CHAPTER 6: True or False

A man strode out of the hotel doors, his movements sharp and deliberate. The confidence in his steps made it unnecessary to ask what kind of man he was as he exuded charisma.

His chauffeur, already waiting, hurried to open the SUV door with a respectful bow.

“Good day, Sir”. He greeted.

The man tore his gaze away from his phone screen and smiled cheekily at the bowing man. He returned his greeting with a playful slap on his back.

“Hey, ol' man Philip!“

The man jerked at the contact of his boss's hand but swallowed the pain with a shaky laugh. His boss hadn't lost his rough touch.

“It's a pleasure to see you once again, Sir”.

The man hummed, entering into the car with his gaze back on the phone.

His chauffeur noticed he looked bothered as he scrolled through and was curious to know.

“Is there something on your mind, Sir?“

He looked at him through the rearview mirror but his boss didn't meet his gaze.

“Not really… I’m just trying to piece together a puzzle,” he said, his eyes drifting to the window as he rested an arm on the car door.

“And what might that be?“

His boss eyes flickered between him and the view from outside not saying a word and Philip gulped, wondering if it was best he hadn't asked.

The man slowly smiled as he seemed to recall something.

“Have you heard the rumors flying around?“ He asked with a low tone.

Philip gave him a quick look before focusing back on the road.

“Uh….no?“

His boss chuckled deeply and his driver felt like shrinking on his seat. That….didn't sound good.

He exhaled sharply, “Allegedly, my brother has gotten married”.

It was evident in his voice that the news didn't sit right well with him but he hadn't expected silence from his driver.

His eyes immediately went to him with a narrowed gaze.

“Philip?“

The man swallowed, then cleared his throat to calm his nerves.

“Uh…yes. I heard the rumors. Is there…something wrong with it?“ He said the last part quietly beause he didn't understand why his boss was glaring at him.

“My brother”, he emphasized on the word, “suddenly marries a woman we’ve never met, never even heard of, and does it behind the family’s back. He’s been single for years, and then, just like that, he’s married. Tell me, how is that not strange?“

Philip looked sideways. Right.

“Okay. But, I don't think Sir Alexander would just marry a girl all of a sudden . They must have dated for a short while and he married her instantly”.

That was more logical, wasn't it?

“And he told no one about it?“ He raised a brow and his driver sighed.

Okay. That was the problem.

“I think…Sir Alexander would have the best answer to that question”.

His brother scoffed and reclined back on his chair.

“He'll be at the event today. Let's know if the rumors are true after all”. He said with his index finger tracing his jaw and his driver nodded.

“Yes Sir”.

Philip inwardly sighed, grateful his boss had dropped the conversation.

***

If there was one thing Rosa had learned quickly about the rich, it was that they loved to watch. They watched each other hawkingly, measured smiles, weighed words, read every actions and turned every glance into a quiet game of power. It was just piles and piles of people hiding their intents in the mask of smiles and petty concern.

Tonight would be no different, definitely.

The private event wasn’t just a get-together dinner, it was a battlefield in sequins and champagne. And for the first time, Rosa wasn’t standing outside looking in. She was walking straight into it… on Alexander Wade’s arm.

Could this life be more ironical?

By seven, the mansion was alive with movement. Stylists moved like clockwork around her like she was some rare enchantment. Her hair was styled, her dress fitted and her makeup blended to near perfection. Rosa barely recognized the reflection staring back from the mirror.

Had she always been this pretty?

Her gown was a sleeveless champagne gold silk, that clung to her curves before cascading to the floor. It made her eyes seem greener, her skin warm under the soft light. She looked… expensive. Eye-catching. Desirable.

And for a fleeting moment, powerful.

Mrs. Dill stood by approvingly.

“You look brilliant, dear. Mr. Wade will surely be pleased.”

Rosa smiled nervously. “He doesn’t strike me as the type who notices dresses.”

It would probably just be suitable to him.

“Perhaps not. But he’ll notice you”.

Mrs. Dill said softly watching the young girl blush. When she turned to the side to answer one of the stylists, the waves of familiarity washed down Mrs. Dill all over again as she stared at the girl's side profile.

Her brows creased. One thing she knew for sure was that her instincts never lied.

And they were telling her that she had met this girl before. But she couldn't just place where and when.

When Alexander appeared at Rosa's door, the air seemed to still.

He was dressed in a black crisp tuxedo, no tie, and every inch of him precised. Yet, as his eyes met hers, something flickered. A pause. Unlike him.

“You clean up well,” Rosa said, half teasing to hide the sudden rush of heat in her cheeks and pounding in her chest.

He glanced at her. One long, quiet look.

“You look okay. A bit different.”

Suitable would have been better.

She raised a brow. “Good different or bad different?”

His lips almost curved into a smile. “Dangerous different.”

The comment caught her off guard and there was a bit of silence between them. Before she could respond, he offered his arm with practiced calm. “Shall we? The car is ready”.

She slipped her hand into his arm, feeling the solid weight of him beneath the fabric as her heart had begun racing.