Chapter 120
DEMI
I’m staring at my reflection in the mirror, at the heavy gunk of makeup layered over the skin of my face as well as the deep, wavy hair that frames it. Put plainly, I look extremely beautiful today. Ashley’s stylists have been going out of their way to rebrand me for the little show I have been putting up for the cameras. Every news article and channel in Danvarr reports my pregnancy glow and fashion at least once a day. I am photographed everywhere I go and it’s all by design.
It’s father’s wish that I keep the media focused on me so much so that they forget that the other woman in the picture has been noticeably absent for weeks now. So far, I have been cooperating. It got easier after I kept seeing Liam in the crowd. We haven’t been able to meet up for days now since my security detail has been quadrupled and my movements restricted to keep up the farce.
I am only able to sneak a call or two to him while by myself in my room.
Liam is far smarter than I envisaged. During this difficult period for me, I have come to appreciate his ability to adapt, improvise and work alone to bring our goals to pass. He only asks that I trust him and not question the tough decisions he makes this period without consulting me first.
When Billion-Err strikes up a conversation about Nicola Grey’s sudden disappearance after rebutting the pregnancy rumors, a warm feeling fills my chest as the fog covering the eyes of the media start to fizzle away.
That is why I am nursing a thin smile as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I might hate how things have turned out and how my hands feel tied but if I have learnt anything from Liam, it’s that every situation can be used to our advantage.
I won’t cry or sulk. I will make lemonade out of this situation and bring the Rollins family to their knees when I am done with them.
I grab a brush and pat my face while smiling deviously. Through the mirror, Ashley’s eyes lock with mine. When did he come in? Shit. It’s his room after all.
"You’re smiling. Something funny?" He asks me dryly. I dump the brush with a sigh and turn to stare at him.
"What exactly do you want from me? You had a problem when I didn’t smile at all for the cameras and when I smiled too little. You complained when I smiled too much because it didn’t look genuine. Now, you have a problem with me practicing my smile before we put on a show for those clueless fans of ours out in the real world?"