As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, Cara's eyelids fluttered open, the soft knock on her door pulling her from the depths of sleep. With a groggy mind and a heavy yawn, she dragged herself out of bed and navigated her way to the front door.
"Who's there?" Cara managed to mumble, her voice thick with drowsiness.
Silence greeted her question, prompting a frustrated sigh before she swung the door open. Before Cara stood a man dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. Parked on the quiet street behind him was a sleek black luxury car that gleamed in the early morning light.
Her sleep-fogged mind cleared instantly at the unexpected sight, and her heart quickened with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"Um, can I help you?"
"Good morning, Miss Cara. I'm Allen Smith," the man introduced himself with a smooth voice that carried a hint of formality. "I work as Dom Harrington's assistant, and he's asked me to escort you to his office."
Cara blinked in surprise at the unexpected request.
"He wants you to pick me up?" she questioned, her astonishment evident.
Allen nodded once in confirmation.
Despite her astonishment, Cara managed to maintain her composure.
"He wants to see me now?" Cara inquired, confused.
"Yes, exactly. That's why he sent me," Allen replied.
"Well, I need to get ready, and..." Cara began, flustered by the sudden development.
"Take your time, Miss Cara. I can wait," Allen reassured her with a polite smile.
Cara swallowed the rest of her words and quickly retreated into her apartment to gather her thoughts. As she stood in her living room, not knowing what to do first, her phone buzzed with an incoming text message.
It was from Dom Harrington.
[I've sent a car to pick you up. Allen, my P.A. will take you to my office.] The message read.
Cara felt a surge of annoyance at the impersonal nature of the message. She quickly typed out a reply, her fingers tapping at the screen in frustration.
[I could have just taken a taxi, you know, you didn't have to do this.] she sent, her words laced with a touch of defiance.
But there was no immediate response. Dom had left her message on read, leaving Cara to stew in her irritation. With a resigned sigh, she realized she had little choice but to go along with this arrangement.
After a hasty shower and a change into a more presentable but simple outfit; a white blouse tucked in a pair of blue denim jeans, Cara returned to the waiting Allen, who greeted her with a polite smile.
He momentarily held the car door open for her.
Cara nodded once nervously, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity as she settled into the fancy black leather seats of the car. The interior was a symphony of luxury, with soft leather upholstery and polished wood accents. The engine purred to life as Allen smoothly maneuvered the car into the flow of traffic.
The city streets were just beginning to bustle with activity as they made their way toward the towering glass skyscraper that housed A&H Group's headquarters. The morning sun bathed the city in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the streets.
Cara couldn't help but look through the car window with wonder. She had never been to this part of the city, and it was truly breathtaking.
"This is all so... unexpected. I never imagined I would find myself in a situation like this." As they neared the building, Cara uttered softly, but Allen heard her words.
He glanced at her through the rearview mirror, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Mr. Harrington has a way of surprising people. You'll soon see that he's a man of many talents and resources."
As they pulled up in front of the imposing glass structure that housed A&H Group, Cara couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of the building. The sleek lines and reflective surfaces seemed to reach up endlessly into the sky, a testament to the power and influence of the company it housed. There was a bold and enormous title of the company; "A&H Group'' in gold color atop the skyscraper.
Allen opened the car door for her, and Cara stepped out onto the bustling sidewalk. The city was coming to life around her, with people hurrying to their destinations and cars honking in the background. She followed Allen through the revolving doors of the building, the cool air of the lobby a stark contrast to the warmth of the morning sun outside.
They rode the elevator up to the upper floors, the sleek metal doors opening to reveal a sprawling office space that buzzed with activity. Workers hurried past, their faces focused and determined as they went about their tasks.
Allen led Cara through the maze of cubicles and conference rooms until they reached a set of double doors at the end of a long hallway. He knocked once, then pushed the doors open to reveal a spacious corner office with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city below.
Seated behind a large mahogany desk was a Dom himself. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his dark hair perfectly styled, and a faint smile played on his lips as he greeted them.
"Ah, Cara, so glad you could make it," Dom said, rising to his feet and extending a hand towards her.
Cara shook his hand, feeling a sense of unease.
"Mr. Harrington, thank you for inviting me here. I must admit, I'm a bit surprised by all of this."
Dom chuckled, a sound that was smooth and rich. "I do have a flair for the dramatic, I must admit. But I assure you, there's a good reason for bringing you here today."
He gestured for Cara to take a seat in one of the plush leather chairs facing his desk. He reached into a file beside him and took out a four-page document.
"This is a duplicate of the signed contract agreement," Dom stated, his gaze unwavering and intense. "You keep this copy. I've prepared one for each of us to ensure we both remember the essence of our agreement." Handing her the document, Cara accepted it, scanning the page to find his signature prominently displayed.
"Okay... what happens next?" she inquired.
Rising from his chair, Dom leaned in towards her, his arms bracing his weight as his deep blue eyes bore into hers with each piercing look.
"I've had everything all planned out. In a few days, my mother will be hosting a party. Wealthy people from around the country and beyond will be there. You will come as my date to the event and we will have to make it seem like we are really in a deep relationship. I will also take you to my mother and tell her about my decision to marry you. Of course, everything will go public from that point on. You just have to go on with it for as long as it lasts."
Cara couldn't take her eyes off him. She swallowed hard and averted her gaze for a moment, before meeting his again.
"Are you certain this is a good idea?" she managed to ask.
He gazed down at her for a moment and straightened himself, pacing once in front of her with his hands clasped behind his back.
"We have no other options, Miss Cara."
Cara pondered deeply for a moment. The prospect of attending a high-society party seemed daunting, especially considering her lack of experience as a sophisticated socialite or the girlfriend of a billionaire. The thought of making a misstep and becoming the subject of ridicule loomed large in her mind, casting a shadow of anxiety over the situation.
"Do you have any questions?" Dom asked as he settled back into his seat.
"Well... I have no idea how to navigate elite society. I'm just a simple, middle-class girl. What if I make a mistake? I could become a laughingstock, not just locally but perhaps even globally," Cara expressed worriedly.
"That won't be an issue. I've arranged for someone to provide you with the necessary guidance on how to comport yourself and blend in with the elite," he reassured nonchalantly, leaving Cara to gaze helplessly at him. It was clear that he had everything meticulously planned out.
He reached for the telephone next to him, dialed a few numbers, and soon a woman answered on the other end.
"Miss Cara has arrived. Please come up to my office."