Chapter Seven

LISA

For the past two months,my life has been completely miserable and uncomfortable. Sleeping in the same bed with a man who belongs to my sister has been difficult,a man who I don't love,a man who thinks I'm someone else. I've never entertained the idea of marriage but this definitely isn't the marriage I thought I'd find myself in.

A fake one.

Where I'd have to disguise myself, pretending to be my sister.

My routine has continued of course, run,hide and pretend.

Lore seems to have given up on getting me to push the walls down. Silas has been cold as usual,I almost died of a heartbreak when he told me whatever we had between us was over.

My parents have been highlighting the name Mona and everyone envies their perfect daughter, who caught a young billionaire Lord's eye without any effort,not even the lifting of a finger.

As for Mona,it's like she's now completely vanished into thin air. Her number now says, "Does not exist."

Mama still cries over her precious girl, praying for her return. I do want her to return too, so she can put me out of my misery and of course, I need to see she's well and safe. Mama doesn't miss a day of calling me and lecturing me about how I should mimic my sister in order to behave appropriately and not embarrass my "husband" and our family.

As for papa, he disowned Mona. After the wedding,he had a heart attack and was secretly rushed to the hospital. The moment he recovered,his exact words were, "That ungrateful child is no longer my daughter,from now on,nobody talks about Mona in my house because I have severed all ties with her." Mother cried,but she knew there was no changing papa's mind.

Tonight,I'm accompanying Lore to his friend's company opening celebration party.

I turn to my side in front of the mirror, checking if the dress is perfect. It's a long green satin dress which has a slit running up my left thigh and open behind,showing the skin of my back. I paired it with black string heels and tied my hair in a tight bun.

Lore appears behind me and I watch him through the mirror as he wears his cufflinks. I sweep my gaze all over his body and secretly admit to myself that he really looks very handsome tonight in his perfectly pressed pants,long white sleeved shirt and shiny styled hair.

I move my gaze away from him and turn around.

"I'm ready."

"Let's go?" He asks and I nod,then he opens the door and I walk in front of him.

Meeting people and having long friendly conversations has never been my thing,but since it was Mona's natural trait,i have to force myself to do it,unfortunately.

When the woman keeps talking about her experience as a Lord's wife,I keep smiling.

Geez,how did she naturally handle this? I feel like my cheeks are swollen right now due to all the smiling I've been doing. The weird part though is that I don't find her irritating,and trust me,most rich women seem to irritate me.

Just when I think she will stop,her friend comes over and I internally scream. If I was Lisa,I'd be hiding in a corner somewhere, sneaking flutes of champagne while enjoying my peaceful and antisocial life. But,it is what it is.

"So,how's been your experience as a Lord's wife?"

I'm pulled from my thoughts at the unexpected question.

"Uhm,it's been alright. I'm just a bit sore because of all the events I have to attend in heels."

She laughs lightly.

"Oh yes,I was in your position a year ago,but you'll get used to it with time."

A woman in a red strapless dress approaches us.

"Gosh, Hillary," she pants. "I can't take it any more,these people wouldn't stop trying to use me to get my husband to invest in their businesses." She places a hand on her chest.

"I actually do feel sorry for you." Hillary gives her a sympathetic look.

"Oh,pardon me,where are my manners?" She eyes me carefully. "You must be Mona, Lore's wife?"

"I am," I nod.

"I'm Maria,Darien's wife."

Oh. That's Lore's best friend. I've met Darien so many times,he's a good man,his wife seems nice too.

"It's a pleasure meeting you."

She hold out her hand to me and I shake it.

"Same."

"So,what are you two talking about?" She asks.

"Being a Lord's wife."

"I see,how are you finding it,Mona?"

"Very tiring to be honest. Everyone wants to talk to me and I keep being dragged left,right and center. My feet are sore and I can't feel my toes. I honestly prefer being alone in a corner,away from all the rich and famous."

She smiles at me.

"No pretence,I like that. Well,that's just how it is,I've been married to Darien for two years now but I still haven't gotten used to it."

"You see that woman over there? The one in the blue dress," I follow Hillary's line of vision and nod when I spot her. "Stay away from her,she's a very cunning woman, she'll only want to use you to get to Lore,she's such a bitch. She's been after him for a very long time and won't back down even whilst knowing he's officially off the market."

I study her,she is pretty. I wonder if she and Lore had a relationship in the past. That's how it is right? There's that one crazy ex who can't accept rejection and will do anything to get a man back. I just hope that's not the case because I don't hold back when someone thinks they can just come in my life and act like they're above me.

They show me a few other women who I should stay away from and who they don't seem to like. Noted. I can read from their body language that they are definitely snobbish women.

Definitely not my type of people.

A waiter brings us glasses of champagne and I internally say a thank you prayer.

I take a sip and the bubbly tingle on my taste buds has me closing my eyes briefly. When I open them,they land on Lore's,our eyes lock and he doesn't break eye contact even when he takes a sip from the glass in his hand.

For a moment there,I'm stuck in his grey eyes.

"Ehem."

I break the contact when Hillary clears her throat.

"Looks like the two of you miss each other already."

"What?"

"Oh,he's heading over here."

I look to where he was and find him walking towards us.

"Hello, ladies." He greets them and makes small conversations, asking how they've been doing until finally,they shove me to the wolves.

"Mona, we'll be right back,since you're in good hands."

No,this is bad, really really bad.

They walk away and I stare after them until he speaks.

"Are you alright?"

I startle.

"Yes,I'm fine."

He nods then places one hand in the pocket of his pants.

He asks me about the books I've read,since I can't seem to stay away from the library. It's a good thing I'm into books because I just randomly blurt out the ones I read at home. I did Not,touch a single book in his library,it's just a getaway. There's a stretch of uncomfortable silence after the books conversation. I don't dare lift my eyes to look at him,at this point I feel like I'll pass out.

I've come to the bitter realisation that he likes to watch me,he'd stare at me for long seconds until I got uncomfortable,like now.

"Hillary and Maria are nice," I break the silence.

"They are,they don't really like making friends, Darien was shocked to see his wife beaming at you,so that must say something."

"Oh." I shift from foot to foot.

"Should we leave?"

I look up,only for a second and find him watching my feet.

"I don't want to ruin your fun,it's alright,I can hang in there."

"You always come first,Mona."

I can't help it. My eyes lift and meet his.

He takes a step closer,his eyes moving to my lips,then he places his hand on my cheek and I pray that he's not about to kiss me right this minute, with everyone around, because i won't be able to stop it.