Love beyond the mask101-200

Novel Catalog

Chapter_118

The conversation flowed around them, but Whitney’s thoughts were far from the present moment. The chatter at the table felt distant as she observed Valerie, still quiet and pensive, her usual composure fraying at the edges. It wasn’t like Valerie to be so withdrawn, especially in such a social setting.

Tiana was equally perceptive, her eyes flicking between Valerie and Nolan with the same subtle curiosity. Whitney could tell that her friend was equally uneasy about the tension between them, though Tiana was trying her best to act casual, throwing in an occasional joke to lighten the mood. But Whitney could tell—Tiana wasn’t fooled either.

When Valerie returned from the restroom, she seemed more poised, her usual self-control restored. She greeted them with a small smile, but Whitney noticed the way she took a long moment to settle back into her seat, her gaze briefly flicking to Nolan as if she were evaluating his reaction. Whitney’s suspicion deepened. It was clear that something wasn’t right between them, but what was it?

Nolan, who had been unusually quiet during Valerie’s absence, now shifted in his seat, his attention fully on her, as if waiting for something—an answer, an acknowledgment, anything. Valerie, on the other hand, gave him little more than a polite nod, her gaze moving to her glass. The tension was palpable, and Whitney couldn’t shake the feeling that they were both hiding something from the rest of them. It wasn’t just Ashton’s absence that bothered her—it was the way both of them had reacted to the question, the subtle but undeniable discomfort that had taken root in their interactions.

Finally, Whitney couldn’t hold back any longer. “Valerie,” she began, her voice quiet but firm, “is everything okay? You seem… different tonight.”

Valerie’s eyes flickered up, a brief flash of something unreadable passing through them before she masked it with a smile. “I’m fine,” she replied quickly, but her tone was sharper now, a little more forced. “Just tired, I guess. You know how it is with work.”

But Whitney didn’t buy it. The way Valerie had avoided eye contact, the way her hands had trembled earlier—it all spoke of something more than just tiredness. Valerie was hiding something, and Whitney was growing more certain that whatever it was, it was tied to Nolan and Ashton.

Tiana, ever the tactician, decided to intervene. “Let’s not dig too deep right now,” she suggested, her voice smooth and light, though the glint of concern in her eyes didn’t escape Whitney’s notice. “We’re here to have a good time. Let’s not ruin the evening with heavy talks.”

It was a diplomatic way of steering the conversation away from the growing unease, but Whitney couldn’t stop her mind from racing. The way Valerie and Nolan were acting—so guarded, so careful around each other—it was like a puzzle she couldn’t quite solve. What was really going on between them?

As the evening wore on, Whitney’s focus shifted between Valerie and Nolan, trying to decipher every glance, every subtle shift in their behavior. Despite the laughter and lighthearted conversation that resumed around them, the undercurrent of tension never fully dissipated. It was like trying to ignore the presence of a storm on the horizon, knowing that it was only a matter of time before it would break.

Later, as the night drew to a close and the group began to part ways, Whitney found herself lingering near Valerie. She wanted to ask her directly what had happened—what was really going on with Ashton, why Nolan had acted the way he had, and why Valerie seemed so uneasy—but she knew better than to push too hard. Valerie would shut down, and Whitney didn’t want to risk pushing her away.

But as they stood near the door, about to say their goodbyes, Valerie turned to her with a tight, almost apologetic smile. “I’m sorry if I’ve been distant tonight,” she said, her voice softer than usual. “I’m just… dealing with some things.”

Whitney didn’t press her for details, though the curiosity gnawed at her. “It’s okay,” she said quietly. “But if you need to talk, you know where to find me.”

For a moment, Valerie’s eyes softened, and she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. But before Whitney could say anything else, Valerie was already stepping away, her heels clicking sharply on the floor as she moved toward Nolan, who was waiting by the door, his expression unreadable.

As Whitney walked out into the cool night air, Tiana fell into step beside her. “What do you think that was about?” she asked, her voice low.

“I don’t know,” Whitney replied, her mind still spinning. “But I intend to find out. There’s something they’re not telling us.”

Tiana nodded in agreement, her face serious. “We’ll figure it out. But be careful, Whitney. Some things are better left alone.”

Whitney wasn’t sure if Tiana’s warning was out of concern for her or out of a sense of caution about the mystery itself. Either way, the night had left her with more questions than answers, and she had a sinking feeling that this was only the beginning.

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