The Billionaire's Contract Girlfriend with a Hidden identity

I almost died before I even got paid. I missed my step as I stepped out of the car, and suddenly I was moving downwards directly at a little metal spike which was used in decorating the road in a split second. At that point, my whole life just flashed before my eyes, and I was very aware that this was going to be the shortest job in history. But just as all these thoughts were flying through my head, I got interrupted, caught by a firm hand. “ Careful,” a voice said, deep and even. “ You're already under qualified. Don't make it worse,” he continued. Hot sweat rushed through my neck. Then I turned around and there he was. Adrian Voss. If arrogance were a person, it would certainly look like him. Perfectly tailored suit, posture like he has been engineered instead of raised, and eyes that didn't just look at you, but they intimidated you. I pulled my arm out of his grip the second I got hold of myself. And made the dumbest statement, at least for the day. “ I had it under control,” I said. “ You were not too far from the ground,“ he replied. “ I was trying to practice something,” I replied. His gaze dropped briefly to my heel, then back to my face. “ You're wearing the wrong heel.” I blinked, surprised. Then found a reply “ Oh, I'm sorry. Did the fake girlfriend handbook have a footwear section I missed?” “ It had a ‘don’t embarrass me ‘ section”. “ Wow, “ I muttered. Then I thought to myself, “If you really, really wanted me to wear a pair of shoes that matched your class, you should have at least paid me part of my money so I could use and buy…” “Can we head in already?” he interrupted my thoughts. I looked around and almost for the first time took note of the estate I was standing right in front of. The estate wasn't just big, it was intentional. Lights glowed across well-manicured gardens, soft and golden, leading up to a mansion. The staff moved like shadows. Guests arrived in sleek cars, stepping out like they belonged in headlines. I followed hand in hand as he walked towards the mansion still buried in thought. To me, this wasn't a wedding, this was a stage. And I had just tripped on my entrance. “ Tell me again why I said yes to this,“ I muttered. “ You needed money,” Adrian replied almost immediately without looking at me. “ I also needed dignity,” I replied, giving him a dead stare. “ You traded that,“ he replied. “ Temporary,” I fired back, almost irritated. His jaw shifted slightly. “ You're here to play a role,” he said, “Nothing more.” “Relax," I shot back again. “ I'm not about to fall in love with you.” “ I didn't say you would,“ he almost muttered as we walked through the entrance door. “ Good. Because I have standards,” I replied with the same tone. That earned me a look. Sharp. Brief. Assessing. “ Stay close,” he said. “ I thought you didn't like improvisation.” “ This isn't improvisation.” Before I could give a response, he had already reached for me, with his hand settling at my waist, pulling me gently just slightly closer. The way he did this was smooth, effortless, and convincing. And suddenly I understood that this man wasn't pretending, he performed. I mean he's good at this game. We stepped inside and everything shifted. The music was soft but commanding, the air thick with perfume, and money conversations floated like smoke. I smiled automatically “Okay,” I whispered.” Quick question." “No,” Adrian responded. “ You don't even know what I'm going to ask.” “ Yes I do” I grinned “ Are they all judging me, or is that just my imagination?” “ They are judging you,” he replied, giving me a quick look as he turned to grab a glass of wine. “ I love honesty” “Focus,” he said. “Smile. Speak only when necessary.” I tilted my head. “Define necessary.” He glanced at me. “ Not everything requires commentary.” “ That sounds like a personal flaw,” I replied, looking straight into his eyes. His jaw tightened slightly. “Score one,” I thought. I was seriously determined not to let this man who looks like he bathes in arrogance trample over me. We hadn't taken more than a few steps before someone approached. “Adrian.” The voice was warm, easy. The kind of voice that didn't ask for attention, it just got it. I turned, and beheld a handsome face. He walked towards us like the night belonged to him but in a relaxed way, with a charming smile on his face. “ And you must be the miracle,” he said, eyes landing on me. “Miracle?” I responded with my brows slightly up. “ My cousin bringing a girlfriend?” he said, glancing at Adrian. “ Historic event.” I laughed. “ Gracia,” I said, offering my hand. He took it lightly. “Ethan. You know, I've known Adrian my entire life, and I can confidently say this is the most interesting decision he's ever made.” “ I get that a lot,” I said. “ I don't doubt that,” he said. “ You seem…unforgettable.” “Careful,” I said. “Flattery this early? People might think you're trying.” He placed his right hand on his chest in mock offense. “ Trying? I'm actually charming. This is effortless.” “Debatable,” I replied. He seemed to be an easy-going person because I already liked him. “ And where did you find her?” Ethan asked Adrian casually. “ None of your concern,” Adrian replied, looking and shaking the remaining wine he had in his cup as though he was searching for something. “ Everything about you is my concern,” Ethan said lightly. “We're family.” “ That doesn't grant access though,” he replied. Ethan chuckled. “ Still the same.” His gaze flicked back to me. “ Well Gracia, welcome to the chaos.” “Good. I said. “ I thrive in chaos.” “ Then you'll fit right in.” As Ethan moved away, I leaned closer to Adrian. “ I like him,” I whispered into his ears. “You shouldn't,” Adrian said quietly. “Why? He's normal.” “ He's not.” I smiled slightly. The evening moved fast after that. Too fast. People came and went. Names blurred, smiles sharpened. Every conversation felt like it had a second meaning hidden underneath it. And Adrian, he never lost control. Not once. Even when people pressed. Even when questions edged too close. He handled everything like a man who had already predicted an outcome. It was… unsettling. And impressive. Then it happened. It started small. Like a flicker. One chandelier above the central hall dimmed, just slightly. No one noticed. Then another and another. The music faltered, a wrong note, a pause. People began to look up. “Adrian,” I murmured. “ I see it,” he replied. The light cut out. Completely. The room was covered in darkness. Then we heard the sound of shattered glass. A woman screamed from a distance. And then… chaos! Voices overlapped. Movement surged. Someone bumped into me hard enough to knock me down. But just then, I felt the same hand, Adrian's. He pulled me back instantly, one arm locking around me, anchoring me against him. “ Don't move,” he said, low and firm. “ I wasn't planning to vanish,” I shot back, but my voice came out tighter than I liked it. “ Stay close.” People were panicking now. Not wildly, but enough. Phone torches were up, small beams cutting through the dark. “What is this ?” I whispered. “Unexpected,” he said. “Wow. Is that how things are with rich people? Very chaotic lifestyle....” “ Be quiet,” he cut me short. Footsteps rushed past us. Staff voices, urgent, controlled. “ Backup generators now!” A clear voice echoed from the other part of the hall. Just then something crashed again. My pulse spiked. “Adrian…” “Listen to me.” His voice came through everything, clearly grounded. “Nothing happens unless I say it does. Understood?” I blinked in the dark. “... You're very intense,” I replied. “Gracia” “Fine. Understood.” The lights flickered back. Slowly, unevenly. And when they did, something was wrong. People have shifted. The room felt…different. Tensed as something had changed in those few As. Adrian's arm was still around me, steady and unmoving. I became aware of it and then… An applause. Lights scattered. Someone is laughing it off. “ Just a power glitch!” The music resumed, slightly off but recovering. But I felt it. The c***k. You're shaking,” Adrian said. “I'm not,” I replied. “You are,” he continued. I exhaled. “Okay, maybe a little.” His grip loosened but he didn't leave. “ Get used to it,” he said. “ This family thrives on instability.” I glanced up at him. There it was again, that thing about him. Unshakable. Like nothing could touch him unless he allowed it. Later, much later, when everything felt like nothing odd happened the whole evening, I was taken to my room where I had to stay for the time being, acting like the real girlfriend. I kicked off my shoes immediately and shut the door behind me. Of course, I wanted to remove that a long time ago. I began to mutter to myself “ Step one: don't die…” “Step two…” I stopped. There was something on my bed. A piece of paper, folded and placed neatly. I was a bit surprised. Then I walked Slowly toward it. I picked it up. Unfolded it. Then five words were staring at me. Sharp and cold. “ I Know You Are Fake!” And just like that…. The game began.