Chapter 3: The First Test
1441 Words
The day had arrived, and Guilliana Tarriela felt as though she were standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down at the unknown. She was about to attend the corporate dinner with Alex Graham as her “husband,” and nothing about it felt natural. Despite the extensive planning, it still felt like a game—one that could easily go awry. The pressure weighed heavily on her shoulders, but she was determined to make it work. After all, it was all for her career, for her future.
She stood in front of her closet, mindlessly running her fingers over the fabric of her clothes, trying to pick the perfect outfit. She knew she needed to look professional but also somewhat intimate, like a wife who had been with her husband for years. She finally settled on a tailored, sleeveless black dress that accentuated her figure without being too bold. She paired it with a delicate gold necklace and matching earrings. The final touch was her heels—simple but elegant.
As she adjusted her makeup in the mirror, Guilliana tried to calm her nerves. You can do this. Just act like you’ve done a hundred corporate dinners before. She ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing out the waves. She had always been meticulous about her appearance, but tonight, she was more conscious than ever of every detail. I can’t afford to mess this up, she thought.
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The knock on her door came just as she was finishing her final touches. Her heart skipped a beat. It’s time.
When she opened the door, her breath caught in her throat. Alex stood there, looking effortlessly sharp in a dark gray suit, his hair neatly combed and his expression relaxed but professional. He had a quiet confidence that made him seem almost regal. His smile, though warm, was a touch mischievous.
Alex: (with a soft chuckle) “Wow. You look... amazing.”
Guilliana, still processing the nerves and the unexpected sense of attraction she felt towards him, found herself blushing slightly.
Guilliana: (clearing her throat, trying to stay composed) “Thank you. You... you look great too.”
He gave her a reassuring smile, one that almost seemed to say, You’ve got this.
Alex: (stepping into her apartment) “I know this is a bit of a leap, but we’ve got this. I’ll be the perfect husband. Just follow my lead, and everything will go smoothly.”
Guilliana nodded, trying to focus on the task ahead. This is just business, she reminded herself. Nothing more. Don’t let anything distract you.
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The drive to the restaurant was filled with light conversation, but Guilliana couldn’t shake the anxiety in her chest. Her thoughts were a blur—she kept imagining the worst-case scenarios: what if someone noticed something off about their interactions? What if someone found out they were faking it? What if Alex wasn’t convincing enough? Her head swirled with worry, but Alex’s calm presence next to her provided a sense of security she hadn’t expected.
Alex: (glancing over at her) “You okay?”
Guilliana: (forcing a smile) “Yeah, just... a little nervous, I guess.”
Alex: (giving her an encouraging smile) “I get it. But you’re going to be fine. Just remember—you’ve worked so hard for this. You deserve it. Now, let’s show them just how well we work together.”
Her heart fluttered at his words. She knew he was trying to make her feel better, but something in the way he spoke to her felt almost... sincere. But she quickly shook off the thought. Focus on the dinner. Don’t let distractions pull you in.
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When they arrived at the restaurant, Guilliana’s stomach did a flip. The venue was a lavish, upscale restaurant that screamed corporate success. It was exactly the type of place her colleagues would frequent—exclusive, expensive, and full of important people. The kind of environment where appearances meant everything.
As they approached the entrance, Alex’s hand naturally found its way to her lower back, a gesture that was casual, yet intimate. Guilliana’s pulse quickened, but she kept her expression neutral, hoping that no one would notice the nerves bubbling up inside her.
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Inside, the room was filled with her colleagues, all gathered around the bar area, sipping cocktails and chatting. The atmosphere was light, but there was an underlying tension in the air. The executives were all sizing each other up, preparing for the dinner that would follow. Guilliana scanned the room, trying to find a familiar face, but her gaze landed on one person—the CEO, Mr. Hallman.
He was standing with a small group, his gaze focused on the conversation at hand, but as soon as he saw Guilliana and Alex walking in, his eyes flicked over to them. A slow smile spread across his face, and Guilliana’s stomach churned. This was it—this was the test. Would they buy the act?
Alex noticed her hesitation and gave her a light squeeze on her hand, offering a reassuring smile.
Alex: (whispering) “We’ve got this. Just be yourself. We’re here as a team.”
Guilliana took a deep breath, pushing the nerves aside. She smiled at him, nodding slightly, then they walked toward the group of executives.
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Mr. H: (his smile widening as they approached) “Ah, Guilliana! And your husband, I presume?”
Guilliana forced a confident smile, even though her heart was pounding in her chest. She reached out to shake Mr. Mendez’s hand, the motion fluid and practiced.
Guilliana: (with a warm smile) “Yes, Mr. Mendez. This is Alex, my husband.”
Alex: (shaking Mr. H's hand firmly) “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Guilliana speaks very highly of you.”
Guilliana caught the pleased look on Mr. Mendez’s face. He glanced between the two of them, his sharp eyes assessing their chemistry. For a moment, the world seemed to stop, and Guilliana felt like the entire weight of her career rested on this single interaction. But then, Mr. Mendez’s expression softened, and he gave a slight nod.
Mr. H: (nodding approvingly) “Well, it’s good to see Guilliana has such strong support at home. We value family here at this company. It’s one of the reasons we encourage our employees to have strong personal relationships. It helps with work-life balance.”
Guilliana couldn’t help but feel the sting of his words. She knew exactly what he meant by that. Married employees get promoted. That was the unspoken rule.
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As the dinner continued, Alex effortlessly played his role. He conversed with her colleagues, laughing at their jokes and contributing thoughtfully to the discussions. He was an actor at heart, and he had a way of making everyone around him feel comfortable. Guilliana, on the other hand, had to fight to maintain the facade. She smiled and laughed at the appropriate moments, occasionally reaching for Alex’s hand or giving him a brief, affectionate glance.
But as the evening wore on, Guilliana began to notice something she hadn’t expected: the more she played her part, the more natural it felt. She began to forget that this was all just a performance. When Alex reached over to refill her wine glass, his fingers brushed hers lightly, and for a split second, Guilliana felt a strange flutter in her chest. It was as though the chemistry between them had gone beyond acting. She caught herself, quickly turning her attention back to the conversation, but the feeling lingered.
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Later in the evening, as the dinner started to wind down, Alex leaned in and whispered in her ear, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
Alex: “You were amazing tonight. They bought it. You’re one step closer to that promotion.”
Guilliana’s heart raced. She smiled, trying to keep things professional.
Guilliana: (softly) “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Alex’s smile faltered for just a moment, and there was an almost imperceptible shift in his gaze. The air between them seemed to crackle with something unspoken. But before she could analyze it, one of her colleagues called her over to join another conversation.
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As Guilliana excused herself, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. This was supposed to be just business, she reminded herself. Just a professional arrangement to get what I deserve. No feelings, no attachments.
But as she glanced back at Alex, his eyes meeting hers, something told her this whole situation was going to get much more complicated than she had originally anticipated.
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End of Chapter 3
- Writer
