Alexander’s declaration of love for another woman hurt Julia, but she needed this marriage to work, and she wouldn’t give up that easily.
“What do you plan on doing with Ava?” she asked.
“What do you mean by that?”
“As in, you’re fake married to me, so how is it going to work?”
“Easy. I spend most of my time with her, and you and I just have to keep up a façade.”
“But for how long?”
“I don’t fucking know, Julia. Why are you pestering me?”
“I was just asking. Where does that leave me? I don’t have anyone.”
“Do you have someone in mind that I’m blocking?”
“Not at all.”
“Then there is no problem.”
“True.” They were both quiet for a moment before she added, “You could have let me know that you were coming home late.”
“Now I have to check in with you? You do know that this is a fake marriage, right?”
“I know that, Alexander. You don’t let me forget, do you? I just want to know your whereabouts so that I have an excuse if anyone asks!”
Alexander nodded. “Fine. I’ll let you know next time.”
Julia nodded, and Alexander climbed into bed. She was hot all over. She had never been in the same bed with a man, let alone an almost naked man who was basically a stranger.
“How old are you?” Alexander asked suddenly.
She was surprised at the question. It was the first time that Alexander had asked her anything about herself. “Twenty-two.”
“And you never have had sex nor even seen a guy half naked?”
“I have when we went swimming.”
“Why are you still a virgin?”
“Um, I… I don’t have the desire to, and I guess I don’t have anyone.”
“With your looks, I find it hard to think you would even struggle to get someone interested in you. You could just give a glance, and they would all grovel at your feet.”
“You’re not interested in me.”
“Because I already have someone. That’s different.”
“True.”
“I didn’t think you were the type to be so innocent—quite surprising.” He looked at her appraisingly. “Anyway, we’re going to a gala this weekend. You need to dress appropriately.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t forget that you’re representing me.”
“I won’t let you down,” she promised him.
Alexander turned to his side, and she switched off the lamp and lowered herself into the bed.
Long after Julia heard Alexander’s breathing slow and deepen, she lay awake thinking about Ava.
She kept replaying the part where he said he had someone. The way he talked about Ava was different—he had seemed softer, not so harsh.
Now she had to go and suffer for hours at the gala, following Alexander like a headless chicken.
She just had to endure.
The day of the gala came, and Julia made sure to put a lot of work into her appearance.
Her hair was in waves, and she wore a long, tight black dress paired with elbow-length gloves, an emerald necklace, earrings to match, and a ring to top it off.
She also pinned emerald pins into her hair and slipped into a pair of heels.
Alexander came into the room, dressed and ready to go. She knew that he had been at Ava’s but had come here so that they could go together.
“Let’s…”
She stood up and could see that he was taking in her appearance.
She didn’t want it to be awkward, so she turned away nervously as she said, “I’m ready.”
She picked up her clutch and they were on their way.
Julia sat in the car, staring at the night sky. The moon was bright, and it was calling out to her.
“Julia?”
She turned to Alexander. “Yes?”
“Are you quiet because you’re nervous?”
“No, I was just thinking about something.”
“Don’t forget the roles that we have to play tonight. They’re very important people, so we have to act accordingly.”
She nodded. “Anything else?”
“No.”
She turned and stared out the window until they arrived at the gala.
Alexander got out first to open the door for her. He held out his hand.
She took it and climbed out of the car, and he put his hand on the small of her back as they walked in.
Everyone’s eyes were on them, but she tried to ignore it while they greeted a few people, and Alexander introduced her.
At their table, he pulled out a chair for her, not sitting himself until she was comfortable. She was sure that to anyone watching, he looked like a doting husband.
The waiter brought some champagne, and she grabbed a glass. Others arrived and were seated at the round tables.
A beautiful woman with luscious blonde hair and green eyes came and sat next to Alexander.
Somehow, Julia knew this was Ava.
Alexander smiled at the radiant woman, and Julia knew that they were having their moment.
“Ava, this is Julia. Julia, this is Ava.”
So this was the girl Alexander had wanted to marry. This was why he was so upset with Julia.
Ava turned to her. “Nice to meet you, Julia.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
“I know this wasn’t planned for,” Ava replied.
“What isn’t?”
“Us meeting here, like this.”
“Oh…”
“I would personally not have met like this, but Alexander insisted.”
Ava seemed sweet, but Julia could hear venom in her words and gloating in her tone. She was making a statement. She was the most important woman in his life.
That was probably true, based on the way Alexander looked at her.
Julia sat silently while the conversation flowed between Alexander and Ava as if Julia were invisible.
She lightly and subtly scooted her chair over quietly so she could be away from Alexander and his lover, then gasped in surprise when Alexander put his hand beneath her chair and pulled her back over to him.
She was right next to him. He wrapped his left arm just beneath her breasts and placed his other hand on her neck, pulling her in so his mouth was on her hair by her ear.
“Behave and do your fucking part,” he murmured.
Julia lifted her hand to his neck and whispered back, “Says you, making it obvious with your lover. First, work on yourself before you come for me.”
She pulled back and gave him a sweet smile.
The speeches began. Julia tried her hardest to focus, but she kept zoning out.
Even though the lights were dimmed, she could see that Ava and Alexander were stealing glances and saw Ava had a bit of smugness etched on her face.
Julia got more champagne. She was lucky that the presentation was going on and the dim lights were in her favor.
Everyone laughed, and Julia joined. She took another glass of champagne, but as she was about to sip from it, Alexander took it and set it down.
He leaned in. “I think you’ve had enough now.”
Julia smiled tightly and nodded.
She sat silently, waiting for the speeches to be finished, lost in her thoughts. She didn’t even realize the last speaker had ended until she noticed Alexander standing in front of her and holding out his hand to her.
She took it, and he led her to the dance floor where he held her very tightly. Between the alcohol and the music, being in his arms was intoxicating.
She looked up at him. Julia loved his scent. Almost without thinking, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
Alexander kissed her back a bit, then pulled away from her.
He smiled cruelly before he rubbed her lipstick off his mouth.
“Don’t ever do that again,” he hissed.
