In a week, we’re going to get married. I mean, my parents are crazy about him! He’s fine, but I get the feeling that he’s not what he seems to be. I stayed with him for a few days to make sure, and he was very kind, especially in public. I mean, I’m not myself if I don’t go to the edges, and that’s when things got interesting.

It was time for me to find out the truth, so I pretended to be homeless and asking for help. When he got to the restaurant, I was already waiting for him at the door, and the scary things began. It seemed like everything was fine at first, even the fake smile. Things changed when no one was around, though.

I was sitting on the sidewalk with a small cardboard sign in my hand. My face was partly hidden by a torn hoodie. People were moving quickly through one of the busiest parts of town, so I knew he wouldn’t see me right away. But as soon as I saw him coming toward the restaurant, my heart began to beat faster. This was my last chance to find out who he really was and confirm my gut feeling that something wasn’t right.

He smiled at me with the same polished, charming look he always had. It was the smile that made my parents and most of my friends like him. I thought for a split second that maybe I was wrong and just being overly suspicious. But as he got closer and saw that no one was looking, he lost his smile and turned his face into an angry look.

He asked in a low, cold voice, “What are you doing here?” “Get out of the way.”

I wasn’t used to hearing someone so harsh, but I tried to stay in character. My voice was shaking as I asked, “Please, sir, could you spare some change?” I’m having a hard time.

I saw something I hadn’t seen before in his eyes when he looked down at me: a flash of anger that was almost contempt. He yelled, “I don’t have time for this!” and looked around to make sure no one was looking. “Move along, or I’ll move you.”

What I heard made no sense to me. This was the same man who had always been so generous, kind, and thoughtful when we were out together. He always gave big tips to waiters, offered to help strangers, and even went out of his way to compliment people he didn’t know on the street. But now that he thought no one was looking, the mask was coming off, and I could see who he really was.

With a little more force, I said, “Please, just a dollar.” “Anything would make things better.”

He leaned in close to me and hissed, “I said no.” “I’ll make you feel bad if you don’t leave my sight right now.” The way he looked at me and the words he spoke were like ice. It wasn’t just impatience; it was pure, unadulterated dislike.

Even though my heart was beating fast, I told myself I was frozen with fear and stayed still. I was interested in how far he would go. But just then, a couple left the restaurant, and I saw him instantly stand up straight and put that charming smile back on his face. He even pulled some cash out of his pocket and dropped them on my lap as he said, “Of course, I’d be happy to help.” The couple could hear him. “Everyone must watch out for each other.”

The couple smiled at him, clearly impressed, and he smiled back at them. He then gave me a quick, serious look that was like a warning not to mess up. “Thank you,” I said, but my voice was so weak that you could barely hear me.

His smile went away as soon as the couple left, and he whispered, “Do you see how easy it is to play people?” “You’re just a bother, and you’ll feel bad if I see you here again.” He then turned around and walked into the restaurant without saying a word. I was left sitting there with the money in my lap, my mind racing.

That was a long time for me to think about what had just happened. All the times I saw him being kind, generous, and thoughtful, was it all a show? Just putting on a show to look good in front of other people? And what did it mean for me that he was willing to treat a stranger this way? What kind of person would he be if he didn’t have to be so charming to get people to like him?

I chose to talk to him about it to see if he would admit what he had done. When we finally got together that night as planned, I brought it up. I told him that I had heard earlier that someone had been rude to a homeless person outside of the restaurant. I carefully watched his response, hoping to catch a glimpse of that mask coming off again.

He said, “Oh, that?” in a light, careless voice. “Yeah, there was this guy beating up people outside the restaurant.” You know what I mean? But some of them are only out to take advantage of people who are nice.

It made my blood boil the way he said it—so casually and without any care. He was lying right in front of me, as if he hadn’t been the one who had threatened me earlier. “I don’t think that’s how everyone is,” I said slowly, trying to keep my voice steady. “Some people just need help,” she said.

His smile stayed on as he shrugged, but I could see a hint of anger in his eyes. “Perhaps.” You can’t trust everyone, though. Some people are just… pests.

That was it. I could no longer keep quiet. “Did you think that this afternoon?” I asked, but my tone was rougher than I meant it to be. “When you said you would make me “regret it” for asking for help?”

His face went blank, and I saw real fear in his eyes for a split second. “What are you talking about?” he asked, his voice guarded and careful.

My heart was beating fast as I said, “I was there.” “I was the one sitting outside the joint.” You made a threat against me. That’s right, I saw the real you now.

He just stared at me for a moment, his eyes wide with shock. Then, slowly, his face turned cold, and he laughed an angry laugh. His voice was cold as he asked, “So what?” “You think less of me because I didn’t want to waste my time with a random beggar?” “Is that what this is about?”

“No,” I yelled, my voice shaking with rage. “It’s about what you do when no one around.” Everything I’ve seen from you and everything my parents love about you is just a show. I can’t marry someone who is like that to other people.

His voice became pleading as he said, “You don’t understand.” “I worked really tough to reach this point.” I need to be careful about who I trust. “You have no idea what it’s like—”

“No,” I spoke up, making my voice firm. “I don’t know what it’s like to care so much about how I look that I forget how to be decent to other people.” I do not want to know. “That’s it.”

He reached out to grab my hand, but I pushed him away. “Please,” he begged, his voice rough now. “Our plan is to get married. “Don’t waste everything on this.”

I said in a low voice, “I’m not the one throwing anything away.” “You did it yourself.”

After saying that, I turned around and left, leaving him standing there with a broken smile. I was sad and happy at the same time as I drove home. I was almost ready to start a life with him and truly believe that he was everything he seemed to be. I could leave before it was too late now that I knew the truth.

It was hard the next few days. My friends and family were shocked and asked me what happened and why I called off the wedding. But I was sure I had picked the right thing. I saw him for what he really was, and I couldn’t go back.

I still think about that moment outside the restaurant and how his smile went away when he thought no one was out there. I also remind myself that it’s not just about what people do when everyone is looking. It’s about what they do when they are not being watched.