Chapter Three
1371 Words
"That... That wasn't part of our agreement, Mr. Donovan. I only agreed to be your..." Adrian turned abruptly before she could finish.
"Don't say I didn't warn you, Miss Aurora. I gave you the chance to leave. But if you're determined to proceed, then I'm game, Miss Aurora. Let's see who gives up," he said, turning to leave but pausing before continuing. "We'll make our first appearance as a couple tomorrow at the 10th anniversary of NX Group. Do your best while you're at it," he stated as he strode towards the door and exited the room.
Amelia let out a sigh of relief after he left. Her hands trembled as she tried to steady herself.
"What on earth did you say to him?" Amelia berated herself, hitting her head in frustration. "Should I just give up? He's offering me double?" She voiced her frustrations, finding the thoughts absurd. "He was just toying with me... just playing me..." she repeated, rushing to her bag and retrieving her phone, dialing Izzy's number.
"Hey, Izzy... how was..." Izzy's face, covered with a face mask, appeared on Amelia's screen as soon as she answered.
"Now's not the time, Izzy," Amelia interrupted, her voice laced with desperation. "I don't know, but I feel like our plan is about to explode. He already suspects me! How could he? Aurora is an expert! How could he be like that?"
"Shhhh..." Izzy cooed. "Calm down, Amelia. He's just paranoid. You know how people can be when they're unwell. He obviously can't think Aurora is a fraud. You are Aurora, the sleep expert, and you're going to prove it to them," Izzy reassured her.
Amelia scoffed. "Prove what?! I don't know anything about sleep or how to handle any of this. God, what was I thinking when I accepted this..." she murmured.
"Oh, so you'd rather be out there, waiting for loan sharks to unleash their anger on you?" Izzy asked.
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Amelia sarcastically replied.
"No, that's just what it seems like to me. Now, you thought about Nicholas's offer for three days and decided to go into the Donovan's mansion as Aurora... You promised me you wouldn't back out, no matter what," Izzy reminded her.
"I wasn't thinking!" Amelia retorted.
"I have an idea," Izzy said.
"What idea?"
"To help with Adrian's treatment," Izzy replied, causing Amelia to burst into laughter.
"Now you're a sleep expert?" Amelia asked, amused.
"Do you trust me?" Izzy inquired.
"I don't have a choice," Amelia murmured.
"Then pull yourself together and be the exceptional sleep expert and the devoted wife," Izzy advised.
"Wait, you're not suggesting that I sleep with him, are you?" Amelia asked hesitantly.
"Would that be a problem? You're not exactly innocent, Amelia," Izzy teased.
"Jesus, Izzy!" Amelia exclaimed.
"Just kidding," Izzy winked as she removed her mask.
"Don't reject him if he asks, though. You don't want your patient to become cranky," Izzy playfully teased, earning a glare from Amelia.
"Joking! Bye, sweetheart! We'll talk later. I'll share our plan then. Don't mess this up, Amelia. It's your chance to finally enjoy the life you've always wanted," Izzy said and hung up. Amelia lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"This is insane," she muttered to herself.
*******
Amelia and Adrian walked together, their arms close to each other, with determined strides towards the grand hall where the event was being held. The red carpet stretched before them, attracting a swarm of photographers and journalists who rushed towards them, eager to capture a moment or extract a quote. However, vigilant bodyguards stood in their way, preventing anyone from getting too close.
Adrian, without even sparing a glance at Amelia, remarked, "Nervous? You could always back down."
Maintaining a composed expression despite her growing frustration, Amelia retorted, "If you focused on getting better instead of getting me to resign, Mr. Donovan, it would actually benefit you."
Adrian chuckled in a manner that irritated Amelia. They entered the building, and Amelia found herself captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the spacious hall.
"The man of the hour!" a mustached man in his mid-fifties approached them, followed by a younger man who couldn't help but cast an unsettling gaze in Amelia's direction.
"Uncle," Adrian greeted with a forced smile.
"That smile doesn't seem welcoming, Adrian," Damon chuckled. "Are you still upset about what happened? I was just looking out for my cousin."
"Oh, really?" Adrian smirked. "I suppose I'm fortunate to have you."
Damon's smile strained, and his eyes darted towards Amelia, who remained silent, afraid to utter a word.
"So, you're finally ready to settle down, I see," Damon remarked, giving Amelia a scrutinizing gaze.
"Isn't it something worthy of admiration? Allow me to introduce Aurora Stele, my fiancée," Adrian announced, as Damon took Amelia's hand and lightly kissed it.
"Miss Aurora," Damon said with a smile, "may I have the pleasure of the first dance? I hope you don't mind, Adrian." Damon turned to Adrian, who nodded. Amelia turned to Adrian, silently pleading for him to object. However, Adrian wore a sly smile as he watched them walk away.
"She's beautiful," the other man accompanying Damon finally spoke up as they observed the couple on the dance floor.
"I only pursue the finest, Cousin," Adrian declared.
"Of course, you do," Cole muttered, his gaze lingering on Amelia.
*******
Since the dance, Amelia had undergone a noticeable transformation. She had longed for a life of opulence and fame, but had underestimated the cost. As she observed Adrian effortlessly mingling with the guests, she decided to excuse herself, feeling weary.
"Hey," a voice beside her interrupted, and she quickly glanced to find the man who had accompanied Adrian before.
"Hi…" she replied nervously, as Cole let out a soft chuckle.
"No need to be tense around him. I'm Cole," he said, extending his hand. "Adrian's cousin." Amelia nodded with a smile and shook his hand.
"You're quite beautiful, Aurora," Cole complimented, raising his glass of champagne to his lips while keeping his gaze fixed on Amelia.
"Thank you," she replied, unsure of how to respond.
"You're still nervous, Aurora. Am I making you nervous? You shouldn't be, sweetheart. We're the only ones who don't want to be at parties like this," Cole sarcastically remarked, smiling at a passing guest.
Amelia chuckled in amusement. "The futile attempt to hide that fact is quite fascinating. And speak for yourself, I've always wanted this…"
Cole smiled. "Was my pretense that obvious?" he innocently asked.
"Very," Amelia said, stifling a chuckle at Cole's expression.
"Ah, another futile attempt indeed. My father would scold me if he noticed."
"What?" Amelia asked, still smiling. "Are you like ten years old or something?"
"Worse," Cole replied, and they both burst into laughter before a moment of silence followed.
"Can we be friends, Aurora?" Cole asked.
"Weren't we a few minutes ago? I mean, you don't crack jokes with strangers," Amelia replied as Cole nodded.
"Yeah, yeah, I guess," he said, turning to face the stage where Adrian was delivering a speech. Amelia did the same, but their thoughts diverged.
"What do you see in him, Aurora?"
"Sorry?" Amelia asked, not quite understanding his question.
"That guy over there," Cole clarified, gesturing towards Adrian on the stage. "He's not your type, I can tell."
"Now, what makes you think you know my type?" Amelia gave him an intrigued look.
"I tend to grasp people's aversions and interests upon meeting them. Don't underestimate me, Aurora," Cole said, looking at her.
"I'll keep that in mind," she winked, and they both chuckled before returning their attention to Adrian.
"You're right, he's definitely not my type. But it's complicated," Amelia sighed.
"Complicated?" Cole raised an eyebrow. "Tell me more, my friend."
Amelia turned to him with a smile, studying him. She had encountered various men in her life, mostly spoiled rich individuals who cared only about themselves. They would boast to her without considering her thoughts. But for once, a wealthy brat, as she called them, showed genuine interest in her. In that moment, Amelia knew she didn't want to lose him as a friend.
"Our relationship is far from ordinary," Amelia began.
- Writer
