Becoming Alessia Gage

Ethan’s Point of View

I adjusted the cuffs of my white shirt, straightened my navy tie, and took my seat at the boardroom table.

I could see the hatred in Alessia's eyes, and the anger she tried so hard to hide. But at this point, it didn’t matter.

This was not about her. It never was.

I brought her here for one reason: to control the narrative. To own the room. To close the deal. And to prove once again that Ethan Gage always gets what he wants anytime and any day.

Across from us sat Gerald White, Carl Mathers, and Emily Rowan. Investors who had built and destroyed empires. They weren’t here just for numbers and figures. They were here to size me up, and they could sense something wasn’t adding up from the very beginning of the meeting.

“Ethan,” Gerald began, calm but bold. “Your numbers look solid.” Tokyo exceeded projections. Milan held steady. But London... London is lacking alot….”

How could he say that? After all the effort, I had input. I muted my breath. I adjusted my sitting position, trying to hide the frustration growing inside of me. “Do you doubt my ability to deliver?” I asked, keeping my gaze locked on his.

Carl gave a tight, rehearsed smile. “Your skills aren’t in question. But investors want more than numbers. They want reliability. And lately, your presence has been... inconsistent.”

Alessia shifted, clearing her throat, papering herself for what was coming. But I ignored her.

“Are you calling me unstable?” I said, my tone carrying the authority of my words.

Emily leaned forward, her eyes locked on me. “There’s speculation. A sudden, secretive marriage. No press release. No public appearances. No explanation. You’ve gone quiet, Ethan. And in your position, silence isn’t power, it’s a risk. I hope you know?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Speculation? Based on what? That I’ve kept my personal life private for a few weeks? Are we really doing this?”

Gerald didn’t flinch. “We’re doing due diligence. You’re not just a CEO anymore, you’re a brand. And when someone like you disappears and reappears suddenly married to an unknown woman sitting right in front of us, it raises questions.”

That’s when Alessia finally spoke. Her voice was soft, but bold. “So if he confirms the marriage publicly, will that solve the issue?”

Carl nodded slowly. “It’s a start. Visibility. Stability. If the marriage is real, prove it. Show the world. That kind of confidence will reflect in the company.”

Her gaze dropped again. She hated every second of this.

And i didn’t care.

This wasn’t love. It was a contract.

“Understood,” I said coolly, standing. Alessia followed a second later. She remained calm and silent, her face unreadable.

I didn’t look back as we walked out of the boardroom.

Outside…

Alessia’s heels sing behind me, each step filled with anger and hatred.

“That was humiliating,” she muttered under her breath.

I stopped and turned. “Speak when spoken to.”

Her eyes flashed. “You’re unbelievable. You drag me into your world, parade me like a puppet, and treat me like I’m invisible.”

I stepped closer, my voice low and cutting. “You agreed to this for your father. That’s the only reason you’re here. So stop playing the victim. Play your part. And play it well.”

She stood there for a while, with her lips trembling, but she said nothing.

IN THE CAR

The silence wasn’t peace, but a silence that begged to be broken.

Then, finally, she whispered, “What now?”

I didn’t even glance at her. “Now? We give them the fairytale. Public affection. Smiles. Headlines. We become the perfect couple.”

Through the mirror, I saw her turn her face toward the window. As tears dropped silently down her cheek.

Good… I muted.

When we got home, Alessia dropped her heels at the door and jumped onto the couch like the bodies of the entire day had broken her spine. She looked exhausted, in a way that had nothing to do with physical strength, and everything to do with sadness.

I poured myself a drink, watching her from across the room.

“So,” she murmured, with a low voice, “when’s the actual wedding?”

I took a slow sip, then turned toward the window. “This weekend. ""Three days from now,” I said.

She flinched. “Three…? That’s too soon. My father”

“Your father, what?” I snapped, my voice rising in frustration as I cut her off. “We had a deal, Alessia. You don’t get to renegotiate how this works.”

She stood up, her voice so loud. “You’re not even pretending to care!”

I turned fully toward her, my tone cold and final. “I’m not here to care. I’m here to win. You’re part of the packaging. A beautiful image. You’ll wear the ring. Smile. Be my wife in every way that counts in public.” you should be grateful for that. I added.

“And if I don’t?” she asked, her voice bold.

"I stepped closer, my voice calm and low. “Then I reminded the hospital who paid the bills. And maybe your father’s peaceful recovery gets a little... complicated.”

She gasped, shrinking back. But I didn’t flinch.

“Rehearsal is tomorrow,” I added. A designer will come by. You’ll be fitted. You’ll be briefed. Be ready.”

I turned to leave.

“You’re cruel,” she whispered behind me.

I paused at the door.

“No. "I’m necessary,” I said, and walked out.

Later That Night

I found her curled on the edge of the couch, scrolling through pictures of her father from his hospital bed. The joy on his face seemed to calm her for a moment.

He didn’t know what she was giving up to save him.

Or so she thought.

Then her phone buzzed.

An anonymous message appeared on her screen.

Her hands shook as she read it.

“He knows. Your father is hiding something from you”.

Before she could fully process it, her phone rang.

A call from an unknown number.

She stared at the screen for a while before picking the call. what she thought she knew was about to be a tour in her flesh.