The Master Programmer-Chapter 138: Banquet of Masks 2

After hearing those words, Amanda frowned. So he was referring to that man of hers. Well, they had fought that day and she had to take care of him just to pacify him. And all of it was because of Jason!

The group’s confidence wavered under Jason’s calculated words. He had mastered the art of striking where it hurt the most, using subtle yet powerful linguistic cues to disarm his opponents. He mirrored their energy, then flipped the script, leaving them scrambling for footing.

Amanda stepped forward, her cobalt eyes narrowing as she regarded Jason.

"You think you’re so clever," she said, her voice cold. "But we all know you’re just playing a role. Living off someone else’s success. I saw you in that store. The blonde woman… she’s your sugar mommy right? Or is it the brown-haired woman? Veronica, was her name?"

Jason’s smile didn’t waver. He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper, forcing her to focus entirely on him.

"Careful, Amanda," he said. "You wouldn’t want to expose your true motives. After all, I’ve seen the real you. I asked you before about where your boyfriend was, and I meant my words. I would love to have a conversation with him. He was kicked out of that dealership that day. I wonder if you ended up getting a car from him after all."

Amanda’s expression darkened, but she didn’t respond. How the hell would she have gotten a car if Jason took that opportunity away from her? Jason’s words hung in the air, a veiled threat and insult that left her seething.

"Hey, guys, let’s stop doing all this," Mark interjected, attempting to steer the conversation. "Look, Jason, I get that we’re not really on good terms, but your words need to be reigned in a bit don’t you think so?"

Jason smirked when he heard these words. "Don’t tell me what to do, Mark. I was not the one who came here with negative energy. I was only responding in kind to how you guys were acting with me."

Mark’s lips twitched but he soon regained his demeanour, flashing a calm smile, his eyes curved upwards. "We’re having a reunion tonight, Jason. You should come. Bring your current girlfriend. She’ll love it"

Jason studied them for a moment, his gaze unreadable. What’s up with that smile? What’s up with that guy? Jason had insulted him, the cockiest guy in the group with the biggest ego, and the most amount of self-esteem, and yet he had just let it slide??

It became clearer now. There was something in the water. But Jason was not afraid. Au contraire, he was looking forward to it. He nodded finally.

"We’ll be there," he said. "Just give me the address," Jason said with a smirk. Mark smirked back and then gave him the details of where it was happening, and the dress code, making sure to give him all the details. Jason took it all in with his mental notes. It was really good for him to understand this all. It might be lies. But right then, Jason did not care too much.

Right then, the lady behind the counter called for Jason, having momentarily lost herself in the drama. Jason went over and picked up the ice creams, carrying them off as he and Emily shared conversations whose contents were secret to everyone else.

As the group left, Amanda’s eyes lingered, her eyes following Jason and Emily with a predatory glint. Her lips curled into a sinister smile as she turned back to the others.

"He’s going to regret this," she hissed. "I’ll make sure of it."

Mark spoke up at that moment, taking Amanda’s hand in his own, as he too looked at Jason’s and Emily’s retreating backs. "Dont worry. We’ll destroy them tonight. And that girl… she mightn’t even want to stay with him after we’re done. She might come running to someone else."

Dave began laughing as the two other women looked at each other, with complicated expressions.

Jason and Emily sat in the car, the ice cream long ago seated as the weight of the encounter settled over them. They had eaten the ice cream while going around together, making sure to go shopping for things they wanted to get, like clothes and items and other things.

Jason had even gotten Emily some super expensive gifts that she had rejected at first only to accept later just because of how convincing Jason was. She had a great day today, and the next day was going to be the same too. She just knew it. With Jason, nothing could ever go wrong.

Emily reached out, her fingers intertwining with Jason’s. She couldn’t help but think of the encounter from a few hours before. Luckily they had not met those people ever again. But she was still worried...

"What are they planning?" she asked softly. Jason would have been surprised she was asking questions like these if she was still the same person as before. After all, she was normally down to Earth and never said much unless Jason asked her. But she was changing, and evolving, and Jason loved to see it.

"I don’t know..." Jason said, his eyes darkening, his expression unreadable as his voice came out as a low rumble. "Whatever it is, I’ll be ready. And you’ll be joining me, right?"

Emily nodded with a smirk, and Jason squeezed her hand again, bringing a grin to her face. As the car pulled out of the parking lot, Amanda’s words echoed in his mind. The night would bring new challenges, and Jason knew he couldn’t afford to falter. Not now.

Later that night, Jason stood before the mirror, adjusting his tie. Emily emerged from the bathroom, her black dress clinging to her curves, her beauty breathtaking. She had a smile on her face at that moment, after all the day she had just had was incredible. She loved every single moment of it.

They had spent the day going around, going to a museum she wanted to go to and then going to the park. After all of this, in the afternoon, they had gone to a cake shop where they had stuffed their faces with cakes, just as she always wanted them to. A cake buffet.

She had thoroughly enjoyed the day and it was something she would forever remember. Looking at the man who made it all happen, she couldn’t help but smile gently, feeling the warmth and heat come up inside her when she gazed at his back.

"Are you ready?" she asked, her voice soft but steady.

Jason turned to her, his gaze intense. "Let’s see what they have planned," he said, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

But as they stepped out the door of the hotel they were at, a shadow moved in the distance, watching them closely. After Jason and Emily entered the car and left, the shadow took out a glowing smartphone screen and sent a message, before disappearing again.

Jason adjusted his tie in the sleek reflection of his car’s window, his sharp suit a stark contrast to the neon-lit street. Beside him, Emily stepped out, her black dress clinging to her curves with a magnetic allure. Her hesitant smile turned radiant when Jason turned to her, offering his arm.

"You look stunning," he said smoothly, his voice low and velvety. He accompanied the compliment with a confident tilt of his head, letting the words linger. This was intentional… a subtle reinforcement of her worth and their connection. And she ate it all up, giggling.

Emily’s cheeks flushed, but she beamed. "Thank you, Jason. I’m so glad you brought me here." She linked her arm with his, her touch tentative yet firm. "This day has been incredible. We did everything I ever wanted to do. I’ll never forget this."

Jason’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Stay close to me tonight. You’re my queen, and I intend to make sure everyone knows it." His words were deliberate, designed to deepen her attachment and confidence. He had called her his princess earlier. Now she was his queen. This was deliberate. After saying those words, he gazed deep into her eyes and she swooned, almost losing her footing, bringing the flush of her cheeks to another level.

"Do I have to carry you inside?" Jason joked, earning himself a pout and a pinch of his arm from her. He laughed and soon enough the atmosphere between them was completely calm. This was Jason’s intention. It was to calm her down and let her rely on him more. They soon arrived at the venue and Jason smirked when he saw the set-up as he and Emily entered the place.

The venue was opulent, with chandeliers casting warm, golden light across the marble floors. Laughter and murmurs filled the air as attendees mingled, dressed in their finest.

Jason scanned the crowd, his sharp eyes catching sight of familiar faces. Mark, Jenny, Dave, and Sarah—his former university friends—stood near the bar, their polished appearances masking their shallow cores. They seemed to be talking with other people he may or may not have spoken to and seen before. Everyone was from the Psychology Department though. So everyone knew each other. And they also knew him.

Emily clutched Jason’s arm tighter. "It’s those people… Are those your old friends? I can’t believe they did that to you," she whispered, her eyes darting nervously. Jason had told her about his past and his ex-girlfriend, and she now understood why Jason was so mean and why they had been so confrontational earlier that day. Jason had also told her that this party was not going to be simple at all and now she was beginning to understand it.

Jason nodded, his smirk deepening. "Friends? Hardly. Watch and learn, darling. Tonight, we’re playing a game."

As they approached, the group’s laughter faltered, replaced by curious glances. Mark, ever the ringleader, was the first to speak.

"Jason Cross. Didn’t expect to see an old friend like you here," he said, his tone laced with mockery. Jason looked at this man, wondering why he was acting as if he was not the one who invited him. Or maybe he wa trying to make it seem like Jason had been the one to crawl back in here all by himself?

Jason’s smirk never wavered. "Mark. Always a pleasure to see an old acquaintance." His words dripped with cordiality, yet his piercing gaze made it clear he saw through the facade. He even said the words, "old acquaintance" on purpose too, just to drive home the fact that they were not friends.

Mark’s face changed when he understood this. He would have lost it, but he turned to the woman beside Jason, and he kept himself calm. This was the same girl with the raven black hair... she was something else in that Dress. Why did Jason always have to get the good stuff?

Jenny’s eyes flicked to Emily. "And who’s this lovely lady? We never introduced ourselves earlier. I’d love to get to know you, as a mutual friend of Jason’s," she said, her tone sweet but insincere. "I’m sorry but we never introduced each other back then. But we did learn of how… devoted she was to you."

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Jason placed a possessive hand on Emily’s waist. "Emily Grayson. My partner." He emphasized the word, letting it hang in the air like a claim of dominance. Yes, he was mate-guarding, but he honestly did not care. Not even in the slightest bit.

Emily flushed but managed a polite smile. "Nice to meet you all," she said softly.

Mark’s smirk widened. "Partner, huh? Well, Emily, if you ever get tired of this guy, I’m sure I can make your night more exciting. Just say so."

Emily chuckled, "Jason provides all the excitement I will ever need in my life. So thank you. But no thank you,"

Even though Emily said this, and Mark chuckled, accepting Emily’s words, Jason’s eyes hardened at the blatant insult. This fucker was making a move on his girl right in his face.

But Jason didn’t react immediately. Instead, he chuckled, a deep, rich sound that drew attention.