I gazed into his eyes. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
I heard a chorus of “awwwww” all around me.
Our eyes locked and we stared into each other’s eyes. Whether we wanted to admit it or not, we had this amazing connection, this amazing chemistry.
I kissed his lips. I showed all those flashing cameras that the flames of passion were still burning brightly for us. Markus couldn’t have hired a better actress for the part. I was giving the performance of a lifetime.
“They can’t get enough of each other,” I heard a woman say. “She’s so lucky!”
“These two are just as in love as ever,” another said.
“They can’t hide their feelings for one another,” a far-off voice said.
“Give us a passionate smooch,” someone else asked.
I thought I’d kick up the excitement a notch.
“You can have any girl in the world, and yet, you choose me.” I touched Marcus’s face.
He gazed at me l
ovingly. “I’ve never met a person as nice and caring as you.”
“That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
His lips brushed against mine in another soft kiss. Marcus held up his hand and swept me into the car in the same motion.
Once we were safely inside, he turned back to me slowly. “Having fun, Rebecca?”
“I’ve never had this much attention before,” I said.
“This is just the beginning.”
I smiled.
“You’re a great actress,” he said. “I almost believed every word you said.”
“It’s what you paid me for. I’m glad you think I’m doing a great job. Maybe one day I’ll break into Hollywood.”
Chapter 13
The gala itself was actually much more formal than I had imagined. I didn’t really have to worry about my shoes because instead of wandering around in a wide open ballroom like the party Marcus threw, everyone was seated at rounded tables. The kind of tables with far too much silverware, where the napkins were folded with such severity they could slice open your hand.
I didn’t recognize anyone in the room, yet everyone looked vaguely familiar. I assumed I’d seen them before on the cover of a magazine or in random pictures from White House correspondence dinners over the years. Whoever they were, they all seemed to know Marcus. We could hardly eat a bite of food before someone new would wander up and demand his immediate attention.
He introduced me each time as “his girlfriend, Rebecca.” By the time the night was winding to a close, I’d heard the phrase so many times I half believed it myself.
Once we’d finished with the dinner portion of the evening, the speech-making began. My eyes glassed over with instant boredom, but Marcus was hanging on every word—his eyes boring intently into each speaker. I sensed that “charity” functions like these were far more about political power plays and saber rattling than they were about the cause in question.
That is… I thought that until Marcus was called up to present his check.
His check for four million dollars.
“When I started this foundation nine years ago, I had no idea how it would blossom and thrive with the support of galas like this and the contributions of people like you. With almost one in ten people diagnosed with the condition every year, it’s vital that we use our seat of privilege to reach a helping hand to those who cannot help themselves. I thank you in advance for your generosity.”
His speech was short and concise—saying with only a few words what all the others had failed to convey through countless monologs. When he handed the check to the president of the foundation, I couldn’t help but glance around the table and feel a little proud.
That’s right, you sycophants. That’s what sincerity looks like. Soak it in.