Chapter Three

Chapter Three. 

Lila. 

We stood at the entrance of the grand ballroom, the sound of laughter and conversation swirling around them. The glittering chandeliers above cast a soft glow on the elegant crowd, their expensive gowns and tailored tuxedos reflecting the extravagance of the gala. Luca, dressed in a sharp black suit, adjusted his cufflinks, a look of mild disdain crossing his face as he surveyed the room. Beside him, I fidgeted, my red dress clinging to me like a second skin, my lips painted a perfect shade of crimson. 

Neither of us looked particularly happy to be here. In fact, we couldn't stand each other.

I hated him and everything he stood for. 

"Smile wifey." Luca said, squeezing my hand a little bit. 

“I can’t believe you dragged me here,” I muttered under my breath, as I scanned through the room with distaste. I loathed these events, the forced pleasantries and empty conversations. They were the last thing I wanted to attend. But Luca had insisted, of course. He had made it sound like some kind of mandatory obligation, as though the gala was something neither of us couldn't possibly skip. 

This was the first time we were going to be seen in public together since we got married. 

But today was also the day my mother was going to start chemo and I would rather be there than here. 

"This is your chance to make yourself useful, I have held up the end of my bargain. Your mother is in one of the best cancer treatment center, but you have done nothing on your part." Luca said, his tone clipped. "Let's just smile and get through the night." he added, taking my hand in his. 

I didn’t respond, but I could feel the tension between us like a live wire. I still could not understand why Luca had chosen me for this charade. Why not someone else? Someone who might actually enjoy playing the role of his doting wife? Someone from his world, someone used to his lifestyle. 

We stepped further into the ballroom, mingling with the other guests, exchanging polite nods, and smiling. My mind was elsewhere, distracted by the whispers of people around me.

The whispers started the moment we stepped hand in hand into the hall, All types of women whispering amongst themselves. 

My eyes fell on the drink table, where I could spot the unmistakable figure of Vanessa, the woman Luca was in love with and having an ongoing affair with. 

She was dark, sleek hair framing a sharp, beautiful face, a body that seemed made for red carpets. She wasn’t just a woman who had caught his eye; she was the woman who had completely taken his heart. 

She was the reason Luca married me, but I knew he was still seeing her despite her being married. 

At first, after our marriage I thought he would make advances on me, but he remained distant, always on the phone with Vanessa and sneaking out at odd hours. 

My breath was caught in my throat when Vanessa turned to look my way, her smile widening as she spotted us. 

“Luca, darling,” she called out, her voice soft and sweet, yet edged with something i couldn’t quite place. There was a familiarity between them that cut through the air like a blade. Anyone with eyes could see the chemistry between them. 

Luca’s eyes lit up the moment he saw her, and for just a second, I saw it, the spark, the warmth, the way his whole demeanor shifted. 

I fought the urge to roll my eyes, trying to mask the jealousy that burned in my chest. I knew what this was, he told me from the beginning, but a part of me wondered from time to time what it would be like if he actually liked me. I stayed silent, watching as Luca greeted Vanessa with a kiss on the cheek, his posture too casual, too comfortable. I had to remind myself that we were playing a part here. I couldn’t show any weakness. We were both pretending.

Vanessa's gaze flickered toward me, lingering for a moment as if trying to place me.

 "Oh, Lila, how lovely to see you ," she said with a forced, tight smile. There was something about the way she said my name that made it feel like a slight, a reminder that she knew exactly what I was to Lucas, nothing more than a placeholder.

"Vanessa," I replied, my voice icy but calm. "I wish I could say the same."

Luca stepped between us, perhaps sensing the growing tension. 

“So, what brings you to the gala?” he asked Vanessa, clearly eager to turn the focus away from my cold reception. 

Vanessa’s eyes never left Luca’s face as she responded, her voice low and velvety. “I just couldn’t miss it, could I? You know how it is, too many business deals to make and too many people to charm.”

I couldn’t help myself. I glanced at Luca and saw the way his lips twitched at her words. It was almost as if Vanessa had just thrown a playful challenge his way. My chest tightened.

I glanced at the sparkling champagne in my glass, wondering how much longer I could keep up this farce. How much longer could I pretend to be someone’s wife when all I was really doing was sharing a space with a man who would never be mine?

Luca was laughing now, genuinely smiling at something Vanessa had said. I felt a bitter taste rise in my throat, but I swallowed it back down. I had to keep it together. 

"Excuse me, I have to use the bathroom." I said excusing myself, I didn't want to stand there anymore. 

"You are not going anywhere until I finish talking to her, you know that." Luca said, looking at me veins all over his forehead. I balanced the tears threatening to fall down my eyes. 

I had knew who he was when I agreed to sign those papers, but I did not know he was going to be so cold towards me.