4. A DANGEROUS GAME

Ava stood in front of the ornate mirror in Damien’s penthouse, her reflection barely recognizable. The sleek, emerald-green gown she wore hugged her figure perfectly, its understated elegance radiating wealth and sophistication. A diamond necklace glittered at her collarbone, matching the earrings that dangled from her ears. Her makeup was flawless, and her hair was styled into a classic updo.

She looked every bit the part of Ivanna Moretti, the enigmatic daughter of a reclusive oil tycoon. But behind the perfect exterior, her nerves were a raging storm.

“I still don’t think this is right. I am stepping into the deep waters without any safety jacket. Any wrong move, I’d get eaten up by the dangerous creatures,” she muttered as she checked herself out in the mirror.

For a slight second, she loved what she saw but her senses quickly brought her back to reality. The transformation made her curious about what the real Ivanna looked like and where she was.

“Relax,” Damien’s deep voice cut through her thoughts. He appeared behind her, adjusting the cufflinks of his tailored suit. “You look stunning.”

Ava turned to face him, her hands trembling slightly. “I can’t believe you’re doing this. Why would you tell everyone I’m some billionaire’s daughter? Couldn’t I just be a regular woman?”

“No one would believe it,” Damien said smoothly, stepping closer. “You need to be untouchable. Someone, no one would dare question. Ivanna Moretti gives you that edge.”

Ava swallowed hard. “What if they find out I’m not her?”

“They won’t,” Damien said confidently. “The profile I created for you is flawless. Just stick to the basics, smile, and let me handle the rest.”

The sound of arriving guests echoed from downstairs, pulling Ava’s attention to the growing commotion. Damien placed a hand on her arm, grounding her. “You’ll do fine. You must”

Ava nodded, even though she wasn’t convinced. The stake felt impossibly high. This wasn’t just a charade; it was a high-wire act without a safety net to land on if something goes wrong.

***

The party was held in the grand ballroom of Damien’s penthouse, a space that screamed opulence. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm glow on the sea of well-dressed attendees. Waiter staffs moved gracefully through the crowd, offering champagne and hors d'oeuvres on silver trays.

Ava stepped onto the polished marble floor, her arm linked with Damien’s. The buzz of conversation quieted as heads turned toward them, curiosity and envy evident in every glance. Damien’s reputation as a private man made his sudden engagement announcement a shocking twist, and everyone was eager to meet the mysterious fiancée.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Damien said, his voice commanding the room as they reached the center. “Thank you for joining us tonight. I’d like to introduce you to my fiancée, Ivanna Moretti.”

Applause erupted, though Ava could feel the scrutiny in every gaze. Her heart pounded as Damien led her to a raised platform at the front of the room. A hush fell over the crowd as a member of Damien’s team began reading her fabricated profile.

“Miss Ivanna Moretti is the daughter of Giovanni Moretti, one of the wealthiest oil magnates in the world,” the man began. “She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Geneva, where she studied international business. She holds advanced degrees in economics and linguistics and is fluent in ten languages, including Italian, French, and Mandarin.”

Ava’s breath hitched as the list continued. The accomplishments Damien had fabricated for her were intimidating, to say the least. She tried to maintain a composed expression, though she could feel her pulse racing.

“She has worked closely with international NGOs, focusing on environmental sustainability in the energy sector,” the man concluded. “Her grace and intellect have made her a respected figure in elite circles.”

The applause was polite but guarded. Ava could sense the undercurrent of skepticism. These people were used to wealth and power; they would scrutinize every detail.

Damien leaned down, whispering in her ear, “Smile. You’re doing great.”

Ava forced a smile, her hands gripping her clutch tightly as Damien led her into the crowd. He began introducing her to key players in the room. They moved from investors and business partners to a handful of high-society elites. Ava nodded politely, responding with carefully rehearsed answers to their polite but probing questions.

“You’re quite the enigma,” one older woman said, her jeweled hand resting on Ava’s arm. “No one’s ever seen you before. Tell me, what brings you to New York?”

“My father’s business has been expanding internationally,” Ava said, repeating the line Damien had drilled into her. “I’ve been assisting him with some of the logistics.”

The woman seemed satisfied, though Ava noticed her eyes lingered on her for a bit too long.

As the evening wore on, Ava began to relax slightly. Damien remained close, his presence a steadying force. The guests seemed charmed by her, their curiosity turning to admiration as she navigated the conversations with poise.

But just as she began to feel more confident, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair stepped forward. His tailored suit and sharp features gave him an air of authority, and his Italian accent was thick as he introduced himself.

“Alessandro Rossi,” he said, shaking Damien’s hand before turning to Ava. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Moretti. Your father and I have done business together in the past.”

Ava’s stomach dropped. She managed a polite smile, her mind racing. “It’s an honor, Mr. Rossi.”

“I must say,” Rossi continued, his tone warm but curious, “your profile is most impressive. Ten languages? That’s quite an accomplishment.”

Damien interjected smoothly. “Ivanna has always been a bit of an overachiever.”

Rossi chuckled. “Indeed. May I test your skills?”

The room seemed to grow quieter as heads turned toward them, intrigued by the exchange. Ava felt the blood drain from her face.

“Of course,” she heard herself say, though her voice sounded distant.

Rossi smiled, then began speaking rapidly in Italian. Ava’s mind went blank as she struggled to process the words, her practiced composure slipping for the first time that evening.

The room waited, expectant.

Ava’s throat tightened as she realized she had no idea how to respond.