As she approached the gate, Vivienne saw Damien — leaning against the car, busy looking at his phone. Vivienne watched him from a distance.
He looked incredibly handsome in a pastel pink shirt and black formal pants. The shirt was tight on his muscular body, with the top two buttons undone. His neatly styled hair was a bit disheveled, giving him a careless charm. It was clear that he had come straight from the office to pick her up.
Vivienne sneered.
God had surely favoured him with a look that could make girls drool over him. Earlier, how many hours had she spent just staring at him, thinking that the most handsome boy in the world was hers? She couldn't even say.
But now, even thinking about those moments soured her mood. There was no love left for him in her heart — only immense hatred and an unquenchable thirst for revenge.
Vivienne took a deep breath. She had to hide her real feelings. She had to act. She had to wait — for the perfect time.
With a false smile plastered on her lips, she strode towards him. "Hi!"
-
Damien was immersed in his phone when her voice rang in his ears. He looked up and saw Vivienne, standing in front of him. A wide smile appeared on his lips.
"Viv, you look beautiful."
Vivienne smiled back. "Thanks."
Damien was always like this. Every time they met, he praised her. In the past, just hearing that would've made her heart race. But today, she felt absolutely nothing.
He opened the passenger door. Vivienne got in, settled herself comfortably, and buckled her seat belt. Damien sank into the driver's seat and started the car. He always preferred to drive himself. In moments, the car picked up speed, heading toward Ashford Mansion.
The short drive remained silent. Vivienne closed her eyes, keeping her mouth shut. The moment she got into the car, her anger flared. She embraced the silence to stop herself from exploding.
Damien was surprised. Every time they were alone, Vivienne talked endlessly, sharing almost every detail of her life! She cherished their 'we-time', but today, nothing — not a single word!
"Are you alright?" He asked lightly.
"Hmm.. why?" She replied, without opening her eyes.
"Well, you aren't talking... Did I upset you?"
Upset!
Despite her sour mood, Vivienne nearly laughed aloud.
She remembered clearly — in her past life, how he hated her constant chatter. How he used to order her to be quiet because listening to her gave him a headache.
"No! I'm just... Tired. I had a lot of work in class today. I just couldn't refuse Grandma's invitation. So.. I need a rest."
Damien glanced at her side profile; then lifted his left hand to gently stroke her head. "All right!"
Focusing on the road again, he said nothing else.
Vivienne didn't know why, but suddenly, her heart ached. There he was — always acting like the perfect boyfriend, the perfect fiancé. But she knew the truth. All of it was just a facade.
Soon, they reached Ashford mansion. As the car pulled up at the house's portico, Vivienne stepped out. A servant came forward and took the keys from him to park the car; Damien took her hand.
"Let's go."
-
Maria had an exclusive room for informal gatherings with her friends on the first floor. They walked up and entered the room together.
The room was styled in vintage elegance—thick designer carpets, huge wooden tables, cushioned chairs, and incense lingering faintly in the air. A nostalgic 80s charm prevailed in every corner.
The ladies inside turned as the door opened. Maria was seated at the center, surrounded by her circle of friends. She stood the moment she saw Vivienne.
"Oh, Viv, you're here! Come, come."
Vivienne smiled politely and walked toward her. "Good evening, Grandma." Then, offering a general nod, she added, "Good evening, ladies."
Maria's friend circle wasn't made up of commoners. These were the elite women of the older generation of Rontrix's society — matriarchs, political influencers, and business mogul's wives. Despite living outside the flashy socialite circle, each of them held silent powers behind the closed door.
Many of them had known Vivienne since childhood, and they liked her, genuinely.
Damien looked at them and said in a joking tone, "Well, I've delivered your chief guest responsibly, now my duty is done."
The women laughed, and Damien left the room with a chuckle.
Watching his figure disappear behind the door, Maria chuckled too. "Boys!" She said fondly. "He thinks his part is done just by driving her here."
A few of the ladies laughed and looked fondly at Vivienne. The room was instantly filled with the warmth of their love.
"Come, sit beside me," Maria said, patting the space beside her on the plush sofa. Vivienne moved forward and obediently sat down, crossing her legs gracefully. She knew very well that there was an unwritten rule in the elite society — if you want to be appreciated, you have to do graciously whatever you do.
"I was just telling them", Maria smiled at her, "that my Vivienne is going to make a lovely bride."
Again, that word — Bride!
Vivienne kept her smile. "Thank you, Grandma." Her voice was soft and calm.
"Maria, I've told you earlier," one of the ladies spoke up, "You're lucky that you're getting such a beautiful, well-behaved granddaughter-in-law." One of the ladies smiled brightly. She was Mrs. Parker, the wife of Louis Parker, the owner of the biggest private hospital chain in Rontrix.
"I really am." Maria replied. The ladies giggled in response, a few of them throwing warm glances toward Vivienne.
"Viv, I want to show you something." Maria began, opening a red velvet box from the coffee table. Inside, there was a set of antique jewelry, a ruby necklace in white gold. It originally belonged to Maria, one that she had worn in her youth. Now, it was being passed down as a pre-wedding blessing.
"Try it. It'll look good on you." One of the ladies urged.
Vivienne leaned forward and let Maria clasp the necklace around her throat. As the cold metal touched her skin, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror across the room. A stranger looked back at her — smiling, poised, elegant. Perfect in every way possible!
She smiled inwardly.
Perfect! Yes!
Perfect smile. Perfect jewels. Perfect bride.
A perfect lie.