Eventually Lea found Mason in a gigantic room with floor to ceiling windows. The ceiling seemed at least ten meters high, and was decorated with golden chandeliers, which were reflected in the incredibly shiny floor that looked as if you could easily slip on. Surprisingly when she stepped on the floor, she found it wasn't slippery at all. It made her wonder out of what kind of material the white surface was made. The whole room glittered in the light that streamed through the windows.
When Lea approached Mason she heard him talking to his earpiece, while sometimes he barked out orders to the servants in the ballroom, who were carrying all kinds of dark decorations.
"No, that one is to grayish. The decorations need to be black, people! As dark as the night. As dark as the darkest black! This is a memorial ball, it needs to look depressive. We have just lost the pillar of our great nation! We can't look happy about it," Mason said to a servant who was carrying a dark gray drape. "Go find out where that interior decorator is I called for more than an hour ago," he ordered another.
If Lea didn't know that Mason was a Criminal, she would have never believed it. He looked absolutely serious doing his job. His acting was perfect. The more she looked at him the more she felt like she had dreamed him revealing his true identity to her. It made no sense whatsoever.
While Lea was pondering this puzzling fact, Mason had finally noticed her standing beside him. He was glad Kailey seemed to be okay. Her complexion wasn't red anymore, she seemed to breathe normally, she stood steadily on her two legs and despite her absent look, she seemed to be clear minded. Seeing Kailey healthy lifted a weight of Mason chests, he hadn't realized was there.
Mason cleared his throat. "Miss King."
Lea who was pulled out of her thoughts, looked up at Mason. He looked tired and overworked, but still handsome. Actually the hardworking look, suited him very well. It gave him some sort of charm.
"Mason," she said. "I wondered if you could spare a moment to talk to me?"
Mason raised his eyebrows. There were only two things he could think of that Kailey could want to talk to him about, and both things were intrinsically linked. Him being a Criminal, and the events that had transpired earlier that day. And with events, Mason meant them kissing. It had been on his mind the entire time. It made him worry, very irritable and distracted at work. Would Kailey blame him for what he had done? Would she forgive his actions? It was the first time in his life Mason cared about anything else except the coming revolution. He didn't want to lose Kailey before he even got the chance to have her.
"I will always have time for you, miss King."
The way Mason had said it, in his indulging husky voice, together with his stunning smile made Lea slightly blush. It made her heart beat faster. It also made her momentarily forget that he shouldn't have directed that tone of voice and that smile towards her. Lea didn't feel deserving of that voice and smile at all. Mason should direct such a sentence towards William! He was the one who truly cared about Mason, he was the one who had a crush.
No, no, no. She couldn't let it go on like this. She should teach Mason to not say such things to herself. It would definitely sent the wrong message. She needed to draw a clear line, one that couldn't be misinterpreted by Dwyl or by her.
"You don't have to flatter me," Lea said. "As a matter of fact, I'd prefer it if you wouldn't say such things. It can to easily be misunderstood."
Mason's smile twitched hearing that. He felt like he had been punched in the gut. Did this mean Kailey didn't like him? That he didn't have a chance? Why else would she say something like this?
"Oh, but I'm not flattering you. It is my sincere feeling. Even when I am at my most busiest, I will always enjoy your company."
Lea's heart couldn't take all these compliments Mason was throwing at her. She felt like it was going to pop out of her chest any minute, especially when remembering the passionate make-out session she had with him. Mason was to good! His technique, as well as his words. But she couldn't give in. She needed to make him reel it in. He needed to stop trying to seduce her – or at least stop making it seem like he was seducing her. So instead of giving him the blushing expression that she had a really hard time controlling, she gave him a hard look that said he needed to stop.
"Well, thank you for the compliments, but they are making me uncomfortable."
Mason took another hit. He made her uncomfortable! This was a disaster. He needed to rectify this mistake immediately.
"I'm terribly sorry, miss King. It wasn't my intention to make you uneasy."
Lea felt horrible. Mason had this look in his eyes that screamed kicked puppy. It made her want to pet him on the head, and apologize for her harsh behavior. Why was Mason making this so hard for her?
"It is alright, Mason. I know you mean well, but I'd rather things stayed..." Lea had to swallow before she could get the word out of her mouth, "professional."
There was no mistaking it now. Mason had been rejected. It felt like someone had tore out his heart and stepped on it. Mason was a man who had been hardened by reality, a man who had always been careful, and had never before opened his heart to anybody emotionally. Mason had felt hatred before, he had felt disappointment, but never had he been rejected. He didn't like the feeling. He didn't like the overwhelming sadness that came with the realization. He didn't like feeling like he had lost the most important thing of his life.
Mason's mouth was dry. He didn't know what to say, so he just nodded. He needed to accept it. If he accepted it, and stopped making her feel uncomfortable, then he could still stay by her side. And if he stayed by her side, then maybe, just maybe, she'll start to feel something for him to.
"So, I have something I want to ask," she said again.
"I assume this has to do with what I revealed to you yesterday?" It couldn't be about their kiss, not after what she had said to him.
"Yes. I would like to know more about it, and maybe even help."
Mason was glad to hear this. He hadn't told Adrian yet of what had happened yet, because he simply didn't have the time. If he proved to be right about Kailey that would maybe smoothen the news of him having revealed his identity to William Wright.
"Then now is not the best time, but maybe we could have a conversation at eleven o'clock in the evening? I could come to your room."
"I don't know if my room is such a good idea…" Dwyl will definitely misunderstand.
"Do you have another suggestion? I fear my room is out of the question." There were camera's and listening devices everywhere, and he hadn't had the chance to remove them yet.
Lea tried to think, but she didn't know the palace well enough. She could only concede. She'd figure out later what to do with Dwyl.
Dwyl who could still hear Lea's thoughts, because he had decided she wasn't to be trusted: "They are going to be alone in a room?! She seriously wants me to hate her."