Chapter 6

MEANWHILE, Jazzlyn stood in front of the mirror. Camille quickly moved through her makeup. Foundation, more dabs of concealer and a swift brush of powder to set everything in place. She reached Jazzlyn’s eyeshadow, applying soft browns and golds on her lids, followed by a quick line of eyeliner and mascara.

Camille grabbed her new lipstick from her bag. “Let’s use this, I bought this from Paris. It will make you look even perfect.”

Jazzlyn took a small smile while Camille applied a deep rosy shade on her lips. It was bold but beautiful. “Thanks,” she said, smacking her lips together.

Camille stood back. “So, you're gonna end this now since you failed to do it last time?” she asked.

Jazzlyn froze for a second, she pretended to focus on fixing her hair. “I have no choice, Camille. I don’t want to keep pretending.”

“I'm sorry if I put you in this situation. If I had known that it was Kevin, I should have done it by myself.” Camille knew that Jazzlyn had a crush on Kevin.

Jazzlyn faced Camille and saw her face worried. “Don’t say that, Camille, you know I am very supportive of your love life. This is my choice and I’ll be fine, okay?”

“Anyways,” Jazzlyn grabbed her purse and posed in the mirror to check her stunning red dress outfit. “I have to go now.”

“You forgot to wear your necklace,” Camille said pointing out the jewelry box.

Jazzlyn was hesitant, unsure if she should wear it tonight. The necklace had been a lucky charm ever since a young boy gave it to her years ago. That moment grew hazy over time, but she would still remember how special it felt when he handed it to her.

She went back to her dresser and held the necklace.Then with a deep breath, she clasped it around her neck. The cool metal rested against her skin.

“Perfect. Now you're ready, so let's go,” Camille smilingly said to her.

Camille offered to drive her to the restaurant. The ride felt shorter than expected.

“You’ll do great,” Camille said as she parked the car.

Jazzlyn nodded and took a deep breath before stepping out of the car. “Thank you, Camille.”

Jazzlyn spotted Kevin sitting by the window. Her heart skipped a beat. He was incredibly handsome. Kevin gave her a warm smile as she approached. She felt like she was floating through a dream, one she both wanted to savor and wake up from.

Kevin rose to greet her with a kiss on her cheek, she felt her heart race. “Hi, Camille, you look beautiful as always!” he said warmly, pulling out her chair.

“Thank you, Kevin,” she replied, forcing a smile. She felt an ache deep in her chest—how she wished that compliment had been directed at her, the real her. But tonight, she was Camille, her best friend, and that reminder pulled her painfully back to reality.

They chatted about work and their busy schedules, Kevin’s gaze never left her. She could feel his admiration, his genuine interest, and it filled her with an odd mixture of guilt and longing. How could she possibly deserve this attention, this warmth? This was a moment she’d always secretly wanted, yet now, wrapped in a lie.

She wanted to enjoy this moment, she wanted to let herself bask in the illusion. But every second passing deepend her guilt. She was falling deeper.

Jazzlyn took a shaky breath, her heart pounding as she braced herself. She couldn’t keep pretending, not when Kevin’s feelings were becoming more obvious. But even as she prepared to speak, her throat tightened.

“Kevin, I have something to tell you,” she began, her voice trembling slightly, her heart heavy with the weight of what she needed to say.

Just as she was about to speak again, Kevin suddenly interrupted her. “I'm sorry, Camille, but there's an unexpected visitor.”

Jazzlyn frowned. “Who?”

Kevin glanced over her shoulder, he lifted his hand to wave someone over. “Erwan, over here!”

Her entire body stiffened as the name hit her like a slap. Jazzlyn felt her throat closed up, her hands gripping the edge of the table to steady herself. She didn't dare to turn around, but she had no option because Erwan stood in front of her. She felt her pulse race, unable to avoid facing him.

As he walked over, Erwan's eyes fell on her necklace—the one she left at the hotel. His face changed as he realized the truth. He knew she was pretending to be someone else.

At that moment, everything was crashing down around her. It was too late. Erwan already knew her true identity because of her necklace.