Chapter four

EMILY'S POV

The stage was set.

The hall was decorated beautifully by one of the very best interior designers in the country. She proved to me that truly the millions I spent on putting this together didn't go to waste.

Everything was perfect to the T! She paid close attention to detail and left nothing out.

The theme was gold and white. To me those colours signified power and authority. Two things I was going to assert today.

The hall was dimly lit with golden lights scattered everywhere like stars in the sky. It was meant to give this cool, sophisticated and calm feeling.

The tables were adorned with flowers and scented candles and the food? Absolutely divine. The caterers worked tirelessly to provide the very best.

Everything was going according to plan, till he showed up.

A part of me doubted that he'd come. I sent out the invitations because it would look weird and petty to the media if I didn't. And if he didn't come it would have done me some good or bad, depending on who was writing the article.

Having my life at the mercy of the press and public was one of the things I hated about being an elite.

Ricardo walked in like he owned the place and still somehow managed to make himself humble. His grandparents followed closely behind him greeting other guests and acting like angels.

I could feel the guests' eyes turn to me. They were looking for a reaction, a facial expression, anything. But I knew better than to let my guard down. I knew what they wanted.

I wouldn't give it to them.

“Don't let them scare you Emily, I trained you better than that”. My mother whispered into my ear.

“You should know me by now, mother. I won't disappoint you, or this family. This is a battlefield and I will be the victor.”. She nodded her head slightly at my words and continued.

“Where is Rudy? He's supposed to be here by now”. She asked as she scammed the hall for him.

“He's taking care of a few things but he should be here soon. It's all part of the plan mother”. I said, trying to ease her stress. She turned to the direction of the guests.and plastered a big smile on her face.

She then stepped aside to greet the incoming guests while I quickly texted Rudy to make sure he was actually coming.

Naturally my mother thought Rudy would be with me throughout but I chose a different approach to show our fake relationship to the world.

I didn't want it to look fake or rushed. I wanted it to look like something that gradually fell in place.

A move to make people forget Ricardo's decision? No. I didn't want people to think that. I wanted people to think of it as a slow burn love story. The male lead helps the female lead through her sad state and they fall in love.

Of course it wasn't my forte, but the press would eat it up. It was meant to be subtle enough to get a few people talking but not too impulsive that they sense that it's fake.

That was my perfect plan.

I decided I would welcome the Marino family personally. A way to show the press that there was no harm done.

“I must say Emily you really out did yourself with the decorations although you could've gone with another colour though.”. Ricardo's grandmother said with a small smile. Her light criticism made my skin crawl.

I could sense Ricardo trying to avoid eye contact with me so I did what any mature adult would do. I stared him down with the fakest smile I could muster up.

“Glad you and your family could make it, Ricardo.”.

He smiled nervously.

“Oh dear I hope you're not still hung up about the events of the last gala. You know how business and family is. Ricardo probably felt the spark dim you know”. His grandfather spoke up.

“Funny I don't see Ricardo speaking at all”. I snapped back at their witty comments, catching them completely off guard.

“I see. Well the gala is a delight regardless of the fact that you had to plan it alone with your mother.”

“Actually.”. Rudy's voice came up from behind us and I felt his hand slide up my waist gently. I felt this warm sensation all over my body when his fingers came in contact with my skin.

“She didn't plan it alone. Good evening Mr and Mrs Marino.” He then turned to Ricardo “Good evening Ricardo”.

Ricardo forced a smile and returned his greeting. I could tell his grandparents were seething with rage.

“Well we need to get seated don't we”. They plastered on their fake smiles and left to go sit down.

“Thank you for saving me with a comeback. And where have you been?”. I said turning to him

“I was taking care of something. And you're welcome. That's what boyfriends are for right?”. He held my hands gently and smiled

Right

Boyfriend

I smiled back.

“Let's go greet our other guests shall we”