Chapter 75: The Unveiling

Mariana swiped her security card, the familiar chime granting her access into the vibrant chaos of Spark Entertainment. Here, amidst the flurry of activity, masks were a common sight, especially for celebrities like Quam whose face was practically a brand. Even Mariana, usually barefaced, sported a pale pink mask today. A notification buzzed on her phone, shattering the morning quiet of her desk. It was a text from Quam, a simple message that sent a jolt through her: "Back early. Surprise!" He'd mentioned finishing his month-long sooner than expected, but Mariana hadn't expected him to return to the office right away. As the afternoon sun began to cast long shadows across the bustling office floor, Mariana found herself lingering by the water cooler, her mask still firmly in place. Several curious glances darted her way, and whispers swirled through the air. She knew the questions were brewing: where had she been? Why the sudden mask? What was she hiding? A sudden movement