“Important investors. I need you to project confidence.” Alice raised an eyebrow. “And how do you suggest I project something I don’t feel?” Nick finally looked at her, catching the challenge in her voice. He sighed. “Just follow the etiquette and keep smiling.” Alice stayed quiet, realizing there was no point in arguing.
All day, Alice tried to find something to do, but every move felt like an intrusion. The staff was perfectly polite, but she could feel them waiting for her to fail. Passing the kitchen, she overheard two maids whispering. “Can’t believe she’s the boss now,” one said. “It won’t last. He’ll get bored and toss her out,” the other replied with a snicker. Alice hurried away, a lump forming in her throat, but she kept her head up.
Dinner was another trial. She wore a designer dress chosen by Nick’s stylist—beautiful, expensive, and completely not her. At the table, she tried to keep up with the small talk, but the pressure was mounting. At one point, she accidentally bumped a wine glass, and a few drops spilled onto the white linen. A guest made a snide comment, and Nick shot her a look of cold annoyance. “Be more careful,” he whispered.
“I’m not a porcelain doll, Nick,” she snapped back, meeting his eyes. He didn’t respond, but the air between them was electric. Later, after the guests left, Alice reached her breaking point. “I see what this is: I’m just a trophy to show off to your friends,” she said in the living room. “But I’m a human being, and I won’t be treated like a piece of furniture.” Nick looked at her, surprised by her fire.
“You knew the terms of the deal,” he reminded her. “The deal?” she laughed bitterly. “You took advantage of my situation. You don’t care about people, only their utility.” “And what’s wrong with that?” he flared up. “You got what you wanted. Why the complaints now?” “Because I’m alive,” she said, stepping closer. “If you only see people for what they can do for you, you’re losing more than I am.”
Her words hung in the heavy silence. Nick had no comeback, his jaw tight. Alice turned and walked to her room, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He sat on the sofa, feeling a strange sense of guilt. The truth was, she was right, and it bothered him. She wasn’t just a pawn; she was a person who could look him in the eye and call him out, and he found himself both angry and impressed. That night, they slept in separate rooms, but the wall between them had its first crack.
The car glided down the highway in a heavy silence. Nick and Alice were headed to a charity gala at a lakefront resort. Despite the usual discomfort, Alice noticed Nick seemed different. The usual tension in his shoulders had eased slightly, and she found herself watching the scenery instead of bracing for a lecture.
“You’re quiet today,” Nick noted, keeping his eyes on the road. “Is that a problem for the ‘image’?” Alice asked. He sighed. “No. I just thought you might want to know who we’re meeting.” “I’ll manage, thanks,” she said. Nick almost smiled. Her sharp tongue was starting to grow on him. When they arrived, Alice was shown to a stunning suite overlooking the water.
The view was breathtaking, but she reminded herself why she was there. For the evening, she chose a dress that was elegant but simple, letting her natural beauty do the work. When she met Nick in the lobby, he stopped for a second, unable to hide his reaction. “You look incredible,” he said, and for the first time, he sounded like he meant it. She gave a small, guarded nod.
The reception was the usual display of wealth: diamonds, stiff suits, and practiced laughs. Alice felt the nerves creeping in, but she held her ground. To her surprise, Nick didn’t hover or criticize her. During a break, they sat at a quiet corner table, and the conversation took an unexpected turn. “What was your life like before… this?” Nick asked.
Alice thought for a moment. “It was simple. My mom and I didn’t have much. My dad passed away when I was young, so we had to be tough. I started working as soon as I could to help out.” She looked at her glass. “When she got sick, everything fell apart, but I knew I had to do whatever it took.” Nick listened, struck by her resilience. “What about you?” she asked. “Is it easy, growing up with everything?”
Nick gave a dry laugh. “Money comes with a lot of expectations. My father was a hard man; he demanded perfection. When he died, I was left running this massive machine while I was still figuring out who I was.” He paused. “Then there was Tiffany. I thought I’d found a partner, but she was just looking for a ladder.” Alice stayed silent, seeing the vulnerable man behind the corporate mask.
“We both had to grow up too fast,” she said softly. Nick looked at her, touched by her empathy. For the first time in years, he felt understood. Their moment was broken by Tiffany, who appeared with her usual predatory confidence. “Alice, darling!” she chirped. “You look lovely. Nick always did have a knack for finding the right… accessories.” “Tiffany,” Alice said calmly. “Your dress is certainly hard to miss.”
Tiffany laughed, but her eyes were cold. “It must be quite a shock, moving from a garden shed to a penthouse. I hope you aren’t getting dizzy from the altitude?”
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