“You look stunning, my lady,” Celine beams from beside me, seemingly more excited about my outfit than I am. The young girl has a peculiar way of speaking, like she has spent most of her time among royalty, but I could tell from her calloused hands as she applies the finishing touches on my makeup that she was raised in a harsh world.I look down at my own hands, hands that had once slaved in hard labor. Now, they look smooth and spotless, but I know very well what these hands have gone through.“Thank you, Celine,” I smile at her, meeting her bright eyes through the dressing mirror.“You're welcome, my lady. I'll go inform the chauffeur that you're ready to leave,” the young girl says, offering a small curtsey bow before heading for the exit.Once she's gone, I let my gaze sweep my reflection. I am dressed in a tailored, navy blue pantsuit that speaks volumes of understated elegance and professionalism.The blazer is cut to perfection, fitting snugly around my shoulders and cinched sl
After Anderson's declaration, he wordlessly turned to me, ignoring the pointed stares everyone threw our way as he grabs my wrist and ushers me away from the set.“Anderson,” I called after him, almost tripping on my own feet as I struggled to keep up with his pace. But still, he doesn't stop, not even bothering to look my way.I looked around us, the whispers getting louder as we passed a few employees on our way out.This was bad; the news of our marriage was supposed to remain private. It would have served me better if everyone in the office didn't know I was the boss's wife, especially when I wasn't really his wife.Now I'm sure the news will soon spread like wildfire. I had caught sight of a few employees taking pictures and videos of the dramatic scene on sight. I predicted it would surface on the internet, gaining thousands of views and putting me in the hot spotlight.I internally cringed at the thought of my face appearing on blog posts. It was already hard coming to terms wit
“So you're the wife huh?” my brows furrowed in confusion as our impromptu guest casually approached me, eyeing me from head to toe with childlike curiosity shining in his eyes. But then, Anderson steps forward, protectively standing in front of me. Both males faced off, silently staring at each other as if to pass a secret message. “Hmm?” The stranger named Daniel arched a brow as he observed Anderson's reaction, rocking back and forth on the heels of his shoes as his lips split into a mischievous grin. “Ah, forgive my manners.” He shakes his head, his expression shifting to one of remorse as he glances between me and Anderson. “My name is Daniel Ross.” He starts, looking over Anderson's shoulder to meet my wary gaze. “I'm Anderson's beloved Best Frie–” “Business associate.” Anderson cuts in, giving Daniel a stern glare which he returns with a nonchalant eye roll. “You really gonna do me like that?” Daniel says to Anderson, taking a step back as his hands clawed at his chest. His
“Never thought I would see the day this damn rascal would settle down.” The old man I now know as Mr. Dardan says as he looks between me and Anderson. He'd taken the pleasure of giving me a detailed narration of how Anderson always dropped by at his shop during his teenage years, emphasizing the part where he always came with a new girl at his side. Now we sat in a secluded section of the shop, although it was small, the ambiance of the building was homey and lively. The walls were adorned with colorful murals of ice cream cones, whimsical unicorns, and playful fairies, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a wonderland. The shop was perfectly suited for children, so why would a man like Anderson come here of all places? Mr Dardan was a short man with a hunchback. His gray hair was cut short, and neatly combed, and his squinted eyes made it hard for me to see the color of his eyes. When he smiled, the corners of his eyes would crinkle like folded paper, but that was by far the only
Mornings in the Shield mansion were very quiet, just like every other day. The sun would peak over the horizon, its subtle rays scattering across the pool. The cleaners would do the morning chores at the break of dawn, under the guidance of Celine who made sure everything was in perfect order. The next agenda was breakfast, which consisted of the finest cuisines made by a five-star chef.The chef was a middle-aged man named Anthony, and his skill and dedication were evident in the mouth-watering taste of his food. But today, Celine informed me that he'd fallen ill with a minor cold, and wouldn't be able to cook. She also said that he would be granted a one-week leave to recover.Now I stood in the kitchen, pulling my hair into a simple ponytail as I examined the ingredients laid out before me. Celine had expressed her worries, suggesting that we order food from a restaurant for the time being, but I decided to take up the role of the chef myself.“Are you sure my lady?” Celine skepti
I knew Laura Shield to be a woman of few words. Her commanding presence spoke volumes, and the way she carried herself effortlessly hinted at her expertise in the field of business. She was the type of woman men feared, intimidated by her power, beauty, and intelligence. But alas, one man remained immune to all of this, and that was her younger brother.“Not that I'm not glad to see you..” Anderson entered the living room, Celine trailing behind him. He took a seat beside me on the sofa, giving way for Celine who silently served us freshly brewed chamomile tea. “But would you give a little heads up when next you come over?”I was the only one who bothered to thank Celine, and she appreciated me with a small nod.I glanced at Anderson, noting that he was now wearing a plain t-shirt. I shift my attention to the tray of tea on the center table, tracing the intricate design of vines and petals that decorated the tea cups. I didn't even ask her to prepare refreshments, trust Celine to alwa
BRIANA'S POV As I stand at the altar, adorned in a gown that isn't mine, I can feel the weight of deception pressing down on me like a leaden veil. The soft strains of the wedding march fill the air, mingling with the whispers of the gathered guests. All eyes are fixed on me, but they do not see the real me - they see the illusion I've been forced to embody. I steal a glance at him, the man I am to marry, the heir to a wealthy dynasty. His chiseled features are a mask of composure, but I couldn’t deny the love that shone in his eyes. He looked at me like I was the most precious jewel, and the sincerity with which he smiled caused my heart to ache painfully for him. Does he know the truth, or is he too blinded by duty and love to see through the charade? My chest tightens with every step I take closer to him, knowing that this union is built on a foundation of lies. I am not the woman he was meant to marry. She fled, leaving behind a void that I, with my uncanny resemblance, have b
Finally, my shift comes to an end and I wave Mr Riley goodbye as I clock out, looking down at my watch as I hurry to my next job. But as I navigated the busy streets of Seattle I couldn’t shake off the unsettling feeling that washed over me. I felt like I was being watched, but each time I took a glance around me, I couldn’t spot anything or anyone suspicious lurking around me. It had been happening for the past few days now, and the feeling still lingered till now. “Bri! Oh my gosh! I’ve missed you!” I’m tackled into a hug the moment I step foot in the department store, rolling my eyes playfully as I let out a light chuckle. My coworker Sally was such an energetic soul, and it’s one of the reasons I don’t particularly hate this gig. “You saw me yesterday and the day before that.” I remind her, and Sally pulls back from the hug to give me a puppy-eyed look, her expressive brown eyes shining through the curtain of her dark fringe. “Well two hours a day is not enough time, and you’re n