The blinding light faced us directly, leading to temporary blindness that couldn't be avoided.
Sam with his impeccably dressed,
I was Still in my borrowed clothing.
However, there was no time for feeling sorry for myself. This was not about fitting in; it was about staying alive.
I fixed the strap of my dress and plunged into the crowd, pretending to be as sophisticated as the elites surrounding me.
I needed to establish relationships this evening.
A job, a lead, a lifeline—something to rescue me from the financial predicament I was trapped in.
I had reached the middle of the room when loud voices made me stop suddenly.
"Stop acting like a child, Sam," a woman angrily whispered, her words penetrating the noise of the clinking glasses.
"This isn't about you anymore. It's about the family."
The man she was scolding—tall, broad-shouldered, and annoyed—crossed his arms.
"The family? Or are you trying to control me like one of your chess pieces?"
"You think this is a game?" she shot back, her diamond earrings catching the light.
"You either settle down with a respectable woman, or I'll make sure the board reconsiders your position at Whitmore Industries. You don't scare me, Samuel."
Samuel Whitmore. The notorious successor.
Even if you weren't up-to-date on the gossip magazines, it was difficult to overlook his face: a bright smile, flawlessly chiseled jawline, and a reputation for causing havoc in women's lives like how most people accidentally ruin their shirts in the laundry.
"Respectable?" Sam barked out a laugh. "Fine.
I'll go find the first 'respectable' woman I see and propose right now. Would that make you happy, Grandmother?"
Evelyn Whitmore didn't flinch. She just sipped her champagne. "Do it. She said with a loud voice. I'd love to see you commit to anything for once in your life."
Sam stormed away, and I quickly pretended to admire the closest painting so they wouldn't notice me eavesdropping. My heart raced.
I had only been here for less than ten minutes when I accidentally found myself in the middle of a billionaire family conflict.
This evening was turning out to be much more complex than I had expected.
Right at that moment, my phone vibrated in my handbag as if it were planned.
I retrieved it, my stomach turning upon seeing the name "David." I paused, my finger hesitating over the decline button.
David? The man who couldn't even hear me out when I attempted to explain.
The man who had left me to deal with the mess he made after walking away. And he was phoning me now?
I allowed the phone to keep ringing. Next, there was another vibration, but this time it was from a text message.
Lisa, can you, please? I have to have a conversation with you.
Can we have a conversation? Is it time? I gritted my teeth while pushing the phone back into my clutch.
It can't be on the phone call never. I said to myself. After how he had disregarded me, he didn't merit any more of my time.
However, it seemed that the universe had more tricks up its sleeve for me. My phone vibrates once more.
This time, it was a text from Clara, David's cousin and the only member of his family who'd ever been on my side.
Lisa, don't shut him out. He's been a wreck. You're important to him. At least let him apologize.
I groaned, leaning against the balcony railing for air. Why now? Why tonight?
There was no solace in the lights of the city below. I urged myself to disregard it and concentrate on the gala event, yet my chest felt constricted. I still felt the sting of David's betrayal, but Clara's words continued to bother me.
However, I still had to return inside. I couldn't allow my feelings to spoil my show this evening.
I squared my shoulders, reentered the crowd, and held my head high despite feeling mentally overwhelmed.
And that's when disaster struck.
Distracted in my mind, I collided with another person due to my lack of awareness of my surroundings.
"Be careful!" an irritated voice snapped sharply.
I gazed upwards in shock and saw a tall man giving me a fierce look, with his tuxedo covered in champagne. I felt a sinking sensation in my heart.
"I apologize deeply!" I stuttered, quickly taking a napkin from a waiter walking by and hurriedly wiping at the material. "I didn't intend to—"
"Wait," he stated, taking a step back with a frown. "You're just exacerbating the situation."
It was at that moment that I realized who he was: Sam Whitmore. Certainly. Why not compound an already embarrassing night with even more negativity?
"I repeated my apologies, hoping the ground would just swallow me up."
His eyebrow went up, showing his doubt. "Are you supposed to be here?" Are you a guest who came with someone and got separated?
My face felt a sudden rush of heat. "Can I help you?"
"Chill out," he said with a sneer. I'm simply pointing out that you appear… not fitting in here.
"Oh, so you believe you're the ruler of the whole universe, do you?" I replied, my shame rapidly transforming into fury. Breaking news: class cannot be purchased with money.
His smirk wavered, transforming into a facial expression that nearly resembled amusement. Spirited. I am fond of that.
I made a gesture by rotating my eyes. "Do not." Simply refuse to do so.
His voice stopped me as I tried to walk away.
He inquired about my name.
"What is the reason?" "I inquired, turning back swiftly."
"Due to your courage," he remarked with shining blue eyes. "I enjoy being familiar with the names of individuals who are not afraid to stand up to me."
I paused, my instincts urging me to continue moving forward. However, the way he looked at me caused me to stop. "Lisa."
He repeated, trying out the name "Lisa". "Okay, Lisa, I'll keep that in mind."
"Congratulations," I mumbled before finally getting away.
I attempted to merge back with the crowd for the following hour, but my nerves were completely frayed.
I had made a fool of myself in front of Sam Whitmore, and to add to that, I couldn't stop thinking about David's texts. Furthermore, I had to depart.
As I was leaving, I was suddenly grabbed by someone on my arm.
I whirled around, prepared to retaliate, but halted upon seeing him. Samuel.
"Give me a moment," he said, his tone changing to be serious and almost urgent.
"What did you say?" I inquired, feeling my patience running out.
I have a proposal to make to you.
I closed and opened my eyes quickly. "An... idea?"
"Yes," he responded, approaching nearer, speaking softly. I believe you were listening to my previous discussion.
Together with my grandmother.
I paused, uncertain about whether to confess. Perhaps.
"Alright," he stated, his jaw becoming more tense. "Then you are aware that I have an issue."
"Why should I be concerned about that?"
He gave a slight smile, but there was no trace of humor in it. "Since I believe you can assist me."
I gazed at him. May I assist you? "In what way?"
He inhaled deeply as if he was unable to comprehend the words he was about to utter.
"I require you to act as my fiancée."
The words remained in the atmosphere, ridiculous and unrealistic.
"I apologize, what did you say?"
"I said it, you listened," he said. "My grandmother is set on dominating my life, and if I don't conform, she will destroy me.
However, demonstrating my commitment to a person, even if it's someone she doesn't like, will give me a chance to delay things.
I chuckled sharp, incredulous noise. "You're out of your mind."
"I suppose," he conceded, his gaze meeting mine. However, I am also being sincere. "I will ensure that it is worth your time and effort."
"Is it worth my time?" I said again, folding my arms.
Affirmative. Financially stable.
I felt dizzy in my thoughts. Did someone make a joke? Is it a practical joke?
However, his demeanor was extremely grave.
"I need to simulate being your future wife?" I asked thoughtfully, attempting to understand. "Why am I the one chosen?"
"Simply because you are not what I expected," he said. You are not from my world, and that will be the thing that will make my grandmother go mad. She won't anticipate it.
Before I could begin to argue, another voice interrupted me as I opened my mouth.
"Lisa, are you there?"
When I looked, my stomach sank upon realizing the identity of the person. The name of the person is David.
Why are you present in this place? I inquired, my tone cutting.
His gaze narrowed as he glanced back and forth between me and Sam. I could inquire the same from you.
Sam moved closer, his hand gently touching mine. "Is this man causing you any trouble?"
David's teeth ground together. "Who do you think you are?"
I stood paralyzed, feeling the crackling tension between them, torn between my past and a proposal that could change my future.
"Lisa," Sam spoke, his tone steadies yet resolute. I have given you my contact information. Consider it.
He walked away and left me watching him go and observing the anger on David's face. I couldn't wait to have a conversation for now. As this is not the right place to discuss.