Chapter 15
55 vouchers
Elara woke up at 7 AM to sunlight streaming through her bedroom window and the box still sitting on her coffee table.
She’d stared at it for twenty minutes last night before finally opening it. Inside was a dress that probably cost more than three months of rent. Emerald green silk that caught the light when she moved it. Cut low enough to be sexy but not scandalous. The kind of thing she’d only ever seen in magazine spreads.
But it wasn’t just the dress.
There were heels. Gold. Strappy. Delicate.
A clutch to match.
And tucked inside the tissue paper, a small card in clean handwriting.
Dinner tomorrow. 8 PM. Be ready. That means it’s tonight.
No signature. Like he assumed she’d know who it was from.
Elara held the dress up now in the morning light. The fabric was cool against her palms. Expensive. Real.
She checked the tag. Size six. Perfect.
The shoes were a seven. Also perfect.
How did he know her size?
She thought back to yesterday. The driver who’d taken her to the salon. Who’d waited outside the hospital. Who’d watched
her climb the stairs to her apartment building.
He must have told Marcus the address. But the measurements? That was different.
Marcus had spent three years barely looking at her. How would he know what size she wore?
Unless he’d been paying more attention than she thought.
Her phone rang. Emeka’s name flashed across the screen.
She answered. “Hey.”
“Girl, don’t ‘hey‘ me.” His voice was loud. Dramatic. “You promised details yesterday and then ghosted me. I’ve been dying
here.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“So spill. How long have you been secretly dating the devil?”
Elara sat on the edge of her bed, the dress still in her other hand. “A while. We kept it quiet. You know how office romances
are.
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“A white?” Emeka’s laugh was sharp. “Babe, you called him the devil on Monday. Four days ago. You said he made your life.
hell
Shit.
“That was just to throw people off,” Elara said quickly. “We had to be careful.”
“Mmhmm. Sure.” He didn’t sound convinced. “So when did this grand romance actually start?”
“Can we talk about this over lunch? I’ll explain everything then.”
“Fine. But you’re buying.” There was a pause. “Also, you’re late for work. It’s almost eight. You’re usually here by now.”
Elara looked at the time. He was right. She’d normally be panicking. Racing through her morning routine. Skipping breakfast to catch the subway.
But she didn’t work there anymore.
“I guess being the CEO’s girlfriend has perks,” Emeka continued. “Not like he’s gonna fire you for being late.”
He doesn’t know I resigned, Elara thought. Or that I’m pregnant.
She hadn’t told anyone. Not Emeka. Not her mother. Not even Mimi.
Two secrets. Both ticking time bombs.
“Yeah,” she said. “Running behind today. I’ll see you at lunch?”
“One PM. Don’t bail on me again.”
“I won’t. Promise.”
She ended the call and walked to the bathroom.
Her reflection still surprised her. The new hair falling in soft waves. The lashes that made her eyes look bigger. She looked like someone else. Someone who belonged in Marcus Thorne’s world.
She showered and dressed in jeans and an old sweater. The last day she’d get to wear her own clothes before the wardrobe consultation transformed her closet too.
Her phone buzzed.
**Dante:** *Car arrives in 30 minutes. Be ready.*
Thirty minutes until her life changed again.
Elara made coffee and stared at the emerald dress hanging on her bedroom door. Tomorrow night she’d wear it. Sit across from Marcus at some expensive restaurant. Pretend they were in love while photographers captured every moment.
Her phone rang again. Unknown number.
“Hello?”
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19:53 Thu, 30 Apr G
Chapter 15
“Miss Vance? This is Andrea from Dante’s office. Confirming your wardrobe consultation at ten AM.”
Yes. I’ll be there.”
“Perfect. The car should arrive shortly.”
The line went dead.
76%
56 yourhers
Elara finished her coffee and looked around her apartment. This place had been home for five years. Small. Cramped.
Hers. Tomorrow she’d be packing everything and moving into Marcus’s penthouse.
Living with him. Sharing space. Pretending
The doorbell rang.
The driver stood in the hallway. Same man from yesterday. Quiet. Professional.
“Miss Vance. Ready?”
She followed him down to the black Mercedes. Climbed into the back seat. The leather was cool. The car smelled
expensive.
This was her life now.
Twenty minutes later they pulled up to the same building from yesterday. Fifth floor this time.
The elevator doors opened to a massive showroom. Racks of designer clothes. Shelves of shoes. Mirrors everywhere.
A woman approached. Blonde. Thin. Wearing all black.
“Elara? I’m Sophie. Mr. Thorne sent over your measurements. Let’s get started.”
For three hours Elara tried on clothes she’d never looked at twice in stores. Dresses that cost thousands. Blouses made
from silk. Pants tailored perfectly.
Sophie watched like a hawk. Adjusting hems. Suggesting different cuts and colors.
“This one for daytime events.” A cream dress that fit like it was made for her.
“This for evenings.” A black cocktail dress that hugged every curve.
By the time they finished, Sophie had selected fifteen complete outfits. Day wear. Evening wear. Shoes and accessories for
each one.
“Everything will be delivered to Mr. Thorne’s penthouse tomorrow morning.” Sophie said.
His penthouse. Where she’d be living.
“Thank you.”
The driver was waiting downstairs. He opened the door and Elara climbed in.
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The phone but a car pulled away
*****where as yoit? it’s 1.1%. P’m starving
Shut She’d hugolton about humch
“Elara” “Semething came up. Can we reschedule please?
**Emmeka.” “You’re killing me. But line
she locked her phone and leaned back
Tomorrow. The engagement announcement. The date. Moving in.
Everything was moving too fast.
The car stopped at her building. Elara climbed the stairs to her apartment.
Inside, the emerald dress still hung on her bedroom door. The note sitting on her coffee table.
*Dinner tomorrow. 8 PM. Be ready.” She have to start getting ready early before 8pm cause it’s tonight.
She touched the silk fabric. It was soft. Real. The kind of dress that demanded confidence just to wear.
Marcus had picked this. Knew her size. Knew what would look good on her.
How long had he been paying attention?
Her phone buzzed.
Just saw your Instagram. New hair? You look amazing! What’s happening?”
Elara smiled.
**Elara:** *Long story. I’ll call you soon.”
*Mimi:** *You better. Love you.”
**Elata:** *Love you too.”
She set her phone down and stared at the dress.
Tomorrow night she’d wear it. Sit across from Marcus at dinner. Let photographers capture them together. Sell the lie.
And somehow she’d have to keep pretending this was just business.
Even though something in her chest was starting to feel dangerously real.
The fouched her stomach still flat. Still hiding the secret growing inside her.
* didn’t know about the baby. Besides I’m literally a size 6, so I wouldn’t even show until 3-4 months gone but until then i naver to figure out what I want to do about the baby, she thought to herself.
19:53 Thu, 30 Apr 
Chapter 15
What if he doesn’t accept it? What if he gets angry? Anyways i’ll cross the bridge when i get there, she said.
And she needed to keep quiet and keep it to herself.
At least for now.
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