22

"Is something wrong, sweetie?" Dylan asked, noticing the expression on her face.

"No, it's nothing," Suzanne said, seemingly unconcerned.

"Good, because I want you to accompany me to an event," he said with a smile.

"I'm sorry, Dylan, but I'm not up for your crazy parties," she grimaced.

"Don't worry, this will be a refined event," he clarified. "Every year I usually go with Jamie, but always with a girl. You know, we have to cover up, no one knows we're gay."

"You want me to be your cover?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Jamie told me that lately his father is suspecting something, we need to act normal to dispel any doubt or rumor," he sighed.

"Then don't go."

"I can't do that, I always attend," he grimaced. "If I don't go, his family will find it strange that I didn't attend."

"Fine, I'll go for you," she said without much enthusiasm.

"You're a sweetheart, honey, I adore you," he said, hugging her effusively.

"When is the event?"

"Tomorrow," he replied.

"What a coincidence, Nathan also has an event tomorrow," she said thoughtfully.

"In fact, we'll be going to that same event," Dylan said, putting on his best innocent expression.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Suzanne frowned.

"Simple, I wanted to wait until you agreed," he tilted his head. "Is there something wrong with going with me?"

"Nothing, it's just that there will be many elegant and high-society people there."

"Something I'm not," she sighed.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you look like a queen," he looked at her with bright eyes. "It won't be hard, you're very beautiful."

"You're crazy."

"A crazy person you adore, right?"

"Right."

"Why don't you stay tonight? I'll order pizza and we can watch movies. Jamie will arrive past midnight, you know, because of his job at the club."

"Alright, I'll stay," she said cheerfully, letting her father know she'd be absent.

Fortunately, the nurse she had hired was wonderful and took great care of him, as well as Matty.

They watched a ton of movies, danced, ate ice cream and popcorn, until she started to close her eyes.

"Come on, I'll show you your room," Dylan took her by the arm.

"Thanks, I'm dead tired," she said, yawning.

"And I, I'm going to sleep, it's late," he showed her the door and kissed her on the forehead. "Rest well, sweetheart."

"Good night, Dylan."

When she went to bed, Suzanne couldn't help but think about Nathan's reaction when he saw her at the event.

**

She felt someone shaking her, opened her eyes lazily without much enthusiasm, saw her dear friend Dylan, and closed her eyes again.

"What the—?" he exclaimed, seeing how she settled back into bed to keep sleeping. "Suzanne Peyton, get up this instant or we'll be late."

"For what?" she questioned without opening her eyes.

"For what? It's already 10 in the morning and you still don't have your dress for tonight's event," he scolded.

"Oh, I forgot!" she exclaimed, opening her eyes immediately.

"Get out of that bed, you lazy girl!" Dylan laughed.

"Alright, alright, no need to shout," she protested.

She got out of bed and took a quick shower like never before in her life, due to Dylan's insistence. She put on the same clothes from the previous day since she hadn't brought any others.

Once she was ready, an impatient Dylan practically dragged her to the mall, and by one in the afternoon, she was exhausted, but managed to find a beautiful dress that, according to Dylan, fit her perfectly.

She still wasn't sure, having tried on more than half a dozen dresses, all of which fit her the same. According to her, she looked fat and thought she definitely needed a good diet.

This led her to think about Nathan. She struggled to understand how it was possible that a man like him—handsome, wealthy, and elegant—had taken an interest in someone like her.

It was a mystery.

Without knowing how or when, Dylan took her to a women's lingerie store, putting an end to her scattered thoughts for the moment.

"Look, sweetie," he said, showing her a very sexy and provocative red lace set.

Despite her objections, he bought the tiny set along with other accessories and under no circumstances allowed her to pay for anything.

According to him, it was his responsibility and a way to thank her for agreeing to go with him and Jamie.

When they got home, it was already 6 PM, and they immediately started getting ready, even Jamie, who had arrived early.

When she came out of the room, both were waiting for her in the living room. When they saw her, they stood up and looked her up and down in such a way that, if she didn't know they were gay, she would have been very nervous.

"I'm ready, guys," she said to break the silence.

"You look incredibly beautiful," Jamie said with a smile.

"You look like a queen," added Dylan, and without further ado, they set off.

They arrived at the venue where the event would take place. The entrance was crowded with paparazzi, which made her nervous and insecure.

Would they find out about her fake marriage to Nathan Strong? Would he approach her? Would everything turn into a disaster?

She felt like she could throw up, terrible nausea engulfed her, but she regained her composure and thought it was time to be strong, she couldn't falter just because of him.

"Come on, let's go down," Dylan took her hand. "And don't forget to smile."

"I'm nervous," she admitted, her voice trembling.

"Don't worry, once you're inside, those nerves will disappear," Jamie encouraged her, but she wasn't sure about that.

She gave a fake smile and nodded.

Dylan was the first to step out, then her followed by Jamie. The paparazzi swarmed towards her, wanting to know who she was and which of the guys was her boyfriend.

She threw a pleading look at Dylan, and he took her waist possessively, hurrying her along.

They entered the hall, and she was amazed by the decoration, everything was elegant and sophisticated, like a fairy tale palace.

She searched for Nathan and found him, but he wasn't alone: hanging from his arm was a beautiful redhead, who looked like a perfect porcelain doll.

She looked sophisticated and flawless, but it didn't surprise her; that was the kind of girl a man like him would take to an event like that, of course she had to be someone at his level.

She looked away, feeling hurt.

Jamie took her to his family and introduced her, as well as some of his friends who praised her for her beauty and elegance.

"Now I regret being here," she thought with a grimace.