29

29
Arlene
"How can you be this good-looking?"
Descending the grand staircase of my father's residence, I forced a serene smile, masking the turmoil swirling inside me. Olivia flanked my right, whispering incessantly, her excitement almost palpable.
Despite her happy stance, I couldn't help the heavy uneasiness settling down on me.
"You look absolutely stunning, Arlene," Olivia said, her voice carrying a mix of awe and envy. "This dress… It's a statement. Pure class."
I knew Olivia too well to expect her to praise herself or her work openly. But truth be told, she has an undeniable talent when it comes to working with fabrics.
"I asked you to surprise me, remember?" I said, stepping beside Olivia, with Matilda trailing just behind. Matilda looked stunning as well, though she had initially wanted to settle for a suit—Olivia, of course, wouldn't allow it.
Since her divorce, Matilda had become withdrawn, finding solace only in her work.
Now, walking a step behind us, she hummed her agreement. "I'd wager half the women downstairs will hate you for looking this good."
I smiled despite my mind being preoccupied with the evening ahead. The emerald-green gown I wore clung to my figure elegantly, its high slit and intricate beadwork designed to captivate. It wasn't for their benefit, though. Tonight was about me.
As we reached the bottom of the staircase, my father stood waiting with the ever-polished Daisy and her insufferable mother, Mirela.
"Arlene," my father said, his tone warm as he extended a hand toward me. "You look radiant. Absolutely radiant."
"Thank you, Dad," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. "I've got Olivia to thank for it."
Only Olivia could make me sit through two whole hours of makeup in front of a mirror.
"Come," he said, guiding me toward the cluster of elites mingling in the opulent living room. The chandelier's light reflected off my emerald gown, casting a shimmering green hue that seemed to illuminate the spot where I stood beside my father, enhancing the carefully curated décor and the impeccably chosen guest list.
"Everyone," Mr. Gomez announced, "meet my daughter, Arlene, the reason for this gathering. Isn't she exquisite?"
Polite murmurs and nods followed, accompanied by a few genuine smiles. I spotted Daisy flashing her practiced grin, the kind that concealed a thousand daggers. Mirela stood beside her, looking every bit the doting mother.
Father continued speaking, his voice commanding the room, and I followed closely behind him as applause erupted. Afterward, I gave a brief appreciation speech, and Dad raised his glass for a toast.
Just then, someone caught my attention as they walked into the room.
"Late," I muttered under my breath, recognizing him instantly - the man from the café.
Before I could dwell on it, Father tugged me toward another table, drawing me back into the whirlwind of introductions.
"And this," my father continued, pulling forward a young man, "is Shane Dawson. He's twenty-five, ambitious, and already making waves in the tech industry."
Shane smiled politely, his dark eyes scanning me with measured interest. He was attractive, I'd give him that—tall, with sharp features and a tailored suit that screamed wealth.
Before I could respond, my father added, "I've had enough of the Walker family's attempts to have one of you. They had the audacity to send me a lunch invitation to discuss Lucas and you after the embarrassment he caused Daisy. Unbelievable!"
I stiffened. He didn't know. Of course, he didn't. The news of my agreeing to a date with Lucas hadn't reached him yet. I wanted to laugh badly, but I held it in.
Turning my attention to Shane, I forced a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Shane."
"The pleasure is all mine," he replied smoothly.
My father, ever the strategist, didn't waste a beat. "Shane could be a suitable match for you, Arlene. He's respectable, driven, and from a good family."
I held back a sigh and smiled politely. "Thank you, Father, but I'm not interested in matchmaking right now."
Despite my words, I engaged Shane in light conversation, discussing everything from his startup ventures to his travels in Europe.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Liam's gaze. He stood near the bar, leaning casually against the counter while engaging in conversation with Lucas, a glass of wine in his hand.
He grinned when our eyes met, raising his glass in a mock toast.
I snorted softly and turned back to Shane, pretending not to notice.
The evening dragged on, the party in full swing as I finally disengaged from Shane to join Olivia. She immediately launched into gossip, but her words faded into the background as phones around us began to chime.
I pulled my own phone from my clutch, and the headline on the screen made my stomach drop.
Breaking News: Heiress Returns After Five Years as an Expectant Mother
Arlene Gomez, the first daughter and heiress of the Gomez family, is pregnant! Who could be the father?
Gasps filled the room, and a hush fell over the crowd. Mirela, ever the actress, feigned shock, her hand flying to her chest.
"Oh, dear," she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "This is all my fault as a mother. Please, everyone, show Arlene some leniency."
My father turned to me, his face a mixture of confusion and anger. "Arlene, what is the meaning of this? Is it true?"
I looked at Mirela, who stood with a smug expression that didn't match her feigned concern. She looked victorious, as if she'd orchestrated the entire situation.
Olivia tugged beside me, unsure of what to do while Matilda waved the press off from taking pictures.
Despite the calm exterior I projected, fear coursed through me. My heart pounded as I opened my mouth to speak, unsure of what to say.
"Arlene!" Dad called again, his voice laced with frustration, as whispers swirled around us. This felt so familiar - the hushed murmurs, the pointed fingers, the spiteful stares… It all reminded me of that night at Loretta's party.
The night Cole suggested I should be taken away… and killed. It felt exactly like that.
I stumbled back, Olivia's hands clutching at me for support.
"Go ahead, sis. Explain," Daisy's voice dripped with mockery.
"How can you be pregnant and not tell your father and me? We had to find out from the news? That's not just wrong, it's pathetic."
Mirela's enjoyment was palpable. I could see it in her eyes.
"I asked if it was true, Arlene. Are you pregnant?"
I could say no. I could deny it and get rid of my child tomorrow. But I couldn't. I couldn't bring myself to kill my own child.
I stumbled back again, trying to find the words to speak, but someone beat me to it.
"Babe."
The familiar deep voice of the guy at the café erupted behind me. I turned sharply to find Liam striding toward me, his expression calm and confident. He even had a sweet smile on.
"I'm sorry for coming late," he said, his gaze locking onto mine.
Before I could respond, he cupped my face and leaned in, pressing his lips against mine. For a moment, I froze, the world tilting as shock rippled through me.
"Play along," he whispered against my lips.
Instinct took over, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pretending as though this was the most natural thing in the world.
Gasps echoed around us as he pulled away and turned to my father.
"Is that Liam Walker?"
"Since when did they become an item?"
"I apologize, Mr. Gomez," Liam said, his voice steady and firm. "Some reckless journalist got wind of the news before we could announce it properly."
My father's mouth opened and closed as he struggled to find words.
Liam reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers as he looked back at the stunned crowd. "Arlene is pregnant," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "And it's my child, so treat her with kindness!"
He turned to me with a smile before his gaze shifted to the crowd. "How we became a couple is none of your concern. I don't take lightly what's mine, so no one should dare cross me. As for the illegal press that published those lies, I'll make sure they're sued."
Okay… this total stranger just called me 'his'.