Chapter 21 RECOGNITION
Alexander.
"Why the hell is she taking so much...."
I stopped mid sentence.
The door to hallway entrance opened, and Dandelion stepped out.
And for the second time, she once again rendered me completely speechless.
And it was beginning to get annoying.
The dress was midnight blue almost black, with a subtle shimmer that caught the light when she moved. It hugged her curves before flowing down to her ankles, elegantly. Her long black wavy hair was pulled back, exposing the graceful line of her neck, and she'd done something with her makeup that made her eyes look impossibly large and....cute.
She looked....breathtaking.
'Stop staring,' I told myself sharply.
I cleared my throat, tearing my gaze away. "We're late."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't decide—"
"It's fine." I gestured toward the car. "Let's go."
She followed silently, clutching a small purse like it was a lifeline.
In the car, I kept my eyes on the road, my hands at ten and two. My eyes focused on driving. Except I kept finding my gaze drifting toward her.
The way she twisted her hands on her lap. The way she bit her lower lip.
'Focus, you idiot.' I warned myself harshly.
"Remember," I said, more sharply than I intended, " you should act naturally, smile and be polite. Don't give Noona any reason to suspect."
"I know." Her voice was quiet and strained.
"And don't mention the contract, or the scandal, or__"
"I KNOW, Alexander." She snapped finally looking at me, and there was a bit of rage in her eyes. "I'm not an idiot."
I resisted the urge to, remind her about rule number 10, not to call me by my name, I had thought it was a lame rule and had plans of making some amendment, but now it made me rethink on changing that clause. Because if I keep feeling this tingling in my chest every time she calls my name, then it's definitely not good.
"I didn't say you were." I muttered.
"You didn't have to." She replied sharply like she was frustrated.
Then silence fell again but heavier this time.
I turned back to the road, with my jaw clenched.
But every few minutes, my eyes betrayed me, flicking towards her. Noticing the way she stared out the window, lost in thought. The way her chest rose and fell with each breath.
.............
We finally got to the estate or The Graham Estate, like people and the media like to call it, it's an old money three stories, Five buildings estate, all glass and marble and perfectly manicured gardens.
I felt Dandelion tense beside me as we pulled up the long driveway.
"What if..." She trailed off, then started again. "What if your grandmother finds out about the scandal? What if someone tells her?"
I parked the car gently. "They won't."
"But what if—"
"Dandelion." I turned to face her fully. "I had the video scrubbed from the internet. Your scandal is yesterday's news. No one here knows, and even if they did, Noona doesn't care about tabloid gossip. She cares about family, about who you are genuinely."
"But she doesn't even know me–."
"That's enough." I snapped impatiently.
She flinched slightly, then nodded.
I should've said something to reassure her.
But I didn't.
I just got out of the car.
...........
The moment we stepped through the grand entrance, I felt the weight of fifty pairs of eyes turn toward us.
The main hall was filled with Greenville's elite and old money families, business tycoons, society matriarchs in their finest jewelries.
Of course Noona had to invite only old women, only about 10 of the people here were actually young well not really, they're probably in their late thirties or early forties, apart from Nicholas, Xavier, Tristan, Me, Dandelion and five other direct heirs, i don't think there's any one else below thirty here.
She only invited matriarchs and five ladies who were direct heirs, probably to hook me up with one of them if she finds out I wasn't telling the truth.
Classical music played softly from a live quartet in the corner. Champagne flowed freely.
And everyone was staring, at us, more like at her.
I felt Dandelion freeze beside me, her breath catching softly.
Of course she's nervous, I thought with a flash of irritation. She's used to cameras and fans,but not actual scrutiny?
But then I noticed the way her hands trembled. The way she'd suddenly gone pale.
Wait. She wasn't nervous about being judged, she was probably terrified of being recognized.
I sighed and slipped my hand around her waist.
She gasped softly, her body going rigid.
Rule 12: No touching.
I'd just broken my own rule.
But then it was necessary, I told myself. For appearances sake and to sell the illusion.
Not because I wanted to feel her warmth against my side, or because the way she shivered at my touch did something dangerous to my carefully controlled restraint.
"Breathe," I murmured, low enough that only she could hear me. "You're fine. They're just curious."
She nodded stiffly, and I guided her deeper into the room.
Heads turned and whispers followed.
But I ignored them all, my focus locked on the figure at the far end of the hall.
My grandmother.
She stood surrounded by well-wishers, elegant in a deep purple gown, her silver hair swept in a Marilyn Monroe style, her sharp eyes already tracking our approach.
When she saw us, her entire face lit up.
And then....
Her gaze landed on Dandelion.
And everything changed.
I was three feet away when Noona suddenly pushed past the people around her.
I opened my arms for a hug, all smiles.
But she....she walked right past me.
Straight to Dandelion.
"Genevieve?" Noona's voice cracked, her eyes wide and disbelieving.
Dandelion blinked, confused. "I...no, I'm_"
"No." Noona shook her head, tears already streaming down her face. "Dandelion."
And then she pulled Dandelion into a fierce embrace.
The room went silent.
Completely silent.
I stood there, my arms still half-raised, watching my grandmother sob into the shoulder of the woman I had hired to play my wife.
What the hell is happening?
Dandelion looked over Noona's shoulder at me, her expression equally shocked and panicked.