Holding on

Chapter 13

**Blare's POV**

Mr. Evander and I were standing by our table when Mr. Ren approached us. "Mr. Clark and Mrs. Clark, how are you both?" he asked, shaking hands with Mr. Evander before turning to me.

"We're good, how about you, Mr. Ren?" Mr. Evander responded, doing his best British accent.

"Fantastic. And you, Mrs. Clark?" Mr. Ren asked.

"I'm good," I replied, smiling in my British accent.

"You look gorgeous," Mr. Ren complimented.

"Thank you," I said, returning his smile.

"Well, excuse me, I'll get going now," he said.

"See you later," Mr. Evander said as Mr. Ren walked away.

"When will they announce this thing?" I asked.

"I don't know," he replied just as slow dancing music began to play.

People started to pair up on the dance floor. "May I?" Mr. Evander asked.

"Of course," I said with a smile. He took my hand, and we moved to the dance floor. As we started slow dancing, he held my waist while my arms wrapped around his neck. I felt eyes on me and glanced to the right, noticing a man in a red mask staring. I turned back to Mr. Evander.

"Red mask guy keeps staring," I said.

"Maybe he's attracted to you," Mr. Evander suggested.

"Maybe," I agreed, smiling as he brushed a few strands of hair from my face. His rare smile made me smile back.

The slow music ended, and we walked back to the bar to get some wine before returning to our table.

"This is so boring," I remarked.

"I know," Mr. Evander agreed. My attention shifted to a table laden with sweets. "Excuse me for a bit," I said.

"Okay," he replied. I made my way to the sweets table, savoring the tiramisu.

"Mhm," I mumbled. The tiramisu was delicious. "Excuse me," a voice said. I turned to see it was the man in the red mask.

"Oh, hi," I said in my British accent.

"Have we met before?" he asked.

"No," I replied, and he nodded. "There's chocolate powder on your lips," he pointed out.

"Oh," I said, covering my mouth. "Bye," I mumbled, hurrying back to Mr. Evander. I was too focused on the tiramisu to realize he sounded familiar. I wiped the chocolate off my lips just as Mr. Ren took the microphone.

"Hello everyone, thank you for coming today. I'd like to announce something," he said, looking at the red mask man and a woman who stood by him. They held hands and approached the stage.

"Today, I'd like to announce my son's engagement to Claire Grace," Mr. Ren continued. Applause erupted from the guests, including Mr. Evander and me.

"My son Nicholas Ren and Claire Grace are engaged," Mr. Ren announced with a smile. Nicholas? They looked so similar, even sharing the same name. Could it be? No, of course not. Nicholas's full name was Nicholas Alexander Carter, and he wouldn't lie to me.

"Take off your masks," Mr. Ren said. Everyone removed their masks, including the red mask man and woman. My eyes widened in shock. Nicholas was the red mask! He was the heir of the Ren clan and was engaged.

"Hey, isn't that your friend?" Mr. Evander asked.

Tears began to well up in my eyes as Nicholas's gaze met mine. His eyes widened, and a rush of emotions hit me—anger, sadness, and betrayal. Was I just a toy to him? I was overwhelmed.

I grabbed Mr. Evander's hand. "Can we go?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He nodded, and I led him out. Once we were in his car, I broke down, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. Mr. Evander wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back.

"It's going to be okay," he murmured.

I hugged him tightly, burying my face in the crook of his neck as I cried. after 5 minutes I pull away and wipe my tears

"can we go" I asked

he nods as he drives me home I enter my house

"will you be okay" he asks

"yes I called my friend over" I say

"you can take 2 weeks off" he says

"thanks" I smile

he smiles back and leaves
Aria arrives she comes in and I hug her and cry and cry "what happen" she says worried I start telling her everything as she hugs me