The two older couples immediately fell into an intricate conversation which bound both work and personal pleasure, while the three of us looked awkward and bored. I had absolutely no clue what they were talking about, because I wasn't a part of their family. In reality, I had only opted to listen to them because I was too exhausted of walking.

While André looked bored out of his mind again, Madison kept throwing me side glances and smirks. She must be trying to make me feel out of place, since I was the only outsider here, but she didn't know nothing could hurt me or kick me out of here. I wasn't here because I loved the man I was marrying, I was here only for the money. At least, that's what I told myself.

A waiter had brought drinks and some snacks for us, but I didn't really feel like eating. Picking up the glass of champagne, I took a long sip. Suddenly, André reached out towards me and whispered in my ear. "Your team members are here. Let's go greet them."

I looked at him in wonder, confused about why he had acted this way. Then, my eyes met Madison's, and I saw the icy envy burning in them. I understood immediately, we hadn't been acting all lovey dovey, and it must have looked so dry.

I knew we were supposed to act like we were madly in love, but it was kind of hard seeing how we barely knew anything about each other. Just the things André had done for me tonight, were a huge sign that he was only acting.

Before anyone could say anything, André stood up and excused us from the table. Then, grabbing my hand, he led me towards where all of my members were standing. They looked so confused, as if they didn't belong here, and my heart melted. As I walked upto them, I could see their faces collectively morph into wide grins.

"Congratulations to both of you! Wow Liz, I can't believe it's really you," Sophie greeted us with Maria right behind her.

I laughed at her compliment, feeling slightly embarrassed. I had never really dressed like that in my entire life, so going out like that in front of so many people was a huge thing for me. Sophie noticing that made me feel so conscious, but something unexpected happened.

André spoke up from beside me, "Are you trying to say that she doesn't look beautiful?"

I looked at him in horror and wonder. How did he know what I was feeling? And even if he did, why did he have to put it like that? Sophie coughed awkwardly, desperately trying to weave her way around words.

Deciding to come to her rescue, I held André's arm. "Of course not, dear. She just means that I look different in a good way, because she doesn't normally see me like this."

His arm tensed under my unexpected touch, and I felt compelled to remove my hand immediately, but I resisted. That wouldn't look too good to our audience, who now sported heart eyes for our interaction. One thing was for certain, that we had successfully managed to bewitch everyone into thinking our relationship was real.

After talking to them for a while, they finally parted to enjoy the party and meet new people. Huffing, I turned around to see where André had gone, when his voice came from behind me.

"Already tired?" He asked, holding a glass of whiskey in hand.

"Yeah. I'm not really used to interacting with so many people," I replied, and he nodded.

Taking a sip of his whiskey, he said, "That's understandable. I'll tell dad to wrap it up quickly, so that you can go home."

He started to walk away, when I stopped him... with my hand on his arm. Again. He turned around to look at me in confusion, but I was the one perplexed here.

"What? Wrap it up?" I asked, not even able to speak properly.

"Yeah. Since you're tired, we'll complete the necessary activities and then head home. Dad and mom will take care of the rest," he spoke so nonchalantly, as if this was normal for him.

He spoke as if... we were actually in a relationship. This sudden change in his attitude was not only unexpected, but incredibly shocking and suspicious. Why was suddenly being so nice to me?

Still shaken, I struggled to come up with an answer, when a foreign voice interrupted us. "I hope I'm not interrupting something," came the smooth low voice of a man.

The voice was unfamiliar to me, but it seemed like André knew him. Since I had my back to the mystery man, André could see him clearly. His demeanor changed instantly, his cold and hard exterior coming to the surface. I wondered who was the man who had caused such change in him, and I turned around to find myself looking at an incredibly handsome young man.

The first thing I noticed about him were his eyes. Swirls of dark chocolate, they sparkled under the chandelier. His wavy, fluffy hair in a shade lighter than his eyes framed his broad forehead and strong jaw. A sharp nose and full lips completed his look, and I was instantly mesmerized.

Tall, broad shoulders encased in a midnight blue suit, he looked every bit like the prince in every Disney movie. And then, he smiled and took my hand in his, raising it to his lips in a slight kiss.

"You must be the gorgeous lady who's been the talk of the town. Miss Lizette, the woman who has successfully captured the heart of my silly little brother."

I stood there, utterly shocked. So he was Florian's second son? This was insane. How could good genes run in a family so well? Under his strong but soft stare, and a sneaky smile, I found myself helpless. What had he even said? And why was I turning red?

Since I couldn't utter a single word, André came to my rescue for the nth time that night. "Stop it, you're scaring her." He ordered his brother, who finally let my hand go.

Being able to breathe now, I realized I was more surprised by the shock of meeting André's elder brother. Quickly collecting myself, I greeted him, "Its so nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."

He smiled and said, "Oh really? Then, let me introduce myself properly. I'm Janvier Beaumont, a successful lawyer in Paris, or you can say, André's older brother."

I was intrigued. "You're a lawyer? Really? Wow, that's unexpected."

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "Why do you think so? Am I not allowed to be one?"

I turned red at that. Socializing had never been a strong trait of mine. "No, I didn't mean it like that. It's just, I knew so little of you that I never expected you to work in this field."

The conversation could have stretched for longer, and I could have actively participated too, if not for the sudden announcement. It was Florian on the stage where the musicians were playing classical music.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me have your attention please. Since we have all met our lovely couple here, and given them our best wishes, how about a dance from our lead couple? Let's clear the floor for Lizette and André!"

His words turned me to stone, as I struggled to comprehend what went wrong. Why was I suddenly asked to dance, and why with André, of all people? All I wanted to do was get home and away from André as fast as possible, but his father had sent me into his arms. Worst of all, everyone's eyes were solely on us, but I didn't even know how to dance.

Janvier waved me and André goodbye, and left to go stand in a corner. Right beside him, I finally spotted Lily, who dazzled in her elegant silver gown. She encouraged me with a thumbs up and a huge smile. But it was of no use, all I wanted to do was go home and curl up in bed. What was this?

The lights went off, and I stood there, confused and scared. For a second, I panicked, and felt a strong presence next to me. The presence held my hand in his, which instantly brought warmth and comfort. The next second, large candles that stood in silver stands came to life, and the room was coated in a dim yellow glow.

The atmosphere was perfect for intimacy, an intimacy I was desperately running from. Tired, helpless eyes searched for André's reaction, but the intensity I found in them shut me up.

Leaning down slightly, he whispered, "It's just a dance. All you have to do is follow my lead. Breathe, and you'll be fine."

Nodding quietly, I took a deep breath. I felt him grasp my right hand, while his right hand was placed on the small of my back. He then positioned my left hand on his shoulder, making me marvel at the hard muscle. Gently, with a softness I didn't know resided in him, he pulled me closer. The crowd cheered for us, and then it went silent.

The orchestra played a different note this time, changing from the casual happy notes to the romantic, sensual ones. Since I had my eyes closed, I could feel everything more intensely. The hard chest of the man I was pressed against. His huge hand on my back that warmed me. My soft hand captured in his rough one, creating delicious sensations and sending shivers down my spine.

I felt his breath against my cheeks, fanning me and possibly coloring my entire face a pretty shade of red. "Open your eyes, Lizette," he ordered me softly, and I immediately followed his command.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I was met with the most impassioned grey eyes. A gasp left my lips at the sight, and I shivered slightly. The movement caused him to glance down at my lips, and I wanted to run at the way his pupils dilated. Just what was he thinking? I felt the distance between us decrease, as he pulled me closer to him than ever.

What was this feeling? Why did I feel like I was walking on a cloud?

The music played, and André continued to twirl me around the floor. Our chests moved in unison, breathing in and out at the same time. All I could see in that moment, was him. His eyes, his hands, his touch, his presence.

I wasn't an alcoholic, yet, I was drunk on him.

And I knew, this intoxication was an addiction, one I wasn't getting out of soon.

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