For the next two hours—you’re my wife! He said to the cleaner, taking her on a bet for the deal, but when she spoke—the room went silent…

Urgently!» Susan Roberts was her roommate in the shared apartment, a former theater makeup artist who now worked in a beauty salon. Helen briefly explained the situation, omitting the details of the bet and saying only that she needed to play a role in a business performance. «Can you help me with makeup and hair? Something elegant, expensive-looking, but not vulgar.

Like a real socialite.» Susan agreed, and they arranged to meet in an hour at the salon where she worked. Next call, Helen dialed her friend Olivia, who ran a small consignment store for designer clothes.

«Olivia, dear, I need a dress. Something elegant, embassy reception level. And shoes.

And a clutch. Yes, today. Right now.»

Olivia, knowing Helen’s taste and sizes, promised to prepare several options for her arrival. Satisfied, Helen leaned back in the taxi seat and closed her eyes. Suddenly, anxiety gripped her.

She wasn’t just going to play a role; she was going to deceive people. Even for money, even by mutual agreement with Alexander, it was still deception. What if the people there know Alexander’s real wife? What if she says or does something wrong? Won’t some little thing give her away? «Get it together,» she ordered herself.

«It’s just two hours. You’ll manage. For 200 thousand, you have to manage.»

In Olivia’s store, Helen quickly went through the offered options and settled on a navy blue sheath dress made of dense silk. It was elegant but not flashy—accentuated the figure but didn’t look vulgar. Black suede pumps on a medium heel and a small clutch matched perfectly.

«Now jewelry,» Olivia said, pulling out a box with costume jewelry. «Something flashy?» «No,» Helen shook her head. «True elegance doesn’t shout about itself.

Something simple but quality. Pearls, maybe?» They chose pearl stud earrings and a thin bracelet that looked expensive but not ostentatious. «Wedding ring?» Olivia asked.

Helen thought. This was an important point; she had to play Alexander’s wife. Yes, needed.

Simple, platinum, without frills. Olivia found a suitable ring that fit Helen’s finger perfectly. Trying on the whole set, she was pleased; the image was cohesive and convincing.

Paying Olivia, part of the money she borrowed, promising to return it tomorrow, Helen headed to the salon to Susan. «Wow!» Susan exclaimed, seeing the dress. «You’re seriously planning to outshine everyone at this event?» «Not outshine, but fit in according to the rules.

I need to look so no one doubts my status. It’s important!» Susan worked quickly and professionally. She did Helen an elegant updo, leaving a few curls to frame the face, and makeup in the style of «expensive naturalness,» the kind that looks simple and fresh but requires many expensive products and skilled hands.

«You’re gorgeous!» Susan said when the work was done. «No one will think you’re not from high society.» Helen critically examined herself in the mirror.

Yes, she looked good. Very good. But that wasn’t enough.

She needed not just to look but to be convincing in the role of the wife of a wealthy and influential man. She pulled out her phone and opened the browser. There was still an hour and a half until the meeting with Alexander’s driver, and she decided to spend it on research.

«Susan, can I sit here a bit? I need to prepare.» «Of course,» her friend nodded. «I have no clients now.

Tea?» Helen nodded absentmindedly, immersed in searching for information about Alexander Harlan. She found several articles in business publications, photos from official events, interviews. She learned that his company «Granite» specializes in building luxury real estate and business centers, that he has a reputation as a tough but fair leader, that he graduated from NYU, then got an MBA from the London School of Economics.

In one photo, she saw Alexander’s real wife, an elegant blonde with cold eyes. Helen studied her carefully, noting the posture, facial expression, clothing style. She didn’t need to copy this woman, but it was useful to understand what type Alexander prefers.

Then she found information about the «Eleven Mirrors» restaurant, one of the most expensive and prestigious in New York, specializing in fine dining, premium class, and seafood. She studied the menu so as not to get lost when ordering, and read several reviews to understand the atmosphere of the place. Finally, she checked business news for the last week to be up to date on events that might be discussed at the table.

At 6:30, when her phone buzzed with a message from Alexander’s driver, Helen was ready both externally and internally. She thanked Susan, hugged her goodbye, and left the salon. The black Mercedes was waiting at the entrance.

The driver, seeing Helen, froze for a moment. Clearly not recognizing the elegant lady as the morning cleaner, but he quickly recovered from the surprise and opened the door for her. «Good evening, Helen Victoria!» Alexander William asked me to say he’ll meet you at the restaurant.

«Thank you,» she nodded and gracefully settled into the back seat of the car. Catching her reflection in the rearview mirror, Helen barely recognized herself. Before her was a confident, well-groomed woman whom it was hard to imagine with a mop in her hands.

She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. «You’ll manage,» she told herself again. «It’s just a role.

And you’ve always been a good actress.» The car smoothly pulled away, carrying her toward a new, unexpected adventure. The «Eleven Mirrors» restaurant was located on the top floor of the Eleven Mirrors hotel, opposite St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The spacious hall with panoramic windows, exquisite furniture, and dim lighting created an atmosphere of luxury and comfort. The tables were placed far enough apart to ensure privacy in conversations, and soft live music filled the pauses in talks. Alexander was waiting at the entrance, nervously glancing at his watch.

He hadn’t spoken to Helen since morning and was starting to fear she had changed her mind and wouldn’t come. The client with whom the meeting was scheduled, George I. Cooper, owner of a large retail chain, was important to Alexander. «Granite» was planning to build a new shopping center, and Cooper’s participation in the project could significantly increase its attractiveness to other investors…