No Strings Attached

The Ball: Part One

Olivia stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the sleek black dress she had chosen earlier. The gown fit her perfectly, hugging her curves and making her feel a mix of excitement and dread. The dress was beautiful, but the circumstances were anything but.

Ethan appeared in the doorway, looking as stern as ever. "You ready?" he asked, his voice cold.

She nodded, avoiding his gaze. Ethan walked over, making the room feel smaller. "Remember what I told you. We're going to the ball tonight, and you're going to act like my devoted girlfriend. No slip-ups."

Olivia took a deep breath. "I understand."

Ethan's phone buzzed, and he glanced at it with a frown before putting it away. "We need to make a good impression tonight. My ex will be there, and she needs to see that I've moved on."

As they headed out, Olivia couldn't help but take one last look around the fancy apartment. The rich fabrics, tasteful decor, and high-end furniture were all reminders of the strange world she had been thrust into. For a brief moment, she entertained the idea that she might actually enjoy this—dressing up, attending high-society events—but she quickly pushed those thoughts away. This wasn't a game, and Ethan wasn't someone she could trust.

The drive to the ball was silent and tense. Ethan's grip on the steering wheel was tight, and his expression was hard. Olivia stared out the window, her mind racing. She had to play her part perfectly if she wanted to survive the next two weeks.

When they arrived, the grand venue was bustling with elegantly dressed guests. Ethan guided Olivia through the crowd with a firm grip on her arm, his demeanor cold and commanding.

As they entered the ballroom, Ethan's ex, a stunning woman with sharp features and an icy demeanor, spotted them. Ethan's grip tightened on Olivia's arm as he led her closer.

"Remember," he whispered harshly in her ear, "you're supposed to be in love with me."

Olivia forced a smile, trying to play her part. Ethan's ex approached them, her eyes narrowing as she looked Olivia up and down.

"Ethan," the woman said coolly, "who's your friend?"

"This is Olivia," Ethan said, his voice dripping with false charm. "My girlfriend."

The ex raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, but then turned her attention to Olivia. "I'm Madison," she said, extending a perfectly manicured hand. "Nice to meet you."

Olivia shook her hand, her mind racing. "Nice to meet you too, Madison."

Madison's eyes lingered on Olivia for a moment before she turned back to Ethan. "Well, I hope you two have a lovely evening," she said, her tone icy. "Don't let me keep you."

As she walked away, Ethan relaxed his grip slightly but didn't let go. "Good job," he muttered. "Just keep it up."

The rest of the evening was a blur of forced smiles and tense conversations. Olivia played her part, but the fear and uncertainty never left her mind. She knew she was in deep, and there was no telling how this would end.

As the night wore on, Olivia couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get more complicated from here. She had to find a way out, but for now, she had to survive this twisted game Ethan was playing.