Chapter 7: Gilded Dinner
1466 Words
Heart’s POV
Beyond the giant doors was like stepping into a whole different world.
I have seen luxury in film sets and even played some roles in it. However, after walking inside their so-called ‘mansion’, I realized that the real thing is just way more than what I could imagine.
“This way, young master,” the butler guided us down the hallway.
Yes, a butler—they actually have a full-blown butler! Not to mention the lines of maid staff that welcomed us at the foyer when we arrived.
I feel so light-headed. It’s like being thrown to another dimension that puts my cramped, old, creaky, apartment this morning to shame. I don’t think my entire place would even make even an eighth of their living room.
I leaned towards Ace and whispered in disbelief, “They call you young master?”
He gave me a quick glance, dismissively saying, “It’s something that has simply stuck since childhood.”
My baffled stare lingered on him but Ace was already looking ahead, like it’s not a big deal. I guess he wouldn’t get why when he was raised like that—with a golden spoon, maybe even diamond, I thought as I looked around their crystal chandeliers and antique furniture.
Every passing second, anxiousness fills my chest. It’s sinking in me more and more just what I signed up for.
“There you are, Ace!” A woman’s voice pulled me back to the present. She approached him with open arms and yanked him for a short hug.
I was speechless when I saw her. She’s beautiful, with an air of certain elegance around her. It’s like she also has her own ringlight, she’s glowing.
If I wasn’t familiar with her face from TV interviews and billboards of her perfume and clothing brands, I would think she’s just an older sister of her son.
Okay, they really have an elite bloodline and it shows very clearly.
“You are Heart, right?” I blinked and composed myself. She was looking at me now. The performer part of my brain automatically activated.
“Can I call you by your first name, dear?” She asks.
“Of course,” I answered with a sweet voice and smiled lovingly. “You can call me anything you’d like, ma’am.”
“Ma’am?” She chuckled and waved her hand. “Oh, please! No need to be that formal, darling,” she adds before reaching for my clasped hands.
“Call me Athena,” she said kindly.
I glanced at Ace who just gave me a light nod before facing his mother again. “Okay, Athena…”
It was a bit awkward—I've done more research about their family after I agreed to the deal with Ace. I thought it would be an advantage. Turns out, it ended up adding more pressure for me.
“We’re delighted you could join us. This is a first, you know. Ace never brings anyone to dinner,” she narrates as she guides me to their dining room.
Ace was a step behind us. She gave a sharp glance at her son and mumbled, “He’s a recluse at heart.”
I genuinely laughed and shot a quick look at him too. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that.”
Ace simply ignored us, unfazed of our comments.
Once we entered the dining room, I instantly saw two men waiting inside. Athena pulled me towards the table.
“This is my husband, Hector,” she introduces, clinging her arm to the tall intimidating man. I think he’s the same height as Ace, who is really tall too.
It’s jarring to look at him because it was almost like a spoiler of what the future holds for Ace. They look very alike. Just a younger and older version of each other.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Lovell,” Hector offers a polite handshake.
I accepted it and smiled. “Thank you. Feel free to call me Heart.”
Athena then gestures to the other guy. “This is Spade, Ace’s younger brother,” she says.
I turned to Spade who was already grinning in my direction. He has both features from his parents. “Lovely to meet you Miss Heart,” he greets and reaches to kiss the back of my hand.
I curled my hand but smiled anyway.
He’s definitely a troublemaker; the opposite of his brother.
After the introductions, we took our seats. I sat beside Ace. Across us are his mother and brother. I was facing Athena while Hector sat at the head of their long table.
“Unfortunately, our youngest, Regina, couldn’t attend today. Perhaps you’ll meet her in our upcoming family vacation,” Athena declares out of the blue as we start eating.
I almost choked at that. Family vacation?! We just met!
Ace also paused and frowned at his mother. “I don’t remember us agreeing to any vacation.”
“Well, it’s normal to bring your partner to our vacations now. She’s part of our family already,” his mother insists.
Oh God, she’s taking our relationship way too seriously. Perhaps Ace did have a reason for needing a fake girlfriend.
“You’re going to put her under duress,” Ace argues. His tone changed a bit from his usual monotone so I decided to interject and avoid conflict.
“Oh, I don’t mind if I’m invited,” I said to them, beaming. “But I might have to check with my schedule first… and Ace’s too,” I continued and placed my hand on top of his.
The action seemed to catch everyone’s attention. They briefly glanced at our hands. I felt Ace flinch before his mother smiled wider again. “I understand, dear. Let me know when you’re free and we’d be happy to adjust.”
“Ah, I don’t think that’s necessary. I don’t want to impo—”
“Nonsense,” she interrupts. “We’ve been trying to get that one to have a vacation since he entered college. Maybe with you around he’ll drop his excuses,” she pointed at her son with her fork.
I chuckled and Ace remained stoic.
Hector decided to join our conversation. “Three decades, son, and this is the first time we’ve seen you… taken.”
“Not taken,” Ace corrected with composure, slicing into his steak. “Dating.”
Spade then leans forward with a cheeky grin. “So, Heart, how did you convince him? Did you have a slide show presentation? A proposal defense? Or blackmail, maybe?”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. He’s almost spot on. “Something like that,” I muttered, shooting Ace a look.
For the first time that evening, his lips twitched, just barely. Not quite a smile, but close enough, at least in his vocabulary.
The dreaded interrogation followed. Three months, we claimed we’d been seeing each other. At a charity gala, we said we met.
It was terrifying, how convincing Ace was. I guess he’s used to this.
Worse—it was terrifying how convincing we were together.
They also asked very perceptive questions about my work; not shallow but thoughtful. I answered carefully but in a natural manner. I did my best not to sound like the actual broke, rookie actress, who resorted to unorthodox methods, that I am.
“You have a spark,” Athena said lovingly. “It’s no wonder Ace noticed you.”
It was the second time I almost choked on my food. Ace, of course, didn’t react at all.
But her words lingered. I was overthinking. What if she knew and saw right through us? I might feel more bad if she genuinely believed her son finally chose someone, though.
The rest of the dinner passed in laughter, stories, and gentle teasing.
I didn’t know what I expected but they seemed much closer than what I had in mind despite the formalities. It was so foreign to me, so different from my broken family. I found myself softening, letting it all soak in.
As we bid our farewell and Athena walked me to Ace’s car, she told me with a gentle voice,
“Ace likes to push people away. He has high walls. He thinks he’s protecting us, protecting himself. But you—” She paused, eyes warm and sharp all at once. “I feel like you’d change him, Heart.”
At that, my chest tightened.
It was a blend of guilt and fear and something unfamiliar.
Something somewhat dangerous.
When I looked up to the man who was standing beside the car door waiting for me, things felt more real.
The deal, our act, our lie.
I just hoped I’m not walking to my own undoing.
- Writer
