Hired as His Fake Fiancée

CHAPTER SIX: LATOUR CLASSICS

NORA

“Dinner is at six.”

Helena’s words over the house phone rang in my head. The dress that Elise had insisted on for my first night was the kind that fit but felt like armour. It was a floor-length, midnight-blue silk gown with a high bateau neckline and long, slim-fitting sleeves.

Elise had remarked. “Oh, it is made of an exotic fabric with a subtle sheen that catches the candlelight.”

It was snatched at the waist but flowed freely down the rest of my body. Gabriel had slid me a diamond necklace as if he were desperate to mark me as his. I swallowed as I put it on me. I stared at myself in the mirror.

I looked like I could go head-to-head with Evelyn any day, but everything about that moment felt wrong. The light, airy dress felt like a burden against my shoulders.

“Let's go, or we will be late,” Gabriel announced. His voice detached something I should be used to, yet it cut deep. Why did I keep building these imaginary castles?

I turned to him, bracing myself for impact. Evelyn was far from implicating me. Aurelia – Gabriel’s sister – seemed to just be getting her gears rolling.

His hand stayed on the small of my back as we descended the huge staircase. I felt my body tense up and relax a few more times than necessary. Gabriel didn't once glance at me as we walked down; as soon as we neared the door of the dining room, he pulled me into his arms like a man who had not been able to get me out of his sight.

“You are late,” Lawrence’s voice echoed as we stepped into the room.

The hugeness of the room took me aback for a minute. Everything about it felt extraordinary and over the top. The huge mahogany table stood in the middle of the room, so big that the person at the other end of the room would have to shout so others could hear him talk.

The light in the room dropped the ambience to comfortable and rich without even trying. The walls are lined with dark wood panelling and gilded portraits of the King's ancestors, who seemed to be judging more than the people alive.

“We had a few things to attend to.” Gabriel pulled out a seat for me. I slid into it, trying to ignore Evelyn’s piercing gaze on me.

“Once again with the show,” Evelyn dragged out.

“You don’t keep the entire family waiting.” Lawrence dismissed, and as if on cue, the servants began placing the meals right in front of us.

Aurelia cleared her throat and tapped the table gently. I raised my head, and our eyes met. At the moment, I instantly regretted it. Gabriel’s free hand stayed on the small of my back to show his possessiveness.

“If you don’t know how to get here, all you have to do is ask.” Aurelia scoffed with an eye roll.

“Thank you, Aurelia,” I said instead of all the mean things I had learnt from my sister to say.

Our glasses were filled with wine at once. Aurelia, still holding my gaze, took up her glass, swirling it gently as Evelyn sat by her side with a smirk on her face, her gaze never once leaving my face. It was obvious they were trying to bring me down with words.

Not tonight! Definitely not tonight! I took my glass to my nose; the familiar scent of the wine hit my nose before I took a swig. It was one of the favourite wines my father liked.

“Tell me, Nora!” Aurelia began, and I raised my head to meet the mischief in her eyes. “How does the ‘96 Latour suit your palate? Or do we need to get some cocktails from the local pub for you?”

I shifted in my seat, ignoring the intensity that Gabriel’s hand was causing on my back.

"The '96 is a classic, but I think the tannins are a little too strong for this particular pairing. The '98 has always been my favourite because of its balance. However, I guess a lot of people would rather just drink the label than taste the wine, right?”

Her face fell, and Gabriel’s fingers drummed against my back. He seemed to find my knowledge of wine pairings impressive. Well, living with a father who loved wine and working at a fine dining restaurant to avoid relying on your family would do that to you.

The rest of dinner went better than I expected. Of course, with a few jabs from Aurelia and Evelyn not bothering to give it a rest. Once Lawrence finished eating, we were all dispersed from the table like we were on some sort of timer.

Even though I was extremely hungry, the thought of being exposed for this elaborate scheme or saying something that would put Gabriel at a disadvantage haunted me too much to ignore.

Gabriel pulled away as soon as we were back into our room. He walked to the study. I was left alone. Every time I expected more from him, he showed me why I shouldn't.

I tossed and turned in bed for a pretty long time until I couldn't take it anymore. The King villa was so suffocating that I needed to breathe something else aside from the toxic air.

I pulled on a coat over my flimsy nightdress – the kind you'd be caught wearing in a place like this – and I slipped out of the room, wandering through the estate grounds until I came across the stables, just like Elsie had mentioned.

I knocked and pushed the doors open; the horses neighed as soon as I walked through the doors. I moved further in. I rubbed my hands together as I tried to create heat to warm myself up from the cold I had just walked through.

I stopped by one of the horses, running my hands across his mane. He snuggled up to me.

“He really likes you.”

My heart stopped in my chest as I turned to a man standing behind me. He took deliberate steps, stopping before he could get too close.

“I am sorry. I know I shouldn’t be in here, but I couldn’t sleep, and I wanted to…”

“It’s okay, Ms…” He trailed off, stopping my mindless ramble.

He was asking for my name. A smile plastered on his lips. Not the fake kinds I had seen all day. A genuine welcoming smile.

“Nora,” I stretched my hand to him. “Nora,” I repeated as if I wanted to be sure.

He took my hand, the smile never wavering from his face. “Julian”