RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Chloe Quinn

I wasn’t expecting any comment on my dress, everyone in the house looked elegant and one thing about rich people they make it look casual. My dress was a drop dead gorgeous dress but when I entered the house, it became like the rest. Jake’s mother came close to me, observing me like a queen staring on an object, I felt her sharp eyes on every part she landed them on.

“You’re even gorgeous up close.” She said softly and elegantly

“And what a rock? I never knew that Jake had this amazing taste.” She said looking at the ring on my finger.

“Im always extra when it comes to my heart,” he said patting my back gently. I smiled.

“How come Jake has never mentioned about you before?” She asked almost suspiciously.

“Well, we thought that privacy would have been very important for our relationship, you know how  the press can be.”

“Absolutely, privacy that’s something our family values deeply.”

“Exactly.” Jake said.

“You remind me of your father so much.” Said his mother getting a bit emotional.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Said Jake laughing.

I nodded, my lips curved , I felt anxious and a little bit overwhelmed. I reminded myself to calm down, it was just thirty bloody days and only me knew how much the money I was going to get was my savior. I had to play well the role I was chosen for.

Then came  cousins, uncles and the grandmother in pearls,who said I reminded her of an old friend of two decades ago, funny. Jake made quick introductions, his hand not leaving me, his voice steady, he was protecting me , or maybe himself.

We sat on a long glass dinning table, framed by white orchids every move felt watched every bite or sip felt like an audition.

“And Chloe, what is that you do?” Asked Jake’s mother, Evelyn Wolfe.

“I__”

“She is in hospitality.” Said Jake before I responded.

“Hospitality? Like in the hotel?” She raised an eyebrows.

“I’d say more like that, I have always been passionate about helping people and making them feel safe.”

Jake grinned without looking at me, he sipped his wine and held my hand, squeezing it gently.

“I like your hair.” Said Jake’s sister. She had been staring at me for a while now, unapologetically, she couldn’t take her eyes off me.

“Thank you.” I said beaming.

“ And your family?” Asked Evelyn Wolfe sipping wine.

“I thought we could discuss this later,”

“Alright.”

“Why not now?” Asked Jake’s elder brother,David Wolfe.

“She is not going anywhere.”

“ I think he’s right, we’re delighted to get to meet you darling.”

Said Evelyn, nibbling a broccoli.

 

After dinner, the family members started to leave one by one. I had to stay, it was already late. When everyone left, it was just me and Jake in the house. My heart pounded, I had not been with him alone, especially at his palace, I’ll call that a palace.

“We did great tonight,”he said unwrapping his tie

“Im glad,” I said sitting on the couch.

“Since no one found anything suspicious, I think you’re a good actress.”

“I tried my best.” I said

“You didn’t try my darling, you were surviving.” He said almost bitterly.

“I think now I can go home.”

“Im afraid you can’t.” He said looking at me with his sharp eyes. He looked very handsome especially when he became less friendly.

“Why not?”I asked.

“From, now on you will be staying here, I don’t want anyone to track where you live or come from, you know everyone saw your face tonight, we have to be careful.”

“Why is it a problem if they find out where I am from?”

“Well, you saw my mother, and my whole family, iwould be lying if I say that they like humble backgrounds. And this must be our secret just like we said in the contract.”

“Where should I stay? Sounds like it’s about changing my whole identity.”

“That’s what it is, you will be staying here.”

“Alright. But what If I want to see my sister?”

“You’re cosplaying a fiancée mu darling not a prisoner, you can see her but I will need to know every move you will be making to be able to protect you.”

“Fair enough.”

“Chloe, you’d belong here so easily.”

“Let’s not pretend that I belong here, we know that I don’t.”

I said meeting his gaze.

“You are not pretending Chloe, you’re surviving.”

“What happens if I thirty days are over?” I asked.

He reached out and touched my check his hand warm and strong.

He stepped closer enough for me to feel his breath.

“It depends on you.

I could’ve pulled away but I didn’t , it wasn’t bad. I wanted to stay where I was, for the first time in à very long time.

“Alright, I will show you where to sleep.” He said heading upstairs. I followed him. I loved the stairs. The staircase unlike anything I have ever seen. It curved like a ribbon, wide and tall with steps made of white stones that sparkled under the light.

I ran my fingers along the railing as I climbed.

“Can I ?” He asked offering me a hand.

His hand was strong and sure. I felt like a princess with her prince climbing the stairs. Entered a very beautiful room. He opened the door to a stunning bedroom draped in soft neutrals and elegant textures.

“This is where you will be sleeping.” He said

“ It’s beautiful,”

“If you need something to wear, I already bought something you might need.”

“ How do you know my size?”

“ Extra small?” He teased.

“Small.”  I corrected with a smile.

“Either way, if something doesn’t fit, we will change it tomorrow.”

“Sure, thank you.”

“Good night,” he said closing the door behind him.

“Good night.”

 

I took off my stilettos my feet were hurting so bad, It was a relief to stand on the plush carpet. I took off my dress, untied my hair and went to the bathroom. For the first time in the night I exhaled.