Chapter 3 The Engagement Party Announcement

Vanessa's P.O.V

The pink diamond ring on her finger felt heavy on her finger.

It wasn't because of the size of the rock she would pay off her entire family's debt and still buy them a big mansion. It was the meaning, the expectation. The cage the ring symbolized.

Three days had passed since she signed the contract, and already the media buzz had started. "Mystery girl engaged to billionaire Cathan Hartwell!" spread across social media like wildfire. Paparazzi hounded the front of the Hartwell's estate. Reporters called the landline at home.

Her quiet life was gone.

But none of it compared to how she felt at the moment, standing outside the grand ballroom of Hartwell's estate, her exquisite sapphire gown accentuating her collarbone, hair pinned backward, lips painted, she was breathtaking. Tonight was the official engagement party., her debut into his world.

She had not seen Cathan since she signed the contract. And now she was expected to play his fiancee in front of thousands of people who would rather spit than shake her hand.

She knew she was nervous because she could feel her palms sweating

"Are you ready?" came a chill voice behind her.

She turned back.

Cathan stood there in his midnight blue suit that looked classic and finesse on him; elegance and poise were screaming in every part of his bloodline. His eyes lingered over her, slow and unreadable.

"You look really put together," he said.

Vanessa blinked. Was he complimenting her?

"So do you. Must be exhausting being elegant."

A twitch of amusement pulled at the corner of his lips. "It's a part of me."

A small pause settled between them before he offered his arm.

"Let's go dishearten a room full of rich people together."

The ballroom was glittering with chandeliers, champagne flutes, and cocktails. Vanessa kept her chin high and walked with elegance, her hand locked in Cathan's.

She could feel the stares on her.

Who is she?

Which house is she from?

Is she a politician's daughter?

Is this a PR stunt?

She had expected whispers, but not the glacial smile from a tall woman in a violet gown who walked straight up to Cathan and kissed him on the cheek, completely ignoring Vanessa.

"I didn't think you would go through with it," the woman said, her eyes fixed on Cathan with a private familiarity.

Cathan's jaw clenched. "Madison."

Of course, she was the ex-fiancee.

Vanessa watched as Madison finally shifted her gaze to her, devoid of warmth and sharp, like a blade.

"So you are my replacement."

Vanessa opened her mouth to speak, but Cathan stepped in first.

"She is my fiancee. You will treat her with utmost respect."

Madison scoffed, the fake smile never wavering. "Of course. Congratulations."

And with that, she dispersed into the crowd.

Vanessa's heart burned in her chest.

Cathan looked at her. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "But I don't need you to defend me."

"I was not defending you," he said calmly. "I was just protecting my investment."

Her heart sank.

Right. Of course, she was just an investment.

Cathan's POV

Later That Night,

He watched her from across the room as she laughed and smiled politely, with some distant cousin of his. She didn't belong here, she knew it, and he also knew it. And yet, somehow, she carried herself with more elegance than half the bluebloods in the room.

She hadn't asked him about Madison, nor did she throw a tantrum or get jealous. But he saw a flicker of hurt in her eyes.

He had not meant to say that she was an investment, The words flowed out before he could stop them. Old habits, cold instincts.

He wanted to apologize and tell her that he didn't mean it.

But what right did he have?

This marriage wasn't supposed to be emotional, she was not supposed to matter. Yet every time she looked at him with those sharp, angry eyes, it made something in him unravel.

And that scared him.

As the crowd applauded their first public appearance as a couple, Vanessa smiled at the cameras.

But inside, she kept whispering to herself: Don't fall for him; no matter what happens, do not fall.

The engagement party was gradually coming to an end with the ballroom lights dimming. With Cathan greeting some people, Vanessa sneaks out of the ballroom to call the only person she can think of: Reinell, her best friend.

Vanessa's POV

The air was cool against her body as she slipped onto the rooftop of the Hartwell's mansion. The noise, the judgmental eyes, and the fake smiles all melted away with each breath of air she took in.

She pulled out her phone and stared at the screen.

Reggie.

She dialed his number

It rang once.

"Thought you had forgotten me," came his voice, calm and warm as ever.

Vanessa sighed, suddenly breathless. "I needed to talk with someone real."

Silence.

"Where are you?" he asked warmly.

"I am still at the party, but on the rooftop, hiding from the aristocrats who think nothing less of me than a social experiment."

"I'm outside."

"Where?" She asked confused.

"The Hartwell's estate, I was also invited, but I didn't want to see him, only you, so I came. I'm in the car. Do you want me to come to the rooftop?"

She hesitated for a bit before replying. "Yes."

Reinell stepped onto the rooftop like a shadow wrapped in elegance, in a black shirt with no tie, his sleeves rolled up. He never cared about his dress, yet still managed to look like every girl's dream guy.

Except he was hers and somehow not.

"You good?" he asked, walking towards her.

"No," she said softly.

He sat beside her on the edge, close but not touching.

"I saw him," Reinell said. "Cathan. I saw how he looked at you."

"Like a thing he bought at an auction?"

"No, like he was trying not to care."

Vanessa looked at him, surprised.

"I know his kind," Reinell said. "And I know yours too, you are going to break his rules just by breathing."

She faintly smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Reinell looked at the ring in her hand. "I wish you had told me sooner."

"I didn't want to see the disappointment on your face."

He turned his face to her, intense and quiet. "I wouldn't have been disappointed, Vanessa. I would've been jealous."

That kept her quiet.

Her lips parted, but no word came out.

Reinell leaned in slightly, his voice low. "I have been waiting for the right time to say this. I thought that maybe after school, once things were settled, I would have more time."

She shook her head slowly. "Reinell..."

"I know...I know you don't feel the same towards me." He said as he gave her a soft smile.

"You've never looked at me like that, but I had to say it, at least once."

Vanessa looked down, as her heart ached in ways she couldn't understand.

" Reinell I don't deserve your heart," she said softly.

"Maybe not," he said. "But I will still give it to you anyway."

"I should get going, Vanessa, I wish you the very best, and know that I will always be here for you."

Vanessa smiled as she gave him a hug to bid him farewell.

As he left the rooftop and disappeared into the darkness, Vanessa stood alone again.

One man saw her like a chattel, and the other saw her like a dream. And she wasn't sure which scared her more.