My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation

(Arata)

After teary goodbyes to my family, I left Angel City—my home but also where my heart broke. I needed a fresh start, away from the hounding press and Andy.

I travelled to Marica City for the interview for the job offer I have applied for. The Arsten Empire wove the threads of Marica City's fashion legacy. It was the largest and most revered clothing empire that had risen in the past decade. Known for its daring creativity and bold styles it had transformed textiles into works of art. 

From red-carpet couture to everyday elegance, Arsten Empire had redefined style for every wardrobe, cementing its reputation as the beating heart of Marica's vibrant fashion scene.

The waves it had created in the fashion industry had even reached Angel City and every company was trying to collaborate with them. The problem was, they weren't looking for many joint ventures, especially outside Marica City. The company's CEO seemed motivated by the desire to ride the solo train to the top. 

And they didn't offer jobs to just anyone which I learnt later. No wonder it came to me as a shock when I received that text and later detailed email. 

But it didn't seem like they knew who I was. Maybe I could enter the company and understand its dynamics more clearly. 

I had applied to serve as one of the secretaries to the Company's CEO Karsten Chevalier. Nothing teaches you more in a company than to be a secretary and that's how I wished to proceed. I wanted to learn where I stood in people's eyes without Zyair as my last name.

Uncle Lawrence had given me papers with the name changed to Arata Rivstein. Brought along a black wig, I planned to wear it to work, hiding the flaming vermilion ones. 

My eyesight was perfect but I still purchased work glasses with non-prescription lenses to complete my look and hide my real identity. 

Baba had purchased an apartment closer to the main building of the Arsten Empire so it would be easier for me to go back and forth. It wasn't too posh as I had requested one in a middle-class area so as not to draw too much attention to myself. 

Mom and Baba were too grieved to journey with me so Zaylen and Stella came along to drop me off. After an hour-long conversation with Baba and turning down his offer to take the private jet, we hailed a first-class flight to Marica City. 

Landing, Zaylen had hired a car. We settled inside and my brother began driving. Stella and him were constantly bickering like two aunties who had nothing better to do. I sat lost in the passenger seat as Zaylen drove us to my apartment. 

"You are a buffoon if you think there is a better romantic movie than Titanic," Stella squealed from the back seat. Zaylen watched her from the rearview mirror and added with a smirk.

"Romantic movies are stupid, just like you."

Stella dramatically inhaled. "You take that back Zayli Mali Hali Kali, or I am telling Mr Zyair," she deliberately called out the annoying name she had constructed for him during our childhood.

He simply stuck out his tongue at her and she did the same. I was getting a headache from their drama but they were the people who kept me sane in this hardest time of my life. 

We arrived at the apartment building and Zaylen parked the car, helping me out. It was a ten-floor apartment building and mine was on the seventh. 

There were a security guards posted outside, revealing the security was tight. 

Using the key card, we entered the lobby, and it was better than I had anticipated. Marble floors were polished, white painted walls were clean and only smudged in some places. Few indoor plants brightened the area. A modern desk with a smiling middle-aged lady sat on one side. She welcomed us. 

"Good morning! I am Swera Haokes. Welcome to Sapphire Towers." 

I made introductions and she pointed us towards the residential elevator.

"You can only access it through the apartment keycard. So don't lose it. Hopefully, your stay will be pleasant," she offered with a kind smile. 

"Thank you!" I appreciatively nodded and we made our way forward. Zaylen and Stella helped me with my bags. All the other luggage had already been sent and arranged in the apartment.

We took the elevator and arrived at the No. 29 apartment with a red-painted door. I used my card key to open it and we entered the two-bedroom well-furnished apartment. Even after my insistence, Baba didn't spare any expenses to make me feel at ease. I wished to furnish it slowly with the money I made but Baba had put his foot down and refused to budge until I gave up. 

Stella sauntered over and dumped herself on the chaise lounge spreading her arms. 

"So comfy." She wriggled her body over it. 

I placed my bag down on the white marble kitchen island. It had an open kitchen directly attached to the lounge. A full-length window with a one-way mirror brightened the place. 

"Dad chose nicely. At least you will have a comfortable place to return to," Zaylen added, laying down my suitcase; his silken strands adorned his forehead messily, the colour he had inherited from our father. One could say he was his carbon copy minus those intelligent green eyes, those were from mom.

"I had asked for something modest." I tucked some hair behind my ear and my fingers brushed against the scar on my temple, the only blemish on my face.

"You deserve the best, irrespective of what you think. Let's get you settled in." Stella jumped to her feet. 

Stella and Zaylen helped me get settled in and stayed the night. 

Zaylen had to return to Angel City the next day, but Aunt Huria had instructed Stella to remain by my side for at least a month. She had taken time off from her job at Vision News where she was a reporter. Her living with me for the time being had eased my parents. They had been hoping whatever crazy phase I was going through would be over soon and I would return home.

"I am only a phone call away in case anything happens. Home will always be Angel City and we will wait for you." Zaylen hugged me tight with all his brotherly love. 

"Take care of Mom and Baba. You know Baba will try to go into his shell. Don't let him spiral." I ruffled his dark hair. 

"I won't," he promised me before leaving. I bid my brother farewell with a heavy heart and his eyes seemed moist too when he left. 

When Stella and I finally lay down in bed, it felt strange. I couldn't sleep, I missed my bed back home. And then memories of Andy hijacked my brain. It had been a week and I wasn't able to accept the dark reality of what he did to me. A permanent ache had taken residence in my heart, refusing to leave.

"You need to cleanse him from your system. I was never in favour of you marrying him, you are still young. It's a chance to enjoy your life. You have always been too shielded. Let loose," Stella nonchalantly said while scrolling through her phone. She worshiped her phone. 

I had planned my whole life with that man, it wasn't easy to let go of those memories. Three years we had spent together. Turning to her side, I balanced my head on my bent arm, arching my body. 

I asked. "How?"

"Watch this and enjoy. This will open a whole new world for you." She shoved her mobile right into my face where a reel was playing. I knew she loved watching them, especially half-baked men exercising or doing stunts. 

The reel was of a man wearing a black skull mask which only left his glowing red eyes open. An editing trick, added carefully and neatly. 

He had on suspenders with black dress pants, his sinewy chest with rippling muscles was on full display, shimmering under the low lights. He leaned against a sleek black motorcycle with his head turned towards the camera. "Unholy" by Kim Petras and Sam Smith played in the background as a red light flickered along all the ridges and valleys of this man's chest. His hands lazily rested on the seat of his bike as he arched his body forward in a very enticingly seductive manner. 

My salivary glands begin working faster as my eyelids forget to blink. I had never seen such a provocative male body and I couldn't even see his face.

And then to make my insides clench and liquefy, he spoke in a deeply hypnotic voice which was clearly altered to keep his identity secret.

"Want to ride with me or on me?" His right hand left the seat and slowly slid across his well-oiled chest.

It sent sensations zinging to my lady bits like no one ever had been able to, not even Andy. 

Stella snickered at my reaction. "Mouthwatering, isn't he? You can search his Insta. He is one of the biggest internet sensations lately. He goes by the name "Twisted Rider." Enjoy."

Without taking my eyes off of him, I asked.

"Who is he under the mask?"

Stella let another giggle fall through her parted lips as she mysteriously leaned in and whispered.

"No one knows."