Faking it with the billionaire

Izzy didn't recognize herself in the mirror. A sleek black dress hugged her frame, tailored to perfection courtesy of the stylist she'd met twenty minutes ago. The heels were too tall. The lipstick is too bold. The diamond ring on her finger? Too heavy, like it knew it didn't belong there.

But none of that mattered now. The contract was signed.

And the hospital bill? Already half-paid.

She stared at her reflection. She didn't look like an event planner or a daughter scrambling to keep her mother alive. She looked like the perfect Billionaire's wife. 

"I look like someone else," she murmured.

The door creaked open behind her.

"They call that transformation," Nathan said, sauntering in with a smirk and a folder under his arm. "The good kind. Cinderella but make it NDA."

Izzy turned. "And you're what? The fairy godmother?"

"I'm the guy who makes sure the coach doesn't turn into a flaming PR disaster halfway through the ball."

Nathan slid the tablet toward her. "Study up. This is your new life."

On-screen: a detailed timeline of their relationship, entirely fictional. First meeting at a charity auction. Private dinners. Paparazzi shots doctored to look like they'd been dating for months. It was meticulous. Down to their shared Spotify playlist and favorite late-night diner.

"I hate this," she muttered.

"Good," Nathan said. "Means you'll play it safe."

She looked up. "Is that what you do? Just follow Alex around cleaning up his messes?"

"I clean up everyone's messes," he said smoothly. "It's how I know this one's going to be a hurricane," he whispered, causing Izzy to roll her eyes. 

The elevator dinged and Alex stepped in, dressed in a black suit matching Izzy's dress.  His presence changed the temperature of the room.

Izzy straightened instinctively.

"You're late," Nathan said, checking his watch.

"I'm busy," Alex replied, not sparing him a glance. His eyes landed on Izzy. "You're ready."

It wasn't a question.

She swallowed. "As I'll ever be."

Alex extended a hand. She hesitated, then slipped hers into his.

"We go in. We smile. We answer only what we've rehearsed," he said. "No improvising."

"I've handled interviews before," she said.

"Not like this."

They stepped into the elevator. Nathan stayed behind, watching them like a coach sending rookies into the final quarter.

"Try not to say anything stupid. Or real." Nathan yelled. 

The elevator opened into the lobby, where chaos had already bloomed outside the building. Photographers pressed against the glass. Reporters shouted behind the velvet ropes. A thousand eyes are trained on the doors.

"God," she whispered.

"Smile," Alex said, reaching for her hand. "And don't look like you want to run."

Izzy's stomach tightened and Alex could feel her nervousness. 

"Just keep your eyes on me," he said under his breath.

The doors opened and the paparazzi swarmed them. 

"Izzy, over here!"

"Alex, congratulations!"

"Let us see the ring!"

Izzy raised her hand slightly, letting out a deep breath. 

"Ms. Hart, how did he propose?" someone called.

She forced a smile. "Privately. It was... unexpected, but beautiful."

"Did you cry?" another shouted.

"She threatened to throw champagne at me," Alex added smoothly. The press laughed.

A reporter called out, "Alex, what made you fall for her?"

He didn't hesitate. "She tells me the truth. No matter how much I hate it."

The crowd softened as a murmur of "Awws" erupted. 

Another voice: "Izzy, what do you admire most about Alex?"

She looked up at him. The man beside her was an arrogant, self-centered jerk. 

But she'd read the file. She knew exactly what to say. 

"His loyalty," she said. "Even when he pretends he doesn't care, he protects the people who matter to him."

Alex's jaw twitched and Izzy caught sight of it. 

"Will there be an engagement party?"

"What's the wedding date?"

"Are you planning to move in together?"

They both answered with ease, like they actually meant everything. Izzy started to feel the rhythm. She played her part, smiled at just the right moments. Caressed Alex's hand multiple times and the press couldn't help but feel the chemistry. 

A voice from the back cut through the noise. It was louder and more stern. 

"Alex! How do you think your late ex-fiancée Lila would feel about this engagement?"