"Are you sure?"
Viviana stood before the mirror, hands spread out as she talked to the person on the other side of the phone.
[I'm telling you, Viviana, his side woman will be right there. He invited her to the event. I wouldn't give you uncertain information now, would I? Stick to the plan. Everything will go accordingly, I promise you that]
Her maids were working with care, one fastening the buttons of her dress, while another adjusted the lace of her cuffs. The third clipped a necklace around her neck, fixing her hair that fell to her bottom.
"I see."
[One thing that worries me though… Your stepmother. She's not going to like this]
"You do not have to worry about her. I'll handle her. Thank you, Sabrina."
The call ended.
———
Viviana stared at the Trinioda hotel. A project event was being held by her family, 'The Di-grassi family,' very well known across the world. She was what you'd call…the heiress.
Lady Viviana Di-grassi.
Dusting off her cream-colored skirt suit, she adjusted the gold chain belt strapped around the waist of her blazer and drank in a deep breath.
Her fingers clenched tighter on the strap of her black bag, and she walked up the stairs, heels loud against the marble floor as she made her way into the building.
The hall was already packed with people, each wealthy with a well-known background. Her father, Mr. Amadeo Di-grassi, and her stepmother, Mrs. Savannah Di-grassi, had gotten the entire event going.
Her eyes searched around, spotting the man she was looking for.
Fernando Stolov.
The man her stepmother had set her up with, offering no choice of saying no. It was a yes all through, and she couldn't back out of it.
Painting her face with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, she approached him, halting the very second he turned around to lock eyes with her.
Fernando scrutinized her from head to toe. And as much as this man may try to hide that derision in his eyes, she could always see it through and through, sparkling like stars in his gaze.
But her smile didn't falter. If anything, she moved closer.
"I'd assumed we'd be coming together, Fernando."
He cocked a judging brow. But then he smirked. "You're very funny, Viviana. Are you saying I can't come by myself now without you tagging alongside me like a handbag?"
He laughed, finding himself funny. "You're so embarrassing."
Viviana slightly tilted her head, eyes narrowed in silent judgement. "You always make such amusing remarks. I don't know how you do it—"
"It's what makes me attractive, sweetheart." He flashed her a smile, one that exposed the entirety of his teeth as he took a sip of his whiskey. "What do you want from me?"
She balled her fist. "What is that supposed to mean? Do you expect me to steer clear of you?"
"I'd appreciate it if you could. You're a beautiful woman, but that doesn't mean I want to stare at your face all night."
"What a shame." She sighed. "I have to stand beside you though. Or people will talk."
He gulped down another sip. "You're annoying me."
"Fernando."
"Who cares?" He glared at her. "Jeez, you know you can just run along like a good girl and not bother me throughout this event. You're irritating, and I don't think you need me to tell you that."
She snapped a look at him. "You—"
His phone pinged in his pocket.
Viviana glanced at his suit, where he proceeded to take out his cell and browse on it. She saw the change on his face, the sudden glee that glinted in his eyes.
Who was it?
His side woman?
"If you'll excuse me now, I have something to take care of other than tolerate your presence."
There was no expression on Viviana's face as he rushed past her, walking off in hurried strides. Jaw tightening, she slowly turned to stare at his disappearing figure.
A soft laugh, airy and carrying a tinge of venom resounded from her and she shook her head.
Fernando had always had a side woman, one that she'd suspected for a very long while but hadn't questioned and had chosen not to for the sake of the Di-grassi reputation.
It would be a shame to see in the headline that the heiress of the Di-grassi family was cheated on over and over again by a man she was given to in the name of a deal closure.
When Sabrina had given her the information that the woman would be at this event, that Fernando had given an exclusive invite to her, she hadn't believed it. He wouldn't dare.
But this man was Fernando. A cheat and a proud one. Who's to say he wouldn't?
So she came up with a plan. Who cared if she was in the headline? Her only aim tonight was to humiliate Fernando publicly. Nothing more. A whore of a man like him… surely deserves no form of—
"Are you ready to step up there?" The sudden familiar voice, commanding in every sense, snapped her back to reality. She turned to her father. "I want no mistakes," the middle aged man warned.
Her eyes narrowed coldly. "I don't intend to falter."
"Good. That's all I need from you tonight. Give a good performance. This project is important."
She drank cold air into her lungs.
"Let's give it up for the lady Di-grassi!" The announcement from the compére made her lift her head.
Applause erupted within the hall.
Setting her bag aside on one of the tables, Viviana made her way to the high platform and walked over to stand behind the presentation podium.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you all for being here tonight."
The guests clapped, many of them admiring her.
"This moment means so much to the Di-grassi family and those who've worked hard behind the scenes. This isn't just an idea, but it's a bold step toward change, growth, and impact. This project has taken two years, and finally, it is ready to be shared. Presented for the world to see."
She smiled.
"Please," she gestured over to the presentation screen behind her. "Have a look at what we call the project horizon, AB2."
Everyone shifted their attention to the screen, and as the light of the chandelier dimmed for the project display, what they saw wasn't anything of the project.
Rather, it was….