Page 4 of Mrs. & Mrs. Elahi ( INTERSEX GxG )
Lina's POV
The engagement party was nothing short of a spectacle. The Elahi mansion had been transformed into something out of a magazine-fairy lights strung across the sprawling gardens, a live string quartet playing softly in the background, and enough champagne flowing to fill a swimming pool.
I stood at the edge of the crowd, clutching a glass of sparkling water and trying not to scowl too openly. Everywhere I looked, people were smiling, laughing, and congratulating each other on what a perfect match Zara and I supposedly were. If only they knew.
"Try not to look like you're planning an escape," a familiar voice drawled behind me.
I turned to find Zara standing there, a glass of champagne in hand. She was wearing a tailored black suit that fit her perfectly, and for a brief, infuriating moment, I found myself admiring how effortlessly elegant she looked.
"Who says I'm not?" I replied, raising an eyebrow.
She smirked, her gaze scanning the crowd. "If you make a run for it, at least wait until after the speeches. It'll save us both a headache."
"Oh, how considerate of you," I said, rolling my eyes.
Before she could respond, my mother appeared out of nowhere, beaming at us. "There you two are! Come, everyone's waiting for the toast."
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The next thing I knew, Zara and I were standing at the front of the garden, surrounded by a sea of faces. Our parents were beaming proudly, the guests were clinking their glasses, and I was doing my best not to hyperventilate.
Zara, of course, looked completely unfazed. She raised her glass, her voice calm and steady as she began to speak. "Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate this special occasion. Lina and I are grateful for your love and support as we embark on this new journey together."
I barely suppressed a snort. "Grateful" wasn't exactly the word I'd use.
Zara glanced at me, a faint warning in her eyes. I forced a smile and raised my glass. "Yes, thank you all. It means... a lot."
The crowd erupted in applause, and I managed to keep the smile plastered on my face until the attention shifted elsewhere.
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Later, as the party continued and the crowd grew more animated, I slipped away to the quieter corners of the garden. The fresh air was a relief after hours of forced smiles and polite conversation.
"Escaping already?" Zara's voice cut through the silence.
I turned to see her leaning against a tree, her hands in her pockets.
"Don't you ever get tired of playing the perfect fiancée?" I asked, crossing my arms.
She shrugged. "It's easier than arguing with everyone."
"Well, that's boring," I muttered.
She stepped closer, her gaze steady. "And what about you, Lina? What exactly are you trying to prove with all this rebellion?"
Her question caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn't know how to answer.
"I'm not trying to prove anything," I said finally. "I just don't want to pretend like this is normal."
"Neither do I," she admitted, surprising me. "But pretending is the only way we get through this without losing ourselves."
Her words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning.
For the first time since this whole mess began, I saw a flicker of vulnerability in Zara's eyes-a crack in her carefully constructed facade. And despite everything, I felt a strange pull toward her, a curiosity that I couldn't quite shake.
"Well," I said, breaking the tension, "if we're stuck in this, we might as well make it interesting."
She raised an eyebrow. "Interesting how?"
I smirked. "You'll see."
As I walked away, I could feel her gaze following me, and for the first time, I wasn't entirely sure who had the upper hand.
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