Morning was cold and gray. Elena wore her most respectable outfit, with her makeup lightly applied and her hair neatly styled. She had considered letting her siblings know about the true nature of her relationship with Adrian beforehand, but quickly decided against it. They were not the best at keeping secrets, and she didn't want the extended family involved in the drama.
As she was finishing up with accessorizing, a FaceTime call from Lucas came in.
"Someone looks pretty this morning." He smiled, sitting up on his bed to have a better look at his girlfriend.
"Shouldn't you be resting? You had a long journey and need to rest before you start work." She said, trying to distract him from asking any more questions about her.
"Babe, I am absolutely fine. Tired, yes, but I'm doing great. I have already met with Mr. Steven, and we will be going for the suit fitting today. He wants to capture the raw moments of the wedding from start to finish."
"I know you would do great. I trust you."
"Thank you, baby. Now tell me, what are you all dressed for?"
"I have a meeting with an investor this morning, and I'd go to the bank later in the day to offset some of my bills." The words spewed out, much to her own surprise.
"You got an investor already, and you didn't tell me?"
"Babe, I actually got the call yesterday regarding the meeting. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner."
"Lena, this is great news! I'm so happy for us! And I'm so very proud of you. For working this hard and for holding on this long. From here on out, it's going to be good news all around."
"Yeah…"She whispered, looking away from the phone camera, pangs of guilt hitting her chest.
"I could fly back to London by next week to become the photographer for the day as you sign the papers."
"No!!" She screamed, "I mean, that's really not necessary. The investor doesn't even want a public acknowledgement."
"Is that so? Who even is he? What's the company's name?"
"Baby, I really have to go now. I'm running late for the meeting. Please try to rest more and take care of yourself. I love you."
"I love you too, and I miss you so very much." He kissed the screen affectionately.
"Okay, bye." She exhaled one intense breath. There was no going back from here. In four weeks, it will be over.
The Tube journey was like passing through other Londons. Grubby terraces transformed into classy townhouses. By Green Park station, even the air felt expensive.
Adrian's building was a glass and steel structure, rising with bullish defiance.
"Hello, I have an appointment with Mr. Hale," she told the front desk clerk.
"Name, please."
"Elena Ward."
"Okay." The clerk's fingers danced on the keyboard for a few seconds. "He's on the forty-second floor. Take this lift. His secretary would show you to him."
The lift glided silently. Elena saw the numbers climb; her reflection replicated in mirrors. She seemed unflustered. Composed.
The doors opened, and Elena met the smiling face of a young lady, whom she immediately assumed was the secretary.
"Ms Elena Ward?" She asked gently. Elena nodded in response.
"He has been expecting you. Right this way." She led Elena through the doors into Adrian's office.
He stood before windows, lit by the skyline of London. "Ms. Ward. Punctual." He flaunted his perfect dimples in her face.
"Let's get this over with." She sighed, not willing to give in to familiarity.
He gestured towards a glass table where the contract waited. "All as agreed." He walked her through each clause with glacial precision.
Elena's finger hovered over the signature line.
"Second thoughts?" Adrian asked.
His calmness annoyed her.
Signing in swift, economical strokes, the moment was over.
Adrian countersigned, then extended his hand. "Welcome to the engagement, Ms. Ward."
His hand was strong. Warm. Real in a way that made everything feel more unreal.
She'd signed her name to a lie. Now she had to persuade the world to believe it. Only then would the "breakup" not affect both her image and the gallery's reputation.
Adrian pulled out a ring from his breast pocket, placing it absentmindedly on the desk. She picked it up and slid it onto her finger.
"A car would be waiting for you downstairs. Payment for your hard work and discretion has already been processed. I'm sure you have a lot of money issues to attend to. Just don't take the ring off." He instructed.
"And when would this make the news?"
"By next week."
"Alright then."
"See you soon, fiancée."
Elena left Adrian's office, got into the car he had mentioned, staring at the diamond sparkling on her finger. Maybe being engaged to a billionaire wasn't as bad as she thought. A ring like this was, for sure, above Lucas' budget if he was considering proposing soon.
She immediately shook off that thought.
Comparing the arrogant, spoiled Adrian to her sweet, caring boyfriend was an insult to Lucas. He might not have been born into wealth, but he was everything she needed in a spouse.
"Where are we headed, ma'am?"
"Just take me to the subway. I'll find my way from there."
"I'm sorry, but I was employed to take you any and everywhere."
"I don't understand."
"I'll be your personal driver from today. Sir Adrian handed these papers to me to hold for you."
She tore the envelope open to see the ownership papers of the car, accompanied by a handwritten note that read, "An engagement gift for my feisty princess."
She couldn't help the gasp that fell from her mouth as she shook her head in disbelief. Agreeing to this arrangement was already condescending enough for her, and now being thrown flashy gifts felt even more insulting.
Taking deep breaths, she bit down on her anger, ready to fully step into her role of being a billionaire's fiancée.
She went about her business of the day with her new driver and car. Her debts, the mortgage, the bills, and the nursing home expenses were all paid in full. The gallery was finally saved, and she could now think about expansions.
No sooner had she settled back in the office at the gallery than her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number.
"Hello," she said after picking up.
"Elena, are you at the gallery right now?" His voice was recognizable. His tone was well layered with panic.
"Did you employ someone to spy on me, as well?"
"I'm sending my personal assistant over. He will be taking you to my house."
"I don't understand. Living together wasn't a part of our agreement."
"Look outside." He said, not willing to get into a long argument with her over the phone.
She looked through her window to see at least five people with cameras, sitting from across the gallery. "What? What's happening? Why are there paparazzi outside my gallery?"
"The news of the engagement leaked."
"Leaked how?"
"A member of my PR team must have leaked it to the press. Just get your things ready. He would be there soon." The line died, and her phone buzzed with articles.
The headlines were, "Billionaire finds love with an art curator", "Billionaire Playboy CEO rumored to be involved with a mere art curator", among others. A picture of the dinner she had briefly had with Adrian the previous night, as well as a photo of her leaving Adrian's office, was also going viral on social media. Some images had clearly zoomed in on her finger, revealing the diamond sitting pretty on it. Other pictures were of Adrian entering and leaving the Ward gallery.
Her panic was on the roof. What if Lucas saw this post? What would be her excuse?
The assistant came up through the underground garage, leading Elena back to the car safely. As they drove out, the paparazzi immediately recognized Adrian's car, taking pictures as it drove off.
The car came to a stop after a while, and she was led into the elevator to Adrian's penthouse.
The penthouse was nothing like Elena expected. No ostentatious displays. Just clean lines, neutral colors, and floor-to-ceiling windows, turning London into art. Minimal furniture, each piece carefully selected. It felt like him. Controlled. Revealing nothing. Things were becoming more real now.