ACTING THE PART
553 Words
Angel stood outside the café, the envelope still in her bag.
She hadn’t opened it again… but she didn’t need to.
She already knew her life had changed the moment she said yes.
A car horn pulled her out of her thoughts.
She looked up.
A sleek black car had stopped right in front of her.
The window rolled down slowly.
“Get in,” Cleopas said calmly.
Angel hesitated for a second before opening the door and sitting inside.
The car smelled nice. Everything about it felt… expensive.
She suddenly became aware of her simple clothes.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Dinner,” he replied.
“Dinner?” she frowned. “Already?”
“You’re my girlfriend now,” he said, glancing at her briefly. “We need to make it believable.”
Angel swallowed slightly.
Right.
This was part of the deal.
The restaurant was beautiful—far too beautiful for someone like her.
Angel felt eyes on her as they walked in.
“Stay close,” Cleopas said quietly.
Before she could react, he gently held her hand.
Her body stiffened.
“Relax,” he whispered. “You’re acting.”
Acting.
She repeated the word in her head… but her heart didn’t seem to understand.
They sat down.
Angel tried to act normal, but everything felt new.
The place. The people. Him.
“Why does this feel so real?” she muttered under her breath.
Cleopas looked at her. “Because it has to be.”
She met his eyes.
For a moment, everything went quiet.
Then—
“Cleopas!”
A voice interrupted.
Angel turned to see a beautiful, well-dressed lady walking toward them.
Her expression changed the moment she noticed Angel.
“And who is she?” the lady asked, her tone sharp.
Cleopas didn’t hesitate.
“My girlfriend.”
Angel’s heart skipped.
The word hit differently when he said it out loud.
The lady let out a small, disbelieving laugh. “You’re joking.”
“I don’t joke about things like this,” Cleopas replied calmly.
The tension at the table grew instantly.
The lady’s eyes scanned Angel from head to toe.
Judging. Questioning.
Angel felt uncomfortable… but something inside her refused to back down.
She slowly intertwined her fingers with Cleopas’.
“If you have a problem,” Angel said softly but firmly, “you can keep it to yourself.”
Even she was surprised at her own boldness.
Cleopas glanced at her—just for a second.
And for the first time…
There was a hint of approval in his eyes.
The lady scoffed. “This won’t last.”
She turned and walked away.
Silence.
Angel quickly released his hand, her heart racing.
“Sorry,” she said. “I just—”
“You did well,” Cleopas interrupted.
She looked at him.
“You were convincing,” he added.
Angel didn’t know why… but that made her feel something strange.
Something she didn’t want to name.
She looked away.
“Good,” she said. “Because this is just a job.”
Cleopas didn’t respond immediately.
Instead, he leaned back slightly, watching her.
“Yes,” he said finally.
“Just a job.”
But the way he said it…
Made it sound like he didn’t completely believe it.
- Writer
