In The Smoke-Filled Room

Violet stepped inside the darkened bar, her heart racing with trepidation and exhaustion. She had just finished a brutal day of being a background actress, barely scraping by enough to pay the rent. Her life wasn't glamorous by any means, at least not yet, but at least she had Tony-or so she thought. For three long years, she'd looked after him through thick and thin, whenever he needed help and nobody else was there to provide it. Now, Tony had invited her here, claiming that he had something very important to tell her. She saw him at a small table; his new suit shone in the low light. He was different-confident, even arrogant. Violet came up to him with a hopeful smile, but it faded away when Tony hardly noticed her.

"Hi, Tony," Violet said, sounding ambiguous.

"Violet, sit down," he replied coolly without looking at her.

She slid into the chair, feeling the weight of something ominous settle in the air between them. "What's going on?"

Tony sighed, adjusting his cufflinks like he had somewhere more important to be. "I've got a new job," he began. "Something big. I'm moving up, Violet. I don't have time for. this anymore."

Violet's brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean, Tony? What are you talking about?

I mean I can't be walking around with a common background actress like you anymore," he said matter-of-factly, his voice hollow. "I'm moving into better circles. This thing we've had? It's over."

Violet felt the air leave her lungs. "You're breaking up with me?" she asked in disbelief.

He leaned back and crossed his arms. "I can't be with someone that doesn't fit my new life. You have been great, but it's time for me to move on.

Soon, her shock turned to anger. "After everything I've done for you? For three years, I've supported you, paid for you when you were broken, and this is how you repay me?" Violet stood up, hands shaking, and shoved Tony in the chest. "Is this what I get?

Tony tumbled backward, knocking into a man at the next table. The man was decked in an expensive suit and acted, quite obviously, like someone of great importance. He didn't blink when the unexpected intrusion came into his line of vision. His piercing gaze shifted to Tony then to Violet.

Still furious, Violet grabbed a glass of water resting on the table and hurled it towards Tony but, in her anger, missed. It spilled all over the stranger instead.

"Oh my God!" cried Violet at once, hurrying over with a napkin. "I'm so so sorry! I didn't mean to! Please, let me clean that up!

He didn't even bat an eyelid; he stared right at her with this intrigued yet inscrutable expression. "It's alright," he said in this deep, composed voice.

Violet fumbled to clean up the water as Tony rolled his eyes and stood to leave. "I'm done with this. Move out of my way, Violet.

But Violet wasn't finished. "What about the money you owe me for rent? You said you'd help me this month, Tony! I won't be able to make it without that money."

Tony snarled at her. "I don't owe you squat. You're on your own now." Then, suddenly, he slapped her-hard enough to send her staggering backward.

Before Violet could process what had happened, this man in a suit was also rising from his chair. Imposing, his eyes locked onto Tony, icy cold, with a firm intensity.

"You don't touch her," he said casually but with an edge that made Tony pause. "And you're going to apologize."

Tony laughed, nervous. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

Clyde West," the man returned, advancing on Tony. "And I'm not asking."

Tony's face blanched at the mention of the name. Clyde West was a name one knew-the powerful CEO of West Media, a man with enough influence to crush anyone beneath him. But Tony, still brash to a great degree, swung a glass in Clyde's direction.

In one swift move, Clyde caught Tony's wrist in mid-swing and twisted it behind his back, forcing him over the table. Tony yelped as Clyde leaned down, speaking in a low, strong tone.

"You're going to apologize to her for what you did."

Tony gritted his teeth as a strained tone shook through his voice. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have hit you, Violet. I'm sorry!

Clyde released him, and Tony scrambled to his feet, his face humiliated and in pain as he ran out of the bar without looking back.

Violet just stood there, still clutching the napkin in her hand as her cheek pulsed from the slap. She could not believe what had just happened. "I. I don't know what to say. Thank you," she stuttered, looking up at Clyde.

Clyde smoothed his suit, features softening just a little. "It's okay. Nobody should be talking to you that way." He looked around the bar, as if to make sure no more problems were coming.

There was a moment of silence before Clyde faced her again, something unreadable in his eyes. "Your name is Violet, right?"

"Yeah." she said guardedly. "How'd you know that?

"I overheard," Clyde said, his eyes intensifying. "It's just. you remind me of someone."

Violet frowned, puzzled. "Who?"

Clyde's voice came low, hesitant to answer. "My sister. Her name was Violet too, and she's been missing for years. My father. he's dying, and his last wish is to see her. He hasn't got much time left.

Violet blinked, not quite sure what direction this conversation was taking. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said softly.

Clyde moved closer, his gaze clinging to hers. "I have a proposition for you. I need someone to pose as my sister, just for a while. My father's too sick to know the truth, and all I want is to fulfill his last dying wish. If you do this for me, I'll pay you. let's say, a million dollars a day.

Violet's mouth gaped open. "A million dollars a day? Just to play the role of being your sister?"

Clyde nodded. "All you have to do is act like her, convince him you are Violet, and give him peace before he passes. What do you say?"

Violet stared at him, her mind reeling. A million dollars could absolutely change her life. But was she really ready to lie to a dying man?

She swallowed hard, staring into Clyde's steady gaze, and realized this was no ordinary offer. This was the opportunity of a lifetime, yet simultaneously also carried one of those heavy prices.

"I. I don't know," she stammered.

Clyde leaned in closer, speaking softly but persuasively. "Just think about it. No one would get hurt, and you'd be giving my father the closure he's been seeking for years.

Violet's heart was racing. Was she truly capable of doing this? Of living with that sort of lie?

"I'll do it," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Clyde smiled faintly. "Good. We'll start tomorrow.