“Welcome Mr. Armani.” The security at the door says receiving a nod from William as he uses a card to open the door for us. Immediately we walk in, William drops his hands from mine and I awkwardly use both hands to hold my purse in front of me.My eyes flutter as I try to get my eyes to see clearly from the blinding lights out there. I smoothed my dress as I glanced at my surroundings. The hall was enormous with round tables and chairs in almost every corner with a sparkling chandelier hanging in the center of the room. Most people weren’t seated yet, they were mingling with each other, making conversations, I felt very much out of place.I could see the catering staff dressed up in their uniform with trays in their hands that had most likely champagne-filled flutes on them serving the standing guests.The plan was simple: stick to William’s side through the night, keep to myself but also try mingle with people but not to stray from William. Talk about our relationship, make sure to
Oh God! I was a mess. I was running around my room looking like a headless chicken. I hope I don’t forget anything behind with this awful last-minute packing.What was I thinking about sleeping so early yesterday? I should have done this yesterday instead of right now. William will be arriving in less than two hours and everything was a mess. I haven’t even taken a shower yet nor talk of brushing my teeth. I pulled out the light hand luggage Hazel bought for me yesterday and unzipped it, throwing in the outfit she picked that I would wear for the next two days. I threw in a clean towel, pajamas, and whatever necessities I needed to get me through this weekend. Once I go through my mental checklist and tick the items on this mental list of mine, I dash into the bathroom to take a shower as fast as I can. Once I was done bathing, I pulled my hair into a ponytail as I put on the graphic black tee and light jeans before knotting my shoelaces and ensuring I was well-equipped with everyth
“Well, aren’t you a beautiful thing? I still can’t believe it’s true.” She says reaching out to me to hug me tight as I release a shaky breath that my cover wasn’t blown. She turns to Mathew, William’s father with me still in her arms “he actually has a girlfriend, and she’s real. Oh, honey.” She says still holding me like I would vanish if she lets go for even a second.“Hm, that I can certainly see clearly Celia.” He glances at me with scrutiny clear in his eyes while I stand there with bated breath before glancing at William. Was he skeptical about me and did he also not buy the relationship? Or did he know I was not as put together as I appear to be or perhaps he could sense my nerves?William and his father made eye contact as they seemed to be having a conversation with themselves through their unique gaze.“Ohh, I am so happy he brought you along. When Williams first told me that he had a girlfriend and the relationship was very serious, I didn't believe him, even a little bit.
William and his father returned as Celia and I finished setting up the table and we sat down to enjoy the meal.“Hello dear, my name is Matthew and I am William's father, I'm sorry we weren't formally introduced earlier. I would like to personally welcome you to our house. We are all so glad that William has finally brought a woman home, it’s way past due.” Mathew says out of the blue as we eat. I stop eating and send him a grateful smile. I guess William managed to convince him we were actually in a relationship.“Thank you, sir, You have a beautiful home, and I am also so glad to be here.”“Call me Mathew.” He says and I nod as we continue eating our meal. Like I have not been calling him that in my head.“So tell me about you, how old are you and how did the both of you meet?” Celia asks as she takes a bite from her meal.Well, your son William sent his friend Luke out into the world to look for the perfect candidate for his contract and I guess I was a good fit cause Luke started
The next morning, I guess William was right because his aunt did come into the room but I was very much wide awake at the time. The floor was so uncomfortable that I couldn't even get any sleep. I kept hoping all through the night that William would suddenly have a change of heart, but I hoped all night. I guess his aunt not seeing me sleeping on the floor is a win, right? We made breakfast for everyone before she gave me a mini tour of the mansion. She reminded me a little bit of my mom.We had to leave early the next day because Luke called saying something needed William’s urgent attention at work so we had to leave extra early.I enjoyed it there but I was glad I was not sleeping on the floor anymore even if my bed wasn't all that comfortable, I'd still prefer it over sleeping on the floor any day.As usual, like all my mornings have started since I signed that dreadful contract, The sound of my ringtone stirs me up from my sleep. I reached out to answer the phone without checking
“We need to work with time. William isn’t going to take fashionably late as an excuse today.” Alois says ordering his team.“Bailey, I want you to hop into the bathroom and scrub your skin before we start making you sparkle for your engagement. You are the diamond of the season.”Yeah, you heard right, engagement. I was shocked too. It has been a week since when I went bridal shopping and yesterday night, Luke called me to let me know before the time that today will be my engagement day. Why couldn’t William pass on the message himself why did he always have to send someone in place of him to communicate with me?The next thing I knew, Derrick came to pick me up and he dropped me off at the same hotel we used the last time to get ready for the charity and Alois was already there waiting for me alongside his team.I walked into the bathroom and did as I was told. Once I was done, I applied lotion to my skin and put on the white cotton robe before sitting in the chair I needed to be in
William chose the rooftop of one of the finest and most expensive penthouses with skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows in New York to have the engagement party. Cedrick dropped us off at the penthouse building and William and I made our way up, I made a mental note to stay as far away from William as I could once we got up there. The elevator opened, and I placed my hand in the crook of William's arms as we made our way out of the elevator with a fake smile on my face. All the guests present gawked at us as we walked in and a few congratulated us as we walked past them.First of all, we had to share a dance to begin the event. The crowd parted ways for us as we made our way to the center. I placed one hand on William’s shoulder and used the other to hold his shoulder while he placed his hands on the bodice of my gown. I could feel his warm touch through the fabric which shouldn’t even be possible in the first place. The music started and we waltzed to it. I do hope I don't fall dur
The past seven weeks had been me riding my high. A high filled with excitement and ecstasy or so I assumed drowning myself in a state of cloud nine. I drowned out the voice of reasoning in my head letting myself get carried away by things so fake and Instead succumbed to the state of ignorance.It was so clear that all those planning, meetings, and enjoying the finer things of life were all just an illusion, a sad illusion. I subjected myself to planning a fake wedding, I didn't even know the man I was getting married to except his name and the basic things I had to learn from Luke to keep appearances and avoid any speculations.I poured myself another drink and downed the glass in a go. At this point, I just felt numb and I was in my own world ignorant about the people around me, I couldn’t even taste the bitterness of the drinks anymore. I knew by tomorrow whatever time I woke up, I was going to regret drinking so much today but I didn't care, I was tired of everyone and everything.