THE PERFECT DECEPTION

1.Dress

The moment the word deal left my lips, I regretted it.

Ethan Callahan wasn’t just dangerous, he was the kind of man who didn’t take no for an answer. The kind who played by his own rules. And now, for the next three months, I was stuck playing his game.

I tightened my grip on my purse, fighting the urge to run while I still had the chance.

“I’ll expect everything in writing. I’m not taking your word for it.”

His smirk deepened, like I’d just entertained him. “Smart girl. I’ll have my lawyers draft the contract.” He stood, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored suit. “I’ll be in touch.”

And just like that, he walked away—like he hadn’t just turned my life upside down in a matter of minutes.

I exhaled sharply, my heart pounding. This was insane. Stupid. Reckless. But if Ethan Callahan could save Rivera Events, what choice did I really have?

That’s the reason why I couldn’t sleep well last night.

The contract arrived the next day. It was exactly what he promised—three months, no strings attached. In exchange for pretending to be his girlfriend at public events, he would use his influence to crush Sterling Luxe Events. A clean break once our agreement ended.

It was simple on paper. In reality? It felt like walking into a Jurassic park!

A week later, I found myself standing outside Callahan Enterprises as my nerves twitched inside me. The glass skyscraper stretched into the sky like a monument to his power.

The receptionist’s eyes widened when I gave her my name. Within minutes, I was being assisted up to the top floor, where Ethan’s assistant greeted me with a knowing smile.

“He’s expecting you,” she said, motioning toward the massive double doors.

She’s smiling all ears. And all I wanted is to lash out her face because of this stupidity I encountered but now I know she didn’t do something wrong so I wont do it as well.

I squared my shoulders and pushed them open.

Ethan was behind a sleek black desk, sleeves rolled up, focus locked on the documents in front of him. He didn’t bother looking up. “You’re late.”

I bristled. “It’s 9:00 AM. Exactly on time.”

His lips twitched, but his eyes remained cold. “I prefer five minutes early.” He gestured to the seat across from him. “Sit.”

I wanted to tell him exactly where he could shove his orders, but instead, I sat.

“You’re going to hate working with me,” I muttered under my breath.

He finally looked up, his gray eyes sharp with amusement. “I already do.”

I rolled my eyes, crossing my legs. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

“You agreed to this, Mia,” he said smoothly, leaning back in his chair. “And if we’re going to make this convincing, you’ll need to follow my lead.”

I bristled. “I’m not one of your employees, Ethan.”

“No,” he said, his tone cooling. “And I am not someone who’s submissive to your commands, Mia.”

I hated how his words sent a shiver down my spine. “And what exactly do you expect me to do?”

He stood and walked around the desk, stopping just inches from where I sat. Up close, he was even more infuriating. With that broad-shouldered, perfectly composed, and devilishly handsome.

“Our first appearance is at a charity gala this Friday,” he said. “You’ll be on my arm all night. Smile, laugh at my jokes and try to convince everyone that you’re hopelessly in love with me.”

I arched a brow. “You’re assuming I find you charming enough to fake it.”

His mouth curved into a slow, arrogant smile. “Trust me, Mia. You’ll manage.”

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. “And what if I don’t?”

His smile faded, and for a split second, I caught a glimpse of the man beneath the polished façade. Dangerous. Calculated. Completely unyielding.

“Then you lose everything,” he said quietly. “Goodbye to your business.”

The heaviness of his words settled over me like a chain.

I should have walked away. I should have told him to handle his PR nightmare without dragging me into it.

But I couldn’t. Not when Mariz’s medical bills were piling up. Not when Rivera Events was hanging by a thread.

So instead, I stood and met his cold, unyielding gaze.

“Fine,” I said, my voice steady. “But don’t expect me to fall at your feet, Callahan.”

A spark of something dark flickered in his eyes. “I wouldn’t dare.”

As I turned and walked away, I could feel his gaze burning into my back.

And I had a sinking feeling the devil always collected.

The next morning, I was finishing my coffee when my phone buzzed.

Ethan Callahan:

Be ready by 10 AM. I’m picking you up.

No greeting. No explanation. Just a command—like I worked for him. Typical.

I sighed, placing my mug down.

At exactly 10 AM, a sleek black car pulled up outside my apartment. I took a deep breath and stepped out, sliding into the passenger seat.

Ethan was already there, looking effortlessly perfect. His white shirt hugged his frame, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his toned forearms.

“You’re on time,” he said, starting the engine.

I gave him a flat look. “Do you want a trophy?”

His lips twitched like he was holding back a smile. “Feisty this morning, I see.”

I crossed my arms, watching the city blur past the window. “Where are we going?”

“You need a dress for the gala,” he said, as if it was obvious. “If you’re going to be with me, you should look the part.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I can choose my own clothes, you know.”

“I don’t doubt that,” he said, eyes still on the road. “But I have a certain image to maintain.”

Of course he did. Everything about Ethan Callahan screamed perfection so why would his date be any different? I wanted to argue, but honestly, it wasn’t worth the energy.

As long as he kept his promise to help my business, I could survive his arrogance.

About thirty minutes later, we stopped in front of a luxury boutique, the kind of place where the windows sparkled, and the prices probably made most people faint.

Of course, this was where Ethan shopped.

He opened the door for me without a word, and I stepped inside, immediately feeling out of place. The air was cool and smelled like expensive perfume, with racks of dresses that looked too delicate to touch.

A tall, elegant woman in a fitted black dress glided toward us. Her sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe like she was deciding whether I deserved to be here.

“Mr. Callahan,” she greeted smoothly. “It’s always a pleasure.”

“Show her your best,” Ethan said, nodding toward me. “Something classic. Elegant.”

The woman’s lips curved into a polite smile. “Of course. This way, Miss…?”

“Mia,” I said quietly, following her through the rows of shimmering gowns.

Ethan stayed behind, leaning against a glass display case with his phone in hand. He looked completely at ease while I was left to play dress-up.

For the next thirty minutes, I tried on dress after dress. Some were too flashy. Others were too tight or made me feel like I was pretending to be someone else. The saleswoman kept smiling, but I could tell she was losing patience.

I was ready to give up when she pulled a dress from a hidden rack.

“This just arrived,” she said.

It was a simple black gown, sleek and smooth. The dress hugged my figure, with thin straps that crisscrossed over my back, leaving most of my skin bare. It wasn’t loud or overdone. It was… me.

When I stepped out of the fitting room, the saleswoman smiled approvingly. But I barely noticed her—I was too focused on Ethan.

He had been checking his phone, but the second he looked up, everything shifted. His usual calm faded, and his eyes darkened as he took me in.

His gaze swept over me, slow and deliberate, from my bare shoulders down to where the dress skimmed the floor. For a moment, he just stood there, completely silent.

I expected a comment. Maybe a smug remark. But he didn’t say a word.

When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter. “That’ll do.”

I rolled my eyes at his simple approval, but my heart pounded harder than I wanted to admit.