Nine

NADIA POV

“Welcome to the sixth annual fundraiser hosted by the Callahan Foundation,” the host announced. “And tonight, we are pleased to have the man behind this remarkable foundation and his lovely wife, Mr Drew Callahan and Mrs Isabella Callahan.”

The host gestured towards our table, drawing everyone’s attention. Drew smiled and gave a small wave, and I followed suit, smiling at the crowd as the applause filled the hall.

The programme continued, with the host introducing a few more guests before inviting the first speaker onto the stage. I settled back in my chair, looking around the room while trying not to appear too interested in everything happening around me.

Everyone seemed to know Drew. People kept coming over to greet him, congratulate him on the foundation’s work or talk about business. And every single time, he introduced me as his wife, his hand resting on the back of my chair as though it belonged there.

I was slowly getting used to hearing the name Isabella, but I couldn’t say the same about having so many people looking at me.

“Are you alright?” Drew asked, leaning closer.

I turned to him. “Yes. Why?”

“You’ve barely touched your drink,” he said.

I glanced at the glass in front of me. “I’m fine. Just watching.”

“Watching what?”

“Everyone. It’s interesting how people suddenly become so friendly when they want something from you.”

A small smile appeared on his face. “You’ll get used to it.”

“I’m not sure I want to.”

He was about to say something when a woman approached our table. She looked to be in her fifties, dressed in a navy-blue gown with a diamond necklace around her neck.

“Drew!” she greeted warmly, leaning down to kiss his cheek. “It’s lovely to see you. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about the rest of us.”

“Good evening, Margaret.” Drew got up to greet her. “It’s been a while.”

“Far too long.” She turned her attention to me. “And you must be Isabella.”

I smiled, holding out my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise, dear. I’ve heard so much about you.”

I resisted the urge to ask what exactly she had heard. “I’m glad to hear that.”

She gave a little laugh before looking between Drew and me. “You two make such a lovely couple. I hope we’ll be seeing more of you at these events.”

“We’ll see what we can do,” Drew replied.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Margaret excused herself and walked away.

I let out a breath as Drew returned to his seat.

“See? You’re doing fine,” he said.

“I’m just smiling and shaking hands. I don’t think that’s particularly difficult.”

“Then keep doing that.” He picked up his wine glass and took a sip.

I gave him a look. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It is, if you stop overthinking everything.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one pretending to be someone else.”

His eyes settled on me, and whatever amusement had been there disappeared.

“No, I’m not. But I won’t let you mess things up for me either. So whatever fucking thoughts are running through that head of yours, get rid of them and get your act together.”

His voice was cold enough to wipe the smile off my face.

I looked away, deciding it was better not to respond. I should have known better than to forget what this arrangement was about. Drew wasn’t doing me a favour out of the goodness of his heart. We had a deal, and he expected me to play my part.

“Mr Callahan.”

I looked up at the familiar voice and nearly groaned.

Lucas stood in front of our table, with Sophia clinging to his arm like an annoying leech. He wore a smile that did absolutely nothing to make him look pleasant.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” he said, pulling out a chair for Sophia before taking the one opposite us. “I must say that it’s a wonderful thing you’re doing for these children. You’re truly a hero.”

Drew gave him a brief nod but said nothing.

Lucas didn’t seem bothered by the lack of response. His eyes soon moved to me, and he studied my face for a little too long.

“The resemblance is uncanny,” he remarked. I met his gaze with a cold look but kept my mouth shut.

“I must say, Drew,” Sophia began, turning towards him with a sympathetic expression. “Your wife looks so much like my friend who died. It was such a pitiful death.”

Drew’s eyes moved to her. “It’s Mr Callahan to you.”

Sophia’s smile faltered. “What?”

“Mr Callahan. I don’t believe we’re close enough for you to address me by my first name.”

The embarrassment on her face was almost satisfying.

Drew then turned his attention to Lucas. “I thought I’d taught you better than that. I figured you would at least teach your mistress how to behave.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Lucas said quickly, looking rather uncomfortable. “But she’s not my mistress. She’s, my wife.”

I almost choked on my wine.

His wife? They had actually gotten married?

I had to force myself to keep my expression unchanged, but the news caught me completely off guard. Sophia and Lucas? Married? I hadn’t seen that coming.

Beneath the table, Drew’s hand came to rest on my lap. His fingers gave it a gentle squeeze, a quiet reminder to keep myself together.

“I thought you had a wife?” Drew asked.

“She died,” Lucas replied.

Drew looked at him for a moment. “That’s unfortunate. How did she die?”

“An accident,” Lucas answered, his smile fading slightly.

“An accident?” Drew repeated, taking another sip of his wine. “What kind of accident?”

Lucas shifted in his seat. “A car accident.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Drew said, though there wasn’t an ounce of sympathy in his voice. “Losing a wife must be difficult.”

“Yeah,” Lucas replied, looking down at his glass.

“I can tell.” Drew’s gaze shifted from him to Sophia before he reached for my hand across the table. He brought it to his lips and kissed my knuckles.

“I honestly don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to my Isa,” he said, his voice softening as he looked at me. “I wouldn’t be able to bear losing her. And I certainly wouldn’t be in a hurry to marry someone else.”

I nearly smiled at the jab, especially when his eyes returned to Lucas.

Sophia seemed to catch the meaning behind his words, but Drew didn’t give her a chance to respond.

“Your husband must really love you,” he said, turning to her with a rather cold smile. “Anyway, if you’ll excuse us, it’s getting late, and I’d rather spend the rest of the evening with my lovely wife than sit here all night.”

He gave Lucas a knowing look before adding, “A happy ending on this beautiful evening is one I wouldn’t want to miss.” He even winked at him.

I almost choked on my wine. Did he just tell them we were going to have sex.  Before either of them could say anything, Drew gently pulled me to my feet. His hand settled around my waist as he guided me away from the table, leaving Lucas and Sophia sitting there.

I kept my eyes ahead, but I couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips.

That was one way to end a conversation.