After the Divorce: Chased by the Billionaire

It was evening, and the air smelled sweet, mixed with fancy perfumes and a buzz of excitement. I walked into the big, fancy room holding Austin's arm. The lights from the big, sparkly lights above us made everything shine. For a little bit, it felt like everything around us stopped and watched us. Maybe it was just my heart skipping a beat, as I pretended in this big, fake show. "I can't believe we're doing this again," I said quietly, so only Austin could hear. He got closer, his voice soft in my ear. "It's just another night, Sydney. Smile, and everyone smiles with you," he said smoothly. Even now, Austin Blackwood could make everyone look at him just by being there. He was very charming, wearing a fancy suit that fit him just right. It showed off his wide shoulders and strong body. Walking through the crowd, I felt everyone looking at us, thinking we were the perfect couple. They had no idea. Our being together was actually a business deal, a secret agreement pretending to be a love story. Our marriage was more about our families joining forces than about us being in love. But when Austin gently touched my back, leading me through the crowd, I remembered the day we agreed to all this. The business deal that brought us together felt cold compared to his warm touch. "Do you ever think about it?" I asked quietly. "The deal, I mean." Austin kept smiling as he looked around. "Only when I need to," he said. "Why do you ask?" I just shrugged. "Just wondering," I lied, hiding my real feelings. The truth was, I thought about our deal all the time, wondering when it would all end. The night went on with lots of people talking but nothing important being said. I acted like the wife I was supposed to be, and Austin did his charming bit. It was only when we were alone that everything felt real again. "Austin," I said, finding it hard to speak. "Do you ever think about what it would be like if we really loved each other?" His face changed, becoming serious again. "Love is something we can't afford, Sydney. You know that." I knew he was right, but it made me feel empty inside. "Yeah, I guess I do." Our talk was interrupted by some of Austin's friends coming over, their laughter feeling out of place with the mood between us. Elijah, with his sharp eyes and an ever-calculating mind, was the first to speak. "Austin, Sydney, you both look splendid tonight," he said, his voice carrying the weight of someone who's always thinking three steps ahead. Vincent, ever the charmer with a smile that could win over the sternest critics, added, "Absolutely, a picture-perfect couple. Sydney, your dress is the talk of the evening. Austin, I've been spreading the word about your latest venture. The buzz is incredible." Liam, with his laid-back elegance that comes from managing a chain of luxury resorts, chimed in, "And after all this hard work, you two deserve a getaway. Consider my newest resort; it's the perfect escape, romantic and secluded. My treat." Their words, meant to be comforting, felt hollow. As Austin engaged with them, sharing laughs and discussing plans, I felt more isolated than ever. Elijah leaned in, offering Austin some strategic advice on a potential deal, his mind always on the move. "If you play your cards right, this could be a game-changer. Let's set up a meeting next week to dive deeper." Vincent, ever the media savant, nodded in agreement. "I'll make sure the right people are talking about it. It's all about the narrative, after all." And Liam, always thinking of comfort and luxury, suggested, "Why don't we host a small gathering at my new spot? It'll be the perfect backdrop to celebrate the deal once it's done." The conversation shifted to lighter topics, but I remained silent. Austin's friends, with their achievements and ambitions, were part of this world we'd built, a world that felt increasingly alien to me. That night, after the party and all its fake smiles, Austin and I went to bed. The room was quiet except for the distant noise of the city outside. Lying next to him, I could feel the warmth of his body, a reminder that, despite everything, there was still a physical connection between us. "Austin," I started, turning to look at him in the dim light. "Do you ever feel like we're missing something? Like there's more to us than just this... arrangement?" He was silent for a moment, his face unreadable. Then, he turned to me, his eyes searching mine. "Sydney, we knew what this was from the start. But, it's hard not to wonder, isn't it?" His honesty caught me off guard. The warmth from his body was comforting, in a way that made me wish things were different between us. For a moment, I allowed myself to lean closer, feeling the heat of his skin against mine. His scent was a mix of outdoorsy smells with a little bit of spice, making him seem even more interesting. It was the kind of smell that made you want to be near him, comforting but also a little exciting. "Sometimes, I wish we could just forget the world and be honest about what we want," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Austin moved closer, his hand finding mine. "And what do you want, Sydney?" His voice was soft, a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. I hesitated, then answered truthfully, "I want to be loved for me, not for what I can bring to a business deal." He looked away. I waited for what he was about to say but he remained silent. Until, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Time to sleep, Sydney.”