Chapter 4 It's Prank

"Just saying some vows at the church altar, right?" Selena asked after Damian told everything.

"Yeah."

Selena could hardly believe it. Was this some kind of prank? Damian Jorch asking her to marry him? No, no. Not marry for real. Just a stand-in bride.

"So, I'm just some paid extra, huh?" Selena asked again, her tone skeptical.

Damian, clearly losing patience, grabbed her hand and pulled her forward. "The wedding's in two hours. I don't have time for all these questions. Like I said, after the wedding, I'll wire you one mil for your service. Do whatever you want with it."

"So, like a fake marriage?"

"Yeah! Call it that," Damian replied bluntly.

"But marriage is-"

Damian cut her off, glaring. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Marriage is sacred. But this time, think of yourself as an actress on set, okay? Or are you doubting me and want the money upfront?" His tone was sharp now.

"I just can't believe this is real," Selena muttered, shaking her head.

"Then pretend you're dreaming," Damian shot back, dragging her to the front of his Mercedes-Maybach GLS.

Selena froze, worry flashing across her face. "We riding in a car?"

Damian raised an eyebrow. "What? You wanna take a helicopter instead?"

Her body stiffened, and suddenly, memories came rushing back-dark, suffocating ones. Her head spun, and before Damian could react, she fainted right there on the spot.

"What the hell?" Damian stood frozen, completely caught off guard. "She passed out?!"

But he didn't have time to figure it out. Shaking his head, he scooped her up and got her into the car anyway. No way was he letting this plan fall apart now.

And here's Selena now-passed out, pampered by two makeup artists working their magic to transform her.

With her "Rose Gold Radiance" look, her custom-made gown flowed effortlessly, long and flowing with delicate lace details and a sleek silhouette.

Every little process was watched by Damian as he drove.

"If only she was really Elsie. She must be stunning," Damian thought to himself.

A call snapped him out of his thoughts. As he answered, he was bombarded with questions.

"Did you manage to bring the girl you promised?" Richard's voice snapped through.

"I can't imagine losing all our wealth today!" Vivian chimed in.

"I doubt Damian can pull this off. We're screwed," Charles added.

But out of the blue, Damian turned his phone toward Selena. "There she is, getting her makeup done."

"Why's she sleeping?" Richard asked.

"Did they just-" Vivian's mouth dropped.

"Don't touch her!" Charles snapped, irritated.

"I won't," Damian said casually.

"But she's that similar," Vivian murmured.

Damian didn't bother with pleasantries. He ended the video call.

"Wake her up. Sleeping beauty vibes are not a good look for the altar," Damian instructed the makeup artists.

Selena woke up exactly thirty minutes before they arrived at The Hamptons.

"Where am I?" Selena asked, confused.

"You passed out, and we did our magic on you," one makeup artist said with a smile.

"Your look is ready," the other added, lifting a mirror.

Selena was stunned by her reflection-her glowing makeup and soft, curled hair.

The gown, a masterpiece by renowned designer Grace Liu, was overwhelming-she couldn't believe the opulence worth hundreds of thousands of dollars now adorned her.

"This isn't me," she thought, especially as her eyes landed on the flowing gown with a plunging neckline and a ruby necklace wrapped around her neck.

"There's one thing missing," the makeup artist said softly.

Selena's gaze shifted. "What?"

"Your skin's not pale like Elsie's," Damian joked from the driver's seat. Selena stayed silent. Yes, the only difference between her and Elsie was skin tone.

The two makeup artists exchanged a glance. In their minds, they wondered, "Who exactly are we dressing?" Still, they discussed body whitening treatments. "Miss Elsie, maybe you didn't bring whitening cream," the makeup artist said.

Selena forced a smile, trying to get used to playing the part-living someone else's life.

'Hang in there, Selena. You got this, girl,' she thought to herself.