Becoming someone else
1462 Words
Elena stood frozen in the middle of the room, surrounded by more luxury than she had ever seen in her entire life.
Dresses of every style and color filled the space, neatly arranged on racks that stretched from one end of the room to the other. Shoes lined the walls in perfect rows, and sparkling jewelry rested inside glass cases like priceless treasures.
For a moment, she couldn’t move.
“This… is too much,” she said quietly.
Behind her, Adrian’s voice remained calm.
“It’s necessary.”
Elena turned to look at him.
“For a fake relationship?”
“For a believable one.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out.
Because deep down, she understood.
If she was going to stand beside Adrian Vale in front of powerful, wealthy people… she couldn’t look like a struggling college student.
She had to look like she belonged.
Even if she didn’t feel like it.
The assistant stepped forward with a polite smile.
“My name is Clara. I’ll be helping you prepare for tomorrow night.”
Elena nodded slowly.
“Hi…”
Clara gestured toward the dresses.
“Let’s start by finding something suitable for the gala.”
Elena hesitated.
“Do I really have to try all this?”
Clara smiled gently.
“Not all. Just enough.”
Elena let out a small breath.
“Okay…”
Adrian watched silently as Clara led her deeper into the room.
His eyes followed Elena for a moment longer before he turned and walked out.
---
Hours passed.
Elena had lost count of how many dresses she had tried on.
Some were too tight.
Some were too revealing.
Some were so expensive she felt afraid to even touch them.
Clara remained patient the entire time.
“This one,” Clara said, holding up a deep red gown. “Try this.”
Elena took it carefully.
The fabric felt soft and rich beneath her fingers.
“This looks… expensive.”
“It is.”
Elena gave her a look.
“That doesn’t help.”
Clara smiled.
“Go on.”
Elena stepped into the dressing room.
A few minutes later, she walked out slowly.
The dress hugged her figure perfectly, flowing elegantly down to the floor.
Clara’s eyes lit up instantly.
“That’s the one.”
Elena looked at herself in the mirror.
For a moment, she didn’t recognize the girl staring back at her.
The dress transformed her.
She looked… different.
More confident.
More… beautiful.
“Wow,” she whispered.
Clara nodded.
“Exactly.”
Elena turned slightly, studying her reflection from different angles.
“I’ve never worn anything like this before.”
“It suits you.”
Elena smiled faintly.
But then her expression shifted.
“This feels strange.”
Clara tilted her head.
“How?”
Elena looked at herself again.
“Like I’m pretending to be someone else.”
Clara’s smile softened.
“Sometimes… becoming someone new is part of the journey.”
Elena didn’t respond.
Because she wasn’t sure if that was comforting… or terrifying.
---
Later that evening, Elena stood in front of a large mirror in one of the guest rooms.
Her hair had been styled.
Her makeup was subtle but elegant.
The red gown fit her perfectly.
She looked like someone who belonged in Adrian’s world.
But inside…
She still felt like the same girl who had been worrying about tuition just yesterday.
A soft knock came at the door.
“Come in,” she said.
The door opened.
Adrian stepped inside.
For a moment, he said nothing.
His eyes moved over her slowly.
Taking in every detail.
Elena felt her heart skip.
“What?” she asked, slightly nervous.
“You look…” he paused briefly.
“…appropriate.”
Elena stared at him.
“Appropriate?”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
She crossed her arms.
“That’s the best compliment you can give?”
“It’s accurate.”
Elena rolled her eyes.
“You’re impossible.”
But despite his words, she noticed something.
The way his gaze lingered just a second longer than necessary.
The way his expression softened slightly.
He noticed.
Even if he didn’t say it.
Adrian stepped further into the room.
“We should go over a few things.”
Elena nodded.
“Okay.”
He stood in front of her now, his presence suddenly feeling closer… stronger.
“Tomorrow night,” he said, “you’ll meet my family.”
Elena’s stomach tightened instantly.
“That’s the part I’m not ready for.”
“You don’t need to be ready.”
“That’s not comforting.”
Adrian ignored the comment.
“They will ask questions.”
“Of course they will.”
“You’ll need to answer carefully.”
Elena frowned.
“Carefully how?”
Adrian held her gaze.
“We’ve been seeing each other for a few months.”
Her eyes widened.
“Wait—what?”
“That’s the story.”
“You’re just telling me this now?”
“Yes.”
Elena let out a frustrated breath.
“This is unbelievable.”
Adrian continued calmly.
“We met at a private event.”
“We did?”
“In the story.”
Elena rubbed her forehead.
“I’m going to mess this up.”
“You won’t.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Because you’ll follow my lead.”
Elena looked at him.
“And if I don’t?”
Adrian stepped slightly closer.
“Then things become complicated.”
Her heart skipped again.
There was something in his tone.
Something serious.
Something that made her realize this wasn’t just a simple act.
There were consequences.
Real ones.
Elena swallowed.
“Okay…”
Adrian nodded once.
“Good.”
There was a brief silence between them.
Elena became aware of how close they were standing.
Too close.
She could feel the warmth of his presence.
The faint scent of his cologne.
Her heart began beating faster again.
“This is weird,” she said suddenly.
Adrian raised a brow.
“What is?”
“This,” she gestured between them.
“Us.”
He didn’t step back.
“It will feel normal soon.”
“I doubt that.”
Adrian’s gaze didn’t leave hers.
“You’ll adapt.”
Elena shook her head slightly.
“I don’t think I’m meant for your world.”
Adrian’s expression softened—just a little.
“You are now.”
The words lingered between them.
Elena looked away first.
Because something about the way he said it made her chest feel tight.
---
The next evening arrived faster than she expected.
The mansion buzzed with quiet activity.
Staff moved efficiently.
Everything was being prepared.
The engagement gala.
Elena stood in front of the mirror again.
Dressed.
Ready.
Or at least… she hoped she was.
Her hands trembled slightly.
“This is really happening,” she whispered.
A knock came at the door.
Adrian entered without waiting.
He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.
Sharp.
Elegant.
Intimidating.
His eyes met hers.
“You’re ready.”
Elena nodded slowly.
“I think so.”
Adrian stepped closer.
He extended his hand toward her.
Elena looked at it.
Then at him.
“What’s this for?” she asked.
“For appearances,” he said.
Her heart skipped.
“Right…”
She placed her hand in his.
His grip was firm.
Warm.
Steady.
And suddenly…
Everything felt more real than ever.
“Stay close to me,” he said quietly.
Elena nodded.
“I will.”
Together, they walked out of the room.
Down the grand staircase.
Toward the large hall where the gala was already in full swing.
Voices filled the air.
Laughter.
Music.
Elegant guests dressed in luxury.
Elena’s heart pounded harder with every step.
“This is too much,” she whispered.
Adrian’s grip tightened slightly.
“Focus.”
They reached the entrance.
A staff member announced them loudly.
“Mr. Adrian Vale… and his fiancée.”
The room fell silent.
Every eye turned toward them.
Elena felt her breath catch.
This was it.
No turning back.
Adrian stepped forward confidently, pulling her gently along with him.
The crowd parted.
People whispered.
Stared.
Judged.
Elena forced herself to stay calm.
To play the role.
To be the woman standing beside him.
But then—
A voice cut through the silence.
Sharp.
Cold.
Disbelieving.
“Adrian… who is this?”
Elena looked up.
A beautiful, elegant woman stood ahead.
Her eyes fixed on Elena with clear hostility.
Adrian’s grip on Elena’s hand tightened slightly.
His voice was calm.
“She’s my fiancée.”
The woman’s expression darkened instantly.
Elena’s heart dropped.
Because something in that woman’s gaze told her one thing.
This… was not going to be easy.
- Writer
