The Valentine’s Day risk

Chapter 3. Why Now

The clink of glasses fills the air as the room settles into a mix of congratulatory chatter and curious glances. Axel’s hand is still on my back, guiding me through the crowd as if we’re the center of attention. I’m not sure if I feel exhilarated or nauseous. Probably both. Every part of me wants to scream and run, but instead, I follow his lead. There’s no turning back now.

I glance around the room. People smile at me, their faces polite but insincere. They don’t know the truth. They don’t know that this engagement is a lie. That it’s a way for me to escape the mess that my life has become. I catch a glimpse of a familiar face across the room. Lydia’s here. Of course, she would be. I almost wish she weren’t.

She waves at me from across the room, her smile tight, the worry in her eyes unmistakable. I force a smile and wave back, trying to look confident, but I can see the doubt creeping into her expression. She knows me too well. She knows something’s off. I wonder if she’ll approach me later, demand an explanation.

Axel leans in closer to me, his lips brushing my ear as he whispers, “You doing okay?”

I nod, though I’m not sure if I’m convincing him—or myself. “Yeah, just... overwhelmed.”

He smiles, his fingers gently squeezing mine as if to reassure me. “Don’t worry. We’re in this together.”

I turn my head slightly, meeting his gaze. “You make it sound like we’ve been together forever. We’ve barely known each other for a day.”

Axel chuckles, and the sound is low and smooth, as if he finds my uncertainty amusing. “Sometimes a day is all it takes to make a decision that changes everything.”

I don’t know why, but the sincerity in his voice catches me off guard. It’s hard to explain, but something about Axel makes me feel... safe. Not in a conventional way, but in a way that makes me feel like I could trust him—at least for now. A small part of me even wonders if this could be the start of something real.

The night stretches on, and I try to remain engaged in conversation with the guests around me. But the weight of the engagement, of the decision I’ve made, sits heavily on my chest. I can’t stop thinking about Oliver—about what he’s doing right now. Probably having dinner with his assistant, laughing, unaware that I’ve just made the boldest, most reckless decision of my life.

Axel appears beside me again, his smile easy, his presence calming. “How about a walk? Get some fresh air?”

I nod, eager for a distraction from the prying eyes. “Yeah, I could use a break.”

We step out onto the balcony, the cool night air brushing against my skin. It’s quiet out here, away from the noise of the party. I lean against the railing, my eyes drifting over the city skyline. For a moment, I feel like I’m alone with my thoughts, free from all the expectations that have been placed on me.

“I never thought I’d be here,” I admit, my voice soft, almost like I’m speaking to myself.

Axel stands beside me, his hands in his pockets, watching me with that steady gaze of his. “Where’s here?”

“Here,” I say, motioning vaguely to the city below us, “in this mess. I mean, in this... engagement. In this whole thing. I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.”

Axel’s expression softens, and for the first time, I see a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. Something vulnerable. “You’re doing what you need to do. You’re taking control. And that’s not easy.”

I snort, shaking my head. “I’m not sure ‘taking control’ is the right way to describe it. It feels more like I’m running away.”

He leans in a little closer, his voice quiet but firm. “Sometimes, running away is the first step toward figuring things out. You can’t always stay in the same place when everything’s falling apart.”

I turn to face him, studying his features. There’s something about his words, the way he says them, that resonates with me. “You sound like you know from experience.”

Axel’s gaze shifts away for a brief moment, his jaw tightening slightly. “Let’s just say... I’ve had my own share of running away.”

I don’t push him to elaborate. I know that look—he’s not ready to talk about it. And honestly, I don’t blame him. We’re both just two people trying to escape something we can’t quite face. Maybe that’s why this is working—why I’m able to trust him in a way I can’t explain.

“So, what now?” I ask, my voice quieter now.

Axel’s gaze returns to mine, his lips curling into a slow, knowing smile. “Now, we get some rest. Tomorrow’s a big day. We’re going to make this engagement as real as possible.”

I laugh, a nervous sound, but it’s a laugh nonetheless. “You really have this all planned out, don’t you?”

“You bet I do,” he says with a wink. “Just leave everything to me.”

---

The next morning, I wake up to a knock on my hotel room door. I groggily glance at the clock. It’s early—way too early for anyone to be awake, especially after last night’s late party. I slowly slide out of bed and make my way to the door, my mind still foggy with sleep.

I open it to find Axel standing there, looking fresh and awake as ever, a mischievous grin on his face.

“Morning, sunshine,” he says cheerfully.

I rub my eyes, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. “What time is it?”

“7:30,” Axel says, as if it’s the most normal time to be up. “I thought we could start the day with a little... adventure.”

I blink, still half asleep. “Adventure?”

He steps into the room, holding up a small bag. “I’ve got a few things for you. First, we need to get your outfit for the announcement today. And then—well, you’ll see.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Axel, you’re seriously trying to plan every single moment of this, aren’t you?”

He shrugs, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “What can I say? I’m a planner. Let’s get started.”

The day unfolds in a whirlwind of activity. We visit a high-end boutique, where Axel picks out a stunning dress for me. It’s elegant, simple, but it has a touch of glamour that feels perfect for the occasion. I can’t deny that I feel a little more confident as I slip into the dress, my reflection in the mirror almost unrecognizable from the woman I was just a few days ago.

“Perfect,” Axel says as he takes a step back to admire me. “You look incredible.”

I glance at him, unsure of what to make of his compliment. “Thanks, I guess. But this still feels like... a game.”

Axel meets my gaze, his smile softening. “It’s not a game, Bianca. It’s your life. And if you’re going to live it, you might as well make it count.”

His words settle in my mind as I slip on the shoes he picked out for me. There’s something about his confidence, his unwavering belief in the plan, that makes me start to believe it too. Maybe this isn’t just about escaping—it’s about starting over. Finding something real, even if it’s not exactly what I thought it would be.

By the time we’re ready, it’s almost time for the announcement. Axel’s assistant has arranged a small press conference, inviting some close friends and colleagues to witness the “engagement reveal.” It’s all set up in a posh hotel ballroom, and as we step inside, I feel a sudden surge of anxiety.

But Axel stands beside me, his hand resting on the small of my back, and for the first time in days, I feel calm. It’s as if he’s my anchor in all of this chaos.

“Ready?” he asks, his voice low.

I nod, feeling the weight of everything hanging on this moment. “Ready.”

Axel takes my hand, and we step forward together into the spotlight.

---

The press conference goes off without a hitch. People congratulate us, snapping photos, asking questions. Axel answers with ease, his charisma shining through, while I stand by his side, smiling and nodding, trying my best to play the part.

Later, as the event winds down, Axel pulls me aside into a quiet corner of the room. His eyes are intense, almost searching.

“You did great,” he says, his voice soft.

I smile, still feeling a little overwhelmed by everything. “I guess I did.”

Axel steps closer, his fingers gently brushing mine. “I knew you would. You’ve got strength in you, Bianca. You just have to realize it.”

I look up at him, my heart suddenly racing. His proximity, his words, everything feels so... real. For a brief moment, I wonder if this could be more than a temporary escape. If this could be something real, something lasting.

But as I look into his eyes, I know I can’t let myself fall just yet. Not when I’m still running from everything I’ve left behind.

“We should go,” I say, my voice trembling slightly. “It’s been a long day.”

Axel nods, his expression unreadable. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

We leave the ballroom together, stepping out into the cool night air. And for the first time in a long while, I feel like maybe, just maybe, I’m on the right path.

But what happens when the truth catches up with me? I’m not sure yet. But I can’t keep running forever.