Gina undressed and slipped into the bath that had been prepared by one of the maids, her mind still reeling from the events of the dinner. She couldn't help but think about the lies she had told, the deceit she had woven, and the fragile thread of fate that hung in the balance.
"I hope he buys the lie," she thought to herself, her voice barely audible over the gentle lapping of the water against the tub. It was her only chance to get back at Williams for what he had to do to her with Mark's Influence she was certain that he would truly pay for the terrible things done to her.
Gina heard the door open and hastily wrapped herself in a robe, towel-drying her dripping hair as she rushed to meet Mark.
"What's the news?" she asked, her eyes wide with anticipation, hoping for a positive outcome. Mark's smile was infectious as he exclaimed,
"He believed you, Gina!" He leaned in, his excitement getting the better of him, and kissed her impulsively. But as their lips touched, they both froze, shock and realization dawning on them.
They had let their emotions get the better of them, and it was a mistake. Mark quickly stepped away, his eyes apologetic.
"That won't happen again, I apologize," he said, his voice firm, reminding himself that this was a contract engagement, nothing more. He couldn't afford to jeopardize their agreement, no matter how he felt.
Gina's eyes reflected her hurt, but she understood. Her past experiences had taught her not to trust men easily, and Mark knew that. She had only agreed to this deal out of necessity, not because she wanted to.
"I understand," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mark's gaze lingered on hers, his expression softening. He knew she was vulnerable, and he didn't want to add to her pain. He needed to keep his distance, maintain the boundaries of their contract, no matter how difficult it was.
""I'm glad you do," Mark said, his voice a little softer, as he turned away from her and walked towards the vast, luxurious bed that dominated the room.
The bed was a testament to the opulence of the Hughes' empire, with its intricately carved headboard and plush, velvet sheets.
As they approached the bed, the tension between them was palpable. They needed to arrange a sleeping arrangement, a practical detail that seemed almost mundane compared to the emotional turmoil they had just experienced.
"Take the other side of the bed, I'll take this side," Mark informed her, his voice detached, as he gestured to the opposite side of the bed. He didn't wait for her response, instead, he walked away to freshen up, leaving Gina to wonder if she could really trust him to keep his distance.
The bed seemed to stretch out before her like an ocean, a vast expanse of uncertainty. She hesitated for a moment, her heart racing, before making her way to the side of the bed Mark had indicated.
She slipped under the covers, her eyes fixed on the door, waiting for Mark to return, her mind racing with thoughts of what the night might bring.
But she slept off before he could make his appearance.
"Tell me more about that charity event, we never knew he was involved in anything but himself" Valerie whispered as we strolled down to meet the rest for breakfast. The breakfast wasn't arranged in the dining hall this time but outsiders in the garden and Valerie had offered to walk her so we could have a little chatter on the way.
"Trust me, it was a big surprise when I found out. I think that's why I fell for him really hard. You can't help that kind of feeling, you know?" Gina put on her best smile hoping to put out the best interesting lie.
"Margaret, Mark's mother, a woman with a piercing gaze and a mischievous grin, leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone.
"How long have you two been dating now, and tell me…have you guys slept with each other?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Gina's eyes widened in shock, her face flushing a deep crimson as she recalled the morning she woke up naked under the duvet, with no memory of what had transpired the night before.
She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, her mind racing to come up with a response that would deflect the woman's probing question. But before she could formulate a reply, the woman's eyes lit up with excitement, her voice almost squealing in delight.
"Oh, you guys have?!" she exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a rush.
"Oh, God! I can't wait to shut those gossipers' mouths! A lot of gossip has been going around about the fact that he was too focused on the business to settle down. But now, with you by his side…ha! Those rumours will be squashed in no time!"
The woman's enthusiasm was palpable, her excitement almost infectious. But Gina's embarrassment and discomfort lingered, her mind still reeling from the implications of her situation. She forced a smile, trying to play along, but her thoughts were a jumbled mess of anxiety and uncertainty.
A sumptuous breakfast had been laid out for the three of them in the lush garden, the warm sunlight casting a golden glow over the table.
Gina had wanted to fabricate an excuse to stay behind, to avoid the scrutiny and probing questions she knew would come her way. But Mark had been insistent, his grip on her arm gentle but firm as he guided her towards the garden.
She was afraid of the questions that would be thrown at her, afraid of being trapped in a web of lies and deceit. And her fears were justified, as Margaret's words proved the moment they sat down.
"You're really welcome to be in the family, Gina," Margaret said, her voice warm and sincere as she sipped her tea from delicate china.
"Your presence here has really saved a lot…tension, I suppose. We were worried about Mark's future, but now…well, now we can rest easy knowing he has someone like you by his side."
Gina's heart skipped a beat as she met Margaret's gaze, her mind racing to come up with a response that wouldn't betray her true feelings. She forced a smile, her lips trembling slightly as she reached for her own tea.
"Thank you, Margaret…that means a lot to me," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. The silence that followed was oppressive, the only sound was the clinking of silverware against plates and the distant chirping of birds.
Gina's nerves were stretched taut, her senses on high alert as she waited for the next question, the next probe into her fake relationship with Mark.