Viktor's piercing gaze lingers on me, as if sensing deception –but he says nothing more about it. The rest of dinner is tense and quiet, until Viktor finally nods to the staff –
"Clear the table. Our guests are leaving."
Ivan stands immediately, "Father, we should go. Everlore and I have an early meeting tomorrow."
Viktor's eyes narrow slightly, but he nods –
"Yes, of course. Goodnight, Ivan. Ms.Moore."
Outside, Ivan leads me to the car, his expression still guarded – when Rafael catches up to us.
"Everlore, may I speak with you privately?"
Ivan's eyes flash with warning, but Rafael persists –
"Please, brother, just a few minutes alone."
Ivan's jaw clenches, but he nods curtly –
"I'll wait in the car."
Once Ivan's out of earshot, Rafael smiles charmingly –
"Everlore, I'm smart enough to know
your engagement to my brother is fake. It is obvious that my brother never wants to marry"
I blush slightly out of embarrassment and nervousness, but he continues –
"So, I have a proposition for you... would you like to go out with me instead?"
My heart skips a beat and not in a good way.
Rafael's warm and charming, everything Ivan isn't.
I nod slowly, "O... Ok"
He grins, handing me his phone number –
"I'll call you tomorrow. Goodnight, Everlore."
I watch him walk back inside, before joining Ivan in the car – his eyes narrow at me.
I slide into the passenger seat, Ivan notices immediately. His eyes narrow slightly, but he says nothing at first, just starts the engine and drives away.
After a few minutes of silence, he finally speaks up –
"So, what did Rafael want to discuss?"
I turn to face him, trying to appear casual –
"Oh, just small talk. He's really friendly, isn't he?"
Ivan's gaze flicks to mine briefly, skeptical –
"Rafael doesn't do 'small talk' with people he barely knows. What really happened?"
I shrug lightly, looking out the window –
"Just making conversation, Sir. Don't worry about it."
Ivan's jaw clenches slightly, but he drops the subject – the rest of the drive passes in silence.
I glance at Ivan from the corner of my eye –
why do I feel guilty for talking to Rafael? I only agreed to go out with him so that he wouldn't tell their father about our fake engagement..
The car slows down in front of my apartment building – Ivan puts it in park but keeps the engine running. He doesn't turn to face me or say a word – just stares straight ahead,
his expression cold and distant.
I grab my purse and open the door myself,
stepping out onto the sidewalk – no goodbye, no courtesy, no acknowledgment whatsoever. Not that I expected any since this is just fake.
I stand there for a moment, watching Ivan drive away immediately – no hesitation, no glance in the rearview mirror. It's as if I was just a package delivered to my destination –
his duty fulfilled, no further interaction required.
I shake my head slightly, turning to walk into my apartment building – Ivanov truly lives up to his heartless reputation, I still fell in love with him though. The night passes by and it is morning again.
I turn the key in my car's ignition – nothing.
Not even a spark. Dead battery. I groan in frustration, already running late for work –
8:47 AM, 13 minutes to spare... now none.
I grab my purse and rush out, hailing a taxi on the busy street – but none stop.
Just as I'm about to give up, a familiar black car pulls up beside me – Ivan's car.
The window rolls down, revealing Ivan's angry face –
"Finally. I've been waiting here since 8:30."
My eyes widen slightly,
"What? You didn't tell me you'd be picking me up!"
Ivan's expression turns colder – "Just get in, Everlore. We're late."
I hesitate briefly, then slide into the passenger seat – this is going to be a long ride.
Ivan's eyes remain fixed on the road ahead,
his voice firm but controlled –
"We need to discuss our arrangement, Everlore."
I turn to face him slightly, curious about what he'll say –
"Our fake engagement must be convincing.
Father suspects deception already."
He glances at me briefly, before returning his gaze to the road –
"In public and at work, we'll act like a devoted couple. Touching, smiling, the whole facade."
I nod slowly, understanding the necessity –
"What exactly do I need to do?"
Ivan outlines the plan –
"Hold my arm in meetings,
call me 'love' or my name affectionately, and sit close to me at lunch. Make it believable, Everlore."
We pull up to the office building – Ivan turns to face me fully, his eyes intense –
"Start now. We're already late. Take my arm and walk in with me."
My heart skips a beat at his direct gaze –
I nod, taking his arm as instructed.
We walk into the office together, my hand on Ivan's arm – all eyes snap towards us instantly. Whispers spread like wildfire –
some colleagues look shocked, others jealous or curious.
I smile up at Ivan slightly, playing my part perfectly – as his fake fiancée and real personal assistant. We reach the elevator,
and Ivan pulls his arm away abruptly – as if my touch burns him once we're alone.
The doors close behind us, and he turns to face the front – his expression cold again. I raise an eyebrow slightly, amused by his contradiction – playacting affectionate in public, but distant in private.
The elevator stops on our floor – Ivan steps out first, then holds the door open slightly –
waiting for me to exit before him. Back to boss and assistant roles.
The workday passes smoothly – meetings, reports, and colleagues congratulating us
on our "engagement" – I play my part perfectly, and Ivan seems satisfied.
We leave the office together, and head to his car. The whole drive is silent. We pull up to my apartment building – Ivan turns off the engine, turning to face me seriously –
"My father is visiting our 'home' tonight.
Or possibly even within the hour. No warning, his style."
My eyes widen in surprise – "Tonight?!
But I need time to—"
Ivan cuts me off, his expression firm –
"There is no time. Pack essentials now. We leave for my place as soon as possible.
Father must see us living together already."
He opens his door, getting out to follow me inside – I grab my keys, rushing towards my apartment door – my heart racing with urgency.