Masks
Monsters We Made is a work of fiction.
If you choose to continue reading, thank you for trusting me with this story.
“Governor Henry Foster has reportedly surrendered to the police after four months of investigation regarding his alleged involvement in human trafficking, drug distribution, and domestic violence. According to the authorities, he arrived alone in a hysterical state, repeatedly begging them not to kill him before finally deciding to surrender...”
The month of May welcomed yet another headline like this.
It had become almost a quarterly occurrence — another corrupt official behind bars. One less person in power.
But what about the victims?
The woman sitting quietly on the couch lazily reached for the remote before switching the television off.
Yuki Winslow.
It had been almost four months since she left the house she once called home. According to everyone else, she had simply run away and rebelled against her parents.
The room that was once full of life had long been swallowed by darkness. There was barely any furniture left except for empty takeout boxes and old bottles scattered around. Her belongings were carelessly thrown everywhere, even a pair of socks hanging from the back of a chair. It was nothing like the house she grew up in.
She stood and walked toward the refrigerator, pulling out a plastic container.
The fridge was full, yet somehow it looked just as lonely as the apartment itself. Pre-made meals filled the shelves, untouched fruits sat neatly in their containers, and there was barely anything to drink except for a carton of fruit juice that wasn't even halfway empty.
She didn't even bother transferring the food onto a plate.
Without much thought, she ate straight from the container, absentmindedly scooping spoonful after spoonful while staring blankly at nothing in particular until every last bite was gone.
Once she finished, she threw the container into the trash before heading straight for the bathroom.
Another day.
Another chance to pretend she was alive and to pretend she was doing well.
But was she?
It didn't even take Yuki ten minutes to shower. Just a quick rinse and nothing more. She never cared enough to follow the complicated routines that were so popular these days.
Besides... who was she trying to look pretty for?
She was never the type to spend hours fixing herself up, yet her beauty came effortlessly. Her skin was naturally pale from rarely seeing the sun, her lips were soft despite always being dry, and her almond-shaped eyes carried an emptiness that never seemed to disappear. Her hair, long enough to reach past her hips, framed her almost doll-like face.
She had never bothered cutting it. She simply let it grow because, just like everything else… she didn't really care.
After getting dressed and pretending to brush her hair just enough to look presentable, she lifted her chin up and practiced smiling by herself.
I have to get this job today.
If her best friend hadn't insisted, she wouldn't even be doing this. She didn't need a job because of the money. She was only here because someone believed it would help.
An hour later, she found herself standing in front of a towering glass building.
Ashford Corporation.
The modern structure loomed over the city, its glass walls reflecting the morning sky.
Yuki quietly stepped inside and made her way to the floor where she was scheduled for her interview.
"Ms. Yuki Winslow?"
A recruiting coordinator called her name.
Yuki stood and greeted the woman with a polite smile before following her into one of the offices. Sitting behind the desk was a middle-aged woman with neatly tied hair, carefully reviewing the résumé in front of her.
"I'm impressed with your credentials," she said, looking up. "You graduated with honors and your professors left very positive recommendations. Besides what you've listed here, are there any other skills you'd like us to know about?"
"Thank you," Yuki replied softly.
She sat with her back straight, hands resting neatly on her lap.
"I'm proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint. I can prepare reports, organize data, and I'm comfortable doing documentation. I also have experience coordinating small group projects during college, so I'm used to working with deadlines and communicating with different kinds of people."
The interviewer nodded while taking a few notes.
"How would you describe yourself as an employee?"
Yuki paused for a second.
"I'm a fast learner," she answered honestly. "I pay attention to details, and I always try to finish my responsibilities on time. I may not be the most outspoken person in a team, but I communicate whenever necessary and I don't mind learning from others."
"And what would you say is your weakness?"
"...I tend to overthink my work sometimes," she admitted with a small, almost embarrassed smile. "I like making sure everything is done properly, so I occasionally spend more time checking my work than I probably should."
The woman chuckled.
"I'd rather have someone who's careful than someone who's careless." She closed the folder and smiled warmly. "I think you'll fit in well here."
Yuki looked at her, waiting quietly.
"Welcome to Ashford Corporation. You're hired.”
For the first time that morning, the smile Yuki had practiced in front of the mirror felt just a little more genuine.
"Thank you."
"You'll receive an email later today containing your schedule, department assignment, orientation details, and the team you'll be working with. You can officially start this week."
"I appreciate the opportunity.”
After exchanging a few more words of gratitude, Yuki remained inside the building instead of heading home right away. She found an empty bench in the lobby and sat down, letting out a quiet sigh as she leaned against the backrest.
She got the job.
That was supposed to be good news. At least, it was according to her best friend. As for herself, she wasn't sure how she felt about it.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden commotion near the entrance.
Several reporters rushed inside with cameras and microphones in hand, forcing the security personnel to block their way.
"If you're looking for Mr. Ashford, he isn't here!" one of the guards shouted over the noise. "Please leave the premises. You're not getting a statement today."
"But is it true that he's involved in the Foster case?"
"Has Ashford Corporation responded to the allegations?"
"Is Mr. Ashford meeting with the authorities today?"
Questions flew one after another, yet none of them were answered.
Yuki watched the scene from where she was seated.
She had heard the name before.
Rhys Adrian Ashford.
One of the youngest businessmen to build an empire of his own. Newspapers praised him for his intelligence, while business magazines admired his ability to stay ahead of his competitors.
Other than that, she didn't know much about him nor did she care enough to find out.
"You look like a doll."
Yuki blinked and turned toward the tiny voice beside her.
A little girl, no older than seven, stood there looking up at her with sparkling eyes.
"...Thank you," Yuki replied after a brief pause, smiling awkwardly.
It had been years since someone complimented her appearance. She wasn't used to hearing things like that. The truth was, she barely even looked at herself in the mirror anymore.
"Chloe!"
Both of them turned toward the woman hurrying in their direction.
"There you are! I've been looking everywhere." The nanny gently adjusted the little girl's backpack before taking her hand. "We have to go now."
Chloe looked back at Yuki one last time.
"Bye!"
She waved enthusiastically.
For a moment, Yuki simply stared at her. Then, almost instinctively, she raised her hand and waved back.
The little girl disappeared into the waiting black SUV parked outside. Yuki watched the vehicle drive away until it disappeared beyond the gates.
She was about to head home herself when another vehicle slowly pulled into the driveway.
Unlike the SUV from earlier, this one was accompanied by two more black cars that stopped behind it almost at the same time.
Within seconds, security guards stationed near the entrance straightened their posture.
The reporters who had been lingering outside immediately rushed toward the arriving vehicles, cameras flashing one after another.
"Mr. Ashford! Mr. Ashford!"
"Sir! Is it true you're connected to the Foster case?"
"Do you have any comments regarding the investigation?"
Questions were thrown from every direction. Before anyone could get close, several bodyguards stepped out first and quickly formed a barrier around the black sedan.
The rear door opened.
A tall man dressed in a charcoal-gray suit stepped out with an air of effortless authority.
He didn't spare the reporters a single glance. His expression remained unreadable as he walked straight toward the building, his long strides calm and unhurried despite the chaos surrounding him.
The reporters continued calling after him, the cameras continued flashing, yet he acted as though none of it existed.
Yuki found herself watching him longer than she intended.
She had seen countless businessmen on television before, but there was something different about this one.
Maybe it was the silence.
Maybe it was the way everyone instinctively made room for him.
Or maybe... he simply looked difficult to approach.
As he passed through the entrance, one of the employees greeted him.
"Good morning, Mr. Ashford."
He acknowledged the greeting with a small nod before disappearing inside the building without saying another word.
For a brief moment, she wondered what it would be like to work under someone like him then she dismissed the thought.
It wasn't like any of her business.
