As I stood in front of the mirror, taking in the reflection of the woman I had just become, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. The black dress hugged my figure perfectly, the delicate lace accents adding just the right touch of elegance. My hair cascaded in soft waves, and the makeup highlighted my features in a way that made me feel both beautiful and confident. I was ready for tonight.

Just as I was about to take a deep breath to steady myself, I heard the front door open. Rami's voice echoed through the house, and I felt a flutter of anticipation. I knew he was home.

"Dema?" he called out, his tone warm and inviting.

I stepped out of my room, feeling like I was stepping onto a stage. The moment he turned to look at me, his expression shifted from casual curiosity to complete astonishment. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he seemed speechless.

“Wow,” he finally managed to say, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “You look incredible.”

A rush of warmth flooded my cheeks at his compliment. "Thank you," I replied softly, feeling a mixture of pride and shyness. It was one thing to feel good about myself, but hearing it from him made it all the more special.

He stepped closer, his gaze intense yet tender. Gently, he took my hand in his, his touch sending a thrill through me. “Are you ready?” he asked, his voice low and soothing.

I nodded, my heart fluttering as he led me toward the door. It felt surreal to have him by my side, guiding me with such care. As we reached the car, he opened the door for me, an old-fashioned gesture that made me smile.

“After you,” he said, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

I slid into the seat, feeling like a princess being escorted to a grand ball. Rami closed the door behind me and walked around to the driver’s side. As he settled into the seat next to me, I caught a glimpse of his pride in having me by his side.

The engine roared to life, and as we pulled away from the curb, I felt a rush of exhilaration. The city lights twinkled outside the window, but all I could focus on was the man beside me, all I wanted was his knowledgment and acceptance, the reason why I'm putting so much effort into fitting in this role is to please this man and to convince him to accept me as his wife permanently, it was pathetic, it made me feel like a hypocrite but I still wanted to try my best, deep inside me I know that I want this to work more than anything.

As we arrived at the rooftop restaurant, my breath caught in my throat. The view was breathtaking, with the city sprawled out beneath us, twinkling like a sea of stars. I could feel the excitement buzzing in the air as Rami parked the car and stepped out to open my door. His hand extended to me, and I took it, feeling a rush of warmth at the gesture.

We walked toward the entrance, and I couldn’t help but admire how the soft glow of the overhead lights danced off Rami’s features. He seemed so confident, so at ease in this environment. As we were greeted by the host, I felt a flutter of nerves mixed with anticipation. This was a new world for me—a glimpse into Rami’s life that I had only heard about.

The waiter led us through the elegantly decorated space, past tables adorned with flickering candles and lush floral arrangements. My heart raced as we approached a table where Rami’s business partner, Gilbert, and his wife, Alice, were already seated. They looked up as we approached, and Gilbert stood to greet us with a smile.

“Rami! Dema! You both look fantastic!” Gilbert said, his voice warm and welcoming.

“Thanks, Gilbert,” Rami replied, a grin spreading across his face. He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down, feeling a mix of gratitude and nerves wash over me.

Alice smiled at me, she welcomed me and said. “Dema, it’s so nice to finally meet you! Rami has told us so much about you.”

“It’s great to meet you too,” I replied, feeling my cheeks flush slightly under her gaze.

Once we were all settled, the waiter approached with menus in hand. Rami glanced at Gilbert before they both began discussing their choices with an ease that seemed natural to them. I listened intently as they bantered back and forth about the best dishes to order.

When it was time to order, Rami leaned over slightly and asked, “What do you feel like having?”

I hesitated for just a moment, wanting to consider my options. But before I could respond, Rami turned back to the waiter with confidence. “We’ll have the filet mignon for both of us,” he said, glancing at me with a smile. “And for my wife, the salmon and the vegetarian risotto.”

I blinked in surprise at his decisiveness. I appreciated that he wanted to take care of things, but it struck me that this was a habit of rich men—making decisions on behalf of their wives without even asking for input. A small part of me bristled at the thought, but I pushed it aside, reminding myself that he was just trying to be considerate.

As the waiter nodded and scribbled down our orders, I caught Alice eye, she let her husband pick something for her too,she seemed unfazed by this dynamic; in fact, she looked quite pleased. Maybe it was just how things worked in their world. Still, I made a mental note to find my voice in these situations moving forward.

As we settled into conversation about work and life in the city, I felt a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. There was so much I wanted to learn about this world Rami inhabited—and about myself within it. With him by my side, maybe I could navigate it all after all.

Rami was deep in conversation with Gilbert, and I tried to focus on their discussion about quarterly projections and market trends. I leaned slightly forward, eager to catch every word, but the rhythm of their dialogue felt like a distant hum—interesting yet elusive.

Just as I was beginning to grasp some of the details, Alice turned her attention to me. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in, her voice bright against the backdrop of their serious talk.

“Dema, darling, I just have to say, your dress is absolutely stunning! Where did you get it?” she asked, her tone enthusiastic.

I smiled, flattered by her compliment. “Thank you! I found it at a boutique downtown. I loved the color,” I replied, glancing back at Rami and Gilbert, hoping to catch a snippet of their conversation.

But Alice wasn’t finished. “You have such a unique sense of style. I can never seem to find anything that fits quite right,” she continued, gesturing animatedly with her hands. “I mean, look at this dress! It’s cute, but it doesn’t have that same flair.”

I nodded politely, trying to engage while still straining to hear Rami's voice. He was gesturing passionately now, and I could see the excitement in his eyes as he spoke about an upcoming project. My heart raced with interest, but Alice was relentless.

“Honestly, though,” she said, lowering her voice conspiratorially, “you shouldn’t bother with what they’re talking about. It’s all just numbers and boring stuff. Let them annoy themselves with those topics while we enjoy the money they make!”

Her laughter was light and carefree, and for a moment, I felt a pang of frustration mixed with confusion. Was this really how things worked? Just sit back and let the men handle everything while we focus on fashion and social niceties? I wanted to dive into their conversation—to understand the intricacies of Rami’s work and contribute in some way.

But Alice seemed oblivious to my internal struggle. She continued chatting about the latest trends and her favorite designers, her enthusiasm infectious yet distracting. I offered polite smiles and nods, all while my mind was still tethered to Rami's animated discussion.

As I glanced over at him again, I caught his eye. He smiled at me, a hint  of approval evident in his expression, as if he appreciated my effort to engage with his world. But then he turned back to Gilbert, and I felt a wave of longing wash over me. I wanted to be part of that conversation—not just a spectator in a beautiful dress.

With a small sigh, I decided to lean into Alice’s chatter for now. Maybe there would be time later for me to carve out my own space in this new world. After all, tonight was about enjoying the moment and perhaps learning how to balance both sides of this life I was stepping into.