length, silver with the shoes and mask to match. It is items I could never afford. Meredith has three people coming to mine on Saturday to do my hair and makeup, and the person doing it needs to send her photos for approval. They are coming at twelve! The damn thing doesn’t start until eight. I am dreading it even more, especially since I will have strangers in my house.
She wouldn’t even allow me to bring the things home with me. She will keep them until Friday night, and then I can take them home with me. I throw myself down on my sofa, hold a cushion to my face and scream into it. I am stressed to the max. All I want to do is go to bed, but I need to eat and shower first. I need to be at the office tomorrow for eight.
I sigh, pull my ass up from the sofa and disappear to grab a shower. I can’t believe I have been roped into this bullshit. I turn the warm water on and step in, falling to the floor. I rest my back to the wall and let the warm water run over me. I think I will stay in here for a while and just have a bowl of cereal to eat. It will do until tomorrow.
I close my eyes and let myself cry. I hate it when I do it, but it makes me feel better. I will make it through. I have suffered worse in my life, but right now, all I can think is fuck my life!
Latest Chapters
#150 Epilogue - Five Years Later.
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:06#149 Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Nine - I Can Relax Now.
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:06#148 Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Eight - I Couldn't Have Asked For A Better Day.
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:06#147 Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Seven - I Have Never Been More Ready for Anything.
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:06#146 Chapter One Hundred and Forty- Six - Today Is The Day!
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:06#145 Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Five - Unexpected news.
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:05#144 Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Four - Better now, than later.
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:05#143 Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Three - Drawing closer.
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:05#142 Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Two - It will be perfect.
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:05#141 Chapter One Hundred and Forty-One - The best way to spent the afternoon.
Last Updated: 06/08/2025 12:05
Comments
Visitor
love the book, love Conor and Maya relationship love how he adores love and protects her wholeheartedly. I love they love story it’s so beautiful. love Conor sister Chelsea and his mom love how they are open to accept Maya and make her feel comfortable. hate Callum he needs leave Maya and Conor alone he needs to die hope Conor can finally catch him. great job so far author I can’t wait to read more hopefully don’t have wait long for updated chapters and hopefully don’t just upload one or two chapters hopefully update quite a few chapters eager to read more about Conor and Maya.
06/20/2024 17:52Reader-171688
love the book, just wish updates came quicker!
04/20/2024 21:46Zoe Goodfellow-Lynch
"A night of secrets" This book sounds great but does it have any cheating in it? I am sick and tired of cheating books.
02/21/2024 00:28Margarete Mann
It’s a refreshing start for a story of this genre. I ended up unlocking the whole book. Can’t wait to read how their story unfolds!
01/31/2024 15:08Anna Lipton
I found the intro interesting and I like the first couple of chapters. I can not wait to read more.
01/31/2024 05:11Mayra F. Paiva
I am really enjoying the development of the story so far, the book has intriguing characters and I see myself immersed in each chapter. Maya is strong and Conrad is sweet, worlds apart but close to each other. This book is really great!
01/30/2024 22:58Joele G
Started reading the first chapter next thing you know it I’m reading the whole book. I just love the flow of this story really gets you hooked into the storyline. You just can’t put it down. It has this Cinderella masquerade ball vibe. I really love reading your story. Can’t wait for your next update.
01/30/2024 18:51Elorn.L. Hilaire
very interesting start to this story. hopefully it will keep progressing nicely. so far so good with the depth and background of characters. makes for a very interesting read! will definitely continue
01/30/2024 13:21Nilu
The introduction of the story and looks really interesting. started reading first chapter, looks very interesting. very curious to know what happens next.
01/30/2024 03:00Reader-573037
Very interesting start to the book and I like how you don’t have to read multiple chapters leading up to the masquerade! I am liking it so far.
01/29/2024 15:50
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About Author

Emma- Louise
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