A Fake Date, A Real Love

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Plan Unfolds

The next few hours blur by in a haze. Brad’s proposal weighs on my mind like an anchor, heavy and pulling me down, but I can’t shake the feeling that something’s pushing me forward. Maybe it’s the desire for revenge, or maybe it’s the fact that Brad seems to know what he’s doing, even if I have no idea where this is all going. Either way, I’ve made my decision. I’ve agreed to help him.

But the question still lingers in the back of my mind: What exactly have I agreed to?

It’s dinner time when Brad approaches me again. I’m sitting alone at one of the large round tables in the dining hall, trying to ignore the awkward glances from other passengers who are clearly still adjusting to the fact that a couple—Evan and his new woman—are on the same cruise as me. I pick at my food, not feeling the least bit hungry, but there’s something about the rhythm of the evening that makes it impossible to concentrate on anything else.

“Sophie,” Brad’s voice cuts through the murmur of conversations around me.

I glance up and meet his eyes, noting the way his expression is different from earlier. There’s a hint of purpose in his posture now, a quiet determination that only increases my curiosity.

He slides into the chair next to me, close enough that I feel his presence without needing to touch. “We need to talk,” he says, his voice low but firm.

“About what?” I ask, but I already know the answer. We’re not done with our little arrangement. In fact, it feels like it’s only just begun.

Brad leans in slightly, his eyes scanning the room as if making sure no one is listening. The tension in his body is obvious, and for a split second, I wonder just how deep into this mess I’ve gotten myself.

“There’s someone on this ship I need to get rid of, Sophie,” he says quietly, his tone serious. “Someone who’s been making my life a lot more complicated than it should be.”

I swallow, trying to control the panic that rises in my chest. “You’re not talking about Evan, are you?”

Brad shakes his head, his lips curling into a small, almost amused smile. “No, not Evan. I’m talking about someone else. Someone who’s been working against me.”

I frown, confused. “I don’t get it. Who is it? And what does this have to do with me?”

Brad leans back in his seat, his gaze never leaving mine. “I don’t expect you to understand everything right away. But you need to know this: I’m not just some rich guy playing games. There are people on this ship—important people—who are involved in things they shouldn’t be. And some of them are working against me.”

I blink, the weight of his words sinking in. There’s more to Brad than I realized, more to his life and his motivations than he’s letting on. I don’t know what kind of business he’s involved in, but something about the way he talks makes me think it’s dangerous.

“Who exactly are we talking about?” I ask again, trying to keep my voice steady.

He hesitates for a moment, like he’s weighing his words carefully. “His name is Leo Voss. He’s a businessman, but he’s also got ties to some pretty unsavory people. He’s been making trouble for me ever since we boarded.”

I blink, processing what he’s said. “And you want me to help you get rid of him?”

Brad’s eyes flicker with something unreadable, and for a moment, he doesn’t say anything. The silence stretches, and I can’t help but feel the weight of his gaze on me.

“I don’t want you to do anything crazy,” he finally says. “I just need you to be close to me, to make it seem like we’re together. If Leo thinks we’re involved, it might be enough to throw him off balance.”

I nod slowly, trying to wrap my mind around this new information. It’s a strange request, but it makes sense in a way. If Leo thinks Brad is distracted by a relationship, he might let his guard down. And if I’m the one playing the part of the girlfriend, then maybe I can help keep things from escalating.

“And what exactly do you need me to do?” I ask, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it from him.

Brad leans forward again, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Stay close to me. Act like we’re in a serious relationship. We need to make it believable, Sophie. The more real it feels, the more likely Leo will take the bait.”

I swallow hard, the nervousness creeping in. “I’m not an actress, Brad. I don’t know how to pretend like that.”

He gives me a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to be. Just be yourself. You don’t have to do anything over-the-top, just show that you’re comfortable with me, that we’re into each other.”

I glance around the dining hall, my mind racing. I’ve been betrayed, humiliated, and now I’m being asked to pretend to be something I’m not—just to get back at someone I don’t even know. And yet, I find myself agreeing.

“Okay,” I say, feeling a strange mix of excitement and dread. “Let’s do it.”

Brad’s smile widens, and for the first time since we’ve met, he looks pleased. He stands up, offering his hand to me. “Then we start tonight.”

I hesitate for a moment, but I take his hand. The moment my fingers touch his, a strange warmth floods through me. It’s not just the physical contact, though. It’s the promise that comes with it—the promise of a plan that will get back at everyone who’s wronged me.

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The evening progresses in a blur. I find myself walking side by side with Brad through the ship’s various levels, heading toward the bar where we’ll meet Leo. The moment feels surreal—like a scene from some movie I’m not supposed to be in. The crowd is buzzing, music flowing through the air, but all I can focus on is the tension in my chest. I’m about to step into a world I don’t understand, a world where the stakes are higher than I could’ve imagined.

We reach the bar, and Brad immediately spots Leo, sitting at a table with a few of his colleagues. Leo’s a tall man, sharply dressed, and he has that air of someone who knows he’s in control. He looks up when he sees Brad and me approach, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. There’s a subtle flicker of recognition in his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything.

Brad’s hand tightens around mine as he leads me toward the table, a confident smile on his face. “Leo,” he says, his voice smooth and casual. “It’s good to see you.”

Leo looks up at him, raising an eyebrow. “Brad,” he responds, his voice cool but with an edge of something else, something I can’t quite place. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Brad sits down across from him, pulling me along with him. I feel the heat of Leo’s gaze on me, but I keep my eyes fixed on Brad, trying to look like I belong.

“This is Sophie,” Brad says, his hand resting possessively on mine. “My girlfriend.”

I feel a small jolt at the words, though I try not to let it show. The sound of it, even though it’s just a cover, sends a shiver through me. Girlfriend. It doesn’t feel real. Not yet.

Leo’s eyes flicker to me again, assessing, calculating. “Nice to meet you,” he says, his voice neutral but his eyes sharp. He studies me for a moment before turning his attention back to Brad. “I didn’t think you were the type to settle down.”

Brad smiles, a hint of amusement in his expression. “I’m full of surprises.”

I force a smile, nodding in agreement, but inside, my stomach is in knots. The tension between Brad and Leo is palpable, and I can feel it in the air, thick and heavy. This isn’t just a casual meeting. It’s a game—a dangerous game where I don’t know all the rules yet.

As the conversation continues, I try to relax, trying to be the girlfriend Brad needs me to be. But every time I catch Leo’s eye, I feel like he’s reading me—looking right through me. And in that moment, I can’t help but wonder: What have I gotten myself into?

As the night stretches on, I realize the answers I’m looking for might be more complicated than I could’ve imagined. And no matter how carefully we play this game, it’s clear that things are about to get a whole lot more dangerous.