TBG - Chapter 7: The Game Begins

Nadia stood before Miranda, her reflection staring back at her in the full-length mirror. The room was filled with a soft hum of tension as Miranda moved around, adjusting the pieces of her plan. Miranda had been helping Nadia prepare for the inevitable questions from Theodore’s family. They had to be ready for every possible scenario, every detail needed to be carefully crafted to ensure that no one doubted the lies they would tell.

“Remember,” Miranda began, her voice steady but firm. “Your name remains Nadia, but you’ll be introducing yourself as Nadianna Rostova. You’ll tell them you’re a self-made millionaire from Russia who decided to do business here in the U.S. Make sure you emphasize your wealth, your business acumen. You’ve got to be convincing.”

Nadia nodded. The plan was in motion, and the details were already in place. Theodore had already arranged for her to have bank accounts with millions in them. This was just in case his mother or anyone else decided to hire an investigator. She had to maintain the illusion of a wealthy and successful woman.

“Understood,” Nadia replied, her voice betraying no emotion. “And if anyone asks how I met Theodore?”

Miranda’s eyes glinted with a hint of mischief. “You met at a charity event. You’re sponsoring several charities. You wanted to help, and Theodore was drawn to your generosity and influence.”

Nadia didn’t have to act too hard to maintain her composure. She had been in worse situations, had learned to lie with ease. The real challenge, however, would be convincing Theodore’s family of her story, especially his mother, who was known for being sharp and calculating.

Miranda gave her an approving smile before leading her to the selection of dresses hanging by the closet. She rifled through the luxurious fabrics, her hands pausing over a sleek, dark-colored dress with a sharp neckline.

“This one,” Miranda said, pulling it out with a flourish. “This is sophisticated. It will show that you’re both elegant and powerful. Perfect for Theodore’s public appearance.”

Nadia eyed the dress, her fingers grazing the fabric. The dress was tailored to fit her body perfectly, hugging her curves and emphasizing her confidence. It was a far cry from the clothes she was used to, but she had grown accustomed to the lavish life that Theodore’s world demanded. It felt like a second skin now.

“I trust you,” Nadia said, her voice steady as she slipped into the dress.

The moment she stepped out, Miranda’s eyes widened in approval. “You look perfect.”

“Thank you,” Nadia replied, her gaze shifting to the mirror. She had to play this part, and she had to play it well.

Miranda smiled, though there was a hint of something colder in her eyes. “You know, Theodore is planning to make this public. He’s going to show everyone that he’s dating someone, and it’s going to intrigue the press. They’ll be all over him, and of course, that means you’ll have to be ready for whatever comes next.”

Nadia’s chest tightened slightly, but she kept her composure. “I can handle it.”

Miranda nodded. “I know you can. But you also need to be prepared. Theodore knows that someone will inevitably take a photo of you two together. It will be the first step. When that happens, his mother will have questions. That’s when you’ll be introduced as his fiancée.”

The word sent a ripple of disbelief through Nadia. Fiancée. It felt surreal, but in a way, it was part of the game they were playing. It would solidify the story and keep the charade alive.

Nadia glanced at her reflection once more, seeing a woman who was about to step into a world of wealth and deception, one where the stakes were higher than she had ever known. She didn’t know what the future held, but she was ready to face it head-on, no matter the cost.

Miranda’s phone rang, the sound sharp and cutting through the quiet tension in the room. She glanced at the screen, and her eyes briefly widened with a flash of nervousness before she composed herself. The name on the caller ID clearly caught her off guard, but she answered the call smoothly, her voice calm.

"Yes, sir?" Miranda’s tone remained steady, though the faintest hint of apprehension lingered in her words.

Nadia, who had been preparing herself mentally for the evening ahead, noticed the brief shift in Miranda’s demeanor. She didn’t ask, but she could tell that whatever was on the other end of the line had unsettled her, even if only for a moment. 

After a moment of silence, Miranda spoke again, this time with a slight firmness in her voice. “Understood. I’ll make sure she’s ready.” She paused, then added with more clarity, “8 PM. Got it.”

With a swift motion, Miranda hung up the phone, her face betraying the smallest flicker of anxiety. She looked toward Nadia, taking a breath before continuing with her instructions.

“He’s coming,” Miranda said, her voice steady once again. “At 8 PM sharp, Mr. Theodore will arrive. You two will have dinner together at a public place. It’s your chance to ensure that the world sees you as his girlfriend, the woman he’s chosen. It’ll create a stir, and once the paparazzi get their shots, there’ll be no question about your story.”

Nadia nodded, her eyes flickering toward the mirror. She had already mentally rehearsed the evening, knowing that every detail was crucial. Miranda’s plan was set in motion, and nothing could go wrong.

“Marcus has already called a few paparazzi anonymously,” Miranda continued, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. “They’ll be there, snapping photos. The tabloids will have a field day, and Theodore’s mother will be none the wiser. She’ll have no choice but to believe that you two are truly involved.”

Miranda motioned for Nadia to sit, and as Nadia did so, she began to work her magic. The makeup was applied with precision, each stroke designed to enhance Nadia’s natural beauty while giving her the aura of elegance and sophistication. Her hair was styled in a sleek, controlled updo, creating the polished look that would fit perfectly into the world she was stepping into.

“You look perfect,” Miranda murmured, stepping back to admire her handiwork. “Ready to make an impression.”

Just as she finished speaking, the sound of a car pulling up outside echoed through the house. The doorbell rang sharply, signaling that Theodore had arrived.

Miranda gave a final, quick glance at Nadia. “It’s time,” she said, her voice holding a note of anticipation.

Nadia stood and smoothed down the fabric of her dress, a sleek, dark number that hugged her curves in all the right ways. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. This was it—the start of the plan that would unfold in front of the world. Nothing could stop it now.

When Theodore entered the room, he froze for just a moment, his gaze locking onto Nadia. He seemed momentarily stunned, his eyes scanning her appearance, taking in the transformation. His sharp suit and confident stride only highlighted the unexpected emotion in his eyes.

Nadia held his gaze, her expression composed. She had rehearsed this moment, knew exactly how to respond. It was just another part of the game they were playing. Nothing more.

“Let’s begin the game,” she said, her tone cool and firm, signaling the start of their carefully crafted charade.