Falling For My Fake Fiancee

Quiet strength

Harper

The morning sunlight spilled through my apartment window, but I barely noticed it. My mind was replaying last night’s gala, over and over, like a loop I couldn’t escape. Vivienne had been everywhere, her presence subtle but relentless. And Alexander… he’d been quietly protective, his eyes on me more than anyone else, but without making a scene. That quiet intensity left my pulse racing even now.

I sat at my kitchen table, sipping coffee, when my phone buzzed. A text from Lila:

Lila: Okay, spill. Did you survive the snake in the gala grass?

I smiled faintly. “Barely. She’s clever, subtle, and exhausting. But she didn’t get to me.”

Lila: Good. But… you know she’s not going to stop, right?

I exhaled, feeling the weight of truth in her words. Vivienne wouldn’t just disappear. She was persistent, calculating, and deeply invested in Alexander—at least in her perception of him. And she clearly saw me as a threat.

⸻

By the time I arrived at Alexander’s office, I could feel the subtle tension in the air, a lingering echo of yesterday. Vivienne had already arrived, slipping into the office like she owned the space. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on me with a look that mixed curiosity, jealousy, and challenge.

I forced myself to breathe, focusing on the work at hand. Alexander was busy with a strategy meeting, and I needed to concentrate. But I could feel Vivienne’s gaze following my every move, like a hawk circling its prey.

Then she made her move.

“Alexander,” she said casually, leaning in, “I was wondering if Harper fully understands the… nuances of your company. It can be so overwhelming for someone new.”

I felt a flash of irritation, but I didn’t show it. Instead, I held my composure. “I’ve reviewed all the materials thoroughly,” I said evenly. “I’m confident I can support Alexander and the team effectively.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t press further. She was testing, observing, waiting for a c***k.

Alexander, as always, gave me a subtle nod—his quiet way of letting me know he trusted me, and that he was aware of Vivienne’s attempts.

⸻

Later, I stepped into a quiet corridor, needing a moment away from Vivienne’s sharp presence. My phone buzzed again—it was Lila.

Lila: You’re handling this like a pro. Just remember… she can’t touch what you’re building.

I smiled faintly. “Thanks. But she’s… persistent.”

Lila: Let her be. You’ve got Alexander noticing you in ways she’ll never understand. Trust yourself.

I let her words sink in. Lila always reminded me that my strength wasn’t just in surviving Vivienne’s games—it was in remaining myself, intelligent, composed, and confident.

⸻

That evening, I found myself alone on the rooftop terrace, the city lights stretching endlessly below. I leaned against the railing, lost in thought. The night air was crisp, calming, but my heart still raced with the events of the day.

Then Alexander appeared behind me, silent, as if he’d been there all along. His presence was magnetic, grounding, and comforting all at once.

“You handled yourself well today,” he said quietly, brushing a hand near mine without touching. “Vivienne won’t unsettle you.”

I exhaled slowly, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease. “I try not to let her,” I admitted. “But she’s… clever.”

He smiled faintly, that quiet, controlled smile that made my chest flutter. “And yet, you still impress me. Every time. You’re stronger than you realize.”

My cheeks warmed, and I wanted to reach for him, to tell him how much his words meant, but the secret of our arrangement kept me from speaking freely. Not yet.

For a long moment, we stood there in silence, the city lights reflecting in his eyes, that unspoken intensity between us simmering just beneath the surface.

Finally, I whispered, “Thank you… for noticing.”

He leaned just slightly closer, close enough that I could feel the faint warmth radiating from him. “Always,” he murmured.

Vivienne’s shadow didn’t reach us here, not on this rooftop. And yet, the threat lingered, a constant reminder that she wasn’t done, that she would continue testing both of us.

But for the first time, I realized that the tension, the stakes, the danger—all of it—was part of what made this so exhilarating. I wasn’t just surviving anymore. I was engaged, fully, in a game that mattered, with someone who mattered.

And as I watched Alexander step back slightly, giving me space while still keeping close, I knew one thing for certain: I wanted this, more than I should.