Page 29 of Dario DeLuca

I look around and wonder how anyone can pull this off in such a short time. The decorations are exquisite. No expense has been spared.

The venue is illuminated by a sophisticated arrangement of geometric pendant lights, casting a warm, golden glow over sleek tables dressed in black linens with a matte finish. At the center of each table, modern sculptural pieces replace traditional floral arrangements, and minimalist structures in gold hold black candles.

This is pretty close to something I would have planned for myself under normal circumstances. At this point, I don’t know what normal is any more.

“Oh look, there’s Senator Boyd. You should go over and thank him for coming.” Evelyn suggests.

I look over to the opposite side of the room and spot my bestie and her father.

“Excuse me. I’m going to go say hi to Gabrielle.”

“Don’t be too long, Mia. Others want to meet the next city councilman’s soon-to-be wife.”

I give Evelyn a faint yet polite smile and saunter over to join my bestie, snagging a glass of gold-flaked champagne in black-rimmed champagne flutes along the way. Walking back to a familiarity I haven’t had in nearly a week relaxes me with each step.

Both of our lives have changed within a short frame of time. One where she is locked out of mine, and I know nothing about hers. Our embrace is almost immediate. Like at the end ofThe Color Purplewhen Nettie and Celie meet again after so many years.

“You were supposed to be on your way to my house and the next thing I know, I get an invitation to your engagement party. What’s really going on, Mia?”

I take a long swallow from my glass, thinking of what I can and cannot say, and grab another glass as the wait staff comes around.

“It’s not real,” I emphasize, taking a small taste from my glass and still reminding myself that I am here to play the part of a politician’s fiancée.

"Looks pretty real to me," she retorts, eyeing the ring with a skeptic's precision while holding my hand for examination. “I mean, if a man gives you a 5-carat cushion-cut diamond ring for fake, then it must be fake. This jewel is not.”

Her mom taught her how to spot a fake years ago while we were in college, seeing how she’s a jeweler herself.

"To be honest, it's all a political stunt," I return softly, careful not to let more than that slip from my lips. “I have to play the doting fiancé and keep up appearances of a happy union even though this is total bull shit.”

"The campaign," she deduces.

I nod, caution reflected in my eyes. We can't speak of it here.

“Well, when it’s all over, you have to tell me everything.”

“I promise I will. But let me say you look amazing in that dress.”

“Me? Girl, that dress is giving me so much life right now. You know your faithful followers love to see you all glammed up.”

“Yeah, well, part of my duties is not to blog. Please don’t ask because it’s not something I can talk about. None of this is open for dialogue right now.”

Gabrielle starts to speak but decides against it, knowing it would likely be met with resistance. She glances over at Dario.

"He does look good in that tux," she admits, a smile on her lips.

I turn toward Dario’s direction and feel his gaze before I meet it, a silent communication that sets my nerves ablaze. I can't help but react, my body responding with a heat I despise.

“If that’s what you’re into,” I reply, throwing off the apparent entrapment I feel from his magnetic pull.

As if this moment couldn’t be more awkward, my parents have finally arrived. My mother looks as elegant and poised as ever, knowing deep inside that this whole thing is a sham. And my father, the king of secrets within the city walls, keeps up a façade the citizens have come to know and love.

“Mia baby, you look impeccable,” my mother’s words are a balm to the ache in my heart. Not being near her or even able to see her for the past week has left me feeling like a motherless child. She is my rock. They both are if I’m honest, but my father has broken the trust I have in him with this agreement made behind closed doors.

“Thanks, Mom. Dario made sure that I, well, had the best for tonight’s event. I see you went the way of Valentino tonight.”

“Well, hopefully, your daughter only gets engaged once in her life.” She gives my father an eyeful of disgust and an eye roll to match before putting on a smile for the public.

“Mr. Mayor, can we grab a picture of you and your family?” one of the media photographers asks.

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