CHAPTER 2 THE MASK OF PERFECTION

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, smoothing out the wrinkles on my forehead. I had to look perfect, after all. Alex was taking me to a charity gala tonight, and I knew he would expect me to be flawless.

As I applied my makeup and styled my hair, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been growing inside me. It was as if I was living in a dream world, where everything seemed perfect on the surface but was actually rotting from within.

I thought back to the conversation I had with Alex earlier that day. He had been distant and preoccupied, and I had sensed a hint of irritation in his voice. But when I asked him what was wrong, he just smiled and told me I was being paranoid.

Paranoid. That was a word Alex used a lot to describe me. He would say it with a chuckle, as if I was being silly and overreacting. But deep down, I knew I wasn't being paranoid. I was being cautious, because I knew that something was off.

I finished getting ready and made my way downstairs, where Alex was waiting for me. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, and for a moment, I forgot about my doubts and felt a surge of pride and love for him.

But as we arrived at the gala and began mingling with the other guests, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was living a lie. Everyone around us seemed to be pretending, putting on a mask of perfection to hide their true selves.

I glanced over at Alex, who was laughing and chatting with a group of people. He seemed so confident and self-assured, but I knew that beneath the surface, he was hiding secrets.

And I was hiding secrets, too. Secrets about my own doubts and fears, about the way I felt trapped in this perfect but suffocating world.

As the night wore on, I found myself feeling more and more disconnected from the people around me. I was going through the motions, smiling and laughing and pretending to be interested, but inside, I was screaming.

Screaming to be heard, to be seen, to be free.

But for now, I was trapped in this mask of perfection, forced to wear it like a heavy burden that I couldn't shake off.

I made my way to the bar, ordering a glass of champagne as I scanned the room. The music was loud, the lights were flashing, and the crowd was buzzing with excitement. But I felt like an outsider, looking in.

I spotted a familiar face across the room - Rachel, a friend from college. We had lost touch after graduation, but I had heard she was working as a journalist now. I made my way over to her, feeling a sense of relief at the prospect of talking to someone who might understand me.

"Rachel, it's so great to see you!" I exclaimed as we hugged.

"Likewise!" Rachel replied, holding me at arm's length. "You look stunning, as always. But how are you really doing?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about Rachel's kind eyes and genuine smile put me at ease.

"I'm... struggling," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I'm living a lie, like I'm trapped in this perfect world that's not really mine."

Rachel's expression turned serious, and she nodded. "I think I know what you mean," she said. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just going through the motions, too. But it's hard to break free when everyone around you is telling you that you're perfect just the way you are."

I nodded, feeling a sense of solidarity with Rachel. For the first time all night, I felt like I could be myself, like I didn't have to wear the mask of perfection.

But as the night wore on, I knew I would have to put the mask back on. Alex would expect it, and I didn't want to disappoint him.

Or did I?

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