A Sham
**Sarah**
I was finishing getting ready when the doorbell rang, and I deduced it was Enrico because he had suggested a "romantic" dinner tonight at a trendy restaurant that was quite popular among the rich and famous.
He wanted us to be seen in public, and preferably, the press would release photos of us together, in a romantic atmosphere, because that way he could grab Rachel's attention.
I didn't refuse to do what he wanted for several reasons, one of which was knowing that it wouldn't bother my sister at all, and because I wanted to leave the house, and do something different, as since I arrived in London, my life has been limited to work and home.
Hillary didn't like going out and would trade any outing for a tub of ice cream, a bowl of popcorn, and a TV. It didn't matter if it was a series or a movie; what mattered to her was being on her couch, wearing an oversized t-shirt and a pair of socks.
I heard the doorbell ring again, and after giving myself one last look in the full-length bathroom mirror, I grabbed my handbag and went to answer it for Enrico.
"Don't wait up for me because I have no idea when I'll be back," I joked with Hillary as I walked through the living room.
"Okay," was all she replied, engrossed in the TV screen.
I arrived in the small foyer of the house still smiling.
"Hi," I greeted Enrico, who was casually leaning against the doorframe.
"You look beautiful," he complimented.
Despite the flattering remark, his comment didn't seem to indicate any real interest, and I genuinely thanked him.
"Thank you."
"Shall we?" he said, gesturing to the car parked in front of the house.
"Of course," I agreed, walking toward the vehicle.
Enrico let me go ahead, and when he reached the car, he opened the door for me. Once again, I realized that his perpetually cynical demeanor was just a facade to hide the genuinely kind man he was.
He got into the car, but even after fastening his seatbelt, he kept the car off, looking in the rearview mirror. I became curious about his strange behavior.
"What's wrong?" I asked when he remained silent.
"I believe that taxi parked a few meters away has some sinister intent," he commented, making me look in the same direction.
"Or the driver is just waiting for the passenger who requested his services," I suggested, not believing there was any real threat.
"I'm sure he'll follow us, and you'll see that I'm right about my suspicion."
He said this and started the car, all the while glancing in the rearview mirror. I smiled, finding his latest paranoia somewhat amusing.
"You may be laughing, but see for yourself how right I was about the suspicious taxi," he said after a while.
He gestured for me to look in the rearview mirror, and I noticed a taxi behind us. However, that didn't necessarily mean anything. Taxis all looked the same, and that one could just be another one, not necessarily the one that was parked on the street when we left Hillary's house.
"I see just a taxi, like any other," I said dismissively.
"Alright then," he finally said. "If you don't want to believe me, I won't insist."
"Great!"
He spent the rest of the journey in complete silence, while I was lost in my thoughts, specifically about Seattle, or maybe not. I met Ryan and Madison in the early afternoon, and we had a snack together because I only had an hour for lunch, and it wasn't enough time for a full meal, especially when we spent most of the time talking.
Despite that, Ryan didn't mention anything about Kael and what exactly brought them to London. I didn't want to give in and ask about the man who had treated me with petty disdain, not caring at all about my feelings. However, even against my will, I still held expectations for someone who didn't feel the same way I did.
"Here we are," Enrico said, bringing me back to the present moment. "Shall we go in?"
"Of course," I quickly agreed, trying to push those insane thoughts out of my mind.
Once again, Enrico opened the door for me and handed the car key to the valet. We both made our way into the restaurant, which was already quite busy at that hour.
Despite growing up with luxury and wealth, I hadn't had the means to frequent such elegant and expensive places since my father passed away. However, I didn't miss it. If Enrico had invited me to a simple pub, I would have appreciated the invitation just as much because I only wanted some distraction, nothing more.
After we were seated at the table Enrico had reserved and placed our orders, I looked around the restaurant, simply admiring the place, filled with well-dressed people, most of the women adorned with extravagant jewelry and elegant dresses.
I had chosen to wear a long aqua-green silk dress with a modest neckline in the front and a fully covered back. My hair was in a loose bun, a simple yet elegant hairstyle. I no longer had expensive jewelry, as everything had been pawned along with my father's assets, but I wore a gold necklace that my father had given me as a gift on my eighteenth birthday. Despite its simplicity, it held great sentimental value for me.
"Are you looking for someone in particular?" Enrico asked when he noticed me glancing around the restaurant once again.
"No, just admiring the place," I replied.
"I see," he said in a rather mocking tone. "Have you talked to Rachel?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "But before you ask, she hasn't said anything about you, let alone our sudden relationship."
Rachel hadn't said much about the subject every time we spoke. All she said boiled down to one piece of "advice."
"Keep him hanging as long as possible. That way, I won't risk him realizing that it was actually me who was with him in Seattle."
I could have taken that opportunity to tell my sister that Enrico didn't truly believe that story, but I chose not to bring more worries to her when her relationship hadn't truly taken off yet.
According to Rachel, Lorenzo was completely focused on his physical preparation and car training, leaving little time for them to be together, which made her quite unhappy.
"But she'll comment on it very soon," he said, confident. "You have no idea what goes on in your sister's mind, but if you really knew her, you'd know she doesn't want me around because she's afraid of letting her feelings take over and ending up suffering, no matter how it happens, because of love."
"If you say so," I replied, not wanting to debate that subject again.
Our orders arrived at that moment, and we continued our conversation while savoring our dishes, which I had to admit, were divine.
While we talked, a rather uncomfortable and strange feeling washed over my back, as if I were being watched by someone. Discreetly, I tried to look behind me, but I had no idea what it could be.
"I believe the person you've been looking for since we entered the restaurant has just arrived," Enrico's outrageous cynicism again.
I couldn't contain myself any longer at his words, and I ended up looking at something behind my back and a pair of eyes as black as night stared at me, leaving me completely shaken and without reaction.
It was Kael.
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