My Billionaire Boss Claimed Me As His Fake Fiancée In Front Of Everyone — But His Dark Secret Changed Everything
Part 1
The Grand Spring Gala sparkled with the light of a thousand chandeliers.
Women fluttered like exotic birds across the polished floor.
Yet in this sea of beauty, I stood completely apart.
My mother gave my arm a firm squeeze.
“Do straighten your posture, Megan.”
“And perhaps a smile would not go amiss.”
I obliged with a practiced curve of my lips.
At twenty-three, I had endured five seasons of these charity galas.
Each one reinforced what I already knew deep down.
I was not what society considered a prize.
The fashionable silhouette demanded a willowy frame.
My figure was fuller than the current style demanded.
I smoothed the silk of my gown, desperate for peace.
“I believe I shall take some air.”
Brenda’s manicured fingers tightened on her clutch.
“But Senator Fairchild’s son has only just arrived.”
I navigated the perimeter of the ballroom, ignoring her protests.
The familiar weight of disappointment settled over my shoulders.
I found refuge in a relatively quiet alcove.
From this vantage point, I observed the elegant choreography of society.
A deep voice suddenly startled me from my observations.
“You appear to be cataloging the follies of mankind.”
I turned to find myself facing a tall figure.
Even if he had not spoken, I would have recognized Craig.
The billionaire CEO possessed a reputation that preceded him.
He was brilliant in business and merciless to his rivals.
I offered a polite nod, hoping my surprise wasn’t evident.
“I was merely taking a moment’s respite from the festivities.”
His piercing gray eyes studied me with unnerving intensity.
“A diplomatic answer.”
“Though I suspect you were contemplating your escape.”
A hot flush rose to my cheeks.
“You presume to know my thoughts remarkably well.”
A genuine smile played at the corner of his mouth.
“Forgive me.”
Couples immediately began moving toward the center of the floor.
Craig extended his hand suddenly, his gaze never leaving mine.
“One waltz with me, Megan.”
“And you’ll be my wife.”
I blinked rapidly, letting out a startled laugh.
“What a peculiar jest.”
His expression remained entirely inscrutable.
“Is it?”
I glanced around nervously to see if others were witnessing this.
“Surely you cannot be serious.”
“Does it matter?”
“It’s only a dance after all.”
Something in his challenge awakened a spark of defiance.
I placed my trembling hand in his.
“Very well.”
He led me toward the center of the ballroom.
He certainly never danced with someone like me.
We began to move in perfect time with the music.
I found instead that we moved together with surprising ease.
He guided me through a particularly smooth turn.
“You lied about your dancing abilities, Megan.”
I lifted my chin slightly.
“Perhaps I merely wish to lower expectations.”
I found myself studying his severe, handsome face.
Curiosity finally overcame my sense of propriety.
“May I inquire as to why you singled me out?”
My voice dropped low but remained firm.
“I am not the sort of woman gentlemen typically seek.”
His eyes met mine with unexpected directness.
“Perhaps that is precisely why I find you interesting.”
“You appear to be the only person not performing for an audience.”
Before I could respond, the music drew to a close.
Instead of leading me to the sidelines, he guided me to the center.
Conversations hushed instantly as hundreds of faces turned toward us.
Craig’s voice carried effortlessly across the silent room.
“I am pleased to announce that this lovely woman has accepted my proposal.”
“I present to you my fiancée, Megan.”
My entire world tilted dangerously on its axis.
Surely I had misheard him.
My voice was barely audible over the sudden outbreak of gasps.
“No, no, he is jesting.”
Craig leaned close, his breath ghosting against my ear.
“She’s merely overcome with emotion.”
Before I could gather my wits, my parents appeared beside us.
Around us, the ballroom erupted into a frantic buzz of conversation.
How had plain Megan secured the most eligible billionaire?
Craig smoothly inserted himself between me and the growing crowd.
“I think Megan and I should step onto the terrace.”
The moment we were alone, I rounded on him furiously.
“Have you taken leave of your senses?”
“What possessed you to make such an announcement?”
His composed facade slipped for the first time.
“I must confess, I did not expect you to accept my invitation.”
My hands clenched into tight fists at my sides.
“A jest?”
“You’ve announced our engagement to society as a jest?”
His composure returned with chilling speed.
“I assure you it was not premeditated.”
“But now that it’s done, perhaps we should consider the advantages.”
I stared at him in utter denial.
“You cannot possibly be suggesting we proceed with this charade.”
“I will go back inside and announce a terrible misunderstanding.”
He stepped closer, blocking my path to the doors.
“Consider the consequences before you do that.”
“Your reputation would be in absolute tatters.”
I tipped my chin up, refusing to back down.
“A disappointment engineered entirely by you.”
He straightened his already immaculate cuffs.
“I propose a compromise.”
“We maintain the engagement for a period of three months.”
“If at the end of that period you find marriage intolerable, I will break the engagement.”
I regarded him with deep suspicion.
“And why would you agree to such terms?”
His expression softened into something almost vulnerable.
“Perhaps I simply find you interesting, Megan.”
Before I could demand a real answer, the terrace doors flew open.
Brenda emerged with a beaming smile.
“Everyone is waiting to congratulate you both.”
Craig offered his arm to me, his expression unreadable.
With the heavy weight of expectation pressing down, I placed my hand on his arm.
I wondered what bizarre twist of fate had led me to this impossible moment.
I had absolutely no idea what kind of treacherous path this fake engagement was about to lead me down.
