Taylor assumed her role as Mark's fiancée shortly after they made the deal.
The next time she had to show up as his fiancée in front of the media was at an event where he was invited as a dignitary. She was in Mae's house when she received a text from him.
"I just sent you 50G. Use it to get yourself something nice to wear for the event tomorrow."
Her jaw dropped, and Mae walked into the room just then. "What's wrong?" She asked, noticing Taylor's odd expression.
"Mark just sent me 50 grand... To buy a dress!" Taylor exclaimed.
"Oh..." Mae chuckled.
"Oh?"
Mae laughed.
Taylor became genuinely curious. "What exactly does he do? I know he's like some kind of public figure, but you can't have that much money just by being popular."
"Honestly, I don't know," Mae said. "He doesn't like to talk about it."
"Hmmmm." Taylor was certainly not very satisfied with the answer she got but did not think too much about it. "Anyways... What do you say? We go on a shopping spree." Taylor smiled.
Mae was happy that her mood had significantly improved since she saw her that day.
"Sure." She smiled back.
Meanwhile, Dylan's plans had changed from trying to track down Ava, to looking for a way to meet up with Taylor. After much thought, he realized that his best bet would be to attend the next event where Mark would be with her.
Mark had plans to further introduce Taylor as his fiancée to the general public. He hosted a ball, where he would formally introduce her to all the important figures that would be in attendance.
Dylan came dressed for the occasion. He wore an extravagant suit, made out of black velvet and adorned with tiny sequins and golden embroidery. Anything short of that would have made him look out of place in the over-the-top display of wealth and class around him. He could tell that everyone there was on a different level of affluence than him.
He scanned the large room for Taylor, slowly making his way through the crowd. The sound of chattering and live classical music filled the room.
The music stopped and all heads turned to the podium, where Mark stood, with his fiancée, Taylor beside him. The smile on his face made Dylan sick to his guts. But it was a different feeling when he looked at Taylor.
Somehow, she looked even more beautiful than she had ever been. His heart shattered. What was he thinking when he asked her to leave?
Dylan was not the only one caught unawares by her beauty, the entire crowd was awe-struck.
Mark gave a little speech, as the host of the event, then everyone went back to chattering and dancing.
Dylan made sure to not let Taylor out of his sight. He quietly went by the crowd that separated them and got close to her. He was not able to get close enough for her to notice him before he was stopped by one of the bodyguards that Mark had instructed to not let anyone close to her.
He was furious. They had her surrounded, there was no way he was getting close.
He continued to keep a close watch. Patiently waiting for an opportunity.
After a few long minutes, she stepped out of the room. The guards did not follow her, so he sneaked past them and trailed behind her until she got into the restroom.
He went in after her slowly. Trying not to startle her.
"Hey." He called.
She immediately recognized his voice, turning to him in shock. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
Dylan found himself lost for words. He had not thought of what he would say when he finally met her. He looked at her for a few awkward seconds. She looked even more gorgeous up close. Then, he finally summoned words.
"Taylor. I'm sorry about everything." Dylan pleaded.
"You're sorry now? Why the change of heart?" Taylor said, her voice showing no sign of weakness.
"I realize now how much of a fool I was. Please forgive me. I love you."
"No, you don't. I know about your conversation with the doctor, you're only here because I have a child for you. That's all you care about."
"No, that's not true. Please let me explain."
"No! You had your chance, but you threw me away for Ava. That backstabbing... Ughh." Her blood was boiling the more she heard him try to redeem himself.
"I'm... I'm sorry--" He heard someone coming and hid inside one of the stalls. The door to the restroom creaked open almost immediately after.
"Remember, we have to be seen leaving the building together. Don't stay too far away from me for too long." A voice said in a calm soothing tone that did nothing but make Dylan's blood boil.
"I won't take long," Taylor said with a completely different tone from the one she had seconds ago.
"Okay," Mark said and left.
Dylan was glad she did not decide to leave with him. Maybe some part of her wanted to hear what he had to say.
"Who was that?" Dylan asked, stepping out of the stall.
"No one you should be concerned about," Taylor said.
"That was Mark, wasn't it?"
"How did you--"
"Taylor, you have to listen to me. Mark is no good. He's a liar and a horrible person."
"That's an ironic thing for you to say."
"Please! I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but you have to believe what I'm telling you. Mark is dangerous. Do you know what he does for a living?!"
"I have no reason to believe. This is yet another one of your numerous lies."
"Taylor..."
"I have nothing more to say to you. Goodbye." Taylor said, walking out on him.
She promised herself she would not cry if that ever happened, but she found herself wiping off little droplets from the corners of her eyes.
She was about to reach the door, but Dylan was not going to let her leave. He held her arm, not in a violent way, but out of desperation.
"Get your hands off me! Guards!" She exclaimed.
Four built men rushed into the room in a matter of seconds. He was asked to leave the hall, being a notable figure, he obeyed and was escorted out.