The Power Couple
1039 Words
The dress Mathias chose was red.
Of course it was.
Cofie stared at her reflection for what felt like the hundredth time, her fingers smoothing over the fabric that clung to her waist and fell in elegant waves to the floor. It wasn’t revealing — but it didn’t need to be.
It was calculated.
Strategic.
The kind of dress that made people look twice without understanding why.
“They’re already here,” Mathias’ voice came from behind her.
She met his gaze in the mirror.
“How many?”
“Enough.”
Her stomach tightened.
Tonight wasn’t just another public event.
Tonight was confirmation.
The first time they would be seen together intentionally.
The first time the world would get proof that last night hadn’t been a drunken mistake.
That it had meant something.
Or at least—
That it looked like it did.
“Remember what we discussed,” he said.
She nodded once.
They had rehearsed the story twice already.
They met at a private dinner.
Instant connection.
Unexpected chemistry.
A quiet relationship that had been developing away from public attention.
Until it wasn’t.
Love at first sight.
It sounded ridiculous.
But it also sounded believable.
People liked romance.
They liked scandal even more.
Mathias extended his hand.
For a brief moment—
She hesitated.
Because this was the part where pretending stopped being theoretical.
This was the part where the lie became real.
Then she placed her hand in his anyway.
---
The cameras started flashing before the car even stopped moving.
By the time the door opened, the entire sidewalk had transformed into chaos — reporters shouting over one another, microphones thrust forward, photographers fighting for better angles.
Cofie’s pulse thundered in her ears.
“Relax,” Mathias murmured under his breath.
Easy for him to say.
He stepped out first.
Then turned—
Offering his hand.
The moment she took it and followed him onto the pavement, the noise doubled.
“Mr. Chaw!”
“Miss Thorne!”
“Are you two together?”
“How long have you been dating?”
“Was the hotel incident planned?”
Flashes exploded around them like lightning.
Mathias didn’t rush.
Didn’t flinch.
He simply placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her forward like this was something they had done a hundred times before.
Like she belonged there.
Inside, the event was worse.
More cameras.
More people.
More eyes.
Whispers followed them as they moved through the room, curiosity burning openly in every glance.
“That’s her.”
“The lawyer.”
“The one from the video—”
Her jaw tightened.
But she smiled anyway.
Because that was part of the agreement.
Halfway through the evening, the host approached them with a polite but unmistakably eager expression.
“Mr. Chaw, Miss Thorne — the press would like a word, if you’re willing.”
Mathias didn’t even look at her.
“We are.”
---
The interview setup was simple.
Two chairs.
Bright lights.
A journalist who looked far too pleased to be there.
Cofie folded her hands neatly in her lap, ignoring the way her palms had begun to sweat.
“So,” the interviewer began, her smile sharp. “The entire world wants to know — what exactly is going on between the two of you?”
Mathias didn’t hesitate.
“We’re together.”
Straightforward.
Unapologetic.
“And how long has this relationship been developing?”
Cofie felt his hand settle lightly over hers.
Grounding.
Possessive.
“We met a few weeks ago,” she said, her voice steady despite the way her heart pounded against her ribs. “At a private dinner.”
“And it was immediate?” the interviewer pressed.
Mathias glanced at her briefly before answering.
“Yes.”
Cofie forced a soft smile.
“Love at first sight is cliché,” she added lightly. “But sometimes clichés exist for a reason.”
The interviewer leaned forward slightly.
“So the photos outside the hotel—?”
“Were taken without our consent,” Mathias replied smoothly. “But they weren’t inaccurate.”
A ripple of excitement moved through the small crowd gathered behind the cameras.
“And the scandal?” the interviewer continued. “Do you feel it’s impacted your relationship?”
Cofie shook her head.
“If anything,” she said carefully, “it made us realize how much we didn’t want to hide anymore.”
Silence followed.
Anticipation.
Expectation.
And then—
Mathias turned toward her.
His hand lifted slowly, brushing a strand of hair back from her face in a gesture so gentle it made her breath catch.
Even though she knew it was part of the act.
Even though she knew this was strategy.
“This is insane,” she whispered under her breath.
“Smile,” he murmured back.
Then he kissed her.
Soft.
But unmistakable.
The room erupted instantly.
Cameras flashing.
Voices shouting.
Someone gasping loudly enough to be heard over the chaos.
Cofie’s fingers tightened involuntarily against his jacket as her mind struggled to keep up with what was happening.
This was for show.
For protection.
For survival.
And yet—
When he pulled back, his hand didn’t drop immediately.
It lingered.
Just long enough to feel real.
---
By the next morning—
Every headline in the country had changed.
---
MATHIAS CHAW CONFIRMS RELATIONSHIP WITH LAWYER COFIE THORNE
LOVE BLOOMS AMID SCANDAL
POWER COUPLE SPEAKS OUT AFTER MEDIA FRENZY
---
The narrative had shifted.
Exactly like they planned.
Exactly like she needed.
Cofie stared at the news coverage from the safety of the living room, her expression unreadable.
Because now—
All they had to do…
Was wait for the video to drop.
.
.
.
Mathias parents called
"are you out of your damn mind, in a relationship with a lowlife black lawyer?? what happened to you?" the phone was on loudspeaker so Cofie heard everything
How his parents think she is way below their standards. How they wouldn't let their own son to marry a black woman who doesn't have a rich background.
"im sorry you had to hear all that"
"im used to it , dont worry" Cofie replied calmly
- Writer
