deception

12|| the engagement

                            -⎯ ୨୧ ⎯-

As soon as the last guest left, the air in the house felt heavy, thick with the remnants of laughter that had echoed just moments before. I stormed up to my room, only to find it stripped bare.

I clenched my fists, anger boiling in my veins. Lorenzo.

I knew he was in his room—probably prepping himself to gloat about this ridiculous engagement.

I marched down the hall, each step fueled by a mix of rage and disbelief. I could hear the sound of water running from his bathroom.

Typical. He was probably enjoying a long, leisurely shower, completely unfazed by the chaos he had caused in my life.

I paused at his door, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and dread. I stepped closer to his door, the sound of water cascading in the shower just audible enough to fuel my irritation. I was about to turn the corner when I heard it—my name, laced with a curse, slipping from his lips. My heart raced, a mix of anger and something else I refused to acknowledge.

Maybe I really am hearing things.

Then I heard it—a low murmur, my name slipping from his lips, followed by an exasperated curse. "Damn it, Mercedes," he muttered, and my stomach twisted. What was it about the way he said my name that sent shivers down my spine? I decided to wait, to make my presence known in a way that would leave no doubt about my fury.

I stepped into his room and jumped onto his bed, the soft sheets a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. I could hear the shower running, and I took a moment to breathe, trying to calm my racing heart. I was furious, yes, but I would not let him see how much his presence affected me.

When he finally emerged, water dripping from his hair, clad only in a towel, I felt my breath hitch. He was infuriatingly handsome, the kind of man who could make the world stop with just one smirk. But I wouldn't let that distract me. Not now.

I couldn't just sit here. I launched off the bed. "Where are my clothes? My stuff?" I yelled, my voice echoing off the walls.

"Well hello to you too, sweetheart" he replied, his tone annoyingly calm, as if I were overreacting. He rolled his eyes and sauntered over to the closet. "Here," he said, swinging the doors open to reveal my things, neatly hung. "We're engaged now."

"Engaged? This isn't a real marriage, Lorenzo!" I shot back, my heart racing with defiance.

In an instant, he was on me. He pushed me against the wall, the firm pressure of his body invading my space. "No matter what," he growled, his breath hot against my ear, "you're mine now. Don't make a fool out of this marriage."

I swallowed hard, a mix of anger and something electric coursing through me. "Where am I supposed to sleep?" I scoffed.

"Next to me, obviously," he replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I turned away, heading toward the bathroom to see if any of my products had magically appeared there.

When I returned, he was dressed in a sharp suit, flexing his arm to check his watch. He looked like a devil in a tailored outfit, and it made my heart race for all the wrong reasons.

"Get ready," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. "We're going out."

I glared at him, the tension between us evident.

As I stood there, my heart racing, I clicked my tongue in frustration. I was furious, yet a part of me was also aware of how absurd this situation had become. I didn't want to play his games, but something about the way he commanded the room made it hard to resist.