>]Chapter Three
1208 Words
The ballroom of the prestigious Blackwood Hotel gleamed with luxury, every detail had been carefully planned for the annual charity gala. I stood near the entrance, clutching my silver purse tightly as I waited for Adrian to return with drinks.
I could feel the weight of dozens of curious eyes on me. It had been a week since the engagement and this was my first public appearance as Adrian Vale’s fiancée. The room was practically buzzing with whispers about our unlikely pairing.
“Relax,” Evelyn’s voice cut through my thoughts. She stood beside me in a sleek black dress, sipping champagne. “You look stunning, and everyone here wishes they were you.” It was a relief that Evelyn had agreed to attend the charity gala too.
I gave her a wry smile. “If only they knew the truth.”
She tilted her head. “Speaking of the truth, what happened the other night? You’ve been weirdly quiet since the engagement party.”
I hesitated, my mind flashing back to Adrian’s ominous phone conversation. I hadn’t told anyone what I’d overheard. Not yet.
“It’s nothing,” I lied. “Just… adjusting to all of this.”
Before Evelyn could probe further, Adrian returned, a glass of champagne in each hand. His presence was magnetic, drawing attention wherever he went. I hated how effortlessly perfect he looked.
“Here,” he said, handing me a glass without so much as a smile.
“Thanks,” I muttered.
“I'll catch you later.” Evelyn whispered before walking off.
“We need to make our rounds,” Adrian said, his voice clipped. “There are people I need you to meet.”
His tone annoyed me. “What if I don’t want to?”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t up for debate. You’re my fiancée now. Act like it.”
I set my glass down, “Fine. Lead the way, your majesty.”
Adrian gave me a pointed look but said nothing. He placed a hand on my back to guide me through the crowd. I hated the possessive gesture, I wasn’t his property. But I swallowed my irritation, determined not to cause a scene.
As we moved through the room, Adrian introduced me to several influential figures—CEOs, philanthropists, and socialites. He spoke with effortless charm, but I could see the cold calculation behind his every word.
And when he wasn’t speaking, he was subtly correcting her.
“Smile more,” he murmured as they approached a group of donors.
“Don’t fidget with your dress.”
“Stand closer to me.”
Each comment rubbed on my nerves, but I forced myself to remain polite, plastering on the serene smile I’d perfected from countless family events.
My patience finally snapped when Adrian interrupted me mid-conversation with an older woman to answer a question I hadn’t finished.
“I had it under control,” I hissed at him as wr moved away.
“Really?” Adrian replied, his tone mocking. “Because it sounded like you were about to ramble about paint brushes to one of the most influential donors in the room.”
I stopped walking, glaring up at him. “You don’t get to control everything I say and do. I’m not some puppet you can manipulate.”
He stepped closer to me, his imposing height forced me to tilt my head to meet his gaze. “You agreed to this arrangement, Sophia. That means playing your part. If you embarrass me tonight, I won’t be so forgiving.”
I crossed my arms, refusing to back down. “If you want a mindless trophy fiancée, you picked the wrong woman.”
Adrian leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. “And if you think you can defy me without there being consequences, you’ve underestimated me.”
My pulse quickened, but I didn't let him see me falter. “What’s your endgame, Adrian? Why do you really want to marry me?”
For a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes—hesitation, maybe even guilt—but he quickly masked it.
“You’ll know when the time is right,” he said, stepping back.
“And when will that be?” I demanded.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, fuming and more confused than ever.
~
I found myself back at the edge of the room, sipping a new glass of champagne and silently cursing Adrian Vale. Evelyn had wandered off to mingle, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
As I scanned the room, my eyes landed on a man I didn’t recognize. He was tall and good looking with dark hair and a smile that seemed to charm everyone around him.
But there was something predatory about the way he carried himself, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing and I couldn't unsee it.
He caught me staring at him and he made his way towards me, with a growing smile.
“Sophia Blake,” he said smoothly. He stretched out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
I took his hand, feeling unsure. “And you are?”
“Mason Blackwell,” he said, his tone warm but laced with something she couldn’t quite place. “Adrian and I go way back.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Back far enough to be friends?”
Mason chuckled. “Something like that. Though ‘rivals’ might be a more accurate term.”
“Rivals?” I was intrigued.
Before Mason could answer, Adrian appeared at my side, his expression stormy. “Mason,” he said curtly. “I didn’t realize you’d be here.”
Mason’s smile didn’t waver. “I wouldn’t miss it. A celebration like this deserves my attention, don’t you think?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened. “You’ve made your appearance. Now leave.”
“Relax, Vale.” Mason said, holding up his hands in a gesture of mock surrender. “I’m just here to congratulate the happy couple.”
He turned his attention back to me, his dark eyes glinting in the moonlight. “You’ve got your hands full with this one, Miss Blake. Good luck.”
I forced a polite smile. “Thanks, I guess.”
As Mason turned to leave, he leaned in close to me, his lips brushing against my ear.
“Be careful who you trust,” he murmured, his was low enough so only I could hear.
I froze, my heart pounding as Mason walked away, leaving me alone with a thousand unanswered questions.
I glanced at Adrian, who was watching Mason’s retreating figure with an intensity that bordered on murderous.
“What was that about?” I asked, my voice shaky.
Adrian didn’t answer. He clenched and unbleached his jaw as he downed the rest of his drink.
My mind raced as I replayed Mason’s words.
‘Be careful who you trust’
Did he mean Adrian? Or my father? Or someone else entirely?
The room suddenly felt too small and the air too thick.
I needed answers.
One thing was clear, Adrian was hiding more than he’d let on, and Mason might just be the key to uncovering the truth.
- Writer
