Chapter Five

They left home together about an hour later. The driver stopped in front of a huge clothing store after a long drive. Alexander gestured for her to come down, and he led the way inside. The workers inside seemed to be familiar with him, but they all had shocked expressions on their faces when they saw a woman beside him.

Light murmurs soon filled the air. The boss appeared and greeted them. He was a short man in his mid-fifties or so it seemed, bald, and wearing dark glasses.

“A new secretary, perhaps?” He said after greeting Alexander and glanced over at Claire.

“No, Mr. Smith. She’s my wife,” Alexander replied.

“Your wife?!” He exclaimed surprisingly. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. It’s just that I’ve never seen him with a woman before, so the last thing on my mind was that you might be his wife.”

Claire smiled. “It’s fine.”

“Get her ready for the masked party tonight.”

It was a party for the elite in society where they come to have fun and build connections. Alexander got the invitation this time; it was always his brother who got to go before his father died.

“My pleasure.”

Claire looked up at Alexander, surprised. “What party?”

“This way, ma'am,” Mr. Smith said, and two other female workers gently pulled Claire along with them.

She was given a complete makeover, starting from her hair, and then the fittings for the perfect dress started. It took hours and hours, changing into different dresses and looks. It was late, and she was overly exhausted by the time it ended. She practically spent the whole day there. By the end, she was looking fabulous, like an actual billionaire’s wife.

Alexander came and picked her up. He was dressed in a black tuxedo suit that fit him perfectly, and the car outside this time was a white limousine, not the black Range Rover that dropped them off in the morning.

He helped her put on her mask, and he put his on too. She really liked hanging out with Mr. Smith and his workers; they were fun and easy to talk to. A small smile escaped her lips as she thought about her day.

“You have to make sure to behave properly where we’re going,” Alexander said out of nowhere.

He just had to ruin the mood. She rolled her eyes.

“You say that like I go around causing trouble all the time.” She replied but he said nothing more.

They arrived at the party, and Alexander’s presence was announced. They went in together, and crowds soon flocked over to his table to congratulate him. It seemed Claire was invisible as no one even looked at her and most importantly their marriage was not announced.

The crowd had disappeared before a lady came over. She greeted him like they knew each other, and they did know each other, but Alexander wasn’t sure.

“You don’t seem to know me. It’s Charlotte.”

“Oh, Charlotte.”

“I heard you’re the new CEO. Congratulations,” she continued.

“Thank you.”

“I would love to discuss some matters with you, but in a more private place if you don’t mind.”

“I’m not interested in private matters.”

“It’s business-related, but you have to dance with me first.”

He thought long and hard about it before he finally replied. “Just one dance, then we’ll talk.”

Alexander followed her to the dance floor, and all eyes were on them. Charlotte was all over him, doing things more than she should.

Claire, who was left alone, continued downing glasses of champagne in anger. “I don’t know anyone here. How could he leave me by myself?” she said to herself as she was about to down the fourth glass, but someone held her hand.

“That’s enough alcohol for the night,” the voice sounded from behind the mask.

“And who are you?”

“I’m hurt. I recognized you even with your mask on. It’s Charles, Alexander’s brother.”

“"Avoid them at all costs," Alexander’s voice sounded in her head, and she made a quick attempt to get away from him, but Charles held her hand.

“Did Alexander tell you to avoid me? Look at him; he’s over there dancing with some girl from a rich family, and he left you all by yourself in an unfamiliar place.”

She looked back at him and took her hand from his grip. “I don’t know what is going on between you and Alexander, but keep me out of it.”

“I just want to be friends with you, I promise.”

“Well, I don’t want to be, so please kindly leave me alone.”

“Choose your side wisely, Claire,” he said lastly and left.

“What about a merger between my dad’s company and yours?” Charlotte whispered into Alexander’s ear as they danced.

“Weren’t you engaged to Charles up until last month?” he replied.

“But I was engaged to you first.”

“But you left for Charles. Now you want me back?”

“Is it bad that I always want to be on the winning team?”

Claire was already not enjoying the party and just wanted to go home. She decided it was time to leave. She held her gown in her hand and was about to walk out when a random guy grabbed her waist; he seemed drunk. “You’re so sexy. Will you follow me home?”

Alexander’s eye caught the scene, and he suddenly stopped dancing. He dropped Charlotte’s hand from his body and walked over, swiping the guy’s hand off her body. “Get your dirty hands off her.”

Everyone around was surprised as they watched what was going on.

“Why do you care?” the guy replied.

“Because it’s my wife you’re touching, you fool.”