First Night Out

The gala ballroom buzzed with voices and clinking glasses. Lina kept her arm linked with Adrian’s as they moved through the crowd. The deep blue gown felt heavier with every step.

“Smile more,” Adrian said quietly, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “People are watching.”

Lina forced her lips upward. “I am smiling. This is my smiling face.”

A tall man in a gray suit approached them with a drink in hand. “Adrian! Good to see you out with someone new. Who is this lovely lady?”

Adrian’s hand stayed steady on her lower back. “This is my wife, Lina. Lina, this is Richard Harlan. He sits on the board of the charity tonight.”

Lina extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Richard. The event looks beautiful. Thank you for putting it together.”

Richard shook her hand and raised an eyebrow. “Wife? That was fast. I didn’t even know you were dating anyone.”

Adrian gave a small nod. “We met through mutual friends. Short courtship. We’re very happy.”

Lina kept the smile glued on. “Very happy,” she echoed.

Richard laughed. “Well, congratulations. You two look good together. Adrian, we need to talk about the new development project next week. Bring your wife if you want. She seems charming.”

“I’ll think about it,” Adrian said smoothly. “Enjoy your evening.”

As Richard walked away, Adrian guided Lina toward a quieter corner near the windows. “You did fine. Keep the answers short like that.”

Lina let out a breath. “Short answers. Got it. My face hurts from smiling so much.”

“You’ll get used to it.” Adrian picked up two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed her one. “Sip slowly. Don’t finish it. We’re here to be seen, not to get drunk.”

She took the glass and held it without drinking. “How many of these events do we have to do?”

“Enough to look stable for the lawyers watching my father’s will.” He scanned the room. “Two or three a month should do. You’ll get better at it.”

A woman in a red dress walked over, eyes bright with curiosity. “Adrian Korr with a wife? I never thought I’d see the day. Introduce me.”

Adrian’s tone stayed even. “Lina, this is Victoria Lang. She runs several foundations. Victoria, my wife Lina.”

Lina smiled again. “Hi, Victoria. Nice to meet you. The flowers on the tables are stunning. Did you help with the decorations?”

Victoria laughed softly. “I did. Thank you for noticing. So tell me, how did you two meet? Adrian never talks about his personal life.”

Lina glanced at Adrian. He gave her a tiny nod. “Through mutual friends,” she said. “It happened fast, but we’re really happy together.”

“Fast and happy. How romantic.” Victoria looked between them. “You seem quiet, Lina. Are you nervous?”

“A little,” Lina admitted, keeping her voice light. “This is all new for me. Adrian’s world is… big.”

Adrian’s hand pressed lightly against her back. “She’s adjusting well. We’re taking it one day at a time.”

Victoria smiled wider. “Well, I hope to see more of you both. Adrian, don’t hide her away. Bring her to the next board meeting.”

“I’ll consider it,” Adrian said. “Excuse us. We need to greet a few more people.”

He steered Lina away. Once they were out of earshot, he spoke again. “You handled that better than I expected. Keep the story simple. Don’t add details.”

Lina took a tiny sip of champagne. “Simple. I can do simple. But people are going to ask questions. What if I slip up?”

“You won’t.” Adrian stopped near a tall plant and turned to face her. “You need this money. I need this marriage to look real on paper. We both have reasons to make it work.”

She looked up at him. “And if I get tired of pretending?”

“Then remember why you signed. Your brother. The treatment. Everything depends on this year going smoothly.”

Lina nodded slowly. “My brother. Right.”

A photographer approached. “Mr. and Mrs. Korr? One photo for the charity newsletter?”

Adrian pulled her closer. “Of course.”

Lina leaned into his side, smiling for the camera. His arm felt solid around her waist. For a second it almost felt real.

The flash went off. The photographer thanked them and moved on.

Adrian released her but stayed close. “Good. That photo will help the image.”

Lina rubbed her arm where his hand had been. “How much longer do we stay?”

“Another thirty minutes. Then we leave.” He checked his watch. “Stay by my side. No wandering.”

They continued circulating. More handshakes. More short conversations. Lina repeated the same lines until they felt automatic.

“Mutual friends… very happy… adjusting well…”

By the time they reached the exit, her cheeks ached from smiling.

In the car on the way back, Adrian sat across from her. “You did okay tonight. Better than I thought for the first event.”

Lina leaned her head against the seat. “Thanks. My face hurts. And my feet. These shoes are killing me.”

“You’ll get used to the shoes too.” He looked out the window. “Tomorrow we go over the full schedule. More events. More rules.”

Lina closed her eyes for a moment. “More rules. Great.”

The car pulled up to the Korr Tower. Adrian helped her out and they rode the private elevator up in silence.

Inside the penthouse, the lights were dim. Lina kicked off the heels and sighed in relief.

Adrian loosened his tie. “Get some rest. Breakfast at seven-thirty again. Don’t be late.”

She nodded and headed toward the guest room. “Goodnight, Adrian.”

Before she reached the door, her phone vibrated in her small clutch. She glanced at the screen quickly.

Another message from Ethan.

She deleted it without reading and slipped the phone back.

Adrian was already walking toward his own room. He didn’t turn around.

Lina stood in the hallway for a second, the weight of the night pressing down on her. The contract was real now. The public appearances had started. The pretending had begun.

And no matter how many times she deleted the messages, the past kept trying to push its way in.

She stepped into the guest room and closed the door behind her, wondering how long she could keep everything hidden.