Chapter 2
1504 Words
Chapter 2: A Deal with the Devil
I follow Roy as he leads me down the busy street, his long strides forcing me to nearly jog to keep up. The weight of what I’ve just done hits me like a truck. Fake fiancé? Billionaire boss? Warren’s stunned face flashes in my mind, and I can’t decide whether to laugh or cry.
Finally, I stop and tug on Roy’s arm. “Wait a second! I need to know what I just signed up for.”
He turns to face me, his sharp blue eyes scanning my face with an unnerving calm. “You’re the one who dragged me into this,” he says, smirking. “Now you want answers?”
I plant my hands on my hips, glaring at him. “Yes! You said you needed a fake fiancée. Why? What’s your angle here?”
Roy glances at his watch like he’s got somewhere better to be, then sighs. “Let’s grab coffee. It’s a long story.”
I follow him into a nearby café, still trying to process how my Valentine’s Day turned into the plot of a soap opera. We find a corner table, and I watch as he orders two black coffees without asking what I want.
When he sits across from me, I lean forward. “Spill.”
He takes a sip of his coffee, completely unbothered. “I’m a very busy man, Crystal. And with success comes... complications.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Complications?”
He nods, setting his cup down. “In my case, nosy investors and family members who think it’s their business to dictate my personal life. They’ve been pressuring me to settle down, find someone ‘stable.’” He smirks. “A fake engagement will keep them off my back.”
I blink at him, stunned. “So, you just... go along with this kind of thing? Pretending to be engaged?”
“Not usually,” he admits, his smirk fading. “But you presented a unique opportunity.”
“Unique,” I repeat flatly. “That’s one way to describe it.”
Roy leans forward, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “You get something out of this too, Crystal. Your ex clearly doesn’t respect you. A billionaire fiancé might make him realize what he lost.”
I open my mouth to argue, but his words hit too close to home. The image of Warren kissing Clara flashes in my mind, and I feel a fresh wave of anger. Maybe Roy has a point.
“How long would this... arrangement last?” I ask hesitantly.
“Not long,” Roy says. “A month, maybe two. Just enough to convince the right people. After that, we’ll ‘break up’ and go our separate ways.”
I tap my fingers on the table, my mind spinning. This is insane. But at the same time, the thought of Warren seeing me with someone like Roy—someone confident, powerful, and completely out of his league—feels like justice.
“Alright,” I say slowly. “I’ll do it.”
Roy’s smirk returns, and he raises his coffee cup in a mock toast. “Welcome to the team, fiancée.”
By the time I get home that evening, my head is still spinning. I kick off my heels and collapse onto the couch, staring at the engagement ring on my finger.
What have I done?
My phone buzzes, and I glance at the screen. It’s a text from Warren.
Warren: Crystal, please let me explain. I made a mistake. Let’s talk.
I toss the phone onto the coffee table, not bothering to reply. The audacity of that man! A mistake? Kissing Clara wasn’t a mistake—it was a choice.
The doorbell rings, snapping me out of my thoughts. I groan, dragging myself off the couch. When I open the door, Roy is standing there, looking as calm and composed as ever.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, startled.
“We need to discuss the terms of our arrangement,” he says, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
I close the door, watching as he surveys my small apartment with a raised eyebrow. “Charming,” he says dryly.
I cross my arms, glaring at him. “I don’t remember inviting you in.”
He smirks. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”
I roll my eyes and motion for him to sit. He chooses the armchair like he owns the place, while I sink back onto the couch.
“Alright,” I say. “What are these ‘terms’ you’re talking about?”
Roy leans back, resting an arm on the chair. “First, we need to make this believable. That means public appearances, a story about how we met, and enough chemistry to convince anyone watching.”
“Chemistry?” I repeat, my cheeks heating.
“Yes,” he says, completely unfazed. “If we’re going to sell this, we need to act like a real couple. That includes holding hands, the occasional kiss, and looking like we’re madly in love.”
I gape at him. “You’re joking.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Do I look like someone who jokes?”
I stare at him, realizing he’s dead serious. “This is insane.”
“Probably,” he agrees. “But you agreed to it.”
I groan, rubbing my temples. “Fine. What else?”
“We’ll need to attend a gala next week,” he says. “It’s a charity event, and it’ll be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to my world.”
“Your world?”
He nods. “The world of billionaires, investors, and people who will be scrutinizing every move we make. Think you can handle it?”
I bite my lip, nerves creeping in. “I don’t know...”
Roy’s expression softens slightly. “You’ll be fine, Crystal. Just follow my lead.”
I glance at him, surprised by the hint of reassurance in his voice. Maybe this won’t be as bad as I thought.
“Alright,” I say, taking a deep breath. “I’m in.”
He stands, smoothing out his suit jacket. “Good. I’ll send a car to pick you up for the gala. Be ready by seven.”
As he heads for the door, I call out, “Roy?”
He turns, his hand on the doorknob.
“Why me?” I ask. “Why not just hire someone to pretend to be your fiancée?”
He smirks, his blue eyes glinting. “Because you’re unpredictable. And that makes you interesting.”
With that, he’s gone, leaving me standing in the middle of my living room, wondering what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.
The next few days fly by in a blur of preparation. Roy sends a stylist to my apartment, insisting that I need the perfect dress for the gala.
When the night finally arrives, I find myself staring at my reflection in the mirror. The stylist chose a sleek black gown that hugs my curves, paired with diamond earrings that probably cost more than my rent.
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. I open it to find Roy standing there, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored tuxedo.
“You clean up nicely,” he says, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I reply, trying to sound confident.
He offers his arm, and I take it, my heart pounding as we head to the waiting car.
The ride to the gala is quiet, tension hanging in the air. I glance at Roy, wondering what’s going through his mind.
When we arrive, the sight of the grand ballroom takes my breath away. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and the room is filled with people dressed to the nines.
“Ready?” Roy asks, his voice low.
I nod, even though I feel anything but ready.
As we step inside, all eyes turn to us. Roy’s hand rests on my lower back, guiding me through the crowd. He leans down, whispering in my ear, “Smile. They’re watching.”
I force a smile, my nerves threatening to overwhelm me.
And then, out of the corner of my eye, I see him.
Warren.
He’s standing near the bar, a drink in hand, his eyes locked on me.
My heart races as he starts to walk toward us.
“Crystal?” he says, his voice filled with disbelief.
Roy tightens his grip on my waist, his expression calm but unreadable.
“Warren,” I say, my voice steady despite the chaos in my chest. “Meet my fiancé.”
Roy extends a hand, his smile as sharp as a blade. “Roy.”
Warren hesitates for a moment before shaking Roy’s hand. The tension between them is palpable, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is only the beginning of something much bigger.
- Writer
