chapter 3

As the wedding date drew near, Tonia was very nervous, but she didn't allow it to weigh her down. "I'm doing this for my mom," she said, trying to make herself feel better. She looked at her mom, still lying unconscious even after the surgery. Although the doctor assured her that it would still take some time for her to fully regain consciousness, Tonia couldn't help but worry about her.

Three days before the wedding, as Tonia was heading to her workplace where she worked as a cleaner, she received a phone call. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller - it was Roland. Trying not to be nervous, she picked up, and Roland told her to meet him at a bridal shop at 4 pm for her wedding dress fitting. That was when it became clear to her that her life was about to take another turn

Tonia arrived at the bridal shop, her mind racing with thoughts of her mother's health and the impending wedding. Roland was already there, chatting with the shop owner. He turned to Tonia and smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hey, bride-to-be! Ready to try on your wedding dress?" Tonia forced a smile, feeling a pang of guilt for not being more enthusiastic. She had agreed to this arrangement, after all. The shop owner, a friendly woman named Mrs. Jenkins, led Tonia to a fitting room, where a stunning lace gown awaited. As Tonia slipped into the dress, she couldn't help but feel like she was living a dream - one that wasn't entirely hers.

"The dress was made specifically for you," Mrs. Jenkins remarked, bringing her back to reality. "Really?" Tonia asked curiously. Mrs. Jenkins smiled and continued, "Yes, dear. It's from a very famous wedding dress brand in Paris. You must be very special to Mr. Anderson. I can't believe that cold man is getting married; it still feels like a dream. You look stunning, by the way." Mrs. Jenkins finally concluded. Tonia was unable to believe her ears - her wedding dress was that expensive?

Tonia's eyes widened in shock as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. The dress was exquisite, with intricate lace and delicate embroidery that sparkled in the light. She couldn't believe that Liam, the man she was marrying in just two days, had gone to such great lengths to ensure she looked perfect on their wedding day. "It's...it's too much," Tonia stuttered, feeling a mix of emotions: gratitude, guilt, and unease. Mrs. Jenkins chuckled and patted her hand. "Oh, dear, you deserve it. And Mr. Anderson, well, he's a man of great taste, isn't he?" Tonia forced a smile, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that her wedding dress was from a famous Parisian brand. She felt like Cinderella, but without the fairy tale.

Tonia emerged from the fitting room, her heart racing with excitement, and was about to show off her stunning wedding dress to Roland when her eyes landed on a figure that made her heart skip a beat. Mr. Anderson, her fake husband to be, was sitting in the plush waiting area, sipping a cup of coffee and reading a magazine, looking every bit the calm and collected businessman he was. Tonia's eyes darted to Roland, who raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly. "Ah, perfect timing!" he exclaimed, as if he had orchestrated the whole thing. Mr. Anderson looked up, his eyes locking onto Tonia's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Tonia felt a shiver run down her spine as he rose from his seat, his gaze never leaving hers, and began to walk towards her.

Tonia felt a flutter in her chest as Mr. Anderson approached her, his eyes scrutinizing her from head to toe. She tried to brush off the sensation, reminding herself that he was just a business partner, a fake husband. She had no romantic feelings for him, and she shouldn't pretend otherwise. "You look...stunning," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine despite her resolve. Tonia's cheeks flushed, and she looked away, trying to play it cool. "Thanks," she muttered, fidgeting with the delicate lace of her dress. Mr. Anderson's gaze lingered on her, and for a moment, Tonia wondered if he could see right through her facade. But then, his expression returned to its usual stoic mask, and he nodded curtly. "Good. I'm glad you like the dress.

Tonia's response was unfazed by his compliment. "Thank you," she said simply, her expression neutral. Mr. Anderson didn't reply, instead standing up to leave. But then, he suddenly turned back and said, "Get ready by 6 pm. We have a family dinner at my grandparents' house." He then turned to Mrs. Jenkins and instructed, "Please provide her with a suitable dinner dress." Without giving Tonia a chance to respond or react, he turned to his assistant, Roland, and said, "Please drop her off at my grandparents' house at 6 pm sharp." With that, he turned and left, leaving Tonia feeling bewildered and a bit overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.

As soon as Mr. Anderson (Liam) left the room, Roland followed closely behind, leaving Tonia alone with Mrs. Jenkins. The older woman's curiosity got the better of her, and she turned to Tonia with a concerned expression. "Your fiancé looks angry; did you offend him?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of intrigue. Tonia noticed Mrs. Jenkins' gaze lingering on the doorway, where Mr. Anderson and Roland had just exited, their body language screaming tension.

Tonia forced a smile, trying to downplay the situation. "No...not at all," she replied, her voice steady. "He's just a bit stressed because of work. You know how it is." She attempted to sound nonchalant, but Mrs. Jenkins' raised eyebrow suggested she wasn't entirely convinced.

Mrs. Jenkins studied Tonia's face for a moment, her eyes searching for any sign of deception. "Oh, okay, I see," she said finally, her tone neutral. Though she didn't press the issue further, Tonia sensed a lingering skepticism.

With the awkward exchange concluded, Tonia collected her dinner dress from Mrs Jenkins and hurried back to work, her mind preoccupied with the upcoming dinner and the strained atmosphere between her and Mr. Anderson. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Mrs. Jenkins saw right through her facade, and the thought made her even more anxious about the evening ahead.

Tonia returned to her workplace, a towering skyscraper where she was employed as a cleaner. However, her day took a turn for the worse when she was scolded by her head of department. But Tonia quickly begged for forgiveness, and her diligence on the job paid off - she was pardoned and allowed to return to work.

After completing her tasks, Tonia rushed to the hospital to check on her mother, who remained unconscious. The sight filled Tonia with worry, but a kind nurse reassured her that her mother was a fighter and would pull through. Tonia spent some time by her mother's side before hurrying home to prepare for the dinner.

As soon as she finished getting dressed, Tonia received a message from Roland, Liam's assistant, informing her of the meeting location. With a deep breath, Tonia grabbed her things and headed out, ready to face whatever the evening had in store.

As Tonia arrived at the designated location, she was taken aback by the sleek, expensive car parked before her. Roland, standing beside it, waved her over. Tonia's eyes widened in awe as she approached the vehicle, her mind racing with thoughts of the Anderson family's wealth.

Roland opened the car door for her, and Tonia thanked him as she began to slide into the seat. But just as she was about to sit down, she received the biggest shock of her life. There, sitting in the opposite side of the car, was Mr. Anderson himself. His piercing gaze met hers, and Tonia's heart skipped a beat.

Tonia was left speechless, but she mustered up the courage to greet him. "Good...evening," she stuttered, barely getting the words out. Mr. Anderson's response was calm and collected. "Good day, Miss Peters," he replied, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. His aura seemed to radiate an otherworldly confidence, making Tonia feel even more intimidated.

Here's a rewritten version with some minor corrections and suggestions:

Tonia's unease lingered as she mentioned Mrs. Jenkins' suspicious behavior to Mr. Anderson. However, he didn't seem bothered, his expression unreadable. Instead, he instructed Roland, "Take care of it." Roland nodded and asked the driver to start the car, then sat beside the driver, leaving Tonia alone in the backseat with Mr. Anderson.

As the car began to move, Tonia tried to catch her breath, still feeling anxious. Suddenly, a document was passed to her. It contained Mr. Anderson's biography, and she was asked to review it in case his grandfather asked any questions. Tonia's heart raced as she wondered how she would face Mr. Anderson's family. She felt scared and anxious, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios.