My Sister's Billionaire Fiancee

Partner

"Your ring? What ring?" I asked skeptically. Oh God, I'm about to screw up!

"Don't play dumb with me, we're in public. Where's your engagement ring?" He asked with a deadly calmness.

For some reason, I found it sexy. I mean a man's absolutely furious and instead of yelling, he puts on that husky voice with false calm, isn't it hot?.

His grip tightened on my wrist and I hissed in pain.

"I-I can explain C-Carter. You're hurting.. me".

He pulled me to sit but didn't let go of my wrists. Those amber eyes burned with fury.

"I forgot" I blurted. It sounded like a lame excuse, but it was the only thing I could think of.

"If you are going to piss me, you should atleast try something intelligent. What do you mean by forgot? You never take off that ring" He said plainly.

"Did you just call me stupid?" I gasped, feeling insulted. He looked at me like I was the dumbest person he'd ever met.

"I'm not dumb, thank you very much. What's the big deal in taking off an engagement ring?. Why can't I forget to wear it?. We're not even married yet, so why do I have to carry it like a tattoo?" I scoffed.

However, that was only in my head. I couldn't say that. From what I understand, Charlotte was crazily in love with this man. She put up with his stupid rules just to please him.

Mom even confirmed she stuck to him like a leech. If I didn't suck up to him, right now he would get suspicious.

Taking a deep breath, I released my wrist from his grip. He simply stared without attempting to take it back.

I rubbed it for a while, mourning inaudibly for my poor wrist. When I met his gaze again, I grabbed his arm before he could blink.

"Oh Carter, I didn't mean to upset you. I only took it off for a second to get ready but I forgot to put it back on. Don't be mad at me, baby. Please don't be. I'll due if you do" I poured and crashed my head on his arm.

"How would I live without you? Oh how terrifying it would be to tour the world without you?. How horrible it would be to live without rules? How ridiculous it would be to speak without being spoken to? How do I order expensive meals and eat only half of it? Who will let me order fruits and ice cream after that? Who will pay for white wine…. ."

" Get off me, you weirdo" Carter shoved me off his shoulder.

I know that was a bit too dramatic but he could have at least given me a fond kiss. I just painted how my world would be without him.

I poured and he gave me a curious look.

" You're acting strange tonight" He stated and my blood ran cold.

" Strange? Ofcourse not! This is me, Charlotte. I've always been this way, you've just not been paying attention to me " I defended weakly.

Does he know I'm an imposter already? I'm so doomed.

" Maybe. Where's that scar from? I've never seen it" He asked.

I raked my brain for something convincing.

" I'm a model, Carter. The hottest in the market. A star. Ofcourse I want to be perfect and flawless for the people. I've always had this scar, it's just been easy to conceal with makeup."

" Okay" He nodded and relief washed through me.

" Can I use the bathroom now? " I asked as soon as I spotted a new set of guests coming over. I scurried away without waiting for his response.

I asked one of the hotel workers for directions and locked the door as soon as I got in.

I took a deep breath and splashed water on my face.

"You can do this, Scarlett. It wasn't that bad." I assured myself as I looked in the mirror.

I got a text from Gloria again.

" Where are you, Charlotte? Your speech comes up in thirty minutes ".

My eyes widened. Speech? How could I forget that?.

I began pacing restlessly. How do I face all those people without making a fool out of myself?.

Calm down, Scar. You can find a way around this. You just need to breath.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. The last thing I needed was another panic attack. It was inevitable if I got on that stage though.

I could hide it here but not before seven hundred people.

I texted Gloria my whereabouts and within few minutes she was outside the bathroom.

I made sure I had my confident smile on before opening the door.

"Charlotte, what happened? I've been looking all over for you. I brought your speech along" She said as soon as she saw me.

She handed the printout to me and I forced a smile. I took it and pretended to read through it.

"Wow, this is simply beautiful" I faked an impressed look. She grinned.

"Today is certainly a good day. Hurry up and get out there before they suspect you're hiding away in the bathroom" She joked.

I wished she knew how true that was.

"I want you to give this speech, Gloria. It's your hard work and advice that brought us this far. Look at me, I didn't even prepare a speech for my own brand opening but you had it all set within few minutes and I think that proves how dedicated you are" I started.

"Isn't that my job?" She downplayed with an eye roll.

"I'm not your only client, Gloria. You don't have to put up with my bullshit but you do. My entire career has been a success because of you and now we're climbing to higher heights because of you. You deserve to be in the spotlight so I'm giving you the opportunity to deliver this speech as a partner" I said.

"What?" She blinked rapidly.

"We groomed the ideas for this brand together, didn't we?. Let's finish it together. I want you to offer a share" I said.

"But… I haven't invested anything and I… "

" Investment isn't just money, Gloria. Your ideas are the reason Glitter is going to exist so what do you say? Will you build this brand with me, Partner?" I offered.

" Yes! God, yes! Thank you so much, Charlotte " She pulled me into a very tight hug.

" I always knew you had a heart beneath all that arrogance" She mumbled and I chuckled.

" Now I think I understand " she sniffed. " Is that why you refused to renew our contract?. I thought you didn't want me anymore.. "

Dammit, Charlotte! You were a massive piece of s**t.

" Your speech comes up in few minutes, Gloria. Don't ruin your makeup before then" I said and she chuckled.

She pulled away to wipe her tears. When I saw the joy in her eyes, I had a sense of fulfilment. Even if I was just saving myself, I felt I did the right thing.

I returned to the party with Gloria. She hugged me one more time before heading for the stage. I made it to Carter.

"Why is she up there?" Carter asked.

"Doesn't she deserve to be?" I retorted.

He said nothing as we listened to Gloria. It was indeed a beautiful speech that moved me to tears.

When it was over, I clapped gleefully along with the guests. I glanced around, pleased to see the smiles and impressed faces.

"It's good you finally decided to keep her. I told you she was a gem" Carter smiled at me for the first time.

My heart stopped for several seconds as I stared. He's sooo beautiful.

"Y-You did, huh?. I guess I acted air-headed as usual" I smiled.

" You were. You were ready to terminate her contract before hand. What changed your mind anyway?. You were so convinced she was using you to find a way into my bed" He frowned.

Right!

" I guess people change" I shrugged.

Gloria made me get on stage in the end anway. So I had to admire the walls and chandeliers while thanking the guests and announcing my partnership with Gloria.

At the end of it all, I was grateful for the sound of clapping and tried not to run off as soon as it was over.

"Ready for our date?" I asked Carter, a little breathlessly.

I was so done with this party. I couldn't stay for another moment. Not after being forced to deal with a mini heart attack from speaking to so many people.

"Alright".