Upon all these mixed feelings I couldn't help myself, so I rushed to Sam.
I was seated opposite Sam in his modern office, attempting to avoid being overwhelmed by the chilly marble walls and the tense silence lingering between us.
The custom-tailored suit exuded affluence, self-assurance, and authority, which sharply contrasted with the old sweater and jeans I hastily put on earlier that day.
Despite his powerful aura, I found myself in a position where I could potentially assist him.
Sam leaned in, with his fingers steepled beneath his chin. "Half a year," he stated, his voice suave yet authoritative, indicating his familiarity with getting his desires fulfilled.
"We pretend to be engaged, go to family gatherings, and some work events."
You grin, grip my hand, act the role. In exchange, you don't worry about anything. I will pay for your father's medical bills and provide a significant amount of money to secure your future indefinitely.
I felt my chest constrict. "Why am I the one chosen for this?" The words spilled out uncontrollably.
"You have the option to employ someone more skilled in… this. "I don't know what this is."
Sam answered, with a slight smile playing on his lips, "You're not from my world." "You are in trouble." Authentic. My family won't have any suspicions if I'm with someone like you. "They will believe it is genuine affection."
Affection. The word seemed unfamiliar in this space. I folded my arms in an attempt to control my breathing.
It wasn't the financial aspect that captivated me - it was the image of my father, lying in the hospital bed, with expenses accumulating medical bills.
"I repeated, barely whispering, 'Six months.'" "Will you handle all of it?"
"All things." Our eyes met directly.
I should have declined. I should have left, keeping my dignity. Instead, I gave a nod. I paused for a moment.
"Okay." However, I would like to take a test first. I said. Sam was staring at me.
A period of one month. "If this doesn't seem correct to me, I'll leave."
Sam cocked his head, analyzing me briefly before reaching out his hand. "Agreement."
I shook as if I had just given up a part of my soul.
"I can't believe I forgot my keys at home," I exclaimed. Pretending so I could move away from Sam at the moment.
The following days went by in a haze. Sam wasted no time getting us started on the performance.
Initially, he took me to a high-end boutique, where I spent a long time trying on some fitted luxurious dresses with a team of stylists taking care of my hair, and makeup.
I felt as though I was just a mannequin being controlled by them, the true me hidden underneath layers of silk and makeup.
"As you stepped out in the final dress, 'You look amazing after getting ready.'
Sam complimented me.
He didn't give me the same looks as the other men in my life; the lingering stares and awkward stuttering were missing.
Simply an evaluation from a clinical standpoint, similar to being involved in a transaction. I suppose that was me.
"I'm pleased you agree," I whispered, pulling at the bottom.
"Are you prepared for the gala?" he inquired, disregarding my sarcasm.
Nowhere near.
The dog ran quickly through the park, chasing after the ball.
The event was a whirlwind of cameras flashing, glasses clinking with champagne, and conversations whispered. Everything seems very organized.
Sam executed his part flawlessly, his hand gently placed on the lower part of my back while presenting me to his family and colleagues.
"He said smoothly that this is Lisa." "The woman who succeeded in capturing my heart."
I nearly suffocated while drinking. Can we domesticate him? Was this the case?
His mother, a majestic woman with keen eyes, examined me as if I were a mystery she couldn't quite solve.
"Where did you both first encounter each other?" she inquired, with serious curiosity in her tone.
"I pretended to smile, saying I knew them through mutual friends."
Sam gently squeezed my hand, silently signaling me to remain calm. However, the pressure heightened my awareness of my lack of belonging.
I couldn't comprehend the world of privilege in which these people lived.
Throughout the long night, I sensed the burden of their scrutiny. Every friendly smile, every brief look, felt like a challenge I was not meeting. When we departed, I was feeling on edge.
I looked at Sam in the car. "Your family does not like me."
"They don't despise you," he stated, his tone bordering on casual indifference.
"They simply do not have trust in you at this moment." Be patient and wait for it. He said.
The concept of time. I didn't possess that particular thing.
The dog ran quickly through the park, chasing the squirrels on the field.
The following day, I awoke to discover my image featured on gossip websites and magazines. "Identifying the New Fiancée of Billionaire Sam Parker?"
My entire life was analyzed in these articles, from my educational background to my role as a barista at a local coffee shop.
As soon as I arrived for my shift, David, my coworker and closest friend, immediately approached me.
He asked angrily, pushing his phone towards me, "What is this, Lisa?"
I looked at the screen, my heart was heavy in my chest.
A picture was taken at the gala featuring me and Sam, with his hand placed on my waist and our smiles carefully arranged.
"I said it's complicated," I replied, looking away from him.
"Complex?" Did you forget to tell me that you're now engaged to a billionaire?
"I didn't mean for it to appear this way," I rushed to explain, feeling the panic rising in my voice.
David folded his arms, his face showing no emotion. "Then inform me of what it is."
I started to clarify but refrained. What words could I use?
Had I sacrificed myself to help my father? Did they fabricate this whole situation?
"I said, trust me," I finally stated. "It's not as fancy as it appears."
David appeared unconvinced. "I trust that you are aware of your actions."
I did as well.
The committee will discuss the proposal at the next meeting.
I started to think I could succeed by the week's end. Sam and I had established a routine, our exchanges plan out like a performance.
However, things began to fall apart.
It started with the messages.
While browsing on my phone one evening, I got a text from an unfamiliar number.
"You are not a part of his world." Leave before things get out of hand.
I gazed at the monitor, my heart racing. Who might have sent this? Did Sam have a former lover? Is it a jealous competitor?
The following day, a different message arrived.
Lisa, you are engaging in a risky activity. "You will be sorry."
I displayed the messages to Sam, but he ignored them. "He mentioned that individuals experience jealousy." "Always pay no attention to it."
However, it was not only the messages.
David also began exhibiting odd behavior. His suspicion of Sam increase as he asked specific questions and received vague answers from me.
In the afternoon, I found him searching for information about Sam's family on his laptop.
"What is it about this that captivates you so much?" I inquired with a sharper voice than I had planned.
"I am trying to protect you." I simply don't want to witness you getting injured," he mentioned, his voice sounding defensive.
However, there was a glimmer in his eyes - a hint of something left unsaid.
And finally, the last straw: a photograph was slid underneath my door in the apartment.
A low-quality picture showed Sam arguing with another man.
In bold letters at the bottom, it said: "Are you truly aware of the person you're interacting with?"
The ground moved underneath me causing a sensation.
What was Sam Parker truly like? What situation had I involved myself in?
That evening, I stood up to him.
"Are you hiding something from me?"
I demanded, holding up the photo.
Sam's jaw tightened as he glanced at it. "Where did you get this?"
"It was left at my door," I said. "And don't even think about dodging the question.
Who is this man? And why do people keep warning me about you?"
For the first time since we'd met, Sam looked shaken. He ran a hand through his hair, his usual composure cracking.
"Lisa, there are things about my family about me that I can't explain right now. But you need to trust me. I'm handling it."
"Handling what?" I pressed.
"Are you expecting me to put everything on the line for this deal, yet you can't even be honest with me?"
Before his response, a loud knocking sound was heard at the door.
Both of us became motionless.
"Did you anticipate the arrival of someone?" "His voice low, Sam inquired."
I shook my head, feeling fear creeping up my neck.
The second knock was even more pressing.
I reached out and caught Sam's arm as he headed for the door. Hold on. What if it is.
Before I could complete my task, the door suddenly swung open and two men wearing dark suits forcefully entered the room.
"Mr. Parker," one of them said, his voice lacking warmth. We have to have a conversation. At this moment.
Sam's expression turned grim, and it was the first time I witnessed genuine fear in his eyes.
"He said quietly to me, his voice remaining steady despite the chaos surrounding us."
"No matter what occurs, do not get involved in this."
Suddenly, my carefully constructed world crumbled.
The dog excitedly raced to the door upon hearing his owner's car arrive in the driveway.
As Sam was dragged out the door by the men, I remained still, my thoughts racing with inquiries.
What was their identity? What was their desire? And why did I feel like I had just entered something much bigger and more perilous than I had anticipated?
I was on the verge of discovering it.