Being watched?

                                    

                                          
Emma's POV
                          
"Thanks a lot for your help." I gave a soft smile to the lady at the concierge desk and headed to the elevator to get back to my room.
                          
It was Friday already, and tonight was the end of the week-long meetings after the masquerade ball. I had some spare time so I decided to meet the hotel concierge to plan my bookings for the weekend.
I had booked a Norway aurora tour to see the Northern lights in a small island called Lofoten.
                          
As I walked back, I could sense somebody's eyes on me, when I looked around I barely saw anybody I recognized. Feeling alarmed, I rushed into the elevator and pressed my floor button. I took brisk steps to my room while constantly looking behind to check for the unusual presence I felt.
The haste led me to bump into someone, and I hushed out a slight shriek out of sheer fright.
                          
"Careful Emma." Mark grabbed me and held my waist to stop me from tripping down. I gripped his shoulders to restore my balance, and was relieved to find him to my rescue.
                          
"Thank God it's you. I got so scared for a minute." I heaved a deep sigh and collected myself. I didn't realize but I was actually standing extremely close to him.
                          
His gaze was soft and for the first time I saw intense emotions in his deep grey eyes, the feeling made me flinch. I always saw Mark as a good friend but for split of a second his eyes said otherwise. His lips were inches apart and his strong cologne filled my nostrils. My pulse was racing through my veins, as his grip on my waist created an unusual sensation. I cleared my throat and stepped back from our uncomfortable position.
                          
"Umm.. what got you so scared Emma? I was looking for you." Mark broke the awkwardness and quickly retained the calmness in his voice.
                          
"Umm.. I went to the reception area to confirm my bookings for tomorrow. I am planning to visit Lofoten Islands." I stuttered, my mind still stirred with my odd encounter with Mark.
                          
"That's amazing. Their hikes have such beautiful views. You should definitely try that if you get a chance." He recommended.
                          
"Yes definitely. I am planning on it."
                          
"So when will you be flying for the States? Will you br taking some time off?"
                          
"No. I am flying out on Sunday evening. Owing to the time difference I would still be back in US by Sunday evening, and would be able to report to office on Monday morning, so no time offs." I felt confident as I planned meticulously, and was sure that nothing could go wrong.
                          
"Great. I am flying back tomorrow morning though."
                          
"That's nice. I also have to check-out early tomorrow so I might recede to my room early tonight."
                          
"What? Why? Will you not attend the Gala?"
                          
"No Mark. It's anyway not my thing. I think I will give it a pass." I shrugged indifferently.
                          
"No way. You must come, else I will get bored. Come on Emma! It's the last event, you should definitely attend." He insisted with puppy eyes. I smiled at his persistence, and reluctantly agreed. His eyes twinkled in excitement at my consent.
                          
We chatted for a while more and then went to our respective rooms. We had decided to meet outside the ballroom at seven pm.
                          
The moment I entered my room, I just collapsed on my bed.
                          
Why did it feel as if I was being watched?
                          
My mind was playing weird tricks and I decided to take a warm relaxing bath to calm my nerves.
                          
The entire week at Norway had sailed through with back to back meetings, orientations and many press conferences and deliberations. Erica, like a parasite,  was fixed on Jake's side on all informal meetings and dinner parties. She took immense pride to be the woman standing beside the most eligible bachelor in town, her arrogance clearly reflected in her snooty body language. I tried to make peace with it. If that's what made Jake happy, then I truly wished them my best.
                          
On the other hand, Mark and I were slowly becoming friends. For his sake, I convinced myself to get ready for the gala even if I had no interest whatsoever. I wore the long dress that Britney and Niki chose for me just in case I happen to attend the ball. 
                          
It was nothing very fancy, just a plain beige low-cut dress, backless with a knot behind the neck keeping the straps in place. I looked good as the fitting was just perfect. I left my hair lose and took my mask in hand before heading down.
                          
I went inside the ballroom and started to wait for Mark at the entrance. After fifteen minutes when he still didn't show up, I decided to call him instead.
                          
Voicemail.
                          
His phone was not reachable and there was no sign of him. I took a glass of water and sat at a side couch silently admiring the beauty of the hall. 
                          
All women were dressed to perfection wearing their exclusive gowns and jewels. I was in awe of the entire setting, I had never witnessed something this grand before and the glitz and glamor was noteworthy. I felt small surrounded by such high-profile businessmen and women, but I decided to wait a bit longer for Mark to show up.
                          
Suddenly the lights were dimmed, and only focus was on the grand dance floor, they announced for everyone to move to the centre of the hall for the social ball dance. 
                          
Everyone was wearing masks now, and were slowly heading to the centre with their partners. With such lighting and setting, it became all the more impossible to look for Mark. I almost decided to turn around and leave the premise, but the thought that he might be looking for me too made me stay for a bit longer.
                          
The feeling that someone was watching me still lingered at the back of my head. I scanned my surrounding just to be sure, mainly to settle my mind in believing that it was nothing but my paranoia.
                          
I slowly walked deep into the crowd and that's when I felt a hand touch my bare shoulder from behind. Hoping it to be Mark, I turned around and saw a tall well built figure dressed in an immaculate black tux looking back at me. The person was wearing a golden mask but due to poor lighting, I couldn't see his face.
                          
"Mark, is that you?"