Derek got into the driver's seat, there was silence except for the click of his watch against the steering wheel which filled the air.
"You're quiet," he said as he glanced at me from the mirror. "Second thoughts?"
I turned my head sharply. "No." A lie. A stupid one.
Because the truth was, I was a bit nervous, a bit intimidated by his presence.
I quickly looked away as I raised my chin slightly up.
He started the engine smoothly and began driving.
The drive to His mansion was quiet, but not the uncomfortable kind.
He kept his eyes on the road and one hand was resting lightly on the wheel while the other was tapping a slow rhythm against the leather. I stared out the window as i watched the streets of my home faded.
Soon enough, we pulled up in front of his Mansion or was it an Estate or a Fortress.
Whatever people called it, it was big enough to have its own zip code.
The iron gates shut behind us with a soft hum as soon as he drive in and my grip on my suitcase tightened.
As sson as he parked, Derek stepped out first. I reached for the handle, but one of the numerous maids beat me to it, pulling the door open.
As soon as i stepped out, A cool peaceful breeze hit my skin.
I took a good look at the house, it was modern, sleek, intimidating. The kind of place that felt untouchable, like it belonged in a magazine spread rather than real life.
A maid took my luggage with his head permanently bowed as she wakkes ahead, as if Derek had alwreadh told her my room.
Derek walked ahead too, he did not bother looking back to check if I was following. He already knew I would.
As soon as we got into the house, it was just cold—gray, black, and sharp edges. The lighting was soft but didn't add warmth, and everything smelled faintly of expensive cologne and fresh linen.
As soon as we got to the foot of the grand staircase, I saw the maid who was already carrying my luggage standing in front of his room, Derek finally turned to me with an indifferent expression, "You'll stay in my room."
I looked at him in shock, not believing what he said, "What?"
He maintained a calm and an unreadable face, "We're meeting my parents tomorrow. You need to know me better if you want this marriage to be believable."
I let out a slow breath, folding my arms. "You have guest rooms, don't you?"
"I do." He answered as he kept staring at me indifferently,
"Then why...."
He barely let me finish when he cut in, "It makes sense." His voice was calm. "Unless you'd rather explain to my parents why my wife is sleeping in a separate room."
I hated that he had a point. I hated even more that I didn't have the energy to argue.
"Fine," I muttered.
He gave a short nod, then turned and walked up the stairs. I followed closely.
As sson as we got to the room, the room was so massive that left my jaw ajar for a few seconds. It has Dark sheets, a perfectly arranged desk, a single sleek lamp by the bed. Everything had a place. No clutter, no personal touch.
Derek walked over to the closet, unbuttoning his cuffs as he pulled his sleeves up. "Bathroom's through there," he gestured lazily to a door on the left. "If you need anything, ask my assistant."
I took a slow step inside, The air was crisp, carrying that same clean, expensive scent that followed him everywhere.
"This feels like a hotel room," I muttered, glancing around. No pictures. No misplaced items. Just space, precision, and control.
Derek barely looked at me as he pulled off his watch and set it down. "I travel a lot."
Of course, he did. A man like him didn't stay in one place too long, i had once met him at a business trip in paris but that was over six years ago, he had barely stayed for ten minutes before leaving to attend to another event—except, apparently, when it came to this ridiculous arrangement I had roped him into.
The maid set set my suitcase down by the wall before leaving.
"Make yourself comfortable," he uttered without looking at me as he started unbuttoning his suits.
A beat of silence stretched between us, as I kept staring as his back view which felt so majestic.
Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving me alone in his massive, impersonal bedroom.
I let out a breath, running a hand through my hair. I was in over my head.
And tomorrow, I had to meet his parents.
As soon as i took my sit on the edge of the bed, my phone vibrated on the nightstand. I walked over and glanced at the screen just to see Hailey's name flashing.
I exhald. She is my childhood friend and my best friend. I closed my eyes already knowing what the call is about "Hey." I uttered as soon as I answered.
"Hey? Bianca, what the hell happened?" Hailey's voice was sharp and very demanding. "Your wedding didn't push through? I waited for you to call, but you went completely silent!"
I slowly opened my eyes nervously, "It's a long story."
"Well, I have time."
Of course she did., I walked over to stand at the window of the room as I clutched the phone so close towards my eye. "You were right, Hailey."
There was a pause at both end. As she was was trying to understand what i was saying,
"What?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued, "About Jeremy. You were right all along."
The silence on the line stretched longer this time between the both of us before she finally broke the ice, "You finally saw it, didn't you?" She said with a quieter voice now.
"I did. I confirmed everything.
"How?"
A bitter laugh escaped me. "I caught him, Hailey. With her."
"With who?"
I took a slow breath. "Ella."
"That damn snake!" Hailey spat. "I told you, Bianca! I told you so many times!"
I pressed my fingers to my temple. "I know."
"But you didn't believe me!" Her voice was laced with frustration. "Every time I tried to warn you, you shut me down. You said it wasn'tpossible that Jeremy woukd never do that to you....."
"I know, Hailey." My voice was tight. "I know."
She sighed on the other end. "So… what happened? You confronted that bitch right?"
I exhaled as i swallowed the saliva in my mouth, "I didn't confront him, Hailey."
"What?"
"I saw them. Together. But I didn't make a sound," I said, my voice controlled, steady. "Instead, I took out my phone and hit record."
A disbelieving chuckle escaped Hailey. "You're kidding."
"I wish I was." My lips curled into a smirk. "But no. I have everything on video—every kiss, every pathetic excuse of a secret rendezvous."
"Holy shit."
"Do you know what else I found out? That bitch just wanted to marry me for my parent's inheritance, he never really loved me...."
Hailey inhaled deeply. "That son of a bitch!" She said trying to maintain her cool probably realizing she was on the verge of screaming. "So it was all a game to him?"
"A well-played one," I said bitterly, my fingers tightening around my phone as i folded my arm around my breast. "But not good enough."
"Damn right it wasn't. That bastard thought he could use you and walk away clean?" Hailey's voice was laced with anger. "And Ella.....ugh! I knew she was shady. I told you, Bianca. I told you....."
"I know," I murmured. I hated that she was right. I hated that I hadn't seen it sooner, that i was too blinded by love for Jeremy.
Hailey let out a slow breath. "Alright. So, what now? You've got the evidence. Are you going public with it?"
A slow smile spread across my lips. "Not yet."
"Oh?"
"I'm going to make them regret it first." My voice was calm, controlled, but the venom was unmistakable. "I want them to feel secure as if I am still the dump girl, to think they've won."
"And then?"
"Then, I'll rip it all away."
Hailey let out a low whistle. "Damn, girl. You're playing the long game."
"I have to," I said. "If I expose them now, they'll just spin some sob story, play the victim, and walk away with minimal damage."
Hailey hummed in agreement. "True. So, what's the plan?"
I slowly began to walk away from the Window without looking back, "ok, First step, I just did a little sabotaging for Ella's work. I am going to keep pretending to be the fool Jeremy knows
Hailey's laughter simmered down in approval. "I like it. Keep him thinking you're still the same Bianca who'd do anything he says. Meanwhile, you're tightening the noose."
"Exactly." I moved closer as I sat towards the bed, "I already started messing with Ella's work."
Hailey exhaled sharply. "Damn. You work fast."
I smirked. "I don't have time to waste."
Ella had no idea that by tomorrow, she'd be walking straight into disaster. I had already altered the figures in her reports, switched key documents, and ensured that the presentation she had to give.....one she was supposedly prepared for....was riddled with errors.
And the best part? She wouldn't even realize what went wrong until it was too late.
"Tomorrow, she's going to be humiliated in front of everyone," I said, my voice calm, almost indifferent. "She'll stutter, fumble, and fail in front of the very people she's desperate to impress." I said as I sat on a fancy couch placed at a corner of the room
Hailey whistled lowly. "And Jeremy?"
"He'll watch her crumble, and for once, he won't have me to clean up the mess."
A slow chuckle came from Hailey. "Bianca, I have to say it....you're a whole villain right now."
I smiled "Not a villain, Hailey. Just someone who finally stopped playing the fool."
Before Hailey could respond, a deep voice interrupted from behind me.
"If you want to use the bathroom, it's ready"
I froze. My heart did a sharp, unexpected flip at this deep, husky voice.
"Bianca," Hailey's voice came through the phone, suspiciously and sharply. "Who the hell was that?"
Shit. She mustn't find out about my marriage yet, not yet.
I scrambled to recover. "No one," I lied quickly. "Just… just a male colleague. Work stuff."
"A male colleague?" she repeated slowly.
"Yeah," I forced a casual laugh. "It's nothing. Look, I have to go, Hailey. I'll call you later."
"Wait a damn minute..." She barely finished her statement when I ended it.
Taking a deep breath, I turned around, only to come face-to-face with Derek.
He was standing right behind me. He was Close, just Too close. I swallowed hard as my gaze moved in between his legs, He was Naked. Completely Naked.
His dark hair still damp from the shower. His sharp gaze locked onto mine, unreadable, steadily.
My mouth instantly went dry.
I wanted to move, to step back, but my legs refused to cooperate.
Derek tilted his head slightly, his voice calm, and almost amused.
"Male colleague, huh?"