Chapter Five The Art Of Deception
862 Words
Zariah Monroe had faced plenty of challenges in her life—rebuilding a crumbling empire, dealing with betrayal, surviving in a world that had tried to swallow her whole. But nothing had prepared her for this.
Being married to Caden Lancaster was like standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing the ground beneath her could disappear at any moment.
She wasn’t sure if the fall would kill her or if she’d learn how to fly.
The morning after the wedding, she stood in the vast, glass-walled kitchen of Caden’s penthouse, sipping black coffee and watching the city skyline stretch endlessly before her.
The night before had been… uneventful.
After his cryptic comment about “phase two,” Caden had disappeared into his home office, leaving her alone to overthink everything.
Now, she was bracing herself for whatever came next.
She didn’t have to wait long.
Caden strode into the kitchen, every inch the powerful billionaire in his charcoal suit and crisp white dress shirt. His tie was undone, and the faintest shadow of stubble dusted his jaw, making him look dangerously effortless.
His presence sucked the air from the room.
Zariah set her mug down, trying to keep her pulse steady. “Good morning.”
He poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned against the marble counter, watching her over the rim. “You ready?”
She raised a brow. “For what?”
A slow smirk tugged at his lips. “Our honeymoon, of course.”
Her stomach dropped. “Excuse me?”
“The media is waiting for us to board my private jet.” His tone was casual, but his gaze was sharp. “We need to sell this, Zariah. A Lancaster wedding isn’t enough. They expect the full story. The romantic getaway. The passion. The grand gestures.”
She swallowed hard. “And where exactly are we going?”
His smirk widened. “Santorini.”
Zariah’s heart pounded. The picturesque island was known for its blue-domed churches, whitewashed buildings, and honeymooners.
“So let me get this straight,” she said, folding her arms. “You expect me to spend the next few weeks in a romantic paradise, pretending to be madly in love with you?”
He took a slow sip of coffee, his gray eyes glinting. “Exactly.”
Her pulse spiked.
This was dangerous.
Because the longer she played this role, the harder it would be to remind herself it wasn’t real.
—
The Flight
The airport was a sea of flashing cameras and eager reporters the moment they stepped out of the black Rolls-Royce.
Caden’s hand found the small of Zariah’s back as he guided her through the chaos, his touch steady. Controlled.
“Mr. Lancaster! Mrs. Lancaster!” a reporter called out. “How does it feel to be newlyweds?”
Caden glanced down at Zariah, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he leaned in and brushed a kiss against her temple.
She stiffened.
The flash of cameras exploded around them.
“Feels perfect,” Caden said smoothly, his voice laced with amusement.
Zariah forced a smile, playing along. She had no choice.
This was the game.
A game she had to win.
Inside the private jet, she sank into the plush leather seat, exhaling slowly. Caden sat across from her, scrolling through his phone as if he hadn’t just turned their marriage into a tabloid spectacle.
“You enjoy this, don’t you?” she muttered.
He glanced up, arching a brow. “Enjoy what?”
“This whole performance,” she said. “Turning our lives into a perfectly crafted fairy tale for the world.”
His lips twitched. “It’s called strategy, sweetheart.”
Her stomach tightened. “And what happens when the contract is up?”
Caden leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His eyes locked onto hers, unreadable.
“Then we end it,” he said simply.
Zariah hated how her chest ached at his words.
It was exactly what she wanted.
So why did it feel like a warning?
—
Santorini – The Illusion Begins
The villa was breathtaking.
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, it had infinity pools, private terraces, and sunset views that looked like they belonged in a movie.
It was the perfect setting for a couple deeply in love.
Except they weren’t.
And yet, the second they arrived, Caden wasted no time in pulling her into the role.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he murmured as a staff member led them to their suite, “but we’re sharing a room.”
Zariah’s steps faltered. “What?”
He smirked. “A separate room would raise suspicion.”
She swallowed. “And the bed?”
He shot her a lazy grin. “It’s big enough. Unless you’re worried about temptation.”
Her face burned. “You’re insufferable.”
His chuckle was deep, almost dangerous.
But beneath the teasing, something darker flickered in his gaze.
Zariah wasn’t sure what it was, but she knew one thing—
This honeymoon wasn’t just about fooling the world.
It was about testing limits.
And she wasn’t sure whose would break first.
- Writer
