Novel & Cerita Perfect Illusion Claudia Tan

“It meant hiding. It meant waiting while you played the perfect image. It meant never knowing if I was the real deal or just another placeholder.” I stared at him. This man, this man I was going to unveil to the world tonight, was a stranger. Elaine, always so quick to exploit a moment of silence, slithered closer to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You can’t blame him, Del. You were too busy staging the fairytale to realise someone else was living in it.” A knock on the bedroom door jolted us. “Adelaine?” my mother’s voice called through the heavy wood. “Sweetheart, the photographer says it’s time. Everyone’s waiting for you both.”

Everything he does seems too perfect in Claudia’s eyes. “I’m your mate, Claudia Kendal,” he purrs, his voice dropping to a velvety whisper that makes Claudia to suddenly scream out loud. “Arrrghhhhh!!”

I pretend not to hear the cold amusement curling in Claudia’s voice from the side. “You think picking those dresses up will erase the stains?” she sneers. Her tone slices through the quiet—mocking, sharp, deliberate. I keep my eyes on the dresses. One by one. Smooth. Fold. Place back in the bag. Then suddenly, pain explodes through my hand as Claudia deliberately steps on my fingers—hard. My breath catches in my throat, a sharp groan escaping me. Her weight pins my hand to the floor for a long, agonizing moment before she lifts it, as if daring me to cry.

“Not when your emotions override logic.” The man let out a long breath. “Don’t play games with me.” “I never play games,” Claudia said gently. “I always win.” The man finally nodded. “I’ll wait. But don’t disappoint me.” Claudia picked up her bag. “I never fail.” She walked out of the room with steady steps, a thin smile etched on her face. On the other side of the city, Hellena had just stepped out of the television building where an interview had taken place. Several crew members were still busy packing up equipment. Hellena walked quickly, wanting to leave as soon as possible.

I was just Sebastian and not the Prince with duties, responsibilities and expectations to a people and a country. I stared into her beautiful grey eyes. The water had plastered her hair to her back and made her tan skin look naturally flawless. She was amazing in every way and I didn't wait another second to kiss her with passion and flare. My hands roamed her body and I pulled her even closer towards me. Her pair of breasts rested perfectly against my chest as she straddle me like a woman on a horse. Her hands went through my hair as the sweet melody of her soft moans sounded in her throat. Her hands then traveled down my chest, lower... and slower.

It was Shade's and I noticed that her lips were coated in green lipstick, just like her eyes and her name, shades of green. "My Shade." She croaked out before she pressed the phone to her chest and I shook my head. I repeat this girl is going mad. She removed the phone from her chest and slide it to the next picture. "This Tolani's lips can't be natural. It's too beautiful and perfect." Sophia scoffed, her lips twisting up as if in disgust. "Well, that's the only good thing about her." My mouth dropped open. "Haba na. Sophia. How can you say that about someone's child? O wrong now."

My parents immediately chimed in, "That's right, it must be fake! We've lived with Claire for so many years. We know her character. She loves Louis; she'd never hit him! This video has to be forged!" The judge stated that evidence verified by the court was completely authentic and could not be forged. "Well, even if it's real, maybe Claire's been paralyzed so long that she had a mental breakdown." I let out a bitter laugh. My family was really going all out for Claire. However, Claire suddenly widened her eyes and pointed at the woman assaulting me on screen, shouting, "Honey, I know who that person is now! It's not me!"

Bianca walked up to us and gave me a defiant smile. "Viviana, long time no see." Then she turned to Matteo, deliberately pulling up her sleeve. "Matteo, look." Her arm shimmered under the light. The skin was as smooth as a baby's, without a single flaw. Even the mole that used to be on her arm was gone. "The results are pretty good, right?" Bianca said smugly. "Your 'Youth Therapy' is really a miracle." Youth Therapy? I looked at Matteo.

Andrea scoffed, unfazed; he had a way of turning any woman on with just a few words. "Done..." Claudia sighed, the air in the room falling on her skin, giving her a relaxing sensation. She turned to see her garments thrown on the floor, and she was now sitting with the man she is enamored with, her legs spread wide. "Touch yourself…" Claudia nodded, swallowing hard, and gradually began to caress her clit, her gaze fixed on his, striving to please and excite him. She dipped her finger inside her moist, slimy cunt, and moans spilled from her lips.

he sulked. I couldn't help but laugh, but there was no warmth in it. "She's humiliated?" I scoffed. "What about me? Who cares about how I feel?" Elliot froze, surprised by my sarcastic tone. "Grow up and be more tolerant. Yvette didn't mean any harm." "Didn't she? Then why did she claim my plan as her idea?" "She’s not great at presenting. Maybe she phrased it wrong." No matter what I said, he defended her. His bias cut deeper than I’d expected.