Fake Dating My Boyfriend's Rival For Christmas

4.Clowns

{ Day 1; Dec 20, The Ophelia Cruise Ship}

Octavia

The cocktail party was alive with energy as Dave and I arrived at the ship’s grand ballroom. I paused outside the towering double doors, my heart racing at the hum of chatter, laughter, and the clinking of glasses beyond.

Everywhere I looked, people were dressed to impress—women in elegant gowns and men in tailored suits, all exuding a confidence I wished I had.

I glanced down at my dress for what felt like the hundredth time, nervously smoothing the fabric.

“Don’t overthink it,” Dave said beside me, his voice calm and steady. He placed a hand on the small of my back, the warmth of his touch grounding me. “You look amazing.”

I swallowed, trying to steady my breathing. “I just… I feel like everyone’s going to stare at me.”

Dave tilted his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “They might. But if they do, it’s because you’re stunning. Trust me, they’ll admire you.”

His words were so different from Nathan’s constant critiques, and I felt my shoulders relax, a flicker of confidence sparking inside me.

The doors opened, and a wave of light and sound washed over us. The room was like something out of a dream—twinkling fairy lights lined the walls, their glow soft and magical. Silver garlands intertwined with frosted holly hung from the ceilings, and enormous chandeliers sparkled like icicles.

Ice sculptures shaped like reindeer and snowflakes gleamed in the corners of the room, while tables dressed in green and silver were topped with white roses and glittering ornaments. The scent of mulled wine and pine hung in the air, making everything feel warm and festive.

Dave stepped closer, his presence steady and sure. His suit fit perfectly, his every move calm and effortless. I followed his lead as he guided me toward the heart of the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” a smooth voice called from the stage near the orchestra. A man in a deep burgundy suit tapped his champagne glass, the chime cutting through the buzz of conversation.

“Welcome to the annual Winter Publishing Gala!” he said warmly, his polished voice carrying easily over the crowd. “Tonight, we celebrate the year’s successes, toast to the holidays, and look forward to an even brighter future in publishing. Enjoy the evening—drink, dance, and let the festivities begin!”

Applause rippled through the room, and the music swelled. Servers moved between guests, carrying trays of sparkling wine.

As we moved through the crowd, heads did turn—whether it was because of Dave’s commanding presence or the fact that I was on his arm instead of Ava, I wasn’t sure.

Either way, I felt the weight of those glances, Dave’s quiet confidence kept me steady. His earlier words echoed in my mind: They admire you.

---

It didn’t take long to spot them. Nathan and Ava stood near the bar, Nathan nursing a whiskey while Ava leaned against him like she was posing for a magazine cover. Her laugh rang out, sharp and deliberate, but her eyes were scanning the crowd. When she spotted us, her smile froze, then twisted into something tighter and meaner.

Nathan followed her gaze, his expression hardening as his eyes landed on Dave. When he saw me, his lip curled in disdain, his gaze dragging over me like I was something stuck to his shoe.

Dave didn’t react, didn’t even look their way. He led me toward a waiter and handed me a glass of champagne before taking one for himself.

I’d barely taken a sip when Ava’s voice rang out.

“Well, well, well, who do we have here?” Her tone was sweet, but the mockery was unmistakable.

Nathan grinned, swirling his whiskey lazily. “Of course, it’s the adorable couple themselves,” he said, his laughter blending with Ava’s as they looked at us like we were a joke.

My chest tightened, and I shifted uncomfortably. Before I could say anything, Dave leaned in, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. The simple, intimate gesture sent a calming warmth through me.

“Don’t let them get to you,” he said quietly, his voice low and firm. “I’ve got this.”

Dave turned to them, his face smooth and unreadable, but his eyes were sharp. “At least we're better than two cheating partners, with absolutely zero sense of worth” he said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade, “you sure do complement each other.”

Nathan’s grin disappeared instantly, his jaw clenching. Ava’s laugh faltered, her expression twisting into something ugly.

Before either of them could respond, Dave slid his hand to the small of my back and led me away, his stride easy and confident. I glanced back briefly to see Nathan glaring daggers at Dave, while Ava’s jaw was so tight it looked painful.

The ballroom was buzzing now. Couples twirled across the dance floor, the orchestra playing a soft waltz. The clinking of glasses and bursts of laughter filled the room, but I couldn’t shake the prickling sensation of being watched.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ava pull Nathan onto the dance floor. She pressed herself against him, her movements slow and exaggerated. Her eyes, however, weren’t on Nathan—they were glued to Dave.

As she twisted and leaned into Nathan, her gaze never wavered, each sway clearly meant to provoke.

Dave’s hand rested on my waist, steadying me. He leaned down slightly, his breath warm against my ear. “She’s trying too hard, isn’t she?”

I nodded, biting my lip.

“Don’t let her get to you,” he murmured, his tone firmer now. “She doesn’t matter.”

I swallowed hard, his words sinking in. Before I could respond, he turned me to face him, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

“Dance with me,” he said softly.

“I… I don’t know how to dance,” I stammered.

His lips curved into a small smile, amusement flickering in his gaze. “You don’t have to. Just follow me.”

He guided me onto the dance floor, his hand sliding lower on my back. He pulled me closer, his movements smooth and slow as he led me into the rhythm of the music.

We swayed together, and slowly, the rest of the room faded away. It was just us—his hand on my back, his steady breath, and the way his eyes never left mine.

“Are you jealous?” he asked suddenly, his voice low and teasing.

I blinked up at him, startled. “Jealous?”

“Yeah. Seeing another woman grind on your man?” Dave whispered, his voice husky and teasing.

My stomach flipped at his tone, and I stumbled slightly in my heels, but his hold on me was steady, keeping me upright. His dark eyes glinted with something both intense and playful as he watched my reaction.

I glanced toward Ava and Nathan, their desperate display now almost comical. “They’re just making fools of themselves, clowns” I said quietly, surprising myself with how steady my voice sounded.

“There’s nothing to be jealous about.”

“Good girl,” he murmured, his lips curving into a smile that made my breath catch.

The air between us seemed to shift, the space shrinking until there was nothing left. His hand tightened slightly on my waist, pulling me closer into his chest.

Before I could think, his lips brushed mine before burying deeply into my mouth.

My breath caught in my throat and I felt my heart flutter wildly.

The kiss was soft at first, then deepened with deliberate passion. His hand moved to cup my cheek, holding me steady as his lips moved against mine, the way his tongue twirled in the corner of my mouth and how he moaned softly nearly made me run mad.

The world around us fell away—the music, the lights, the murmured conversations. There was only him, his warmth, his touch, and the way he made me feel like I mattered.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against mine. His dark eyes searched mine, soft but unwavering.

I glanced toward Ava and Nathan. Nathan looked furious, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Ava was frozen, her expression a mixture of shock and rage as she gripped Nathan’s arm for support.

Dave smirked, his thumb brushing against my cheek. “Now that’s how you make an impression,” he said, his voice quiet and full of satisfaction.