Faking it with Damian Black by Louise Jane

Chapter 3

-MILLIE-

“Have a nice evening, Miss,” the elderly cabby smiled atthrough the rearview

mirror.

“I sure hope, sir.” I murmured, slurring each syllable.

I’d like to consider myself a bit tipsy, but who was I kidding? I was borderline

drunk after drinking nine glasses of wine at home. There’s an extremely

unhealthy bond between alcohol and I. I leaned on it for courage every tshi

tstorms hit my

life.

It’s a love-hate relationship. The only relationship I could keep, apparently.

On wobbly legs, I stepped out of the cab and inhaled the familiar Roslin City

summer air.

I smoothed my hand down the skirt of my black mini-dress and combed my hair

with my fingers. I walked to the entry of the Black Hotel as confidently as

possible, careful not to trip on my three-inch black stilettos.

Attending my high school reunion drunk was not how I pictured spending my

weekend back in my hometown. I envision Hunter and I coming here together.

But things got out of my control like a derailed train wagon.

All I wanted to do was watch FRIENDS rerun and drink myself to oblivion. But my

pride wouldn’t letrest in peace in my childhood bedroom.

There’s a high chance that I’d cross paths with Natalie tonight, but why would I

change my plans? I wasn’t the ungrateful- bit ch who stole my friend’s fiance.

I can look her in the eyes and make her feel any wrath. I can’t let her win and let

her play the victim card.

And the break up and cheating wasn’t the only thing that pushedto drink

nine glasses of wine while getting dressed. Apart from going public on social

media with her relationship with Hunter hours after I found them f ucking in his

apartment, Natalie been accused of plagiarizing content for one of our collabs.

My backstabbing friend threwunder the bus, publicly stating that I was the

mastermind of that vlog, and she merely followed my lead.

Where was I when all of these were happening? I was on Malyons Lake, nursing

my broken heart, only to be bombarded with more betrayals from someone I

considered my friend when I opened my phone.

A party, a walk down high school memory lane after my engagement ended, and

my career as a social media infiuencer imploded in my face was just what I

needed to complete this catastrophe I call my life.

I easily found the function hall. The nand year of our class were written on

a glittery banner set on a canvas stand.

A hotel staff member smiled as I approached, watching over the door.

“Name, please?” The woman in a sharp suit asked.

“Millicent Alejandro,” I smiled. She scrolled through the tablet before nodding at

me.

I inhaled a huge breath as the double doors opened. Live music instantly spilled

through the silent hallway. The party was already in full swing. People were

seated at round tables, filling plates at the buffet, waiting in line at the bar,

standing in groups with drinks at hand, chatting, laughing, and having fun.

Everything appeared to be in place, just like I assumed. But Candice, my best

friend and our class president, was a planning freak. She’d be proud of the

outcof her planning. Too bad she wasn’t here to see it in person.

She recently tied the knot with her high school sweetheart, Aaron. They’re in

Palawan for their honeymoon, but their fiight got canceled because of a storm.

y now

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

Somehow, I’m glad she wasn’t here to witness how Hunter tore my heart out of

my chest. She’d probably killed him by if she was here.

Chapter 3

I crossed the dance fioor and smiled at a few people as I passed them. Their

existence was a mere shadow of thousand-dollar suits and designer dresses.

With every step I made, the sinking feeling this was a bad idea pulsed louder in

my ears.

Since when did I give a s hit about what people think about me? Since when did

I let my pride rule over my rational thought? Coming here was a mistake.

“Millie!” I heard a familiar warm voice over the pulsing music from the speaker.

Madeline. She was at the bar, talking to a group of girls in sparkly designer

dresses. Seeing her familiar face made my feet move with a strained smile on

my l*ps, but as soon as I realized who she was talking to, I paused and thought

of going back the way I went in.

Too late, though. Madeline waved atwith a huge grin.

“Millie!” she called again. The girls around her turned in my direction. The mean

girls of our batch. Felicity, the homecoming queen and cheer captain, with her

minions Hallie and Luna.

So much for not drawing attention to myself.

I wore an Oscar-worthy smile as I walked to the bar.

“Oh, look at you. I love that dress! You look stunning. Madeline wrapped her

arms around me, air k*ssing my cheeks.

I locked eyes with Felicity. She smirked atas if she knew something I didn’t.

‘Oh, this is bad.

Madeline pulled away, and Felicity’s smirk turned into a c unningly sweet smile.

“I missed you,

Maddie. You look hot in red,” I slurred, taking in her sequined red dress. My eyes

were unfocused, so I didn’t really know if it looked good on her or not

“I know, right?” Madeline giggled. “Too bad Candice couldn’t come. She did an

amazing job planning everything!”

Everyone in our small circle agreed.

“She’s in Palawan for the honeymoon, right?” Felicity pressed a hand on her

chest, eyes roaming around the circle of people around her. “I hear a storm is

about to hit the Phil*ppines. I hope they’re safe.

They are,” I murmured, turning to Madeline again. “She just wanted to make sure

you haveif you need help. You know how she is.”

Madeline giggled. “Her plan was spotless. I’m just enjoying my time

reconnecting with our high school friends.”

They all hummed and complimented the venue, the food, and the music.

Candice would be happy to hear this.

“I saw her prenup and wedding video,” Felicity butted in, a diamond ring on her

left hand catching the light from the bar. “It’s every bride’s dream.”

“Maybe you can ask Max to hold your wedding at Amalfi Coast as well,” Luna

suggested. “I heard Candice planned her own wedding. Oh, you work for Candice

at Effortless Events, right?”

My eyes twitched at her last statement. I don’t work for Candice. We were

business partners, and they knew that. They’ve been our chent on more than

one occasion.

I kept my cool and nodded a yes.

“Felicity is engaged,” Hallie added, oblivious to the annoyance string inside me.

“Oh, wow.” My poker face was worth millions. “Congratulations. We would be

honored to plan your wedding, Felicity,” I said, batting my eyelashes.

09:18 Sat, Feb 10

Chapter 3

Everyone quieted down, their gaze pinned on something behind me. Looking

over my shoulder, Natalie had just walked in a skin-tight white dress, a

pageantry smile plastered on her fake face.

The way the circle of people aroundquieted down meant that they knew

every detail of Natalie’s accusation against me. I had hoped she would

somehow have the decency to keep a low profile after everything she did to me,

but who was I kidding? She f ucked my fiance. She doesn’t give a s hit about

respect.

A hundred sets of eyes bore holes in my b*dy from every direction. Swere

prying, but most people were just waiting for my reaction.

“Nat!” Felicity waved at Natalie. They were besties in high school. She was

fifteen steps away from coming into the bar. I had ten seconds to walk away

from this catastrophe, but I chose to stay. I wasn’t the one who wronged Natalie,

but that doesn’t mean this situation was gonna be a walk in the park.

I took one of the glasses available on the bar counter. It was blue with lemons

and ice. I nearly spit it out. It tastes like astringent and rotten eggs blended

together.

Natalie’s eyes fiew in my direction as she greeted everyone, exchanging

pleasantries. I stayed in the background, keeping my fury at bay. I badly wanted

to throw the contents of my shot glass in her face. Better yet, get a bucket of

ice-cold water and pour it over her head to wipe off that fake smile on her face.

I never knew I could loathe someone the way I despise her. She doesn’t seem a

little remorseful of what she did to me. How did I not see how f ucking fake she

was?

“Oh. I hate to make things awkward for Millicent,” Natalie replied when Felicity

asked her to stay.

“What?! Why would it be awkward?” Felicity gasped, feigning innocence.

Natalie wasn’t the only one who could pretend that we weren’t in the state of

World War III. “Yeah, Natalie,” I smiled. “Why would it be awkward?”

Unphased. Natalie shrugged. “Coz you know, about you and Hunter’s break up

and that plagiarizing issue.”

I hummed, nodding. “Why? Did you backstab me? It would only be awkward if

my fiance cheated onwith you before we ended things, right? And that

issue…” I dismissed her with a hand. “The truth will cout in due time.”

Our friends eyes moved fromand Natalie as if they were watching a tennis

match.

“Right-”

“Oh, my Go d!” Luna cut off Natalie’s reply, sna tching her left hand. “You’re

engaged?”

Nothing preparedfor the pain of seeing my engagement ring in another

woman’s hands. A whirlwind of emo su cker-punchedin the face. I had to

clutch the counter edge to keep myself upright.

Natalie’s cheeks reddened, retracting her hand from Luna. “Hunter insisted that

we tie the knot soon,” she murmu looking atwith wary eyes.

Was she afraid that I’d make a scene? She shouldn’t have chere in the first

place. She shouldn’t have f ucked my fia the first place!

I want to scream. I want to break something. Natalie’s face would be an

excellent place to start. But no. I wasn’t brought up that way. Besides, I honestly

don’t get why Natalie accepted that ring. If it were me, I wouldn’t have my

boyfriend’s ex- fiancee’s engagement ring. What was going on inside Natalie’s

head? I guess I would never understand.

“Okay… that was freaking fast.” Surprised, Felicity turned to me, the space

between her brows knitted. It was rare to see a genuine expression on her face; I

wanted to laugh. “When did you two even break up?”

His betrayal stings. It’s breakinginside, but no one has to know that. I have

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

to fake it to make it through this night.

“Recently, I replied, reaching for a glass of wine. “Congratulations on your

engagement, Natalie. That’s a fancy-looking ring”

Chapter 3

Two karat diamond in six prong setting on a platinum band. My dream

engagement ring now rests on another woman’s finger. Though I kept my

relationship with Hunter away from social media, I posted a photo of that ring

on my profile.

That definitely made things awkward in our circle. The shthat crossed

Natalie’s face was priceless, but the ever- persistent Felicity butted in once

again, hoax empathy masking her face. “I don’t know how you’re handling things

this well, but I guess this calls for a celebration?”

Everyone followed Felicity’s lead and grabbed a glass of wine from the counter,

raising a toast for Natalie’s engagement Maddie locked eyes with me, mouthing

are you okay? I nodded and down my drink in one go.

I knew this night wouldn’t go down without anyone rubbing my failed

engagement in my face. And I happened to fiock around the right people for

that job.

The conversation circled around Natalie’s engagement. She kept spitting lies

after lies about how she and Hunter started dating. She said they started dating

about five months ago. The whole tshe spoke of how happy they’ve been

since they got together, she didn’t dare look my way. Maybe there was truth in

her story, but I was too drunk and hurt to listen and give a sh it anymore. I just

want to get out of here.

Zoning out. I searched the crowd for anything to savefrom this situation.

Probably someone I knew who I could go to and extract myself from this

conversation.

That’s when my eyes landed on the guy at the other end of the bar. Damian

Black, Candice’s stepbrother. I used to have a massive crush on him. He was

already looking at me, nodding, acknowledging me.

“Excuse me, I murmured and skirted past Madeline.

“Hey, you good Madeline gripped my arm gently.

“Never been better.” I fiashed another award-winning smile, giggling when my

legs almost gave out on me.

G od. The world was f ucking spinning

“Where are you going” Madeline gripped my arm tighter; concern blanketed her

pretty face.

I patted her hand, my drunk mind driving my mouth to spit lies. To my date.” I

murmured, smiling at her sweetly.

Five pairs of intent eyes burned holes in the back of my head as I made a

beeline for Damian

He lifted a rock glass to his l*ps, watchingremove the distance between us,

“Damian.”

“Millicent”

We were at eye level since he was sitting on a barstool. I had to slot myself

between his long legs so I could grab his tie. lean forward, and whisper in his

ears. “I need a favor.”

“What?” His breath was warin against my skin. Goosefiesh coated my b*dy.

“Act along. I murmured as I ran my fingers along the lapel of his suit. He doesn’t

inch. He doesn’t say anything. Dark lash gaze pinnedwith intense curiosity,

waiting.

I ran my hands over the planes of his chest. He was solid, hard everywhere, like

a wall of warm and delicious muscles.

Knowing everyone was watching. I continued my plan. Stood on the tip of my

toes and pressed my l*ps against Damian’s

III