Dozens of reporters had covered our car from all sides, and glares welcomed my eyes everywhere. Among all the pandemonium and fuss, all I could see clearly was André's hand. A straw in the storm, that's how it felt. Without a second thought, I placed my hand in his, and stepped out of the car.

My cold hand felt protected in his warm calloused palm, like he would protect me from everything. As I stood up, the reporters swarmed us, clicking a string of pictures and hysterically asking questions.

"Please pose for a picture here!"

"Why are you marrying so early?"

"Is it true that you've been dating for only six months?"

"Mr. Beaumont, what about all the scandals you have caused with so many actresses and models?"

"Mr. Beaumont, were you really never in a relationship with Madison Thomas?"

The questions kept on being fired left and right, making me tense and nervous. Since this was my first public appearance with André, I had expected it to be hectic, but not to this extent. It was as if these people were already aware that we were a fake couple, and were purposely asking such questions to help spill the truth.

It was as if they had already taken Madison's side, and were criticizing me for jumping in between a successful couple. In my knowledge, André and Madison were never a couple, not even in private. It didn't make sense for the media to push the idea of them together so aggressively, especially on André's engagement dinner night. These people were mean and disrespectful, to the both of us.

The frown on my face wiped off once André leaned down to whisper something in my ear. "Don't make that face, love. You can't let them know you're uncomfortable. These people live for that shit."

His low voice, and those lips touching my ear sent shivers down my spine. My heart beat quickened, as if I'd run ten miles. I looked at him, silently protesting with my eyes. Why was he doing this to me? Was it because of that stupid challenge? Or was it something else?

I straightened under his stare, and he slipped his arm around my waist. Pulling me right by his side, he started walking up the red carpet that was laid for us. Brice and other bodyguards tried to keep the reporters away as much as possible, while we reached the top of the stairs.

Halting for a moment, he turned us around. With his hand still on my waist, we posed for the cameras. I even showed the huge diamond that was seated on my ring finger, which caused an uproar among the paparazzi. Some quietly took pictures, while some complimented it, saying it was the largest ring they had ever seen.

The workers opened the doors to the hall for us, and we stepped inside, away from all the conundrum. An employee of the hotel that was booked for tonight led us towards the main room. Since the floor was emptied for tonight, we didn't run into any other guests, but I could feel the eyes of the employees around me. Trying to ignore the consciousness that was building up inside me, I walked confidently and with grace.

As soon as the doors to the ballroom opened, every single eye in the room turned to us. The music paused, and the chatter stopped. For a moment, all attention was only on us. A bead of sweat ran on my forehead, and I was suddenly hesitant to walk further.

But staying there or moving wasn't upto me. My hand was still hooked with André's arm, so I had to walk inside even when I didn't want to. The grand room was so large that it fit the enormous amount of guests, and still had room left. Elegant chandeliers double the size I'd seen at home hung from the ceiling, and the whole room was lit with dazzling lights.

Everywhere I turned, all I saw were sparkles and shiny things. People decked in their best fits and jewellery flocked towards us, and it caused another wave of anxiety in me. Still, I had to do what I had to do. Forcing everything else to take a backseat, I pasted a smile on my face as best as I could. I was originally not a fan of smiling a lot, but I would have to smile to make them believe this wasn't some sham.

These people were all about the facades, so to fit in with them, I'd have to wear one too.

Florian and Jolene were with every person or couple that came to congratulate us. Fake smiles and words of courtesy were thrown around as if they were nothing, and I didn't see any signs of boredom or tiredness on any of their faces. We talked to presidents and owners of big corporations, models, photographers, artists, actors, influencers and politicians.

Every time, it were the same congratulatory words, broad smiles, and enthusiastic displays of affection. There wasn't an ounce of sincerity in these interactions, and their ulterior motives were clearly out on display for everyone to see. Still, these shameless people carried on with their facades, saying white lies with every word that dropped out of their mouths.

And by the tenth interaction, I mastered it too. Studying their moves and ways to subtly dig up juicy information that could ruin us, and how André handled it so flawlessly, I learned their ways. It was a surprise to see how André totally flipped his usual bored and emotionless personality to that of a sociable and overzealous one. One look at my smiling expression must have shocked him equally.

Finally, once the first string of guests were done, Florian ushered us to the back of the room, where the tables had been set. Finally, my legs would rest after standing in five inch heels for about an hour. He guided me to a table, where a couple and a young woman were seated.

Although the man sported dark hair and deep set black eyes, the woman next to him had natural blonde hair and a gaze that reflected happiness. She looked oddly familiar, until I set my eyes on the young woman next to them.
As I made eye contact with the woman, I stiffened in my pace.

That woman was none other than Madison Thomas.

Dressed in a sparkly gold floor length gown with a thigh high slit, she purposely dressed in a way that would draw all the attention to her. I rolled my eyes, getting annoyed by her antics. If she thought that I would be upset about her outdressing me, she was more puerile than I expected.

On the other hand, her parents were the epitome of grace. Polite and full of smiles, they welcomed me and André wholeheartedly.

"Oh my! You're so pretty, dear! Your name is Lizette, right?" Madison's mother gushed, immediately rushing forward to hug me.

Overwhelmed by her sweetness, I hugged her back awkwardly. I didn't know how to act cordially with the mother of a girl I hated so much, but I didn't want to be rude.

Smiling graciously, I replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Thomas. My full name is Lizette Fontaine, and I hail from Chantilly."

"Oh, that's such a beautiful place. We had once visited after Florian recommended it to us, and I honestly didn't wanna leave! You must miss your hometown," Eliza, Madison's mother said.

She was a natural in making conversation, and I couldn't detect any fake tone in her words. She actually seemed to be genuine, which made me wonder what happened to Madison?

The conversation was cut short, when Eliza's husband came forward. "Congratulations on your engagement, son. Miss Lizette, you too." Lewis Thomas spoke quietly, his deep tone inducing a sudden chill into the air.

He first hugged André, and took my hand in his. "You're one stunning woman, Miss Lizette," he complimented me, and I smiled. "I've heard you create fabulous designs, and that Maddy will be joining you this time. This has me quite intrigued to take a look at your work."

Although I couldn't see the same genuinity I saw in Eliza, I still smiled. It was a custom to smile no matter what, and I had now mastered it. There was a slight air of mystery around Lewis Thomas, and it made me uncomfortable. I'd always trust my instincts, and my instincts told me that this man wasn't trustworthy. Something in me told me Madison had taken after her father.

Looking straight into his eyes, I replied, "I've never thought of myself as stunning, but thank you for saying that. I really appreciate it. It's true that Madison and I are working together, and I'm sure you will love my team's designs once you see them."

He smiled and let go of my hand. There was something fishy about him, about the way he kept eyeing me as if I was some obstacle. Although he spoke sweet words, there was something dark and dangerous lying underneath them. I was certain of it. Most people couldn't fool me with their facade, and it was the same with him.

I was sure this won't be our last meeting, just like he had mentioned. And, I was determined to find out whatever was behind this icky feeling I'd gotten.

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