Later that evening, Marie returned to her apartment, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and relief. She had spent the entire day thinking about the board meeting, replaying the conversations in her mind, analyzing every word and gesture. But now, as she stood in the quiet solitude of her home, she felt a different kind of pressure—a personal one. She walked into her bedroom and sat down on the edge of her bed, the events of the day finally catching up with her. The reality of what she had agreed to was beginning to settle in, and the gravity of her decision weighed heavily on her chest. The board's approval was just the first hurdle; now came the real challenge of living this charade, day in and day out. How would she navigate this complex, emotionally fraught situation without losing herself in the process?
As Marie sat there, her phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the silence. She picked it up, surprised to see a text from Welder.
Welder: Just wanted to check in. How are you holding up?
Marie: Honestly? It's a lot to take in. But I'll manage. How about you?
Welder: Same here. It's been a whirlwind, but I think we made the right decision.
Marie read his words, trying to find comfort in them. She wanted to believe that this was the right choice, that they could pull this off without everything spiraling out of control. But doubt gnawed at the edges of her resolve.
Marie: I hope so. It's just… surreal, you know?
Welder: Yeah, I get that. But we're in this together. We'll figure it out.
Marie put down her phone and leaned back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The idea of being "in this together" with Welder was comforting in theory, but in practice, it felt overwhelming. She had never been one to rely on others—she had built her career and life through hard work and self-sufficiency. Now, she had to trust someone else, not just professionally, but personally, and that terrified her.
The next few days passed in a blur of activity. Marie and Welder spent hours crafting their public announcement, preparing for the inevitable wave of questions and speculation that would follow. They rehearsed their story, fine-tuning every detail to make it as believable as possible. They even started discussing the logistics of moving in together—how they would blend their routines, how to maintain some semblance of normalcy amid the chaos.
The company's PR team was looped in to manage the narrative. The plan was to release a statement to the press, followed by a carefully staged photo opportunity to show them as a united couple. Marie found herself dreading the moment the news would go public. She could already imagine the headlines, the gossip, the endless scrutiny from both the media and their colleagues.
But there was no turning back now. They had to see this through.
On the day of the announcement, Marie dressed carefully, choosing a soft blue dress that Welder had once complimented during a company event. She kept her makeup understated, her hair loose around her shoulders. She wanted to look approachable, relatable—a woman who had found herself in an unexpected but happy situation. The truth, however, was far more complicated.
When she arrived at Welder's penthouse, where they would stage their first public appearance as a couple, she found him already dressed and ready. He wore a dark suit that complemented her dress perfectly, and as he smiled at her, Marie couldn't help but notice the tension around his eyes.
"You look beautiful," Welder said, his voice warm but tinged with the same anxiety she was feeling.
"Thank you," Marie replied, her smile wavering slightly. "You're not so bad yourself."
They stood there for a moment, both aware of the weight of what they were about to do. The reality of the situation was sinking in deeper than ever—they were about to put on a show, one that would define their lives for the foreseeable future.
"Ready?" Welder asked, holding out his hand.
Marie hesitated, then took his hand, feeling the solidity of his grip. "As ready as I'll ever be."
The PR team had arranged for a photographer to capture them together in the living room, a cozy space with large windows that let in the afternoon light. The room had been meticulously staged to look lived-in but elegant—photos of them together, carefully placed knick-knacks that suggested a shared life, even a pair of wine glasses on the coffee table as if they had just enjoyed a quiet evening in.
As the photographer clicked away, Marie found herself leaning into Welder, their smiles perfectly rehearsed. She felt his arm around her waist, pulling her close, and for a moment, she almost believed the illusion they were creating. But the reality was never far from her mind—this was all a carefully constructed façade, designed to protect their careers and the company they had both sacrificed so much for.
After what felt like hours, the photoshoot was finally over. The photographer packed up his equipment, promising to send the best shots to the PR team for approval. Marie felt a strange mix of relief and exhaustion, her body and mind drained from the effort of pretending.
"Why don't we open that wine for real?" Welder suggested, nodding toward the glasses on the table.
Marie blinked, surprised by the offer. "You mean… actually relax for a minute?"
Marie chuckled, a rare sound that made Marie's heart skip a beat. "Yeah. We've earned it, don't you think?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "Sure. Why not?"
Welder retrieved the bottle of wine from the kitchen and poured them each a glass. They settled on the couch, the tension between them easing just slightly as they sipped their drinks in silence. For the first time in days, they weren't strategizing or rehearsing—they were just two people, sharing a quiet moment.
As the wine loosened her nerves, Marie found herself speaking without thinking. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like if this wasn't just an act?"
Welder paused, his glass halfway to his lips. He looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Sometimes," he admitted after a long moment. "But I try not to dwell on it. This is what it is, Marie. We made a choice."
"I know," Marie said, feeling a strange mix of regret and acceptance. "But it's hard not to think about it, isn't it? How different things could be…"
Welder set his glass down, his gaze steady on hers. "I think it's natural to wonder. But we have to stay focused on why we're doing this. The company, our careers—it's all on the line."
Marie nodded, knowing he was right. But she couldn't shake the nagging thought that had been lurking in the back of her mind since this whole thing began: what if this marriage, this partnership, wasn't just a means to an end? What if there was something more to it—something they hadn't anticipated?
But that was a dangerous line of thinking, one that could complicate an already complex situation. Marie pushed the thoughts aside, reminding herself that this was business, nothing more. They had a job to do, and there was no room for personal feelings to get in the way.
Still, as the evening wore on and they shared more wine, the conversation took on a lighter tone. They talked about their lives outside of work—hobbies, favorite movies, even childhood memories. It was the kind of casual, getting-to-know-you conversation that two people might have on an early date, and for a little while, the tension between them eased. Marie found herself laughing at Welder's stories, and for the first time in days, she felt a sense of normalcy creeping back into her life.
But as the evening drew to a close, reality reasserted itself. They had roles to play, a narrative to maintain. Marie stood to leave, feeling the weight of the next day pressing down on her.
"Thanks for tonight," she said as Welder walked her to the door. "I… I needed that."
"Anytime," Welder replied, his smile genuine. "We're in this together, remember?"
"Yeah," Marie said softly, her heart heavy with the knowledge of what they were doing. "Together."
As she walked away from his penthouse, the city lights flickering in the distance, Marie couldn't help but wonder how long they could keep up this charade. How long before the lines between their real lives and this fabricated marriage began to blur? And what would happen when they did?