TBG - Chapter 6: The Preparation

Theodore’s mansion was grand in ways that felt surreal to Nadia. She woke up in the plush bed, the sunlight streaming through tall windows that overlooked the sprawling gardens outside. It was all too much, too far from the life she knew. As she rubbed her eyes and sat up, a wave of anxiety hit her. What was she getting into?

After a quick breakfast, where the silence between her and the house staff was more than uncomfortable, Nadia made her way to the sitting room, unsure of where to go or what to expect. It was then that she finally saw Miranda, the woman who would be helping her navigate this whirlwind of wealth and power.

Miranda was already sitting in one of the luxurious armchairs, looking perfectly composed as if she belonged in this world. She smiled warmly when Nadia walked in, her presence calming yet firm.

“Good morning, Ms. Nadia,” Miranda greeted, her voice smooth and kind, a sharp contrast to the storm of thoughts running through Nadia’s mind. “I’m glad you’re up. We have a lot to cover today.”

Nadia hesitated for a moment before sitting down across from her, still feeling like a stranger in this place. “I’m ready,” she said, though she wasn’t entirely sure what being “ready” even meant in this new world.

Miranda, reading her hesitation, nodded understandingly and got straight to the point. “Last night, Mr. Theodore introduced me to you, so I won’t waste any time. I’m Miranda, and I’ve been working with Mr. Theodore for a decade now. My husband, Marcus, is his executive assistant. We’ve been by his side for a long time, and I’m here to guide you.”

Nadia listened, still trying to wrap her mind around everything that had happened in such a short time. “Okay,” she replied, trying to sound confident.

Miranda didn’t miss the uncertainty in her voice. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes steady. “Mr. Theodore’s family is one of the most important aspects of this engagement, Ms. Nadia. This isn’t just about you and Mr. Theodore. It’s about securing his future, his legacy. His cousin Drake has his sights set on Mr. Theodore’s inheritance, and Mr. Theodore’s father was clear: if Mr. Theodore doesn’t marry, Drake will get it all.”

Nadia’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Drake. She had suspected there was something off about him, but hearing it confirmed made her feel the pressure intensify. She didn’t know much about Theodore, but now she understood there was far more at stake than she had realized.

Miranda continued, her tone still calm but with an edge of urgency. “This engagement needs to be convincing. For your sake, and for Mr. Theodore’s. We’ve agreed on the story—the two of you have been in a private relationship for two years. It needs to be seamless, believable. When his family starts asking questions, you need to stick to the script. If they sense any hesitation, it’ll be over.”

Nadia nodded, her thoughts racing. The idea of playing a role in such a high-stakes game was overwhelming, but she had no choice. Her family needed this, and somehow, she had to convince herself it was all just part of the plan.

Miranda’s voice softened slightly, sensing Nadia’s anxiety. “I’ll help you every step of the way. But you need to understand: Mr. Theodore’s family won’t make this easy for you. They’ll test you, scrutinize every word you say. If you’re going to survive this, you need to be perfect.”

Miranda stood up from the chair and walked over to a nearby table where she had set down a photo album. She opened it carefully and sat back down in front of Nadia, her eyes steady as she flipped through the pages.

“I think it’s important you see who you’ll be meeting soon,” Miranda said, her tone serious now. She turned the page to reveal a photo of a woman with sharp features and an air of authority that seemed to leap from the page.

“This is Leonora Thatcher, Mr. Theodore’s mother,” Miranda said, her voice quieter now. “She’s… not like other mothers. Leonora is a perfectionist, and everything about her is calculated. She’s protective of Mr. Theodore, and she has high expectations for anyone who enters his life. Don’t think for a second that she won’t be watching you closely when you meet her. She’ll be sizing you up from the moment you step into the room.”

Nadia studied the photo of Leonora, her piercing eyes staring back at her. The woman looked every bit the part of someone who ran a family empire. Nadia felt a chill run down her spine.

Miranda leaned in slightly, sensing Nadia’s discomfort. “She won’t be easily impressed, Ms. Nadia. If you make one wrong move, if you say something off, she’ll notice. And she won’t let it slide.”

Nadia swallowed hard, trying to imagine herself in front of such a woman. “What do I do when I meet her?” she asked, her voice more uncertain than she liked.

“Stay calm,” Miranda advised, her gaze steady. “She respects strength and confidence. If you appear flustered or unsure of yourself, she’ll see right through you. You can’t let her intimidate you.”

Nadia nodded, mentally preparing herself for the challenge. But Miranda wasn’t finished.

“Mr. Theodore’s family is… complicated,” Miranda continued, flipping to the next page. “Here’s his cousin, Drake. He’s a problem. Drake is reckless, self-serving, and he wants Mr. Theodore’s inheritance for himself. If Mr. Theodore doesn’t marry soon, everything will go to Drake, and you don’t want to know what he’ll do to get it. Mr. Theodore’s been preparing for this, but the stakes are high. You need to be the perfect fiancée to keep Drake from winning.”

Nadia’s mind raced as she looked at Drake’s photo. The glint in his eyes made her uneasy. He didn’t look like someone who would play by the rules.

Miranda turned the page, revealing a photo of a young woman with a haughty expression. “This is Ysabel, Drake’s younger sister. She’s a spoiled brat, used to getting her way. She can be petty and manipulative, but she’s not as dangerous as Drake. Still, don’t underestimate her.”

Miranda didn’t pause this time, moving on to the next photo. “This is Mr. Theodore’s uncle, Victor. He’s a powerful man, but Mr. Theodore’s relationship with him is strained. Their business visions don’t align, and there’s tension. And here”—she turned the page again—“is his aunt, Isabelle. She’s the peacemaker, but she’s not someone you should underestimate. She’ll watch you carefully, too.”

Nadia felt the weight of the task ahead. This wasn’t just about pretending to be in love with Mr. Theodore—it was about navigating a web of powerful, calculating people who had been living this life long before her.

Miranda gave her a reassuring smile. “Just stick to the story, Ms. Nadia. Be confident, and keep everything simple. If you can do that, you’ll be fine.”

Nadia sat quietly, absorbing everything Miranda had shared about Theodore’s family. There was one thing she still needed to know. “Miranda,” she began cautiously, “what’s Theodore really like? What kind of person is he?”

Miranda paused, considering the question. “Mr. Theodore is driven, focused. His work and his company are his life. He’s always thinking ahead, planning for the future.”

Nadia nodded, trying to picture the man she was supposed to pretend to love. “But what makes him happy?”

Miranda hesitated, her expression thoughtful. “Honestly, Ms. Nadia, I’m not sure I know what makes Mr. Theodore truly happy.”

Nadia raised an eyebrow in surprise. “What do you mean? Doesn’t he have things he enjoys?”

Miranda shook her head slightly. “I’ve worked with him for years, and in all that time, I’ve never seen him truly happy—not in the way most people would think. He’s always carrying the weight of his responsibilities. Happiness... I think it’s something he keeps to himself.”

Nadia was quiet, processing the thought. Theodore, the successful man she was pretending to be with, didn’t seem to know joy. She wondered what had shaped him into such a guarded person.

“I see,” Nadia said softly. “So, he’s always focused on his work?”

Miranda nodded. “Yes. He has little time for distractions. That’s why he doesn’t show much of his personal life, especially to others.”

Nadia understood now. Theodore wasn’t just distant; he was consumed by his responsibilities.

“One more thing,” Nadia asked, curiosity rising. "I know he's wealthy, but what exactly does he do? How does he make a living?"

Miranda’s tone turned serious. “Mr. Theodore is a businessman, Ms. Nadia, and he’s a billionaire.”

Nadia blinked, her shock evident. “Billionaire?” she echoed. “He’s a billionaire?”

Miranda nodded, her expression calm. “Yes. His wealth didn’t come from his family. He built it himself. The company, his investments—they’re all a result of his hard work. He didn’t inherit his wealth; he created it.”

Nadia’s eyes widened, her mind struggling to grasp the magnitude of what Miranda had just revealed. “Wait—so, Theodore is a billionaire? And he didn’t inherit this?”

Miranda gave a brief, firm nod. “That’s right."

Nadia sat back, stunned. She had no idea the man she had been pretending to be with was a self-made billionaire. Her world suddenly felt much smaller in comparison.

“So, this whole thing—this engagement—it’s not about the money?” Nadia asked, trying to put the pieces together.

“No,” Miranda said, her tone turning serious. “It’s about control. Theodore’s uncle and cousin are trying to take away his inheritance and his future. This engagement is about securing his place, his power. The wealth he’s worked for, the empire he’s built—it’s all at risk. And that’s why this engagement needs to look real.”

Nadia felt the weight of the situation press down on her. Theodore wasn’t just a wealthy man—he was a billionaire, and his entire legacy was on the line. She wasn’t just playing a role anymore. She was a part of a much bigger game.

“Thank you, Miranda,” Nadia said quietly. “I didn’t realize how much was at stake.”

Miranda met her gaze, her expression unreadable. “It’s not just about pretending, Ms. Nadia. You’re both part of a game that could change everything. And to win, you need to stay sharp. Theodore doesn’t lose, and neither should you.”

Nadia’s heart raced. She wasn’t sure if she could win this game, but the stakes were clear now. “I’ll do my best,” she said, determination creeping into her voice.