5. Fake Damsel
The damsel caused the distress.

* * *

[Anmol's POV]

My friends and I stepped out of the restaurant and waited for our drivers to bring the cars.

I started to reply when Tara suddenly said, "Is that him?"

She pointed across the street where--oh goodness gracious!--Ashar and his sisters had stepped out of a McDonalds'! I didn't blink until the road traffic disrupted the view. Ashar had broken the first condition of mine by showing his lower class! Tara, Carter, Myra, and Roshan expectantly waited for clarification. I wanted to deny it was Ashar but then I realized that these people were my friends. I didn't have to hide things from them.

Why would I justify Ashar when he didn't deserve it?

"That's him," I said flatly.

It raised suspicion among everyone. Maybe they could help me get rid of the serf?

"Annie, is this marriage forced?" Carter asked. I gave him a sad nod. Everyone looked . . . relieved to a degree. "I knew you wouldn't marry a graphic designer. You're the princess of St. Cloud. Why did your mom get you married to him?"

I shrugged. Mentioning the contract would create conflict. I had to stick with Ashar being the childhood friend story.

"You poor dear!" Tara said. "Why didn't you say it was forced earlier? You know we'll always be here for you! Don't worry. We'll get rid of that serf as soon as possible. Just bring him to my fashion show."

I smiled and muttered a thanks. Roshan was shaking his head at everyone. He left with his fraternal twin, Myra, first.

My driver pulled up our car. I quickly got in after bidding Carter and Tara goodbye.

* * *

"How dare you go to that nasty place?!"

"Would you relax?"

"Rich people do not go to McDonalds'!" I snapped.

We were in my room back at the house. His sister's were downstairs eating the greasy fast food. I had dragged Ashar upstairs to . . . yell at his carelessness. It was a planned scheme in order to force him into coming to the fashion show.

"I'm not rich," he pointed out.

I clenched my teeth. "My first condition in the contract clearly stated that you can't show your poor status during our marriage." He didn't say anything so I continued, "This Friday, we are going to Tara's fashion show Friday evening. No arguments!" He couldn't say no to it. "Your sisters are coming along too."

I sauntered away without another glance at my husband.

He liked showing his inferior status, right?

His entire family is going to be shown their right place.

[Ashar's POV]

If she wasn't a girl and my wife, I would've slapped Anmol a long time ago.

I didn't even understand the concept of the fashion show. Why did I need to go? Why did Aara and Rosie have to tag along?

Wait . . . Maybe there'll be hot models.

Definitely something to look forward to.

I ran downstairs and announced the plans to the girls. Rosie was ecstatic about dressing up, but Aara said a flat out no.

"I have a date with Netflix, so no thanks," said Aara and resumed eating her French fries.

"Aara, it's chance for you girls to know more about Anmol." I sighed and sat down on a chair. I didn't even know where Anmol was right now. "She's trying to get the family together at an event." What was the actual reason behind it? "Do you really want to be the rotten sport?"

Let's hope I'm not a rotten liar.

Aara whined but I gave her one pleading look.

"Please, Aara," pouted Rosie. She was always on my side. I grinned. Aara never said no to Rosie.

It didn't even take ten seconds for Aara to be convinced and say a "yes."

* * *

The days leading up to the fashion show brought a completely changed Anmol.

She was actually being civil to everyone (except the house staff; Cecily, obviously). Either that was her normal personality or she had a split personality or . . . I don't know.

Friday evening, a complete black coat and pant suit with a white button down and a black bowtie rested on the bed for me. I watched Anmol as she applied makeup behind her dresser. As expected, she wore painful looking high heels and a white dress. She was definitely good-looking, but . . . it didn't make up for the terrible attitude.

"Why are you staring at me?"

Our eyes met in the mirror.

I held her gaze and nodded towards the outfit on the bed.

"That's for you," she said. "Get ready. I despise tardiness." I picked up the clothes, realizing how much they resembled my waiter outfit. But who knew what people dressed up as to fashion shows.

Plus, as my wife, Anmol wouldn't want me to look like an idiot.

[Anmol's POV]

With a thoughtful look on his face and the waiter outfit in his hands, Ashar headed to the bathroom. I had waited for this day all week. Being nice to Ashar and his family was super hard but part of the plan.

They're going to be so embarrassed today!

I was finishing my makeup when Cecily entered. "Did you bring my purse?"

I had told her earlier that I forgot my favorite purse downstairs somewhere (even though it was right on my dresser under the makeup kit). Cecily was sent to search for it.

"Sorry, I couldn't find it," she said with her head down.

"Why can't you ever do anything right?" I asked standing up. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "I don't even know why mom hired you. Bloody serfs," I muttered. Seeing Cecily's unhappy expression satisfied me. "Get out." She shuffled out of the room quickly. I suppressed a smile and took out my purse.

Cecily was down.

Ashar's family to humiliate next.

* * *

The fashion show was as extravagant as ever. Many notable personalities and familiar people greeted me. They were extremely surprised by the fashion disasters following me. Aara wore black jeans and a white blouse. Rosie still dressed better but her light pink dress had a hideous skirt with a Disney princess on it. None of the clothes they owned screamed designer.

And Ashar.

He looked like a typical waiter.

We were right on time. The show began with models cat-walking down the ramp in summer-themed attire. I wasn't interested in the show but the expressions my companions showed. Ashar's eyes were glued to the models.

Generic guy.

"Enjoying yourself?" I asked.

"I think fashion just has a different meaning here," he said turning to me. I frowned. "What girl in the world would wear these outfits made for pregnant women?"

"What?"

This guy officially had no sense of fashion. The models wore loose rompers, sundresses, etc. I didn't understand the serf.

"Fashion gone wrong," he said solemnly. "If you ever wore any of these outfits, I'll be embarrassed to be seen next to you in public."

"Says the waiter," I mumbled.

"You look stunning compared to the models, by the way," he whispered.

"I know."

He rolled his eyes and turned away from me.

His compliments or insults made no difference in my life. After all, he was a serf and I was a Majhraut. Once the show finished and time came for the banquet, I went backstage after excusing myself. It was Tara's plan to leave Ashar and his family alone in the crowd of people while we chilled behind.

We watched Ashar and his sisters awkwardly standing, looking for me.

"Carter, go!" Myra whispered when it was time for eating.

He took a deep breath and then slowly released it. "Wish me luck, ladies."

We pushed him in Ashar's direction and it was time.

[Ashar' POV]

Where is she?!

Anmol completely disappeared from view. One of her friends, Carter Fox, came to me and my sisters.

"Hey, why are you guys still lingering around here?" he asked confused.

Why exactly is he worried?

"We're waiting for Anmol," Aara replied impatiently. I knew she was uncomfortable here.

"She just told me in the banquet hall that she was looking for you. Let's go," said Carter. She was already eating? I glances around finding the lobby empty.

Having no option, the girls and I followed Carter to the banquet hall. It was packed with high society people. Even their kids behaved high and mighty. Carter headed off to his colleagues or whatever.

Spotting Anmol with her friends, I relaxed.

"Aara, Rosie, why don't you two join Anmol. I'll bring food for us. Okay?" I said. Rosie clung to me. Aara shook her head too. This wasn't our society. "C'mon, Aara," I insisted, "just go sit. Anmol will take care of you." Hopefully.

Begrudgingly, my sisters went to the table and joined Anmol.

I got food for those two first and gave it to them. Anmol didn't even look my way while I was at their table.

"Can you fetch me a glass of wine?" one blonde girl asked.

"Me too," Anmol's model friend said.

Being a gentleman, I nodded and got the ladies wine. Again, Anmol ignored me. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I went to get myself food. On my way back, someone from a different table called me. Scowling, I walked to the middle-aged woman. "My champagne needs a refill."

"Okay . . . So?" I asked, not caring if I sounded rude.

"Get me a refill, boy," she said sternly.

What was the problem? Baffled, I did as she asked. For some reason, people kept asking me to get them things. Did I volunteer? No. I tried to get dinner for myself when some stupid idiot tripped and fell on top me!

Ome chic even screamed loudly at the same time.

[Anmol's POV]

As expected, Ashar was misunderstood to be a waiter. I enjoyed my soup and exchanged knowing glances with Tara and Myra. It was time to ridicule the scared looking sisters.

"So, Aura, right?" Myra asked Aara.

"Ah-ra," Aara corrected.

"Okay, Aura," Myra said and continued, "is that a Ralph Lauren blouse?"

I hid my smile and kept my eyes on my food. "No," Aara replied.

"Versace?" Myra asked again.

"No--"

"Dior?"

"No. I got it from Forever 21," said Aara firmly.

My friends made disgusted faces. "What is that?" Tara asked.

"My maid's daughter gets her clothes from there," Amanda said. Aara's face flushed from embarrassment. Amanda was a friend of mine with bleach blonde hair and light blue eyes. She even leaned to the side and examined Aara's shoes.

"Why are you wearing converse?" she asked.

"What are converse?" Tara asked.

I watched Aara's attention turn to her brother for a help attempt. She probably knew by now that I wasn't coming to her rescue. Rosie scratched her head and looked around.

"Ew!" Myra screamed, getting up and staring at Rosie. "Head lice!" Everyone's eyes widened. We heard a loud thump from the other side of the room simultaneously. I guess Roshan had tripped over Ashar as arranged.

Myra, Amanda, and Tara kept screaming at the fake head lice they claimed to see fallen from Rosie's head. Everyone was disgusted by the menton of lice. Aara and Rosie were pushed away from people. They rushed to their brother who had a soda and pastry tray dumped on him. Ashar stood up, eyes covered with icing, and tried to hang onto to something. His hand accidentally landed on some woman's shoulder.

"Oh my god!" The lady screamed and gave him a push.

I laughed along with Tara and Myra.

[Ashar's POV]

I had goddamn soda and cake spilled all over me. There were no napkins anywhere nearby. I found something for support but the woman screamed in my ear and shoved me. I fell in someone's lap, earning another shout and a slap to the head. Someone pulled me off the woman's lap and put me on my feet.

I wiped my eyes with my hands and saw a muscular built wrestler type guy glaring at me. His hands were on my collars.

Oh damn.

I'm gonna get beat up, today.

"How dare you touch my wife?! Filthy waiter!" He punched my nose before I could defend myself.

My hands went to my nose and I winced from the pain.

"Ashar!" Aara and Rosie rushed to me.

"Who let this waiter in?" someone asked.

"Someone please remove these people from here!" Some guy yelled.

Security came and tried to push me and my family out. I looked for help from Anmol. She was at the doorway already. Why wasn't she helping me?

"That's my wife! We're with her!" I said and pointed to Anmol.

She pretended not to notice! "Annie!" Carter screamed, gaining her attention. "Are they with you?" He pointed to my family. Wasn't he the one who told me Annie was waiting in this hall for me? Rosie hugged my side, crying. All eyes were roaming between Anmol and me.

Slowly, she shook her head.

What the hell?!

The security shoved us out of the doors. My eyes met Anmol's on the way. She gave me a triumphant smile. It clicked.

This was all a setup.

The fashion show, the waiter clothes, the fake persona . . . Once a mole, always a mole.

Why didn't I understand earlier?

My nose was bleeding and my sisters were crying. I hugged them, trying to reassure everything was fine. But it wasn't. We stopped by the bathroom so I could clean my face.

The girls and I went to the parking lot straight afterwards. I saw the car we had all come in drive by. For a moment, I couldn't believe it was the same car. However, my eyes landed on the side mirror of the fading away car where I spotted Anmol's face.

That witch!

She ditched us to find a ride ourselves!

I had left my wallet in the car too!

Shit, man!

________________

A/N

Lovely banner credit to thatsme30. Check out amazing work guys! Thanks again!

How is the new cover?

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Isn't Annie cruel? Feel bad for Ashar?

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--Kiran