Chapter 3 Chapitre 3

Clara walked slowly through the room, taking care to greet certain guests without attracting too much attention. But she didn't anticipate what would come next: a familiar face approached her, accompanied by a bright smile that never went unnoticed, even in this elite crowd. It was Gabriel Duval, a recognized celebrity, with devastating charm and magnetic charisma. He was an essential public figure, an internationally successful actor and recently elected "Man of the Year" by several magazines. They had mutual friends in the fashion industry, but she hadn't seen him in years.

- "Clara! What a surprise! » he exclaimed, holding out his arms to her.

She froze, then responded to his embrace, while feeling the heavy gazes of the guests resting on them. She was aware of the aura surrounding Gabriel, and she knew that this impromptu meeting would quickly make people talk about her.

- "Gabriel, it's been a long time," she whispered with a sincere smile.

- "Too long, indeed," he replied, looking falsely overwhelmed. "And to think that I have to meet you at a social party to finally have the chance to talk to you again. »

He gave her an amused wink, but she heard a hint of sincerity in his voice. Gabriel was not just a beloved actor, he was also a man whose sensitivity and intelligence shone through his every word, and that was probably what made him even more irresistible to the public.

A few murmurs began to rise around them, and she did not need to listen to understand their content. Several guests were already whispering, some exchanging surprised looks, others widening their eyes in curiosity. Seeing Clara chatting with such a celebrity seemed to confirm that there was much more behind the sober and discreet appearance she had chosen for this evening.

Gabriel, well aware of the interest they aroused, did not hesitate to add more, as if he was deliberately playing with the emerging rumors. He devoured her with his eyes, a smirk, visibly amused by the situation.

- "So tell me, Clara...when did you become the future wife of the mysterious Mr. Darcy? I have to admit, I'm jealous," he joked, crossing his arms, feigning an annoyed pout.

Clara began to laugh, a sincere and light laugh which attracted even more attention from the guests. She knew that every burst of laughter, every knowing exchange with Gabriel became a topic of discussion, fueling assumptions and rumors.

- "Life sometimes takes unexpected turns," she replied with a shrug. "But you know, Gabriel, it's not always like in the films you make. »

- "Ah, too bad, I would have liked to be the hero of your story," he replied, giving her a charming smile.

At the same time, she noticed a photographer observing them through the lens of his camera. He stood at a distance, trying to capture their expressions and their exchanges, as if he knew he had the perfect scene. Gabriel, for his part, did nothing to escape the target. On the contrary, he leaned slightly towards her, as if to make the scene even more intriguing. The flash crackled, immortalizing this moment between Clara and the famous actor, like a stolen image from a secret story.

- "This photographer seems to be very interested in you, Clara," Gabriel whispered in her ear. "He's probably wondering if you have another famous fiancé somewhere." »

She raised her eyebrows, amused but a little annoyed by the situation. She had chosen to remain discreet, and now a simple encounter was enough to awaken the wildest imaginations. She had no doubt that the photos would quickly make the rounds on social networks, and that they would be analyzed from all angles by journalists eager for new sensational stories.

- "That's right, it wasn't very subtle," she replied with a sigh. "But I guess I have to get used to it, don't I? »

- "Absolutely, especially if you hang out with Mr. Darcy and agree to be seen in public with men like me," he replied with a laugh.

Clara shook her head, amused. Their exchange took a light, almost carefree turn, and she appreciated this complicity with Gabriel, this ease with which they could laugh at the situation. But she also knew that each word, each look captured by the other guests added a new layer of mystery around her person.

Across the room, Mr. Darcy watched the scene with an inscrutable expression. He seemed indifferent, as if he had little interest in the commotion surrounding his fiancée and the actor. But Clara knew that he missed nothing of the interactions that took place before his eyes. His gaze was fixed, calculating, almost absent, and yet she felt that he was analyzing every detail.

Gabriel noticed it too, and a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

- "You know he's watching you, right? » he whispered to Clara, lowering his voice.

She nodded, still smiling. She was no fool: Mr. Darcy was not a man to show his emotions, but she knew that somewhere, deep down, he was assessing the situation, trying to understand who this woman was who could attract attention by Gabriel Duval.

- "I wonder what he thinks of all this," Gabriel added, crossing his arms, also observing Mr. Darcy. "He seems so... distant, like none of this is affecting him. »

- "That's exactly his type," Clara replied, smiling. "He prefers to observe in silence, keeping his thoughts to himself. »

Gabriel laughed softly, amused by the description. They continued to talk, and the curious looks from the guests became more and more insistent. Some even seemed hesitant to approach, as if Gabriel's presence added an untouchable aura around Clara, transforming her into a living enigma. She felt the tension in the air, the growing excitement of speculation.

Then, a group of guests passed by them, slowing down slightly to listen to their conversation. One of the bold women turned to Gabriel and asked with a falsely innocent smile:

- "Mr. Duval, are you and miss... close?" I mean, there seems to be a real bond between you. »

Gabriel didn't give up. With his charming smile, he replied in a light tone:

- "Let's just say Clara is a fascinating woman, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. »

Clara felt the woman's gaze slide over her, as if to judge her one last time. She didn't know if Gabriel's insinuation had been made to protect her or to arouse even more curiosity, but she knew that after this evening, she would no longer go unnoticed. The whispers would turn into rumors, and her relationship with Gabriel would be analyzed and dissected.

Gabriel looked at her smiling, visibly satisfied with the effect of her words. She gave him a knowing look, grateful for this slight provocation which had freed her from the silent judgments of the guests.

But in the back of the room, Mr. Darcy remained impassive, his face expressionless, a glass in his hand. He hadn't moved, as if he was enjoying observing them from afar, a silent observer who didn't deign to intervene. This displayed indifference added to the mystery surrounding her, and Clara no longer knew if it was to protect her or to assess what was happening around her. Mr. Darcy was an enigmatic, unpredictable man, and she knew he would not reveal his intentions so easily.

The eyes of the room now oscillated between Clara, Gabriel and Mr. Darcy, like a triangle of fascination in this sparkling night. Clara then understood that she was at the heart of this game of appearances, a game where each look, each word, each smile took on a new meaning.

She gave Gabriel one last smile, aware that their discussion had raised many questions. She stood up, ready to face this new attention with confidence. The banquet was just one more step, and she knew she was ready, even in the face of the incessant curiosity of this world she had chosen to integrate .