Strangers In Spotlight

Sophie's POV

The red carpet was long, and the flashes of the camera blinded the eyes. Cipher's hand was placed at the small of my back. It was so light that you could barely call it a touch. To the outside world, we are the perfect couple, and I am sure the hottest headline on the news will be "THE BILLIONAIRE TECH MOGUL AND HIS MYSTERIOUS BEAUTIFUL WIFE". We were wearing matching colors, matching black, matching silence, and matching lies. I smiled at the camera, a smile I had practiced a million times in the mirror. The same smile had learnt to plaster on my face even without being happy.

Cipher pulled me closer and slightly bent over, he kissed my neck, which sent a shiver down my spine. His lips came closer to my ear,

"Raise your shoulder slightly, you're slouching." 

I nodded slightly, shifted the position, and did exactly what I was told to do. 

After posing for some more pictures, we headed into the ballroom where we were surrounded by ballons, gleaming crystal chandeliers, polished marble and sea of sophisticated people. The music danced through the air like perfume while i stood there checking out the men in their shiny tuxedos and the ladies in glittering gowns, high pony tails, heavy make up and pricey necklaces. 

I reached for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Cipher didn’t stop me, but he didn’t reach for one himself either. He rarely drank in public.

He rarely did anything in public that wasn’t strategic.

We walked side by side, smiling and nodding at familiar faces, the high and mighty of the city who adored Cipher and were intrigued by me, the mysterious wife no one knew before the wedding.

“Mr. D'Amato,” a deep voice said from behind.

I turned just as Cipher’s stepbrother, Julius, appeared from the crowd. Dressed in dark burgundy, with slicked-back hair and a smirk carved permanently into his face, he looked like someone born to ruin a good time, which is exactly what he does every single time. 

“Cipher,” Julius said, then turned to me, eyes scanning me slowly. “And the ever-elusive Mrs. D’Amato. Or should I say, the city’s best-kept secret.”

“Good evening.” I smiled politely.

“You’re like a ghost story,” Julius chuckled. “No one saw the engagement. No one heard of a relationship, and all of a sudden, the most eligible bachelor is married overnight to a woman with no background whatsoever. It's iconic and impressive at the same time."

“Julius,” Cipher said, his voice low but firm. “Don’t make a scene.”

“Just a compliment,” Julius replied, hands raised in mock surrender. “Mystery is very marketable these days.”

"His eyes lingered on me way longer than they should, which makes me very uncomfortable. He gave me is annoying smirk and then strolled away. 

I released a breath I wasn't even aware I was holding. 

"What the hell is he doing here?" Cipher grumbled to himself and walked deeper into the sea of people. I quickly followed without saying a word. 

Half an hour into the event, we were halfway through pretending. I had flashed a grin at a score of politicians, smiled politely at two fashion Supreme, and flattered a woman that her diamond necklace was beautiful so successfully that she promised me the name of her jeweller.

I was about to get another glass of champagne when I saw them. 

A couple. 

The man is tall, with sandy brown hair, with a fake smile full of teeth, he was wearing a well-tailored suit in navy color. Clipped to him is a woman with cheekbones sharp enough to injure your hand, red lips that curved in a sinister smile. 

They weren't more sophisticated than others; in fact, there was nothing special about their dressing. However, something shifted in me at the sight of them, and I could feel the same in Cipher because his demeanor changed as well. 

My heart started beating faster, something crept in my flesh, and I could tell they are not good news. 

And no, I do not know them even though they looked familiar. 

They were moving toward us, clearly coming to greet Cipher.

“Mr. D’Amato. Good to see you again.” The man extended his hand first. 

Cipher nodded curtly. 

“Arnold.”

“And this must be your wife,” the woman added, eyes glinting as they landed on me.

I took her in. The sweet, sharp, floral perfume of her came upon me. My eyes rested on her red nail, and then I noticed how she clinged to the man as if he were running away. My heart pounded louder.

“Have we met before?” I forced a smile. I couldn't help but ask.

“I don’t think so. Though I wish we had.” Arnold blinked, surprised.

Joanne’s smile tightened with her eyes narrowing just slightly.

“I just…” I hesitated. “You look familiar. Both of you.” There was a pause, just a beat too long before Joanne laughed it off.

“Maybe you’ve seen us at other events,” she said smoothly. “My husband is everywhere these days.”

Cipher’s hand tensed lightly on my back, just for a second.

“And who could forget a face like yours?” Arnold chuckled.

There it was again, that feeling. Like I knew his voice. Like my body remembered something my mind refused to.

“Maybe,” I said slowly. “Or maybe I’ve just seen you in my dreams.”

Joanne stiffened, just a flicker. Then her smile snapped back in place.

“Lovely to meet you, Mrs. D’Amato,” she said. “You’re quite the mystery.” She dragged her husband away, and they blended into the crowd, leaving behind the scent of something rotten wrapped in roses.

Cipher leaned in slightly.

“Are you alright?” he asked. I knew he could sense the awkwardness as well.

I looked up at him, searching for something in his face, but found only the usual mask.

“I’m fine,” I said, even though my hands were trembling. “Just a strange feeling.”

“Forget them,” he said. “They’re not important.”

But something inside me knew that wasn’t true. Something about them was important.

And whatever it was, it was clawing its way back.