Both Sides Now

Part 2. '...from both sides now.'

After a much longer discussion, Juliana and Valentina finally accepted the terms of the agreement. Which, according to their agents, would greatly benefit them both.

The first step was to feed the rumours.

Eva had devised a plan, scheduling 'dates' where they would be seen together and use the fans as the main source of information.

The photographs in the magazine, which Valentina had to accept, really made them look like a domestic couple, had given them enough material for speculation. Now it was time to feed the rumours and allow their fans to share their sightings and stories.

To do this, and after a week without seeing each other, they had their first 'date' tonight. A romantic dinner in some fancy restaurant Mateo had booked.

"I asked for a black uber to take you to the restaurant," stated her sister as she entered the room unannounced, as was her custom. "I don't think it's wise for Juliana to come here, so she'll meet you there."

"Yes ma'am!" Valentina saluted, finishing up the last details to her makeup before standing up to complete her outfit with the designer heels that went perfectly with the blue dress she had chosen for tonight. Her sister didn't appreciate her sarcasm. "I'm ready. When will it be here?"

Eva gave her an appreciative nod as she took in Valentina's appearance, her eyes moving from her head to her toes and back.

"Wow. You look like you're going straight to the red carpet!"

The chestnut looked down towards her feet, pulling on the skirt of her dress, and feeling a little insecure by the comment.

"Is it too much?"

"No, it's just... you look really beautiful!" She complimented again, before squinting suspiciously. "You put a lot of effort into tonight's look, right?"

Valentina rolled her eyes, somewhat exasperated.

"No, Eva!" Valentina denied, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "This is how I would dress for any work outing, and if I remember correctly, you yourself labelled this as a business agreement. Of mutual benefit between me and Juliana."

"And it is. Honestly though, if it weren't for this arrangement, I can't imagine you would ever go for someone like her."

That statement caught Valentina's attention.

"What do you mean?"

"Valentina, we both know a little about this girl's background, what they say in the press and so on. In normal circumstances, she wouldn't be a good fit for you."

Valentina didn't know how to answer. She couldn't really argue with Eva. A week of researching the woman had been enough to learn about her past. The strange thing was, as she listened to her sister, her first reflex was to defend Juliana. Appearances could be deceiving.

However, one thing she'd learned from her father was to never defend the indefensible, and the racer's past spoke for itself.

Plus, it was also true that she would never go for a woman like Juliana. Even if her face and body had been carved by Michelangelo Buonarroti himself, Juliana's womaniser persona simply didn't appeal to her.

But she had no intention of agreeing with her sister. And definitely not out loud.

"Has the uber arrived yet?"

Eva checked her phone screen.

"Yes. It just arrived."

Valentina adjusted the dress in front of the mirror one last time and let out a sigh.