Natalie found herself breathless after a three-minute French kiss. His hand gripped hers, making her feel weak. Through her pristine white veil, she peered at Adrian, her heart stirring with emotions she had never before experienced. His white suit made him look exceptionally handsome, his aura leaving Natalie utterly dazzled.
"Relax, Alice," Adrian said, his smile warm as he continued to hold her waist, mistakenly using the wrong name.
The mention of "Alice" brought Natalie's fluttering excitement to a sudden halt. She was Natalie, not Alice, and tonight was nothing more than a dream.
Following the engagement ceremony, a toast was in order. Natalie changed into a light pink dress, her transformation observed by Emmett. Despite his distaste for the intimate display he had witnessed between Natalie and Adrian, he understood the importance of aligning with the Howard family.
"Thicken her foundation," Emmett instructed the makeup artist in the dressing room.
The makeup artist, unfamiliar with Alice and Natalie, frowned at Emmett's request. "Her makeup is already perfect, and Ms. Cullen's skin is in good condition. A lighter touch would be more flattering," she suggested.
With no wedding veil to hide her features, Natalie's face was strikingly delicate. Fearful that someone would notice she wasn't Alice, Emmett commanded firmly, "Just do as I said. Do a good job, and you'll get paid."
Reluctantly, the makeup artist began to apply the heavy makeup to Natalie’s face. She didn't understand the peculiarities of the wealthy. The woman had such a good complexion, yet here she was, piling on the makeup.
Natalie's makeup was heavy, and although she remained beautiful, it masked her natural style. Sitting in front of the makeup mirror, she saw a stranger reflecting back at her and slowly clenched her fingers.
In the hallway, Emmett walked ahead of Natalie, whispering a stern warning. "You better behave, Natalie. If I find out you're up to something, I won't let it slide."
Natalie looked down. "I understand."
When they re-entered the banquet hall, the guests had already begun their lunch.
Adrian had changed into a smoky gray suit. His demeanor had shifted from the radiant charm he had displayed in his white suit to a more scholarly and refined presence.
Seated at the table were Adrian's father and his uncles. Adrian’s mother was in the hospital and couldn’t attend the engagement party. Ruben, being older, had retired to the lounge after seeing Natalie.
"Adrian, bring Alice over and give a toast to the elders," a well-dressed woman with an elegant demeanor instructed. She was clad in a white suit, adorned with a pearl necklace, and her features were refined. This was Adrian’s aunt Melissa.
Melissa had married into the Murphy family years ago, and her son, Daniel, was Natalie’s senior at school.
Daniel was present that day, and Natalie tensed up when she saw him. She was afraid he might recognize that she was not Alice.
As Adrian led her over, she overheard Melissa ruminating about her son. “Oh, Daniel, when will you bring a nice daughter-in-law for your mother? I don't ask for much, just a girl from a decent family with a good reputation.”
Daniel glanced at Melissa and chuckled softly. "Mom, today is Adrian's engagement party. Why are you shifting the focus to me again?"
As Daniel lifted his head to look at the pair approaching him, his gaze fell on the woman in the pale pink dress. He couldn't help but furrow his brow.
He’d only met Alice once, but why did he feel like the bride before him was nothing like the brash woman from his memory? Instead, there was something familiar about her. She almost resembled... Natalie?