7

7

~Velma’s POV

I watched as the attendants began pulling garments from the racks, fabrics sliding through their hands like liquid silk. “This one,” Theron said, pointing at a deep emerald gown. “Yes. That one will fit her.”

The gown was incredible. Soft satin that shimmered in the light, hugging the right curves, flowed gracefully down to the floor. I tried to protest, murmuring, “I… I don’t…”

Theron shook his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “You will look beautiful. Stop worrying.”

The attendants helped me out of my plain clothes and slipped the gown over me. The moment it touched my skin, it felt like armor, soft, protective, yet completely luxurious. I twirled slightly, watching the fabric catch the light.

Then came the shoes. My eyes widened as one of the attendants knelt and presented a pair of stiletto heels, black with sparkling details that caught the light with every movement. I had never worn heels this high. My hands shook as they helped me step into them. My legs wobbled at first, but Theron’s gaze was steady, almost challenging me to stand tall. I straightened my back, breathing deeply, feeling a strange surge of power through the unfamiliar stance.

Next was the bag. A small, elegant clutch, sleek black leather with gold trim. It fit perfectly in my hand, and I couldn’t help but marvel at how polished it made me look.

He merely smiled, a slow, confident curl of his lips. “It’s so perfect.”

Then came the makeup. The attendants worked efficiently, brushing and blending, highlighting my features that I had always thought ordinary. My eyes seemed to deepen, lashes thickened and curled, and my cheekbones were accentuated just enough to make me look strong and elegant at the same time. The color on my lips was soft but bold.

Finally, my hair. My long, dark hair was washed, blow-dried, and curled into soft waves that framed my face perfectly. Each strand seemed to fall exactly where it should, glimmering under the lights.

I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror they had positioned in front of me, and I looked so beautiful.

Theron circled me slowly, inspecting every detail. “Perfect,” he said finally, his voice low. “Now you are ready.”

He straightened, giving a slight nod to the driver waiting outside. “Come,” he said, his voice calm but commanding.

I shook my head almost immediately. “No. I… I can’t just go. I need to know what’s happening first,” I said, my voice trembling but firm. “Yes, I made you miss your flight, but that doesn’t mean you can do… this…dressing me up, making me… do whatever you want. I need an explanation!”

He let out a long, quiet sigh, running a hand through his hair. “I will explain everything in the car. We don’t have much time, and I need you with me. That’s all I’m saying for now.”

I shook my head again, stepping back instinctively. “No. I can’t. I need to know what you want from me, why this is happening. You can’t just….”

He paused, his dark eyes studying me like he was measuring my resolve. Then, slowly, he returned to the couch and sank back into it. He gave a small signal, and the attendants quietly left the room. Suddenly, the emptiness of the space made me realize something: he must be… someone significant in this city. Why else would all of this happen?

He leaned forward slightly, fixing me with his gaze. “Have a seat,” he said, his voice softer now, almost patient. I hesitated, but something in his tone made me comply.

Once I settled, he gave me a small nod. “I’m Theron,” he said, offering a rare, faint smile. “And you are?”

“Velma,” I answered, my voice small, unsure why I felt the need to respond fully.

He nodded again, this time with a little more weight, as if my name carried meaning for him now. “Velma… I need you,” he said quietly, leaning back in his seat. “Tonight. At the art gallery auction. I want you by my side. My parents will be there, and I need you to be my partner.”

My stomach dropped. I blinked, completely shocked, my hands gripping the edge of the chair. “Your… partner?” I repeated, my voice catching in my throat. “I… I don’t even understand…”

I stared at him, still trying to process what he had just said. “Wait… you want me to…what? Be your partner… your… wife for tonight?” My voice wobbled, disbelief cracking through every word.

Theron’s expression softened slightly, though there was still that calm, measured strength behind his dark eyes. “My parents… they’ve been pestering me for years to settle down. They even tried matchmaking, pairing me with ladies I wasn’t interested in. I wasn’t ready… still not ready, really. But tonight, I need someone to show up as my partner. Someone I can trust.”

I crossed my arms, skeptical and annoyed. “You don’t even know me. And suddenly you want to introduce me as… what, exactly? Your girlfriend?” My voice carried all the disbelief and frustration I felt, a mix of nerves and anger twisting in my stomach. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. How did he just assume I would agree to something so outrageous? I barely knew him, and yet he expected me to step into this world, pretend to be someone I wasn’t, just for him and his parents.

His mouth twitched, almost like he was trying not to smile. That faint smirk only made my irritation deepen. “I’ll pay you handsomely for your time tonight,” he said casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

I blinked, my jaw dropping. “Excuse me? Handsomely? I offered to pay for my own medical bills, which you refused, and now… all of a sudden, you’re paying me? Do you even hear yourself?” My voice rose, frustration and offense spilling out of me. I felt my cheeks flush, heat rising to my neck. How dare he treat me like this, like I could be bought so easily?

He raised a hand, a small, apologetic tilt of his head. “If that sounded offensive… I apologize. That wasn’t my intention.” His tone was calm, measured, but I could sense the control behind it, the kind of power that made people listen without thinking.

He leaned back slightly, like he was studying me, gauging my reaction. “My flight… it was meant to meet the person I actually hired for tonight. But I missed it… because of you.”

I froze, letting the words sink in. My heart thumped loudly, my chest tightening. “Because of me?” I echoed, my voice sharp, suspicious. “Wait… you expect me to just… fill in? Because you missed a flight? That’s… ridiculous.”

“Don’t… try to manipulate me,” I added, my tone trembling with anger. I shook my head, unable to hide the disbelief. “So, wait. Will your parents actually believe this? That you’re… married or dating this person? Or do you just… lie to them?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking; my curiosity tangled with fear.

He leaned back, dark eyes unreadable, watching me as if he could see straight through my thoughts. “It’s complicated. But no… it won’t go beyond tonight. My parents will believe it just enough for the event.”

“This is crazy,”