The Price of Pretending
Ashton never does things halfway. He always pays attention to the smallest detail including the dress I’m wearing tonight. Elegant enough, yet not too revealing.
My face had been carefully touched up by one of the most sought-after makeup artists in this city. My hair was left loose, falling gracefully down my back in soft waves.
Tonight, we were heading to the mansion that belonged to Vanessa—Ashton’s mother. He had told me earlier that his younger sister also lived there.
I stood before the mirror once more, studying every item that now adorned my body. If I counted the value of everything I wore, perhaps it would be enough to buy a house—fully furnished.
Was this one of the privileges of being the child of a world-famous billionaire, even if unacknowledged? Though Ashton could be insufferable at times and though I still didn’t know what he was hiding behind that unreadable gaze. At the very least, he had introduced me to a world of luxury that once only existed in my imagination.
Footsteps echoed softly behind me, and in the reflection, Ashton’s figure came into view.
I turned around and met his gaze, which was fixed on me with quiet intensity. The scent of his cologne, masculine and familiar, made me freeze for a moment. I told myself I hadn’t fallen for him. I was just an ordinary girl reacting to a man the world saw as flawless. He had everything, including the power to break me, should he ever decide to.
“I need you to be elegant and polite in front of my mother. Avoid arguments,” Ashton said, his tone even but laced with quiet insistence.
Apparently, he knew me better than I thought. I did tend to argue. I refused to act small just because he believed he had bought me from my mother. But I had to be cautious. Ashton wasn’t just anyone, he had the power to use that authority against me, and I couldn’t afford to be reckless.
“Don’t worry. I can behave,” I replied flatly.
A smirk tugged at his lips. “Before we meet my mother, we need to make a few things clear.”
I frowned. “What things?”
“Tell the truth about yourself. You’re from Kansas, your mother works at a restaurant, and your father’s whereabouts are unknown. But don’t mention David Taylor as your biological father.”
I listened carefully. I hated having to follow his commands, but I had little choice. At least this was better than working all day just to afford rent, while my mother acted as if my efforts meant nothing.
“If she asks where we met, tell her I ordered flowers at the shop you work at back in Kansas. Then…”
“Then, just as you were about to pay, you dropped your wallet. I picked it up. At the same moment, your fingers brushed against mine. Our eyes met. My heart started racing and so did yours. And just like that, we fell in love at first sight…” I picked up where Ashton left off.
Ashton chuckled, eyes fixed on me. “You’d make a great romance novelist, Lily.”
“One more thing. If she asks why you fell for me, just say you knew I was the one. That you didn’t need a reason—you just knew.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Is your mother really that gullible?”
He didn’t answer. Maybe he couldn’t think of a better excuse either.
“Have you ever considered that she might not approve of our… fake relationship?”
He gave a small nod. “Yes. I’ve thought about that.”
“A poor girl standing beside a wealthy heir. People will talk. They’ll say she’s only after his money,” I added.
“You’re here for the money too, aren’t you?” he said calmly. “Your mother already got what she wanted. So forget whatever judgment my mother might pass on you. A mother only wants one thing—her child’s happiness.”
“That’s enough. Let’s not waste any more time,” he said, reaching for my hand and leading me out of the room.
I stood frozen before the grand mansion that belonged to Ashton’s mother. Sometimes I wonder how is it that some people acquire wealth so easily? They build mansions, live without lack, while in some other quiet corner of the world, people struggle just to survive another day.
Ashton reached for my hand, his fingers closing gently around mine. He looked at me once more, a brief but firm glance.
“Remember, mind your behavior.”
“You don’t have to keep reminding me. I get it,” I replied, a hint of irritation beneath my breath.
We walked side by side. Ashton led me into a spacious room draped with silk curtains and adorned with abstract paintings that radiated elegance without trying too hard.
There, waiting, were two women. One of them—a woman in a red dress, poised and composed, likely Ashton’s mother. The other, younger, with sharper eyes and a guarded expression—his sister, perhaps.
Neither of them looked pleased to see me. Their gazes were cool, assessing like I was already a question they had no intention of answering kindly.
"Welcome to our home." Ashton’s mother, offered a smile, one that felt too rehearsed to be truly warm.
I responded with a faint smile of my own.
"So this is the girl you were talking about the other day?" Mrs. Williams glanced at her son briefly. Now I understood where Ashton got his sharp features. There was something dominant and powerful in her presence. Traces of her past as a famous model were still evident in her graceful bearing—tall, elegant, stunning.
"Yes, Mom. This is Lily Parker."
I reached out my hand for a handshake. She took it unlike Ashton’s sister.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Williams."
She gave me nothing more than a faint smile.
"Kelly, shake hands with your future sister-in-law," Ashton said firmly, his eyes locking onto his sister’s.
It was clear she didn’t like me. With an unfriendly look on her pretty, doll-like face, she finally offered her hand. Her sleek black satin dress made her look effortlessly poised.
"How did you meet my brother?" Kelly crossed her arms and frowned.
I glanced at Ashton, just briefly. As we’d agreed, I followed his instructions.
"We met at the flower shop where we worked. He once ordered flowers while he was visiting Kansas."
"You worked at a flower shop?" Mrs. Williams looked me over, her gaze sharp and curious. There was a flicker of surprise in her expression.
I could sense it. Ashton didn’t seem particularly close to his mother.
"Yes, Lily used to work there," Ashton answered calmly. "But she doesn’t need to anymore. We’ll be getting engaged soon."
He tightened his grip on my hand, as if to reassure both his mother and sister that everything was under control.
"Your ex was a famous model. And now you’ve chosen a former flower shop girl?" Kelly narrowed her eyes, skeptical.
Is this how the wealthy always act? Looking down on people from a lower social class?
"Kelly, please show Lily some respect. Let’s have dinner, it’s already late." Ashton tried to cut through the tension.
