로그인Ariana smoothed the strap of her satin dress, then entered Harrington Hall, the sound of her heels whispering against the gleaming floor. The place was already alive with conversation, glasses clinking, laughter rising and falling in practiced waves. It wasn’t her first time in a room like this, but tonight felt different.Tonight, she wasn’t alone.Adrian walked beside her, calm as ever, his presence steady in a way that made her feel both reassured and unsettled. He looked like he belonged here—more than anyone else in the room—and that thought alone made her glance at him twice.“Stay close,” she murmured under her breath.“I am,” he replied.Ariana nodded once and moved forward, slipping easily into the role she had created. Her shoulders straightened, her expression settled into polite confidence, and within seconds, she was greeting familiar faces, exchanging brief words, and smiling where necessary.But it didn’t take long.She felt it.That stare again.Her steps slowed just
Ariana woke up later than usual, not because she was lazy, but because sleep had started to feel like the only place where nothing demanded anything from her. For a few seconds after opening her eyes, she stayed still, staring at the ceiling as if it might explain how her life had shifted so quickly into something unfamiliar. The apartment was quiet. Not empty, not anymore. There was always a sense now that something had changed in the air since Adrian Sterling walked into her life and refused to leave it in the way she expected. She sat up slowly and reached for her phone on the bedside table. The screen lit up with a few notifications—none urgent, none from work that required immediate attention. That in itself was normal for her. Ariana worked in marketing, but not in a rigid corporate structure. Her job was flexible, based on contracts and projects that came and went. She was currently on leave between assignments, a gap period that gave her both income stability and time to b
Ariana regretted agreeing the moment the car stopped in front of the building. The restaurant wasn’t just expensive—it was the kind of place people didn’t casually walk into unless they belonged in a completely different world. Glass walls reflected the evening lights, and soft golden lighting spilled from inside like a quiet invitation. “This is unnecessary,” Ariana said under her breath, staring at the entrance. Adrian stepped out of the car first. “It is necessary.” “That’s not an explanation,” she replied, following him reluctantly. “It doesn’t need to be.” Ariana exhaled sharply. That was becoming his favorite response—calm, controlled, and completely unbothering. The moment she stepped out, she felt it. Attention. Not obvious. Not aggressive. But present. People noticed Adrian first. Then, naturally, they noticed her beside him. Ariana adjusted her dress slightly, suddenly aware of every step she took. Adrian, however, looked completely unaffected. He walked forwar
Ariana didn’t expect him to come so quickly. She had barely put her phone down the night before when she sent the message, and now, less than twenty-four hours later, she was standing in her apartment staring at the door like it had personally offended her. The knock came once. Firm. Controlled. Unhurried. Her heart skipped, and she hated that it did. Ariana walked to the door, trying to keep her expression neutral before pulling it open. Adrian stood there. Exactly as composed as she remembered. Tailored suit. Calm eyes. That same quiet presence that made everything around him feel… smaller. Like he was used to walking into rooms and owning them without trying. “You move fast,” she said, crossing her arms lightly. “You asked for an extension,” he replied. “I prefer to handle things immediately.” Of course he did. Ariana stepped aside. “Come in.” He walked in without hesitation, his gaze sweeping the apartment once—not judgmental, just observant. Like he was memorizing
Ariana woke up to her phone buzzing again. Not once. Not twice. It kept vibrating on the bedside table until she finally opened her eyes with frustration. She stared at the screen. Cassy. She hesitated for a second, then answered. Before she could even greet her, Cassy’s voice rushed in immediately. “Okay, listen to me very carefully.” Ariana blinked slowly, sitting up. “That’s not how you say good morning.” “This isn’t a good morning situation,” Cassy replied. Ariana rubbed her forehead. “What happened now?” There was a short pause, like Cassy was choosing her words carefully. Then she said it. “It’s Mark.” Ariana’s expression changed slightly. “What about him?” “He’s asking questions.” Ariana frowned. “About what?” “About your boyfriend.” Ariana froze for a second. “My… what?” Cassy didn’t slow down. “The man you showed up with at the wedding. He’s trying to figure out who he is.” Ariana sat up straighter now. “He thinks he’s fake?” Cassy let out a short laugh. “
The drive back from the Rosewood Hotel seemed to stretch, an eternity of pavement and passing scenery. Ariana sat by the window, her arms crossed, watching Ford City lights pass her by. The world outside appeared as it always did: pedestrians, traffic, the flickering glow of neon. But inside her, nothing felt right. Her thoughts cycled through the same images, a relentless loop that felt like a jammed projector. Lucia’s fake smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Mark’s stunned expression that quickly shifted into suspicion. The way everyone in that room had slowly turned their attention to Adrian… like he had quietly taken control of the entire atmosphere without even trying. And Adrian. She glanced at him again. He was sitting beside her like none of it mattered. One arm resting on the door, posture relaxed, face calm. He was looking out the window like he wasn’t just involved in one of the most humiliating nights of her life. That calmness annoyed her more than anything else.







