The hired staff have done a really good job I thought as I looked around the decorated hall. It was the same company that Blair had hired maids from who cleaned our mansion on Long Island.

When I had approached her with the fact that she'd fired all the staff including Rafaela so who was going to do the general cleaning of the very large mansion, she'd come up with the idea to hire some maids from a company who will do the cleaning twice a week; once before we arrive at the house for the weekend and when we leave for the fifth ave. I had to give it to her, it was a pretty good idea.

I turned to see Blair enter the ballroom, people did not arrive yet. She looked breathtaking. The first time I saw her in the dress coming down the stairway ready for the ball we were hosting, my heart had stopped for a second.

The dress was pale blue in color. It had thin straps and a low-cut back, the cleavage was perfect and it was a floor-length dress. She wore black pumps and had her hair tied in a sophisticated ponytail.

The makeup was minimal but eye -catching. I was still opposed to the fact that the dress showed a lot of skin but after the argument we'd had in the car, I decided to forget it. She was my wife so no one would try anything. I was surprised at how possessive I was over Blair but dismissed it as common male instincts.

"The guests have started arriving." She told me as I approached her.

I nodded and turned to the door just in time to see our first guests come in.

I smiled as Mr Eldrige, a well-known congressman and his wife walked to were we stood.

"Remember," I whispered to Blair, "we're supposed to be in love."

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I was bored, more than bored. I always knew these kind of affairs were boring but back in Lumeria, I usually escaped after twenty of thirty minutes.

I held onto Anton's arm as he talked to some business man whose name I had forgotten. I heard over thirty different names since the event started ranging from John to Yvonne.

I wanted out but being the dutiful wife I was supposed to be, I couldn't go anywhere. We were the hosts of the party and a lot of stately people were accessing us to see if we fit into society.

Anton seemed to fit in perfectly. He talked business with both the young and old men, he played perfect gentleman to the old ladies and charmed the younger ones.

I was polite too but I didn't talk much except to Annabelle. As it turned out her fiance, Josh was Anton's friend hence they were invited (Anton'd  dealt with inviting people).

What to do, what to do? I asked myself as I scanned the room, that's when a light bulb came on in my head.

I smiled inwardly, the perfect game to play!

My first victim was a woman who seemed to be in her late twenties. Her hair was dyed silver blonde, it was obvious that she'd dyed it because her roots were brown. So tacky I thought. My gaze moved to her dress which was bright orange in color. Orange is so not your color girl I thought, besides bright orange is so not meant for a ball....

Anton's voice broke through my thread of thoughts. "Ain't that right honey," he turned to look at me smiling. It looked so genuine but I knew better. And speaking of better, he looked better when he smiled (not smirked).

"Oh," I said as I realized he was asking me a question, "yes."

The couple infront of us gushed then walked away. Anton raised his eyebrow at me and was about to talk when a group of men approached us.

"Hey Anton," Louis was one of the men. He looked really good dressed in a blue suit, "McKenzie Blair."

I nodded in acknowledgement and Anton said, "Louis, how are you."

He turned to look at the other men and continued, "guys, this is my wife McKenzie Blair," he glanced back at me smiling again, "Blair, this is Mr Paul Harrison, the owner of Harrison Corp. and that is Jamie Sandler, the owner of Sandal resorts."

Paul was a tall brown-haired man while Jamie was a short blond. I smiled and greeted them.

As Anton started talking to both of them, Louis walked to my side and whispered in my ear, "bored?"

I nodded, "you have no idea."

We continued talking and as I started feeling better, Anton made us walk away giving me a weird look but he kept his comments to himself.

All through the event, anytime Anton would lean in to give me the occasional kiss on the cheek, I would turn my face away and when he called me honey, I didn't honey him back.

He was a gentleman of course so he didn't say a word. He waited until the ball was over and we were in the living room back at the mansion before he burst out:

"What was that?!"

"What was what?" I asked feigning innocence.

His eyes darkened in anger as he marched towards where I stood, "you know what I'm talking about, but then let me just say it; why was it that through out the ball you refused to let me kiss you and you didn't say honey when I said."

I kept quiet, saying nothing.

"Answer me," he roared, "wasn't that the plan, if not for the fact that the people are not very observant the next headline would read "Is McKenzie Blair And Anton's Marriage For Real Or Fake."

"Actually," I corrected, "its: Is Prince Anton And Princess McKenzie Blair's Marriage For Real Or For Faux."

"Oh so you think this is a joke."

"I never said that." I sat and started removing my earrings, necklace and bracelets.

"Well then what are you saying?" He asked agitated.

I refused to answer.

"You take everything for granted Blair! You were the one who fired my housekeeper so our secret remains that: a secret but look at how you acted at the ball, its like you were indirectly telling them we dislike each other."

"Just shut up Anton," I said at last.

"No!" He exclaimed gesturing furiously with his hands, "I won't shut up. A few months ago, I was living happily then my father made me marry you because of some stupid betrothal.

"My life has changed ever since and I'm not exactly happy."

"I'm not happy either," I stood up and pointed at my face, "do I look happy to you? In this marriage I sacrificed more than you."

"Oh really," he raised one eyebrow, "and what have you sacrificed in this marriage so far?"

"I sacrificed my personality, my true self, who I really am."

"Huh?" He said confused, "how did you sacrifice your personality. All you are saying is bull crap Blair."

"Bull crap?" I laughed shocked, "the fact that I crave a woman's touch more than a man's is bull crap!"

"W-what?" Anton stammered, "what do you mean by that?"

"It means exactly what you think Anton, I'm lesbian, I'm not straight."

His eyes widened and his jaw slackened, "how is that possible, you're McKenzie Blair you can't be gay."

"Well I am, and that's what I've hidden from everyone all my life."

"So no one knows but me?" He asked.

I nodded as I laid my face in my palms, "yes and...." I raised my head, "I so fooled you!" I sat back down and started laughing. I laughed so much that tears streamed down my eyes. "Where's a camera when you need one. You looked so hilarious like...." I paused to do a horrified look then burst out with laughter again.

"It was all a joke?" Anton asked hands in his pocket.

"Yes," I nodded, brushing the tears from my eyes, "I was bored at the ball so I came up with the idea."

"You fooled me."

"Yup, I'm as straight as anyone can be." I told him smiling.

"When I decide to trick you, you will shed real tears. It'll not be anytime soon, it'll be when you least expect it."

I rolled my eyes unconvinced, "I'll be waiting."

****

I opened my eyes to see darkness, I rolled over on the vast bed and turned on the lamp on the bedside drawer. Squinting, I checked the time to see that it was two a.m in the morning.

I was about to go back to sleep when I heard a noise, that intrigued me. I slid out of bed, took my phone (just in case) and walked out of the room.

Before I headed down the hall, I saw that the lights in Anton's room were on. Curiously, I tip-toed to his room. The door was slightly ajar so I peeked in to see what I considered the most horrid sight ever.

There on the bed was Anton buck naked on top of an equally naked woman. She was brunette and from what I could see of her face, I recognized her as the popular Ford model, Carmen Lacross. 

I was stunned to say the least. A mixture of emotions including anger, humiliation and (I'm so sad to say) jealousy were brewing in me.

So this was what he was he was doing to satisfy his male urges all the time, I thought. Infront of me he acted all cool and composed like he would never do something like that.

She was moaning, he was groaning. If this was a movie, trust me the song that would be playing at this moment would be in real life by Demi Lovato.

I felt duped but then who was I kidding, did I really think he could remain celibate without taking a mistress?

Yes!

I said to myself but then he proved me wrong. Well, I thought its time for my own revenge. I took out my phone, unlocked it and entered the camera app.

The next day, I woke up and checked Anton's room. To my relief there was no one inside so I walked down the stairs first checking the sitting room before entering the kitchen.

Look like he and his lady friend where not around.

Ignoring the sinking feeling I felt in my heart, I started making myself breakfast.

When I was done and ready to start eating, Anton came in with a bag of bagels and Starbucks coffee. He dropped his car keys on the counter, "good morning."

"Morning," I replied, "so you've finally given up on trying to cook."

"Nah," he shook his head as he sat down opposite me and started eating his bagels, "I was busy this morning."

"With your lady friend?" I inquired calmly, the reverse of how I felt inside, "I thought she'd have the decency to cook for you before she left"

His head shot up, he dropped his bagel, "lady friend, which lady friend?"

I decided to not play coy, "Carmen Lacross, the woman you were having a roll in the hay with."

"How do you know," he asked, "you weren't supposed to know."

"I woke up at two in the morning then heard some noises so I decided to check where it was coming from," I explained. "You really should keep it down next time, its pretty disturbing."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

I shrugged, "I have a picture of the two of you swaping fluids. If you don't believe me, I'll send you the picture."

"And what are you going to do with the picture," Anton sounded nervous for the first time, "surely not expose it to the world."

"Nah, that's not my kinda thing." I smiled, "I'll blackmail you with it."

"Blackmail me, how?" He furrowed his brows.

I crossed my arms over my chest, "if you do not let me do whatever I wish, go wherever I want, I'll show your papà the picture. I will act the role of the sad wife and you will be in trouble."

He scowled, "you're cunning."

I laughed, "yeah I know so do we have a deal?" I extended my hand.

"Deal," he shook it and we both froze  as his Brown eyes met my gray ones. I felt tingles in my body and a shiver ran down my spine.

From the way Anton looked, I'm sure he felt it too. We sat there frozen for God knows how long before I broke eye contact and removed my hand from his.

I took my empty plate and headed for the sink inorder to avoid more awkwardness.

That was weird I thought.

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Book recommendation: playing doctor (one of my favorites.)