The great performance

Sophie

I stopped walking when I got to the garden and took a seat on one of the chairs. She sat opposite me.

I gave her a fake smile "Indeed, it was Cassio who gave the order, not me. You know I would never deny your entry to the house"

She seemed to calm down after that and I smirked inwardly.

"So, about the fundraiser we are attending today. Are you still going? Because you aren't dressed for it" She looked at my attire before shaking her head in disapproval.

"The event is very important because it's going to help lots of animals over the country" She said but I knew the real reason the event was created.

It was all a front anyway, a polished excuse to drain money from the wealthy and funnel it into Lucas's growing empire.. I would never be part of that anymore.

I held my head as if in pain "I drank too much last night and still hung over. You can go alone for today. I need to sleep in"

Piper shot out of her seat in anger and when I raised a brow at her, she sat back while giving me a strained smile.

"No, you can't do that. We promised to go together" She spoke through clenched teeth, barely containing her anger.

I shrugged "That was before I got drunk. I need to sleep it off or you want me to be in pain all day?" I challenged.

"What about Lucas? He'll be sad if you can't attend" Her voice is softer now, manipulative, she thought I'd change my mind if she mentioned him. Well, the old me would have done that because she was stupid.

"Oh, is he the one hosting the event?" I asked innocently and watched as her lips pressed into a thin line.

"You can go in my place and explain to him how sick I am. He loves me so much so he'll understand"

I could see that she had something to say but thought against it. She must have realised she wasn't going to win, so she tried another angle.

"What about the money then? You know I'm not as rich as you are, so I can't really help"

The audacity to ask me for money.

Time for the ultimate performance.

I let out a slow breath, lowering my gaze as if her words had truly affected me. But I was actually trying to gather tears. When I was sure my eyes were glazed over with unshed tears, I looked up at her.

“You're right.." I murmured softly. “I've been selfish and didn't think about your situation”

Piper's eyes lit up instantly. Hooked.

“I didn't even think about how this would affect Lucas or you" I continued, my voice laced with guilt. The tears were about to start dropping.

She leaned forward slightly, anticipation flickering across her face.

Good.

I clasped my hands together, fingers trembling just enough to sell it.

“The truth is, things aren't as they seem.”

Her brows furrowed "What do you mean?”

I hesitated, glancing around like I was afraid someone might overhear. Then I leaned closer, lowering my voice.

“I've been cut off.”

The words landed exactly how I wanted them to.

Piper blinked“What?”

I nodded, swallowing hard. A tear drop landed on my cheek.

“My accounts are frozen.... My grandfather suspected something was wrong with the way I was spending money....”I chocked. "So, he froze it"

Her face drained of color.

Perfect.

“I didn't want anyone to know" I added quickly. “Not even Lucas. If word gets out, People would talk. You know the people in our circle. They always gossip. They'll probably make up rumours about me”

Piper leaned back slowly, her earlier confidence cracking.

I pressed my hands to my temple.

“That's why I can't go today. If I go out, I'll have to spend money. And what would happen when people realised the granddaughter of the great Hayes family is broke?”

Silence stretched between us.

I could practically see the calculations running through her head.

Money. Risk. Reputation.

And most importantly, what she stood to lose. She probably told everyone she was going to spend tons of money. Like she always did but I was the one always draining my bank for her.

“I..I didn't know" She said finally, her voice no longer as steady.

“Of course you didn't”I replied gently. “I made sure no one did”

She stood up again, but this time there was no anger in her movements, only unease.

“Then, I should go,” she said quickly. “I'll handle things at the fundraiser. You just.. rest.”

I nodded, offering her a faint, grateful smile.

“Please explain things to Lucas carefully. I don't want him worrying.”

“Of course,”she said, already halfway turned away.

“And Piper?”

She paused.

I tilted my head slightly, my expression soft but my eyes sharp.

“Let's keep this between us.”

She swallowed.“Yes.. of course.”

I watched her walk away, her steps just a little too fast to be considered calm.

The moment she disappeared from sight, the weakness drained from my body completely.

I stood up then cleaned my face before turning to head back into the house.

I needed to eat breakfast.

The dining room was quiet when I stepped in, sunlight spilling through the tall windows and casting a soft glow over the polished table.

Breakfast had already been laid out, Coffee, Pastries, and Fresh Fruits.

After all that acting, I was starving but I wasn't going to eat without Cassio.

I glanced around and saw Trisha still in the kitchen, so I went to her.

"Have you told Cassio you made breakfast?"

She turned to me, looking slightly startled. I've forgotten I learnt to walk quietly in my past life.

"I haven't told him yet, I assumed you would want to tell him yourself"

I raised a brow at that.

She grinned. That was strange since we never had a good relationship in the past.

She looked away, sheepishly "I kind of overheard you speaking to Miss Anderson and assumed you were going to cut her off. Or was I wrong?"

I wasn't even angry after hearing what she did. "You are right. She's no longer allowed into this house. Tell the people at the gate too"

Her face brightened "Thank God, finally!" Then she turned back to what she was doing.

I too went in search of my husband who was probably hiding away in his study.

When I got to his study door, I knocked two times before opening the door.

I stepped into the study and looked around. I had never been here before because of my previous dislike for him.

The theme was dark but classy and suited him perfectly. It's exactly as I would have pictured his study look like.

But I couldn't find him behind the desk which was surprising because I was sure he'd be in this room.

"What are you looking for?" I startled at the voice and when I turned, he was there, looming over and watching me with furrowed eyes.

He had changed into a black T-shirt and black pants and he was barefooted.

I gave a smile which he didn't return. Of course.

"Trisha made breakfast and I thought we should eat together"

"Are you still hung over?"

I shook my head but he didn't seem to believe me.

"Why do you want us to eat together when we've never done it before?"

Good question. One that I have no answer to because if I told him I want us to eat together because I wanted to mend our relationship, that would be too suspicious.

He walked around me and went to his desk. Then he took a seat before looking back to me.

"You can go have your breakfast, I will have mine later" Then he focused on the files on the desk.

I sighed.

Seems I would have to try another day.

"Remember to eat your breakfast" I told him as I headed for the door. He only replied with a hmmm.

If he thought I was going to give up, he was surly mistaken. I would bother him everyday until he eventually give in.