A NIGHT WITH THE BILLIONAIRE PLAYBOY

Chapter four

Mira woke up the next morning feeling like she was in a dream—or maybe a nightmare. Today was the day her engagement to Miguel would become public, and her life would officially change. She stood in front of her mirror, eyeing the elegant dress Miguel had sent over. It was a deep shade of emerald that hugged her curves, simple yet commanding, with a neckline that balanced elegance and allure. She wasn’t sure if she could pull it off, but she didn’t have much choice.

Just as she was contemplating whether to wear her hair up or down, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Miguel.

Miguel: I’ll pick you up at noon. Don’t keep me waiting.

Mira took a deep breath, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at his tone. This whole arrangement still felt surreal, but she reminded herself why she was doing this—for the security and stability she needed, and the promises Miguel had made. With one last look in the mirror, she finished getting ready and waited for his arrival.

True to his word, Miguel arrived precisely at noon. He looked every bit the part of a powerful, untouchable businessman in a perfectly tailored suit. His gaze lingered on her for a moment as she approached the car.

“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice devoid of the usual coldness.

“Thanks,” she murmured, her heart fluttering unexpectedly. She forced herself to remember that this wasn’t real, no matter how convincing it seemed.

They drove in silence to the venue, an upscale hotel ballroom, where the engagement party was set to take place. As they entered, Mira took in the grandeur of the space, filled with sparkling chandeliers, floral arrangements, and elegantly dressed guests mingling around. She felt out of place but reminded herself that this was what she’d signed up for.

Miguel leaned close, his hand lightly touching her back as he guided her through the crowd. “Remember, stay close and smile. We don’t need any doubts about our relationship.”

“Understood,” she replied, putting on a brave face.

They spent the next hour greeting guests, exchanging pleasantries, and dealing with the inquisitive glances from some of the older, more judgmental family friends of the Ramos family. The questions ranged from polite curiosity to pointed inquiries about her background, and every time, Miguel answered smoothly, shielding her from their scrutiny.

At one point, Mira noticed a few young women staring at her from across the room, whispering among themselves and giggling. She recognized one of them as Alyssa’s friend. Her stomach twisted; she knew Alyssa was Miguel’s ex-fling, and there was no telling what kind of trouble she might stir up if she felt threatened.

As they made their way to the front of the room for the formal announcement, Miguel took her hand, his grip firm but not unkind. She glanced up at him, surprised by the warmth in his gaze.

“You’re doing great,” he murmured, almost as if he sensed her nerves.

“Thanks,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper. For a moment, she felt like they were in this together, rather than two people trapped in a twisted deal.

A hush fell over the room as Miguel’s father, Damon, stepped forward, his stern gaze scanning the crowd before he began his speech.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce the engagement of my son, Miguel Ramos, to Mira Dawson,” Damon said, his voice carrying authority. “Our family has always believed in the strength of tradition, and this union marks the beginning of a new chapter for both Miguel and Mira.”

There was polite applause, though Mira could sense that some in the crowd were less than enthusiastic. She squeezed Miguel’s hand, and he gave her a reassuring nod.

“Thank you, everyone,” Miguel spoke up, his voice smooth and confident. “Mira has been a blessing in my life, and I’m grateful to have her by my side. We look forward to building our future together, and we’re honored to have all of you here to witness this moment.”

More applause followed, and Mira managed a smile, though her nerves were still simmering beneath the surface. As they mingled with guests again, she noticed Miguel’s father watching her closely, his gaze unyielding. She had the uncomfortable feeling that he was waiting for her to slip up.

An hour passed in a whirlwind of small talk, handshakes, and congratulations. Mira was beginning to relax when she heard a familiar voice, high-pitched and unmistakable.

“Well, well, isn’t this a lovely little gathering?”

Mira’s heart sank as she turned to see Alyssa standing at the edge of the room, her expression smug as she looked directly at her and Miguel. Dressed in a sleek, attention-grabbing red dress, Alyssa walked in with an air of entitlement, clearly aware that all eyes were now on her. The audacity of her presence sent a shockwave through the room, and a murmur spread among the guests.

Miguel’s jaw tightened, and Mira felt his grip on her hand tense as he took a step forward, his face a mask of barely contained anger. But Alyssa, undeterred, sauntered toward them, her heels clicking against the marble floor with a confidence that made Mira’s stomach churn.

“Hello, Miguel,” Alyssa said, her voice dripping with a feigned sweetness. “I thought I’d stop by and congratulate the happy couple. After all, it’s not every day you see a man settling down.” Her gaze shifted to Mira, a glint of malice in her eyes. “And Mira, darling, you look… adorable.”

Mira’s cheeks flushed, but she kept her expression neutral. “Thank you, Alyssa. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“Oh, I’m sure you weren’t,” Alyssa replied, her smile saccharine. “I just couldn’t resist. I mean, Miguel and I go way back. Isn’t that right, Miguel?”

Miguel’s face was like stone. “Alyssa, you weren’t invited. This is a private event.”

Alyssa let out a laugh that was anything but genuine. “Oh, come on, Miguel. I just wanted to see if the rumors were true—that you’re actually going to marry… this.” She looked Mira up and down, her expression disdainful.

Miguel took a step closer to Alyssa, his voice low and deadly. “Alyssa, if you don’t leave right now, I’ll have security escort you out.”

“Oh, really?” she taunted, her voice rising slightly. “I wonder if your guests would be so thrilled to hear about your little… extracurricular activities.” She smirked, pulling out her phone and flashing a photo—the same picture of her and Miguel from that night at the club.

Mira’s heart hammered in her chest. She could feel the eyes of everyone around them, watching the unfolding drama with morbid curiosity. Alyssa had managed to steal the spotlight, and she was reveling in it.

Miguel’s father, Damon, approached, his expression a mixture of anger and embarrassment. “Miguel,” he hissed, “I told you this would happen. Handle it.”

But before Miguel could respond, Alyssa turned her attention to Damon, her eyes glittering with spite. “Oh, don’t be too hard on him, Mr. Ramos. After all, he and I have had some… memorable times together.” She laughed, the sound hollow and cruel.

Miguel stepped forward, his face hardening as he addressed his father. “I’ll take care of this, Father. Trust me.”

Then he turned back to Alyssa, his voice barely above a whisper but laced with venom. “I’ll give you one last chance, Alyssa. Leave now, and we can forget this ever happened. But if you stay, I promise you’ll regret it.”

Alyssa’s smile faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered, tilting her head defiantly. “Oh, Miguel, threats won’t work on me. You of all people should know that.”

She took a step back, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the room, clearly relishing the effect her presence had caused. “I’ll leave when I’m ready,” she said with a smirk, loud enough for everyone around them to hear. “After all, I think everyone here deserves to know just who Miguel is really engaged to.”

The murmur among the guests grew louder, and Mira could feel the weight of their judgmental stares. Her heart was pounding, but she knew she had to stand strong. She could sense the scandal building, the whispers and accusations that would inevitably follow. This was the kind of drama that would leave a mark, and Alyssa knew it.

Miguel’s expression darkened, and Mira could see the fury simmering beneath his calm exterior. But before he could react, Alyssa took a step forward, as if to say something else, her smirk widening. The tension in the air was thick, and Mira felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff, waiting for it all to unravel.

And as Alyssa opened her mouth, Mira knew this engagement party was about to spiral into chaos.