The Marriage Gamble

The Pretense Begins

Amidst the bustling streets of Singapore's financial district, a sleek office building stood as a monument to modernity, its gleaming facade reflecting the city's vibrant energy. It was here, within these hallowed halls, that Sonja found herself seated across from Natalia Karim, the formidable lawyer tasked with ensuring the success of their elaborate charade.

Natalia was a force to be reckoned with, her sharp features and no-nonsense demeanor belying a keen intellect and an unwavering commitment to her craft. As she shuffled through the meticulously assembled stack of documents before her, her dark eyes betrayed not a flicker of emotion, her expression one of pure professionalism.

"Alright, let's go over everything one more time," she began, her voice crisp and authoritative. "We need to ensure that every detail is airtight before Mr. Salvatore's arrival."

Sonja nodded, her hands folded tightly in her lap as she braced herself for the onslaught of information. Beside her, Antoine's cousin Luca sat ramrod straight, his gaze focused and intense, a silent testament to the gravity of the situation they found themselves in.

Natalia wasted no time, diving headfirst into the intricacies of their arrangement. "First and foremost, we need to establish a convincing backstory for your relationship," she stated, her eyes flickering between Sonja and the stack of documents before her. "Something that aligns with the evidence we've already compiled."

Sonja felt a pang of gratitude wash over her as she recalled the trove of digital memories she and Antoine had amassed during their time together – the flirtatious messages, the suggestive images, the countless hours of conversation that had forged an unbreakable bond between them.

"We met online, in a Star Wars fan community," Sonja offered, her voice steady despite the fluttering of her heart. "It started as friendly banter, but quickly evolved into something deeper."

Natalia nodded, her pen scratching across the legal pad before her as she jotted down the details. "Excellent, that aligns with the chat logs and photo evidence we have on file." Natalia gave Sonja a sheepish smile which made Sonja blush for the "evidence" that Natalia was referring to involved some images and steamy exchanges that were not for the faint of heart. "Now, for the living arrangements..."

Here, the lawyer paused, her gaze sweeping over Sonja with a critical eye. "Your current apartment won't suffice, I'm afraid. We need something more... convincing."

Sonja felt her breath catch in her throat, the implications of Natalia's words sinking in like a lead weight. Of course, they would need to cohabitate, to present the illusion of a genuine, committed relationship for the authorities.

Before she could dwell too long on the prospect, Natalia was already moving forward, her tone brisk and efficient. "I've taken the liberty of securing a suitable two-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city. Upscale, but not ostentatious – the perfect backdrop for your supposed engagement."

Engagement. The word hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the depths of deception they were embarking upon. Sonja's mind whirled, conjuring images of Antoine presenting her with a dazzling ring, professing his undying love and commitment before their friends and family.

Except, in this twisted charade, there would be no loved ones to bear witness, no joyous celebration of their union. Only the cold, calculated machinations of a legal farce, designed to circumvent the very laws that governed their lives.

Natalia's voice snapped Sonja back to the present, her words carrying the weight of a dire warning. "Now, for the financial entanglements. We'll need to establish joint bank accounts, investment portfolios – anything that reinforces the notion of a shared financial future."