I didn't sleep early last night.

When I tried to sleep I heard slow steady steps outside my door till those steps stopped right in front of my room.

He had stopped there. I didn't open the door but I knew it was him.

Asher.

The thought of why he stopped at my door kept me awake for hours.

When morning finally came, I still felt his presence outside the door last night. My eyes were puffy, and my body ached like I hadn't rested a bit.

A knock pulled me out of my thoughts. “Come in,” I said quietly.

A young maid stepped in holding a breakfast tray. “Good morning, ma’am. Mr Maximilian asked that I serve you breakfast in your room instead cause He won't be able to join you at the dining table for breakfast. He left early for a meeting.”

“Oh. Okay,” I replied.

She gave a polite nod and left.

I stared at the food on the side table close to my bed. Perfectly arranged fruits, croissants, waffles, and a cup of coffee. I didn't have much of an appetite but I picked at the croissants, eating them slowly.

So, he went out early. I thought.

I didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.

Part of me wanted to see him, maybe to understand and know why he stopped and stood at my door last night for a few seconds without doing anything.

The other part of me was glad for the distance because any time he was near me I felt like he might discover a secret about me.

After I was done eating what I could, I showered and dressed in something simple— a sky blue blouse and navy blue pants. I brushed my hair, tied it, and packed my hair loosely into a bun.

I was about to lie down when I heard a knock on the door. “Come in,” I said.

And a young girl with glasses and a tablet in hand stepped in. She looked and dressed very professionally.

“Good morning. I am Ruby, Mr Maximilian's personal assistant,” she greeted with a firm tone.

“Good morning,” I replied with a small smile.

She glanced around my room and nodded once. “The stylist will be here at noon. They'll be bringing your dresses for the gala tonight.”

I stood up from my bed and then took a few steps towards my balcony. “Oh, a gala?” Then I turn towards her again.

Ruby looked at me like I'd asked a strange question. “Yes, the company's annual gala. It's a big event— press, investors, board members and it's also Mr Maximilian's birthday.”

I sat back on my bed. “Oh,” that was the only thing I said. Asher mentioned the gala yesterday was a breakfast but he didn't mention anything about his birthday.

Ruby looked down at her tablet. “The dress will be here by noon. You'll need to get your hair and makeup done also. The stylist will take care of everything so there is nothing to worry about.”

I'm not worried. But I nodded and forced a small smile. “Alright.”

“That would be all for now,” She said, and was about to leave but then she stopped and turned to me. “The event starts at eight but Mr Maximilian wants you ready by seven.”

I nodded.

“There is nothing for you to worry about,” she said as she walked closer to where I was seated. “Your husband will be at the company till late afternoon. He’ll definitely return in time for the event. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly.”

She turned to leave but something made me speak. “Ruby?”

She looked back. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Do…… people talk about me?”

Ruby blinked, clearly caught off guard. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, people outside, reporters, staff. What do they say about me?”

Ruby shifted slightly. “People like to gossip. You know that right?”

I nodded again.

“They are curious,” she admitted. “You married quickly and the press didn't expect it.”

“I understand,” I said and shook my head a bit.

She hesitated for a second before saying, “It's not a bad thing, Mrs Maximilian, sometimes things need to be done and sorted out as soon as possible.”

Then she left and closed the door.

I exhaled slowly as I comfortably lay on the bed. Then I whisper. “Just hold it together.”

At noon the stylist arrived, bringing racks of dresses. The colors are soft but elegant— silver, emerald green, champagne, navy. And also jewelry and make up kit includes.. The room was instantly filled with noise and the smell of different perfumes.

One of the stylists, a tall woman with dark hair. Named Kira smiled sweetly at me. “Good afternoon Mrs Maximilian we are here to make you shine tonight.”

I nodded slowly, a bit surprised by the noise. “Oh, right. You're welcome.”

Kira turned to me. “Would you like to start with the dress fitting, or hair and makeup?”

I hesitated. “Whichever you think is better.”

She smiled again.” We’ll start with your fitting then.”

Then they started showing different dresses. Each of the dresses looked more beautiful than the last but I finally chose a soft emerald green which had tiny crystals on the neckline.

When I put it on, it hugged me in all the right places, I barely recognized myself in the mirror.

Kira clapped with excitement. “You look stunning!” she screamed joyfully. “This colour definitely brings out your complexion.”

I smiled nervously. “If you say so.”

She tilted her head to the side. “First gala as Mr Maximilian?”

“Yes,” I admitted.

She grinned. “You'll be fine.”

I looked at myself in the mirror again. The woman staring back didn't look like me, everything was just too much. I looked like someone pretending to live a life that's not mine.”

Kira noticed my silence. “Are you okay?”

I blinked and nodded quickly. “Yes, I'm fine. Thank you.”

She went back to working and my thoughts drifted again— back to last night, to the sound of him outside my door.

Why did he stop there?

Did he hear me humming? Is that why he stopped to listen?

Or was he just checking if I was awake?

I didn't know what was worse— maybe he was just curious about something or he was just suspicious about something.

“Asher Maximilian,” I whispered under my breath. His name alone carried weight. The billionaire who rebuilt his father's company from scratch. If this man ever finds out the truth— that the woman he married wasn't Elena but her twin sister pretending to be her— everything would just fall apart.

I tried not to think more about it but the thoughts were just heavy in my heart.

The stylists were moving quickly, curling my hair, applying soft makeup, brushing shimmer on my shoulders. I just sat quietly, staring at my own reflection, watching the clock tick through the afternoon. My face looked calm, but my mind was fat from being calm.

By the time they were done, it was late in the afternoon. Wow, I can't believe I sat for hours just to do my makeup and styling.

“Mrs Maximilian?” Kira's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Yes?” I answered.

“Your husband asked me to remind you that you'll be leaving together tonight. He’ll meet you downstairs by seven.”

“Oh….. Okay.”

She smiled faintly. “You look nervous.”

I gave her a shaky nervous laugh. “Is it that obvious?”

“A bit,” she admitted. “It's normal. First big event after marriage, everyone feels that way.”

“Right,” I said quietly even though this wasn't nerves about marriage. It was the fear of being caught.

Kira clapped her hands softly. “You look so perfect.”

The other smiled too. “Mr Maximilian will be proud.”

I don't think so. Proud? That word didn't sound right to me.

I don't think he thought of me in any other way than being a contract wife.

He barely looked at me during breakfast, and when he did, it wasn't the type of look that carried affection. It was like he was studying me to figure out something. And also the room with the woman in a frame, I don't think he has let her go. Whoever she is, it seems like he still has affection for her.

When the stylist finally left, I sat in front of the mirror again but this time alone.

I studied my reflection carefully. The woman in the mirror looked elegant, confident, and beautiful.

But inside I was shaking. I sat in that same spot for a while and then I heard a knock on the door again. “Come in.”

Ruby entered holding her tablets. “The car will be ready by seven and Mr Maximillian asked me to make sure you're on time.”

I nodded. “Yes, I'll be on time.”

She paused. “If you need anything, call me,” she said as she dropped a card on my table. “Tonight will be…..intense. Cameras, interviews the usuals.”

“Interviews?” I asked.

She nodded. “It's expected, since it's your first public appearance as Mrs Maximilian. Mostly about the marriage.”

My heart skipped. “Marriage?”

“Don't worry,” Ruby said quickly. “Just smile, answer briefly, and stay close to him. He will handle the rest.”

“Okay,” I whispered. “Thank you.”

When she left I exhaled and pressed a hand to my chest. I will just do as she says.

Smile. Stay close. Don't say too much.

That was my plan and I think it's a good one.

I spent the next hour pacing around the room, repeating encouraging phrases to myself. I practiced a bit about how Elena talks, I imagined and practiced the tone she would use in front of the cameras. I mimicked her smile, her posture, her confident voice. But no matter how hard I tried I still wasn't as good as her.

“You can do this,” I whispered to myself. “You can pretend for another night.”

Then I heard a knock on the door. “Come in.”

The door opened, and Asher walked in.

He was in a black tuxedo, so perfect the type that made him look so attractive. His hair was brushed back, his tie neatly fixed. For a moment, I forgot to breathe.

He looked at me. From my head to my toes. Slow and steady. “You're ready,” he said calmly.

“I think so,” I said, forcing a small smile.

He stepped closer and for a second I thought he was going to say something else. Instead, he reached into the inside pocket of his suit and pulled out a small velvet box.

“This arrived this morning,” he said, his tone was calm. “It was meant for you.”

He opened it and inside was a delicate silver necklace, small but elegant with a small crystal pendant.

“It's beautiful,” I whispered.

He nodded. “Turn around.”

My heart skipped. “Oh….. Okay.”

I turned slowly, and he stepped closer behind me. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my neck. My skin tingled before he even touched me.

When his fingers brushed my collarbone to remove the previous necklace and put the one he just got, a small shiver ran through my spine.

“Stay still,” he whispered.

“I am,” I whispered back, though my voice came out barely audible.

He finished securing the necklace, but he didn't move away immediately. His hand lingered for a second longer than it should have. I could feel his gaze on the side of my face.

Then he finally stepped back. “Beautiful….. It's beautiful and it suits you.”

I turned around slowly. “Thank you.”

Our eyes met, and for a moment neither of us said anything. The silence between us wasn't awkward—- I'd say it was charged. Like something was waiting to happen but neither of us dared to move first.

Then he broke it. “The car is waiting.”