The airport was buzzing with activity—passengers hustling to their gates, families reuniting, and travelers pulling their luggage through the long, polished hallways. Among the crowd stood a woman, her face partially hidden under the brim of a baseball cap, her dark sunglasses shielding her emotions from the world. After years away, she was finally back. But it didn't feel like a homecoming.

Her name was Lucia Gomez, and the city she had once called home now felt like foreign territory. It wasn't the buildings or the streets that made her feel distant—it was the memories she carried. The kind of memories that clung to her skin like an unwelcome shadow. Her last relationship had ended in a fiery mess, leaving her broken in ways she hadn't fully processed. She had thought moving abroad would cleanse her of the past, but all it had done was give her more time to think, more time to nurse wounds that hadn't healed.

She shifted her bag on her shoulder and exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of everything she'd left behind. This place had been the stage for so much heartbreak. She remembered the endless nights she spent crying over her ex, wondering what she had done wrong. That last relationship had wrecked her self-esteem, made her doubt herself in ways she never had before. She had trusted blindly, loved too deeply, and in return, all she got was betrayal.

But she had learned.

She wasn't the same woman who had left this city two years ago. Now, she was sharper, more guarded. Her heart was still fragile, but her instincts had grown keener. She wasn't here to find love; she was here to test it.

A cab pulled up, and after giving the driver the address of the hotel, she slumped back into the seat, staring out the window as the city whizzed by. The familiar streets felt strange now. The landmarks she once cherished brought no comfort. Everything had changed—including her.

Lucia wasn't back for a vacation. She was here for one reason, and one reason only: to test the man she was supposed to marry.

Diego Lopez Mendoza. His name alone made her heart tighten. He was everything she thought she had ever wanted. Handsome, charming, successful, and, on the surface, devoted. But that's the thing about surfaces—they can be deceiving. Her doubts about his loyalty had been growing for months before she left the country, and even from thousands of miles away, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

She had once been naïve, the kind of woman who believed love was enough to conquer anything. But her failed relationship had taught her that trust was far more fragile. That's why, as crazy as it seemed, she was willing to go to extreme lengths to know the truth.

She was going to test him in a way no woman should ever have to.

As the cab pulled up at the hotel, she paid the driver and dragged her suitcase through the revolving doors. The receptionist handed her a key card, and as she rode the elevator to her floor, Lucia felt the weight of her plan pressing down on her. She was no longer the woman Diego knew. She had changed—both inside and out.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Ivy.

"Everything's ready. You sure you want to do this?"

Lucia stared at the text for a moment, her thumb hovering over the screen. Ivy had been her closest friend since college, the only one who knew about her plan. She had been the one to help her craft the perfect disguise, one that would allow Lucia to slip into Diego's life without raising suspicion.

"Yeah," she typed back. "I'm sure."

This wasn't just about Diego anymore. It was about proving something to herself, too. Could she trust her instincts? Was she capable of rebuilding the trust that had been shattered in her previous relationship? Or was she setting herself up for more heartbreak?

A memory from her past relationship surfaced—one of those moments that still stung. Her ex had been charismatic, too, just like Diego. She had caught him cheating on her, and he had blamed her for being too trusting. It had torn her apart. She'd promised herself she would never let that happen again.

She had no idea what the future held. But one thing was certain: she had to know.

The next morning, Lucia stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing herself. Gone were the designer clothes and polished appearance that Diego had always admired. Instead, she wore simple, inexpensive clothes—a faded blouse, worn jeans, and scuffed sneakers. The woman staring back at her in the mirror looked plain, almost invisible, but that was exactly what she wanted.

She added to the effect by darkening her skin slightly with bronzer, making her features appear tired and weary. The aim was to look like someone who had struggled, someone who wouldn't catch anyone's eye. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, leaving stray tendrils framing her face. She wore no makeup except for a dull lip balm. As she studied herself, Lucia felt the weight of her decision. She was becoming someone entirely different.

Her reflection stared back at her, a stranger with the same eyes, but a different identity. This was no longer the same Lucia who had once believed in fairy-tale love. This version of her was steely, determined, and ready for whatever came next.

She picked up her phone and messaged Ivy. "Leaving now. Wish me luck."

"Good luck, and stay sharp. Remember, you're in control."

"Okay," Lucia muttered to herself, pulling on a cheap, worn-out jacket to conceal the last trace of herself. "Time to become someone else."

Ivy had arranged everything, down to the last detail. She had secured Lucia a job at Diego's company, posing as his new driver. It had taken some convincing and a few well-placed calls, but Diego was never one to question a favor from a business partner.

As Lucia walked into the building where Diego worked, her heart raced. She passed through security without a hitch, the ID card Ivy had forged allowing her access to the restricted areas. The plan was in motion, and there was no turning back.

When she reached the garage, a man in a suit approached her, his face serious but polite.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice firm but not aggressive.

"I'm the new driver for Mr. Diego," Lucia responded confidently, her tone steady.

The man raised an eyebrow, looking her over from head to toe with a hint of skepticism.

"Dressed like this?" he questioned, his gaze lingering on her attire. After a brief pause, he nodded slightly.

"Okay," he said, though his tone suggested he was still uncertain.

"Okay," he said again, this time more assertively. "Pull the car around. Mr. Mendoza will be down shortly."

Lucia nodded, slipping into her professional role without missing a beat, and headed toward the car.

She nodded again, walking over to the sleek black sedan that would be her workspace for the next few weeks. Her hands shook as she gripped the steering wheel, but she forced herself to calm down. This wasn't the time to lose her nerve. She had to stay focused.

Minutes later, the elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and out walked Diego. He looked as sharp as ever, dressed in a perfectly tailored navy suit that highlighted his broad shoulders. His dark hair was styled with precision, not a strand out of place, and his olive skin seemed to glow under the soft lighting of the lobby. Lucia's breath caught in her throat as she watched him approach the car with that effortless, confident stride she had almost forgotten. His smile—a mix of charm and familiarity—sent a wave of memories flooding back, leaving her momentarily frozen.

She couldn't believe how much he had changed. The boy she once knew, all awkward limbs and boyish grins, had grown into this strikingly handsome man. His success was evident in the way he carried himself, exuding an air of sophistication that took her by surprise. They hadn't seen each other in years—only through the occasional social media update, old pictures of him that never quite did justice to the man standing in front of her now.

Her heart raced as the memories of their childhood together flickered in her mind—those carefree days, running through fields, sharing secrets, and dreaming about their futures. But this Diego, the man she now saw, was far more than she ever imagined. The years had turned him into someone both familiar and foreign, and she couldn't help but feel a pull toward him, a strange mix of nostalgia and attraction. He was more handsome than she could have ever predicted, and it shook her to her core.

He slid into the back seat, barely glancing at her. "Morning," he said casually, his eyes fixed on his phone.

"Morning, sir," she replied, her voice steady.

"Take me to Avenida de los Insurgentes 1020, Mexico City," he instructed, scrolling through notifications as if he hadn't just stepped into the car with a familiar face.

"Okay, sir," she replied, her heart racing as she turned the car onto the busy street, the hum of the engine drowning out her thoughts.

As she pulled the car out of the garage and onto the busy city streets, Lucia couldn't help but steal glances at him in the rearview mirror. There he was, the man she was supposed to marry, sitting just feet away from her, completely unaware that his fiancée was behind the wheel.

She wondered how long she could keep up the charade, how long before he saw through her disguise. But for now, she had the upper hand. She was the invisible observer, watching, waiting, and preparing to see the truth behind the man she thought she knew.

And so it began.

As she arrived at his apartment gate, she honked the horn, and a tall man dressed in a security uniform stepped forward to open the gate. As she entered the compound, she was taken aback by the stunning beauty of his house. The architecture was modern, with sleek lines and large windows that showcased a well-manicured garden. Omg, look at my soon-to-be house, she teased in her mind, a mix of awe and envy swirling within her.

"Give the car key to the security after you're done," Diego instructed as he stepped out of the car, his eyes never leaving his phone.

"Got it, sir," Lucia replied, watching him walk off. After he disappeared inside the building, she parked the car, the engine's hum fading in the compound's quiet. As she stepped out, Andre, the security guard, approached her.

"I'm Andre," he introduced himself with a friendly smile.

"I'm Emily," she said quickly, her voice clipped but polite enough to avoid suspicion.

"You'll be handing the key to me, right?" Andre asked with a friendly smile.

"Yes," Lucia responded, her tone clipped. She adjusted her cap again, making sure her face stayed partially hidden. "I'll collect it tomorrow when I report in the morning."

Andre nodded. "No problem. I'll have it ready for you." He extended his hand for the key.

Lucia handed it over without another word, her mind already racing ahead to the next day. Watching Andre walk back to his post, she released a slow breath, relieved to be wrapping up another day undetected. But with each passing day, the stakes seemed to get higher.

Tomorrow, she would return, collect the key, and slip back into her role. Until then, she had to keep her guard up. She stepped outside the gate and quickly booked a cab, glancing back at Diego's luxurious apartment complex, she felt a mix of determination and disappointment swirl inside her.

He was so close, yet so far from the truth. And the longer she kept up this act, the harder it would be to keep her emotions in check.

As Lucia arrived at the hotel, exhaustion pulled her down, and she immediately threw herself onto the bed, lying flat against the soft mattress. She sighed deeply, her mind spinning from the day's events. Just as she began to close her eyes, her phone buzzed. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller ID—it was Diego.

"Hi, my love," Diego greeted, his voice warm and familiar.

"Hi, honey," Lucia replied, her tone carefully neutral, even as her pulse quickened. She had spent the entire day in disguise, driving for the man she loved while he remained completely unaware of her true identity.

"How was work today?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Great, but hectic as hell," Diego said with a tired sigh. "I actually got a new driver today."

Lucia's stomach clenched at his words, but she forced herself to sound casual. "Oh, wow! That's great. A male driver?"

Diego laughed lightly. "Funny enough, I didn't even pay much attention. I was so tired I barely glanced at them, but the driver sounded like a lady."

Lucia's heart raced. He doesn't even recognize me, she thought. Keeping her voice steady, she added, "I hope she drives well."

"We'll see. It was her first day today. Let's see how it goes." His tone softened then, filled with affection. "You know, my love, I can't wait to see you. It feels like it's been forever. I barely even remember what you look like."

Lucia's chest tightened with guilt and longing. She had left to complete her degrees abroad, putting distance between herself and her past heartbreak. During that time, she and Diego had reconnected, their childhood friendship blossoming into something more. Yet, despite their history, Lucia still felt hesitant—unwilling to fully trust after what she had been through.

"Don't worry, honey," she reassured him, though her heart felt heavy. "I'll come back as soon as I'm done with my studies."

"Promise me you're taking care of yourself over there," Diego said, his voice tender. "I miss you."

"I promise. I miss you too," she replied softly, feeling the weight of the distance between them.

"Alright, babe. We'll talk soon, yeah?"

"Definitely. Bye, honey."

"Bye, Lucia."

As she hung up, her phone buzzed again—this time, it was Ivy.

"Hey, babes!" Ivy's voice came through, teasing as always. "How did your first day in disguise go?"

Lucia chuckled, though her mind was still racing. "Girl, this is the craziest thing I've ever done. I'm playing the role of a driver and a fiancée at the same time. I just hope everything works out as planned."

"Relax! You've got this," Ivy said, her tone lighthearted. "Just take a deep breath."

"It's harder than I thought, Ivy," Lucia admitted, her voice strained. "Seeing my man up close but not being able to hug him or kiss him—it hurts. And the worst part? He didn't even look at the driver properly. He said his day was too hectic."

Ivy laughed. 

Lucia sighed, feeling a mix of pride and insecurity. "You need to see Diego. He's so charming and handsome. Honestly, I couldn't take my eyes off him when I saw him earlier! He's my definition of a prince charming in a shining armour, Ivy. That's why this feels so risky. So many girls would want him, and today I saw it—I can't help but wonder if he's really mine."

"He is yours, Lucia," Ivy said firmly. "But I still think this whole plan is a little… mad. Don't say I didn't warn you when he finds out."

"I need to do this," Lucia said, her voice steady but filled with conviction. "I need to know for sure."

"To prove what, exactly?" Ivy's tone grew more serious. "Anyway, we'll see how it all plays out. Just be careful, girl. Talk to you later."

"Bye, Ivy," Lucia said, hanging up and setting her phone down beside her. She stared at the ceiling, feeling the weight of everything settle over her.

Her plan—testing Diego's loyalty by posing as his driver—was bold, and perhaps even dangerous. But after the heartbreak she had endured in the past, she couldn't shake the need for certainty. She needed to know if Diego was truly the man she could trust, or if his charm was just another mask.