CHAPTER 2
maskedheartsreveal@gmail.com
Dear Luna,
We have been observing you and we believe that you might be clouded by so many things since you are a struggling writer but we see our heart, still hopeful for your response.
We would like to offer you an exclusive opportunity to join an elite group of individuals for once in a lifetime experience.
The Masquerade of Hearts is a reality show like no other where true identity will remain hidden until the end and only the true connections will be revealed. Attached to the email you will find a special item enclosed to your invitation: a red mask that is your key to the show. It is more than a symbol.
Do you have the courage to take the chance?
The show will begin in one week, we await your decision.
Miso froze mid-step, dropping the takeout bag on the table as her jaw dropped. "Wait, what? Are you serious? They invited you to The Masquerade of Hearts?"
Luna turned the laptop toward, Miso's eyes scanned the email, her excitement growed with every word. "Oh my God, Luna , this is insane! Do you even realize how huge this is? This show is supposed to be the biggest thing on TV this season. They've been teasing it for months! Celebrities wearing masks, secret identities, finding love without knowing who's who? It's genius!"
Luna raised an eyebrow. "What, is this real?" she paused for a moment "but I'm not a celebrity. I don't belong to something like this. And don't you think it's weird for me to get this email. how do they know i'm struggling"
Miso dropped onto the couch next to her, grabbing Luna 's hands. "That's the whole point! You're the twist! They probably want someone real,someone who's not caught up in the whole fame thing. And they would have probably contacted you with connections."
Luna still looked skeptical. "I don't know, Miso, surrounded by elites, and what if they're all there just to boost their careers?"
Miso shook her head, her eyes wide with excitement. "Luna , listen. This is a huge opportunity which you might not have later. You've had a string of awful dates, those who weren't even worth your time. And if they are there to boost their career, it's even better if you see this as a chance to let people recognise you and your work. Plus, you'll be mingling with celebrities. Can you imagine how fun it would be?"
Luna hesitated, glancing at the email again. "But, I don't fit in miso, I'm just… me."
Miso scoffed at Luna's words "That's exactly why you should do it! You'll stand out because you're real.
Look, maybe these celebrities are all playing games, but you don't have to. You can go in there and just be yourself. And if nothing else, you'll have a wild story to tell my childerens."
Luna bit her lip, her mind swirled with doubts.Miso gave her a gentle nudge. "Come on, Luna. You've been stuck in a rut. This is really your chance and who knows? Maybe your knight is behind one of those masks."
Luna couldn't help but laugh at that…
Miso smiled. "Luna , you deserve a chance at something, It will become beneficial for your upcoming script. You're always putting yourself out there in your office , but this time, the stakes are different."
Luna sighed, as now miso described it as so tempting.
"I guess…it could be my chance."
Miso beamed, jumping up and clapping her hands. " I'll help you pack. Oh my God, we need to pick outfits, masks…wait, are they providing masks? This is going to be epic!"
Luna glanced back at the laptop screen, her finger hovering over the link again. This time, with Miso's enthusiasm buzzing in her ear, she clicked the button to confirm her participation.The webpage loaded once more, the countdown reappeared, and she was listed.
Miso threw her arms around her. "This is going to be amazing. I just know it."Luna smiled nervously. "Am i going to die…"
The next day…
Luna stepped into the office, bracing herself for a tense day. But as she crossed the threshold, something felt off…different, even. The usual hum and chatter was absent. Rosalie wasn't flashing her dazzling smile. Instead, she sat quietly at her desk, her shoulders stiff, eyes downcast as she pretended to focus on her computer screen as she glanced at Luna being pissed.
Luna blinked in confusion. It was strange, almost unsettling.
As Luna made her way to her desk, she caught the nervous glances from her co-workers, who were whispering in hushed voices in all the corners of the hall. Something had shifted since yesterday's blow-up, and it felt different.
"Hey, you heard what happened, right?" Jenna's voice startled her, and Luna turned to see her co-worker standing nearby.
"What do you mean?" Luna asked, lowering her voice.
Jenna glanced around before leaning in. "About Iseop. After he left yesterday, everything changed. Rosalie hasn't spoken a word all morning, and Victor 's been in a foul mood. You must've noticed."
Luna's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Iseop, that bathroom guy she unknowingly ran into yesterday. He had come to the office to review scripts for a new project, and she had only realized later.
"Iseop?" Luna repeated as she lowered her voice, her brows furrowed. "What happened?"
Jenna gave a sly smile. "Apparently, his assistant overheard everything that went down with the script. Word got back to Iseop, and he wasn't happy. He confronted Victor after his meeting and gave him an earful."
Luna's eyes widened in shock. "Are you serious? I didn't even think he knew about the script."
"Oh, he knows," Jenna said with a smirk. "And he didn't take kindly to Rosalie 's little stunt. From what I heard, he gave Victor a warning…either credit the right person or face the consequences. You know how much influence someone like Iseop has in the industry. No one wants to get on his bad side."
Luna sank into her chair, her mind in confusion. So that was it. Iseop had stood up for her, even without knowing her. The script…the one she had poured her heart and soul into…was finally being acknowledged for what it was.hers. And Rosalie , for all her manipulations, had been put in her place.
"But why would Iseop do that for me?" Luna asked, still trying to wrap her head around it.Jenna shrugged. "Maybe he just hates injustice. Oh and he was here to select that script,Rosalie couldn't fake it. Either way, the office is definitely different today."
Luna's gaze flickered across the room to where Victor 's office door was firmly shut. For once, Luna couldn't help but feel a small sense of satisfaction.The office environment felt lighter today, and for the first time in a long while.
"Thanks for telling me," Luna said to Jenna, her voice filled with confusion and relief."
Jenna smiled and gave her a supportive pat on the shoulder before walking back to her own desk.
As Luna turned on her computer, she caught sight of the email about 'The Masquerade of Hearts' again. It was still sitting in her inbox, waiting for her. With everything that had happened yesterday and now this, maybe this was her time. A time for change.She took a deep breath and whispered to herself.
"Maybe things really are about to get interesting."