FREEDOM

MIA

Deceit is good when played right.

In the grand scheme of things, pretending to be lovey-dovey with Alpha Leo for one day is akin to playing the lead role in a tragicomedy where the punchline is my life. Leo strides into my room, all doom and gloom, ready to lay down his threats, I'm already in character, wearing my most convincingly sweet smile.

"Good morning, sunshine!" I chirp, as if greeting a beloved rather than the man who's essentially my jailer. "And happy birthday!"

He eyes me suspiciously, like he's trying to decipher if I've suddenly lost my mind or if it's just a ruse. "Mia," he begins, his voice laced with a warning, "don't try anything funny today. You know what's at stake."

I flutter my eyelashes at him, laying it on thick. "Why, Leo, I don't know what you mean. Today's your big day! Why would I do anything to ruin it?"

He narrows his eyes, not buying my act for a second. "Because you're you. And you've got that look in your eyes, like you're planning something."

Fe