“Just, stay by my side and act like you like me, okay?” I murmur over to you as we wait on the steps of this ballroom to go inside. People flurry in and out around us, all mingling and gossiping about the same things they said the last time we all met at one of these things.

Only thing different is the amount of eyes I feel on me right now.

I’ve been used to having some amount of attention on me, being the youngest millionaire in the room, but that’s all it was before. Now it’s different. The rumors, whispers, and stories being shared amongst my peers aren’t things I’d want them to be discussing. How about instead of talking about my personal life, they talk about how my company gained over 100 clients in the past quarter?

The eyes of the woman in this room especially is a little suffocating. But with you standing by my side, I should’ve expected it.

You’re my personal assistant back at the firm, and a damn good one at that. You’re attentive, smart, and always a step ahead. I struck gold when I hired you on. But I don’t think you expected this to end up being part of your job description.

Neither did I.

Tonight is the Gala to raise funds for children’s cancer research, an amazing cause that I donate hundreds of thousands to every year. But the Gala’s are really just for show. It’s a time where all of the wealthiest people in the city come together to flaunt their money and accomplishments. Hell, it’s why I’m here too. But there’s a change this year.

A change in my date.

For the past 4 years that I’ve been coming to this Gala, I had brought my wife, Isla, to these events. She was always so excited for these kinds of nights. Getting to dress up, mingle with all the other wives or businesswomen, and flaunt whatever expensive jewelry she used my money to buy that week. She was always on my arm, and she was well accepted into this group of elite.

Maybe too well accepted.

Six months ago I found out about her affair. William Samuels, the founder of some new state of the art medical practice. Someone I considered a close acquaintance and a peer. They had been seeing each other behind my back for 3 months before I found out. I couldn’t believe it. I thought that the whole world was ending back then.

The divorce was settled 4 months ago, but luckily for me, she didn’t ask for much. I got back the engagement and wedding ring, I got to keep the house, but she took her car and all of the nice things I had gifted her over the years. I didn’t care, I just wanted her gone.

I know that I’ll run into her tonight. I’ve heard the rumors through friends of friends that her and William are still together. Good for them. There’s no doubt that she’ll show up with him tonight, wouldn’t put it past her. These are her favorite types of nights after all.

But that’s where you come in. My date for the night. My fake girlfriend. I couldn’t show up alone and have everyone be talking about how pathetic and lonely I must be after losing Isla, especially since she’ll be here with her new man. So I needed you. You know me well enough to make the act convincing and, well, you sure are damn beautiful enough to make my ex wife a bit jealous.

The moment that I saw you in that dress, I knew that I won the imaginary battle against Isla.

It might be an asshole move, to you and to my ex wife, but I can’t care tonight. Tonight isn’t about any of that. It’s about the kids…and a little bit about showing you off to prove a point to those whisperers.

“Are you ready?” I grasp onto your hand—such a foreign feeling—as we make our way into the ballroom.