The Art of Pretending

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over the sleek, modern decor. Evie sat at the dining table, picking at her breakfast. The spread was lavish—fresh fruit, pastries, and a steaming cup of coffee. Her mind was still reeling from the events of the previous night, the memory of Alexander playing piano, his exhausted face and the moment their fingers touched.

She glanced at the clock—8:47 a.m. morning. Alexander had left early for a meeting, leaving her alone in the penthouse. Amid the silence, she found herself longing for the comforting chaos of her old life. But she knew she couldn't go back. Not now.

The sound of the front door opening startled her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Martin striding into the room, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Good morning," he said. "I hope you slept well."

Evie nodded, though the dark circles under her eyes told a different story. "As well as can be expected," she said quietly.

Martin studied her for a moment, his gaze sharp and assessing. "Mr. Grant has asked me to take you shopping," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "You'll need a new wardrobe for the upcoming events."

Evie's heart sank. She had known this was coming, but the thought of being paraded around like a doll made her uncomfortable. "Do I really need a new wardrobe?" she asked.

Martin replied with a smile. "I'm afraid so," he said. "You'll be attending high-profile events as Mr. Grant's wife. You'll need to look the part."

Evie nodded. She knew he was right, but the idea of spending Alexander's money on designer clothes felt wrong. She had always been frugal, always made do with what she had. The thought of splurging on luxury items made her feel like an imposter.

But she didn't have a choice. This was part of the arrangement, and she had to play her role.

After Evie got ready, they left the mansion towards the Central Square, a place full of luxury and wealth. Central Square was the biggest mall of the city and housed famous brands from all over the world. Salaried people and poor class simply couldn't afford the items there.

Martin and Evie stepped out of the car and what Evie saw stunned her. The whole parking lot was full of luxury and rich cars. Audi, BMW, Ferrari and she couldn't even name a few.

"We shave a lot of shopping to do, so we should hurry up" said Martin as he walked towards the entrance. Evie hurriedly followed while glancing around to see different brand stores. Evie felt out of place in the midst of people oozing wealth and luxury, her simple black dress and worn heels a stark contrast to the opulence around her.

They first went to Chanel store, then LV, Gucci, Prada, Patek Phillipe and many more. Before Evie could react, Martin had spent tens of millions of dollars on designer clothes, bags, purse, heels, perfumes etc. Evie was still lost in the reverie as she thought of how the sales associates fawned over her, pulling dresses, bags, etc from the racks one after another. The thought of wearing dresses worth millions was astounding to her but she knew that she had to fit into Alexander's circle in the gala.

Martin stood quietly by her side all the time while they shopped, his expression unreadable as ever. Finally, they went to the store which was renowned for its fabulous gowns.

"This would look stunning on you," one of the sales girl said, holding up a sleek, emerald-green gown. "It's perfect for a gala."

Evie nodded numbly, her mind spinning. She had never worn anything so extravagant in her life. The thought of stepping into a room full of wealthy, judgmental strangers made her stomach churn.

That evening, Evie stood in front of the floor-length mirror in her suite, staring at her reflection. The emerald-green gown clung to her curves, the fabric shimmering under the soft glow of the chandelier. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and a touch of makeup accentuated her features. She looked like a different person—someone who belonged in Alexander's world.

But she didn't feel like that person. She felt like an imposter, a fraud.

The sound of a knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. "Come in," she called.

The door opened, and Alexander stepped into the room. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, his sharp and handsome features illuminated by the soft light. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

"You look… stunning," Alexander said finally, his voice low and steady.

Evie's cheeks flushed, her heart skipping a beat. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alexander stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Are you ready?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.

Evie nodded, though her hands trembled as she clasped them in front of her. "As ready as I'll ever be," she said quietly.

Alexander studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Remember," he said, his voice low, "this is just a role. Play the part, and everything will be fine."

Evie nodded again. She knew he was right.

"Shall we go?" he asked reaching out his left hand for her to hold.

"Sure", Evie replied with a weak smile as she slowly placed her right palm on his outstretched hand.

Together, their hands clasped around each other, they got into a Rolls Royce Phantom and headed towards the destination.

The gala was a glittering affair, the ballroom filled with the city's elite. Evie clung to Alexander's arm as they made their way through the crowd, her heart pounding in her chest. The room was a blur of bright lights, polished floors, and the soft murmur of voices. She felt out of place, like a fish out of water.

But she had to play the part.

As they mingled with the guests, Evie forced a smile, her laughter ringing out as she made small talk with strangers. She could feel their eyes on her, their judgmental stares burning into her back. But she kept her head high, her jaw clenched in determination. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her break.

Alexander was the perfect host, his charm and charisma on full display. He introduced her to the guests with a proud smile, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. Evie could feel the warmth of his touch through the fabric of her gown, a constant reminder of the role she was playing.

But as the night wore on, she began to notice something—the way Alexander's gaze lingered on her, the way his hand tightened on her back when another man approached. There was something in his eyes, something she couldn't quite place. It wasn't coldness or indifference, but something softer.

And then, as they danced under the soft glow of the chandelier, Alexander pulled her closer, his breath warm against her ear. "You're doing well," he whispered, his voice low and steady.

Evie's breath hitched, her heart skipping a beat. "Thank you," she whispered back, her voice trembling slightly.

Alexander's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.