The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing. Ethan Rivera had already left for work, leaving me a short text: "We have our first official public event today. Be ready by 9."
I groaned, staring at the ceiling. Public event. Fake marriage. Media. And me… totally unprepared.
Sophie poked her head into my bedroom. "You're freaking out, aren't you?"
"Freaking out? Understatement. I'm terrified," I admitted, grabbing my dress from the closet.
"You look fine," she said, adjusting my hair. "Just walk in like you belong there. Confidence, Lara. Confidence."
I took a deep breath. Confidence. Easy to say, hard to feel.
When Ethan arrived, he looked effortlessly perfect. Suit? Check. Hair? Impeccable. Aura? Absolutely intimidating.
"Ms. Mendoza, are you ready?" he asked calmly, offering his arm.
I hesitated, then took it, feeling a jolt of electricity run through me. "Ready-ish," I muttered.
The venue was swarming with journalists and photographers. Cameras flashed the moment we entered. "The Rivera couple," someone whispered. My stomach flipped.
Ethan guided me through the crowd with ease, smiling and waving. I tried to mimic him, but every step felt awkward. My hands were clammy, my smile forced.
"Relax. You're doing fine," Ethan whispered. His hand brushed mine as he adjusted my arm. The contact was brief, but enough to make my pulse race.
During the Q&A, reporters asked the usual questions: "How did you meet?" "Plans for the future?" "What's it like being married?"
Ethan answered smoothly, protecting both of us. "We met professionally. Our marriage is temporary, part of a collaboration for business and charity events. We respect each other and are committed to making the partnership work."
I nodded, relieved. I was amazed at how he handled everything. Calm, confident… perfect.
After the event, we returned to the office for a debrief. Colleagues whispered behind our backs, curiosity and admiration in their eyes.
"You handled that well," Ethan said quietly as we walked down the hallway. "Better than I expected."
I blushed. "I… tried. You make it look too easy."
He glanced at me, the corner of his lips curving into a faint smile. "It's easier when your partner knows what she's doing."
"Partner?" I repeated, heart skipping a beat.
"Yes. For this contract… and for today. That's enough," he said, giving me a fleeting look before moving ahead.
I walked behind him, a strange warmth spreading through my chest. Contract marriage. Fake smiles. Pretend partnership. Pero somehow, with Ethan by my side, everything felt… real.
That night, I lay in bed replaying every moment. His hand brushing mine. His smile. His calm demeanor in front of the cameras.
One year. One contract. One Ethan Rivera.
And somehow, I already knew… pretending was going to be harder than I thought.