tomorrow," he said. "There's

wned. "Wh

aint smile. "You'

ies of what Leo might want to discuss. She had no clue, but the tone of his voice suggested it was

yes scanning her appearan

ra replied, trying to mask h

ke the silence. "My mother's birthday is this we

ed a beat. "Your fa

You're supposed to be my girlfrien

She was to play the part of Leo's girlfriend in front of his

said with a smirk, thoug

had insisted on buying for her. It was unlike anything she owned, and she felt both beautiful a

ueezed her hand reassuringly as they walked in. The party was in full swing,

her late fifties, greeted them. "Nardo, da

said, his voice warm. "Vyora,

eyes were calculating. "Nice to meet yo

"Thank you for inviti

sts, all of whom seemed curious about the new woman in Leo's life. T

oached with a smirk. "So, Vyora, how di

ise but kept her cool. "

huh? That's not very convincing.

tment at Morgan Enterprises,"

efore

ing the trap. "I... I

Various jobs? Sounds like y

"Adrian, enough. I love Vyora,

ce around them. Vyora looked at Leo, unsure if his w

elf alone in a quiet corner, overwhelmed by the evening'

" he asked, sit

ora admitted. "Your fam

But you handled it we

cerity. "Why are you doing this, Leo?

owing. "Maybe it started that way, but it's

and something akin to hope. But before she could respond, Leo

. Wait here?" he ask

o less chaotic. Was Leo's affection real or just another layer of his

lt the weight of her decision looming.

ht?" she asked, h

yes. "Do you want to stay the night at

with implications Vyora wasn't ready to

owing smoothly from a live quartet in the corner. Vyora, still reeling from her conversation with Leo, watched the guest

rry about that," he said, slipping back into the role

iates. Each introduction was a test, Vyora felt, of how well she could fit into Leo's worl

ile, took Vyora's hand. "You seem like a lovely

on. "Oh, it was at work. I had no idea who he was when

g with amusement. "That sounds like

ning, she found Grace, her former friend from work, loo

aven't you?" Grace's voice was

d, her tone flat. "I didn'

a man who was clearly part of the same social circle as the Mor

e. "It's different,

ing. "Just be careful, Vy. Leo isn't

nsing the tension. "Grace, always a pleasure

ed. She was reminded of the life she was trying to leave be

t, Nyonya Morgan approached them. "V

The opulence of the room, with its art and antiques, was overw

o meet us," she began, her tone measured. "But you've shown grace under pr

care about Leo, Nyonya Morgan. I want to see where t

"That's all I wanted to hear. Leo has been throug

eriousness of th

signaling the end of their conve

orced laughter. Vyora was relieved when it was time to leave

ents before Leo spoke. "You did well tonigh

s events swirling in her mind.

complicated question, Vyora. But I think...

reached her apartment, Leo turned to her. "Do you want t

with implications Vyora wasn't ready to

aused, looking into his ey

with it, all the uncerta

hisper. "I want you to stay with me