Unspoken longing

Chapter Four: Public Debut

Monterrey, Mexico – 8:30 p.m.

The evening sky was a brilliant swirl of purple and pink, casting a soft glow over the city as Valeria sat in the back of a black SUV, the cool leather seat pressing against her as the car sped toward the venue. She could already feel the weight of the night pressing down on her.

The public debut. Her first official appearance as Alejandro Herrera’s fiancée.

Her stomach twisted at the thought. It felt like she was walking straight into a lion’s den, only instead of fangs, she’d be facing the cold, sharp eyes of Monterrey’s elite—the investors, the media, the high-society crowd that Alejandro mingled with effortlessly. And here she was, pretending to be someone she wasn’t, in front of people who had no idea what was real.

Alejandro had barely spoken to her since the announcement. He'd been all business, giving her brief instructions and expecting her to fall into line. He had already picked out her dress—a sleek black gown with a plunging neckline, simple yet elegant. She hated how good she looked in it. It made her feel like she belonged in this world, this polished, perfect world of the ultra-wealthy, and it made her want to puke.

She wasn’t part of their world. She wasn’t part of his world.

The car stopped in front of a luxurious ballroom, the entrance lit with sparkling chandeliers and surrounded by a crowd of well-dressed individuals chatting in low voices. The moment Valeria stepped out, she felt the full force of their gaze—eyes that evaluated her like she was nothing more than a piece of art on display.

She straightened her back, inhaled deeply, and walked toward the entrance. She had to be strong. She wasn’t going to let them see how out of place she felt. She wasn’t going to let them see how terrified she was.

As she entered, the room immediately quieted. The buzz of conversation died down, and the eyes of the crowd turned toward her. Valeria clenched her fists, but she kept her face neutral, her chin held high as Alejandro appeared at her side, his tall frame casting a shadow over her.

“Everyone, this is my fiancée, Valeria Mendoza,” he announced, his voice calm, his words rehearsed, as if he were speaking about a business transaction.

Valeria barely managed to force a smile. “It’s a pleasure,” she said, the words feeling foreign in her mouth.

The crowd was polite, nodding and offering smiles, but she could feel the undercurrent of judgment, the curiosity in their eyes. They all knew this was a show. They all knew she wasn’t a part of their world.

“Shall we?” Alejandro’s voice pulled her back to the present. He offered his arm, and she took it, walking beside him through the room. He was all confidence, all ease, while she felt like she was drowning in every step.

As they mingled, Valeria noticed the whispers, the sideways glances, and the occasional curious gaze directed her way. She could hear snippets of conversation, none of it kind.

“She’s young, isn’t she?”

“Where did he find her?”

“She doesn’t look like his usual type.”

The last comment made Valeria’s heart race. She knew exactly what they meant. Alejandro had always surrounded himself with beautiful, polished women—women who were as much a part of his world as he was. Women who fit the perfect image of the high-society life he lived. And then there was her. A girl who was struggling to keep it together, pretending to belong when she didn’t.

She didn’t belong here.

The thought made her heart ache, but she pushed it down. She wasn’t here for herself. She was here for the plan. She was here because she had no choice.

As they made their way through the room, Alejandro greeted several guests, all of them offering pleasantries, all of them acting like this was nothing more than a normal evening. A normal evening for them, that is. For Valeria, it felt like she was suffocating under the weight of the charade she was playing.

She barely had time to collect herself before Alejandro turned to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I need to talk to one of the investors. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Valeria nodded, her pulse quickening. This was it. She was on her own now, in this sea of strangers, trying to play the part of Alejandro’s perfect fiancée. And she had to do it well.

She glanced around, trying to calm the storm inside her. The ballroom was beautiful, the chandeliers casting a soft glow over the space. Waiters moved gracefully through the crowd, offering champagne and hors d’oeuvres. The hum of conversation was a constant background noise, but it felt distant, as if she was in a bubble.

Suddenly, a hand rested on her shoulder, and she whipped around, startled.

“I hope you’re enjoying yourself.”

It was Sebastian, one of Alejandro’s colleagues from the architecture firm, his smile charming, his dark eyes dancing with mischief. She hadn’t noticed him before, but he was definitely easy to spot now, with his confidence and effortless charisma.

“Oh, uh... yes, thank you.” Valeria gave him a tight smile, her heart still racing. “It’s... a lot to take in.”

Sebastian chuckled softly. “I understand. You look stunning tonight, by the way.”

Valeria’s smile faltered. She hadn’t expected him to compliment her, and for some reason, the words made her stomach twist in an uncomfortable way. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention, and she wasn’t sure she wanted it.

“Thank you,” she replied, her voice sounding almost distant. She took a step back, but Sebastian followed her, a knowing look in his eyes.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed the way they’re looking at you,” he said, his voice low, almost conspiratorial.

Valeria nodded, trying not to let her discomfort show. “I feel like they’re all waiting for me to screw up.”

Sebastian’s smile widened, and he took a step closer. “Don’t worry. They’re all just jealous. Not everyone can pull off this kind of role.”

Valeria raised an eyebrow. “Role?”

He nodded, his gaze flicking around the room. “You’re Alejandro’s fiancée. It’s no secret that the guy is practically a walking iceberg when it comes to relationships. They’re watching you to see if this thing is real. If you’re as cold as he is, or if you’ll warm up and make him human for once.”

Valeria blinked. “I... don’t think I can make him human.”

Sebastian chuckled again, and his smile softened. “That’s probably for the best. You can’t change the way he is. But you can control the way you’re seen here. They won’t expect much from you. Just play the part. Stay cool, stay collected.”

As much as she hated to admit it, Sebastian was right. This was a game, and she was part of it. If she wanted to survive this night, she had to play along. No matter how uncomfortable it made her feel.

“Thank you,” she said, giving him a small, strained smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Sebastian winked at her before walking away, leaving Valeria standing alone, the weight of her situation settling even deeper into her chest.

She took a deep breath, scanning the room once more. There was no turning back now. She was already in too deep.

As the evening wore on, Valeria’s nerves started to settle. She spent the next few hours smiling, nodding, and making small talk, all the while trying to keep her emotions in check.

She was Alejandro’s fiancée—at least for the time being. And that’s all she could be. She couldn’t afford to think about anything else.

But somewhere deep down, a small part of her wondered if she was already losing herself in this fake role.

And if she was, could she ever find her way back to who she truly was?