The Game Begins
643 Words
Chapter 6: The Game Begins
Sophia tried to shake off the unsettling encounter with Madeline, but the woman’s words lingered in her mind.
"Enjoy it while you can, sweetheart."
She could tell from the way Madeline had spoken that this wasn’t over. Not even close.
As Damian led her to their reserved table, she forced herself to focus. This was part of the deal—playing the perfect fiancée. She couldn’t let some woman with a vendetta throw her off.
But as they sat down, she couldn’t help but glance at Damian. He looked… irritated.
“You okay?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
His jaw clenched slightly. “Ignore her.”
That wasn’t an answer.
Sophia tilted her head. “You didn’t tell me much about her.”
Damian’s fingers tapped against the table. “There’s nothing to tell.”
Liar.
Sophia could see it in his eyes—Madeline got under his skin.
She thought about pushing for more, but the last thing she wanted was to piss him off before they even got their food. So she let it go… for now.
The waiter arrived with their drinks, and for the next twenty minutes, Sophia focused on playing her role. She smiled at Damian, leaned in at the right moments, and laughed whenever he made a comment that might have been considered remotely funny.
She had to admit—he was good at this.
Too good.
At one point, his hand brushed against hers, and the touch sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. She had to remind herself this wasn’t real.
They weren’t actually on a date.
They were just two people pretending.
So why did it feel so… convincing?
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Scene Break: A Warning
After brunch, Damian insisted on walking her to her apartment. She was about to argue, but one look at the paparazzi still lurking outside and she decided against it.
They stepped into the elevator, and as the doors slid shut, Sophia let out a breath.
“Well, that was something.”
Damian smirked. “Not bad for a first date.”
She rolled her eyes. “Do you always bring your father’s preferred bride into your dates?”
His smirk faded slightly. “She wasn’t supposed to be there.”
Sophia leaned against the wall. “So what’s her deal?”
Damian sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “She’s persistent.”
Sophia raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”
His jaw tightened. “She’s also ruthless. And she doesn’t take losing well.”
Sophia crossed her arms. “So she’s not going to let this go, is she?”
“No,” Damian said simply.
Sophia swallowed. Great. So now she had two people watching her—Raymond and Madeline.
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped into the hallway. Just as Sophia reached for her keys, Damian grabbed her wrist.
She blinked up at him. “What—”
His expression was unreadable. “If she reaches out to you, don’t engage.”
Sophia frowned. “What makes you think she’ll reach out?”
“She likes to play games,” Damian said darkly. “She’ll test you.”
A chill ran down Sophia’s spine.
She wasn’t sure what kind of test Madeline had in mind, but something told her it wasn’t going to be pleasant.
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Scene Break: The First Move
That night, Sophia was curled up on her couch, scrolling through her phone when a message popped up from an unknown number.
Unknown: You looked cute today.
Sophia’s heart skipped.
Then another message came through.
Unknown: But let’s be honest—you don’t belong in his world.
Her stomach twisted.
She didn’t need to ask who it was.
It had begun.
Madeline had made her first move.
And Sophia had a feeling this was just the start.
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- Writer
