The next morning, my phone buzzed with a new email: "Family dinner scheduled tonight—mandatory for Rivera Corp image." My heart sank. Family dinners? With Ethan's parents? And here I thought our contract was simple.
Sophie noticed my expression. "Ano na naman? Nervous for the 'in-laws'?" she teased.
"Not nervous… scared. Hindi ko alam kung paano maging fake na asawa sa harap ng family ng CEO!" I groaned.
"Easy lang, Lara. Just smile, nod, and don't say anything too crazy," she advised. "Think of it as… acting. You're the lead in a drama."
I sighed, picturing the elegant Rivera mansion. When Ethan arrived to pick me up, he looked effortlessly composed in a tailored suit. "Ms. Mendoza, shall we?"
"Yes… sir," I said, rolling my eyes at myself. "Let's go impress your family."
Upon entering the Rivera residence, I was immediately struck by its elegance. Chandeliers, marble floors, perfectly manicured gardens—it screamed power and prestige. And standing there, with an aura of authority, were Mr. and Mrs. Rivera.
"Ethan, my boy! And you must be Ms. Mendoza," Mr. Rivera said warmly but with an examining glance.
"Yes, sir. Thank you for having me," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
Mrs. Rivera smiled politely. "Ethan has told us so much about you. We're glad you could join us tonight."
I nodded, heart racing. The conversation was formal, light, and polite—exactly what Ethan and I had agreed to—but my nerves kept tripping me up.
Halfway through dinner, I accidentally knocked over my water glass. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, blushing furiously.
Ethan quickly grabbed a napkin. "It's fine," he said calmly, dabbing at the spill. "Nothing broken. Don't worry."
I looked up at him, embarrassed but secretly grateful. His calm presence… it made everything seem less scary.
Then, a small misunderstanding happened. Mr. Rivera mentioned, "So, Ethan, how did you meet Ms. Mendoza?"
I panicked. Should I tell the truth? Should I lie? Before I could think, Ethan answered smoothly, "We met through a professional art collaboration. She's helping with some projects for the company's charity programs."
I blinked. He had saved me… again. But inside, I felt conflicted. He handled everything so perfectly, while I… kept stumbling.
Later, Sophie texted me secretly: "Your fake hubby is way too good at this. Be careful, Lara."
I laughed nervously, realizing she was right. Ethan Rivera was impressive. Charming. Confident. And frustratingly… making me feel things I wasn't supposed to feel.
That night, on the drive home, I stared out the window. Contract marriage. Public appearances. Family approval. Everything seemed… manageable on paper. Pero deep down, I knew the lines were already blurring.
And with Ethan by my side, I wasn't sure if I could keep pretending anymore.