Beneath The Facade

Chapter Three:The Dinner

Mira's stomach twisted into knots as she helped her mom set the dinner table. The evening's guest list was a who's who of people she'd rather avoid: Greg, Brida, and her own family, who seemed determined to pretend everything was fine, even though she couldn't wait to be done with the whole drama, Mira is looking so beautiful with her pretty slik facial pink dress, so fitting showing off her full beautiful body curves and her cleavage, with her hair well wrapped and light make up making her so beautiful that no man can resist her.

As they sat down to eat, Mira's mom beamed at Greg. "We're so glad you could join us tonight, dear. It's a pleasure to host you in our house, plus we have some exciting news to share, which you would love to hear." She concluded with a soft smile on her face. Greg smiled, his eyes locked on Mira as he gave her a wink. "I'm all ears, I am sure it's something exciting."

Mira's brother cleared his throat. "We've set a date for the wedding, and it's going to be one month from now." The room fell silent, except for Brida's awkward congratulations. Mira's eyes narrowed at her friend. “ Yeah, it's a good thing, isn't it? I mean, my baby is getting married, so it's a beautiful thing to celebrate; let's cheers to that.” Greg, however, seemed over the moon. He took Mira's hand, his touch making her skin crawl. "I promise to make you happy, Mira. I love you." He says, giving her a light, cute smile. Mira forced a smile, feeling like she was trapped in a nightmare. Her mom and brother exchanged relieved glances, but Mira knew the truth: this wedding was a business deal and probably some set-up.

As the dinner conversation dragged on, Mira's anxiety grew. She couldn't wait to escape this facade, to confront her family and Brida about their secrets. But for now, she was stuck playing the happy bride-to-be.

As the dinner drew to a close, Mira's mom suggested they move to the living room for dessert. Mira seized the opportunity to confront Brida.

Mira's eyes narrowed as she confronted Brida pulling her aside close to the staircase "Brida, why did you tell Alex about my engagement without my permission, I thought we agreed that I would speak to him myself, for goodness sake what the hell were you thinking?" she asked, her voice firm but controlled, and rage of anger In her eyes.

Brida looked taken aback by Mira's anger. "I-I-l thought you'd already told him," she stammered.

Mira's expression remained sceptical. "You knew I hadn't told him, I hadn't seen him or spoken with him for a while, so how could I have told him?” Brida's face reddened. "I just thought Alex should know, that's all. I didn't mean to hurt you, Mira." Brida said, wearing a pity face to convince Mira that she was sorry for her actions. Mira's gaze lingered on Brida's face, searching for any sign of deception. But Brida's expression seemed genuinely contrite."Fine," Mira said finally. "But please, try to find out from me first or better still tell me before doing or after doing a thing like this. Brida, respect my boundaries in the future. I don't want you sharing my personal news with anyone else, do you understand?"

Brida nodded eagerly. "I promise, Mira. I'm sorry again for my mistake it won't happen again, bestie." Wearing a smile and opening her hands for a hug, Mira sluggishly gave a hug and pointed her finger to her for clarity, and Brida nodded again.

Mira's anger dissipated slightly, replaced by a lingering sense of unease. She couldn't shake the feeling that Brida's apology wasn't entirely sincere. But for now, Mira was willing to let the issue slide. She had more pressing concerns, like her upcoming wedding to Greg, and the secrets her family seemed determined to keep hidden.

Later, as the evening wore on, Greg suggested they take a walk in the garden. Mira agreed, hoping to clear the air. As they strolled through the quiet gardens, Greg turned to Mira with a charming smile. "I've been thinking, my love. I want to make sure you're happy with our arrangement; I hope the date fixed is not a short time to plan." He said grabbing her left hand and kissing it and giving her a wink, “But trust me whatever, I mean whatever you will need for the preparation just let me know, and I will make sure they are made available to you in good time, plus the wedding planner will be in contact with you so you won't stress much, I wouldn't want my Love to stress herself over her big day” he said smiling looking at her. Mira smiled back nodding her head “ sure it's fine I can work with that, it's not of a big deal right? Having the wedding planner and my friend Brida, I am sure it won't be stressful for me.”

Greg's eyes locked onto hers. "I mean, I know this isn't a traditional romance. But I promise to take care of you, to give you everything you've ever wanted and to love you the best way I can." Mira's skin crawled at his words. What did he mean by "everything she'd ever wanted"? And what was the true cost of this "arrangement"?. She smiled, unconvinced because she knew she was just bait amidst some scandals she knew nothing about.

“Speaking of your friend Brida, she seems to be the life of the party; I mean, she's so lively and fun to be with.” Greg said, “Oh! Yes, she's a more social and fun person, even though she's very annoying, but then she's a very good friend. We go way back from childhood, and she has always had my back ever since; I will call her a blessing.” Mira said. “ Wow, that sounds interesting; I would like to know more about you and also hear stories about your childhood; I guess it's a way of building closures. What do you think?” Greg asked, “ yea sure, that would be nice I would also love to hear your own story and how you can about the Almighty Greg empire” Mira said with a teasing look and they both shared a sincere laugh as they walked back to the house to meet up with others.

As they walked into the sitting room, the place was quiet, but someone was standing there. Mira's eyes widened in surprise as she saw Alex standing by the fireplace, sipping a glass of wine. She felt a flutter in her chest, and her mind went blank. “ Alex! What are you doing here? How did you get in? Is everything ok? Where's everyone?” She said, pulling him close Emm, . Meanwhile, e.g. meemeetsy friend A, lex, Alex my Fiance Greg,”, she said, wearing a weak smile on her face.

Greg, oblivious to the tension, smiled warmly. "Alex, great to see you, man." Alex's gaze locked onto Mira's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Mira felt like she was drowning in the depths of his eyes.

"Greg, what's going on?" Mira asked, trying to sound calm. “ You both know each other, or you have met somewhere?” she added. Greg chuckled. "Oh, Alex just dropped by to say hello. Isn't that right, Alex?" Alex nodded curtly, his expression guarded. “Yes, sure”, Alex said with fear in his voice.

Mira's eyes narrowed. "Alex, what are you doing here?" Alex's eyes flicked to Greg before returning to Mira. "Just passing through, Mira. I didn't mean to intrude." “Intrude, I don't understand. You know you're not intruding; you are sure welcomed here, but I expected you should call me, I mean”, Mira said. Greg intervened, his voice smooth. "Nonsense, Alex. You're always welcome here." “ Yes, right, I was just coming in to say hi and check up on you. I met with Brida, and she gave me the glass of wine; she's in the kitchen helping your mum with the dishes. It's good to see you’re fine, and it's nice to meet with your fiance.; I will be on my ou;t I need to get to work.” Alex said, dropping the glass of wine by the shelf and making his way out. “Yes, you're right, work is really important”, Greg said, tapping Alex on the shoulder and giving him a threatened side smile. The conversation hung in the air, heavy with unspoken tension. Mira knew she had to tread carefully, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Greg turned to Mira and said, “My darling, are you ok? Is anything the problem? Who is he? Just a friend or something more?” He asked, “he's just a friend nothing more. You two seem to know each other pretty well. Is there anything you think I should know that you're not telling me?” “ Nothing serious, my love; Alex is just someone I have met on rare occasions; nothing to be concerned about.” Greg replied, “ I think I should be on my way now; I have some business I need to handle tonight before tomorrow; we will fix a time for a proper date and time alone so we can know each other better and tell of our growing up stories. And please let me know if you need anything, okay? Remember, no stress.” He said giving her a peck on her cheek and a tight hug, “Say hi to everyone and tell them am leaving “ he added. Mira stood in awe with lots of thoughts running through her mind as she watched him leave, “ what could be the connection between Alex and Greg, why was Alex in shock and so afraid to stand with Greg? Who truly is Greg and what really is his game plan with her?” She taught this seeing the connection he has with those around her.

She moved to the kitchen and found her and Brida almost done with the dishes; her mum asked, “ Mira, my dear, how did it go? What do you think about him? He's nice isn't he?” Mira cut her mum short “Yes mum, he is; why are you asking as if I have got another option to this? It doesn't really matter if I like him or not, does it? It's already a done deal?” she said with a sigh of relief and feel reluctant about everything. “Oh, my baby!” Her mum said “You will be fine I promise, Greg is a perfect gentleman and he will treat you like His Queen in his kingdom, I noticed how he couldn't take his eyes off your charming beauty, am sure he's in love with you already,” her mum said moving close to her to give her a consolation hug. “Mum is right you know” Brida added “he's attracted to you, and I can tell from his actions tonight he is here for good and just about the business deal” “Brida!” Mira shouted, trying to remind her not to cross the line again. Mira's mum gave a kiss on the cheek as she was about leaving the kitchen, she turned to Brida and said “ please talk to your friend and make her feel ok, and you guys should start up your plans, as you can see there's no much time” “ yeah sure mum I will” Brida responded as they both watched Mira's mum exits the kitchen.

Mira leaned by the kitchen table with the thought of the occurrence between Greg and Alex running through her mind as she picked an apple to bite; Brida called her, “ Girl, are you ok? What are you thinking about? You're so lost in your thoughts, tell me what's up?” Mira looked at her, trying to see if she could trust her again, and she asked, “Do you know of any connections between Greg and Alex?” “Wow, how do you mean? Did you mention Alex to Greg, or did Greg tell you anything about Alex?” “ No, not really”, Brida responded, “ but there's something fishy about the both of them; I can tell from the reactions after they meet each other that there's something I am missing out”, she said, biting the apple. “ Oh really, girl”, Brida said in amazement. “ I want you to tell me everything, I mean every single detail of what happened”, she continued as she dragged Mira Upstairs to Mira's room, feeling so eager to hea

r the whole story.