Chapter 4 — The Engagement Gala
Lia Carter had not seen so many diamonds in one room.
The ballroom at the Imperial Grand Hotel shined beneath a thousand crystal lights. Everywhere she turned to have a look, there were photographers, champagne glasses, and elegant people that were pretending to like each other. A live band played something soft that still sounded expensive, and the air smelled faintly of ambition missed with roses .
At the center of it all, there he stood, Adrian Blake looking tall, calm, and handsome in a black suit.
Her soon to be husband.
Her soon to be greatest mistake.
Lia gripped her bag tighter, trying not to let the panic show in her moves or noticeable by any one. She could feel dozens of eyes following her as she entered on Adrian's arm. The camera kept flashing, numerous times that she lost count, Every camera flash seemed to sear her name into the world's memory.
"Smile," he murmured softly, leaning close enough that she could feel his breath near her ear.
"I am smiling," she managed to say.
He chuckled softly. "You call that a smile? Try again, sweetheart." He said with an amused smile.
She shot him a glare that could have killed men. Unfortunately, Adrian Blake wasn't just any random man. He merely tightened his hold on her waist and guided her further into the crowd slowly.
"Everyone," announced a voice over the microphone, "please welcome the latest engaged couple Mr. Adrian Blake and Miss Lia Carter"
Applause erupted. Lia's stomach twisted.
She glued on the practiced smile she'd rehearsed in the car mirror over and over again and lifted her chin. Adrian gave a little nod to the crowd, the perfect demonstration of control. Together, they looked like a picture perfect couple people think they are .
Only few knew the truth, this entire night was a performance.
"Breathe," Adrian whispered almost like a whisper once they were surrounded by reporters.
"I'd breathe easier if I weren't wearing a dress that weighs more than I do," she muttered with a half smile trying not to show her gritted teeth .
He smirked. "You look beautiful."
She blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. "Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Say things you don't mean."
His eyes softened slightly. "Who says I don't?"
Before she could reply, a reporter pushed forward with a bright smile. "Mr. Blake! Miss Carter! Congratulations on your engagement. Tell us, was it love at first sight?" The reporter asked with an eager look.
Lia froze. Adrian's arm tightened subtly around her waist.
He answered smoothly, "It was something close to it. Lia and I met in college. She was impossible to ignore."
Lia turned toward him in surprise. There was warmth in his tone too convincing, too real.
"And Miss Carter?" the reporter asked, looking directly at her. "When did you know he was the one?"
Lia's lips curved into a faint smile. "When he stopped being insufferable," she said lightly. The crowd laughed. Adrian glanced at her, amused.
"Touché," he murmured.
Another reporter chimed in. "When's the wedding?"
"Soon," Adrian said. "We'll keep the exact date private for now."
Numerous questions kept coming, the questions continued about her dress, their plans, how they met. Lia answered with polite charm which she had practiced, her voice steady even though her heart raced. Adrian guided the conversation expertly, his hand never leaving hers.
It should have been easy to remember it was all an act. But when he looked down at her during the photos, when his hand brushed hers something in her chest quickened.
Later, they stylishly slipped away to the balcony overlooking the city. The noise from the other room faded into a soft hum.
Lia exhaled dramatically, pressing a hand to her forehead. "If one more person has asked about our honeymoon, I swear I'll throw myself off this balcony."
Adrian's mouth twitched into a smile. "That would make a great headline."
"Not funny."
"Come on," he said, leaning against the railing. "You handled it well. You were brilliant out there."
She looked at him skeptically. "You mean I didn't ruin your reputation?"
"I mean you should have seen how you charmed every person in that room," he said quietly.
Lia turned away, trying to hide the warmth creeping into her cheeks. "Don't do that." She said, smiling shyly.
"Do what?"
"Say nice things to me. It confuses the narrative of everything."
He laughed an honest, low sound she hadn't heard in years. "So you still think everything I say is part of a game, don't you?"
"Isn't it?" She said, raising her brows.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked out over the shinning skyline, his expression unreadable. "Maybe it was, once."
She frowned and became more curious. "What does that mean?"
"It means…" He hesitated for a second, then shook his head. "Forget it."
Before she could press further to understand him, a woman's voice interrupted. "Adrian, There you are."
Lia turned to see a tall, elegant brunette approaching in a designer gown, and with a confident smile that sort of looked arrogant, the kind of woman who she'd never heard the word no.
"Vanessa," Adrian greeted politely.
Vanessa's gaze flicked to Lia, assessing her. "So it's true. You're really engaged." She said with a questioning look.
"That's usually what rings mean, right?," Lia said before she could stop herself.
Vanessa forced a smile. "How romantic. I didn't realize you two were still in touch after college."
"We weren't," Lia said sweetly, looking at him. "Apparently, he missed me."
Adrian coughed, clearly fighting a smile. Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"Well," she said, turning to him, "your investors are waiting. You can't keep them too long, darling."
"Of course," Adrian replied. "Lia?"
She lifted her glass. "Go ahead. I'll stay here and try not to bite anyone."
As he walked away, Vanessa leaned closer towards Lia, voice low for Lia's ears only. "Just so you know, men like Adrian never marry out of love. They marry for power. When he's done with you, don't say no one warned you." She said with venom in her eyes that was untraceable immediately after.
Lia's smile never broke her smile. "Thanks for the advice. I'll remember it right after I forget you exist" She said with a snear .
Vanessa's eyes flashed before she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Lia exhaled slowly. Her heart was pounding. She wasn't sure if it was from anger or adrenaline.
When Adrian returned a few minutes later after the departure of Vanessa, he found her staring at the skyline. "What did Vanessa want?"
"Nothing worth repeating," Lia said with a shrug.
He studied her face. "Did she say something to you?"
"Adrian, it doesn't matter." She said softly but not bothering to take a glance at him.
"It does if she upset you."
Lia met his gaze. "Why do you care?"
For a moment, he didn't respond. His jaw tightened slightly. "Because despite what you think, I don't like seeing you hurt."
She blinked, caught off guard. "You're the one who dragged me into this mess."
"I know." His voice was quiet. "And maybe that's why I'm trying to make it easier for you."
"By announcing to the world that we're soulmates?" She said feigning disbelief.
He sighed. "By protecting you from people who'd use this arrangement against you."
Lia stared at him, unsure what to say. There was something genuine in his tone, something that made her chest ache in a way she didn't want to name.
The night wore on. They danced once for the cameras, of course.
His hand rested on the small of her back, firm and familiar. Her fingers brushed the edge of his cufflink. They moved easily together, years of old chemistry resurfacing like it had never gone away.
"You're staring," he murmured, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"I'm making sure you don't step on my dress," she said quickly.
"Of course you are."
When the music ended, applause followed. She tried to step back, but he held her for a heartbeat longer than necessary just long enough for her pulse to betray her.
By midnight, the guests began to leave. Lia slipped off her heels the moment they reached the car.
Adrian glanced over. "Tired?"
"Exhausted," she admitted.
"You handled yourself perfectly tonight."
"Don't sound so surprised," she said with a bit of anger in her tone.
He smiled faintly. "I'm not surprised. Just impressed."
She turned toward the window, pretending to watch the city lights pass. "You have a strange way of showing appreciation, Adrian."
He was silent for a while, then said softly, "Maybe I'm trying to learn the proper way ."
Something in his voice made her chest tighten. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
When the car stopped in front of his penthouse, she hesitated. "Do I… stay here tonight?"
He looked at her, unreadable. "Our agreement says we share an address. But you can take the guest room."
She nodded, relieved. "Good. Because sharing a bed would be crossing several professional boundaries."
His lips curved. "You've read the contract too carefully."
"Someone has to," she shot back.
The penthouse was everything she expected sleek, elegant, impersonal. The kind of place that looked more like a magazine show room than a home.
As she changed into a borrowed pajamas, Lia saw her reflection in the mirror. The diamond ring glittered faintly under the soft light.
A symbol of power. Of debt.
And maybe, of something she didn't dare name.
She sank onto the bed, exhaling.
For six months, she kept repeating ib her head. That was the deal.
Six months of pretending, adjusting and what not.
Six months of fighting her own feelings.
And yet, as she drifted to sleep, one thought that have refused to leave her mind.
What if pretending wasn't the hardest part?