CHAPTER FIVE

Aria's POV

"Do I have to smile like a doll or am I allowed to blink like a human being tonight?"

I didn't mean to be sarcastic but the words just came out.

Damian didn't even turned his head to me. Nakatingin lang siya sa ballroom entrance—like it owed him something.

"Just don't embarrass me. That's all I ask," he said coldly.

"Right. God forbid your fake wife ruins your real image."

Finally, he looked at me—briefly. Cold. Calculating. Parang nainis siya na hindi ako kasing dali i-handle gaya ni Sienna. Pero hindi niya alam, I was never the porcelain type. I don't break that easily.

"You should be thanking me," I muttered habang inaayos ang silver silk gown na pinili ng assistant niya.

"You're welcome for saving your legacy," I added with a little smirk.

"You didn't save anything. You just showed up in the wrong dress," he snapped, jaw tightening.

"Still married you though," I said sweetly.

He didn't answer. Napakabigat ng katahimikan bago bumukas ang pinto.

"Try not to talk too much tonight," he muttered habang bumababa ng kotse.

"Aww. Was that supposed to hurt?" I flashed a wide, fake smile.

Pagbaba namin, sinalubong agad kami ng nakakabulag na mga camera flashes. Damian's hand slid around my waist—firm, cold, possessive. Parang may gusto siyang ipaalala sa lahat: akin siya. Akin si Aria.

I let my lips curve. Not into a smile. Just enough to make them wonder.

Pagpasok sa venue, sinalubong kami ng crowd. Wealth oozed from every chandelier and champagne flute. Tinawag nila ang pangalan niya with reverence. Mine—with curiosity. And I played the part.

I laughed once, sipped slowly, brushed his arm like a good little bride. Kagaya ng mga inaasahan nilang kilos.

"She's stunning," may narinig akong bulong sa likod ko.

"Almost too bold. Not what I expected from a Lancaster."

"She's not Sienna," sambit ng isa pa.

Damn right, I'm not. Kumurap ang mata ko, pero ang tingin, diretsong matalim.

Damian leaned close for the cameras. "Try not to start a fire," he whispered against my ear.

"No promises," I smiled wider, turning toward the lens.

And just for a split second—nakita ko 'yun. That twitch at the corner of his mouth. The almost genuine smile. Then gone.

We moved through the crowd like a performance. Seamless. Perfect. An illusion they couldn't look away from.

Damian introduced me in that polished, empty voice—scripted and clean. Pero nang ako na ang nagsalita, they actually listened.

I didn't just smile and nod. I spoke like I belonged. Like I understood exactly what was at stake.

The first time I corrected him, Damian's jaw twitched.

"The merger won't finalize until quarter two," I said smoothly, facing one of the investors, "but we've already secured three more partnerships as leverage. Isn't that right, darling?"

He raised his glass. No words. But the flicker in his eyes—halata.

Later, when the lights had dimmed and we were alone in the penthouse, sumabog ang tensyon na kanina pa pinipigil.

"You overstepped," he snapped, yanking off his tie.

Tinanggal ko lang ang heels ko, deadma. I'm not here to play nice.

"Don't act like I ruined your perfect plan," I said, folding my arms. "You could've called the wedding off."

"And give the world a reason to dig?" he scoffed. "No, thank you."

"Exactly. You should be thanking me," I shot back, voice sharper.

"I should be reminding you who's in charge," he snapped again.

"Is that what this is? A power trip?" I turned slowly toward him.

"This is a deal," he said, voice low and dangerous. "And I expect you to honor it."

"Oh, I did," I whispered, walking toward him, unzipping my dress—slowly, deliberately.

"I showed up. I smiled. I played the part. I didn't even throw a drink in anyone's face. That's huge growth for me."

"You're not funny. You're not subtle."

"You corrected me in front of my partners," he stepped forward now, voice gritted.

"And they liked me for it," nagkibitbalikat ako.

"You're not her," he said flatly.

"So what's your real problem?" I leaned closer. "That I'm not her... or that I'm doing it better?"

That hit something. Nakita ko agad. His eyes snapped to mine—dark, sharp, hungry.

"You think this is better?" he whispered, his breath ragged. "A loudmouth girl playing queen in someone else's crown?"

"Then take it back," hamon ko. "Strip it off me. Go ahead."

The space between us sparked. Electric. Tense. That space where fury blurred into desire.

"Don't tempt me, Aria," sinabi niya sa mababang boses.

"Why not? Scared I'll like it?"

He moved closer. Hindi ako umatras.

Our breaths hovered inches apart. Our bodies—never touching—just burning in that line we shouldn't cross.

Then suddenly, he turned away. Just like that. As if the moment hadn't cracked him open.

"You're exhausting," he muttered, loosening his tie. "I don't know how Sienna tolerated you."

"You don't," I said quietly. "You don't know anything about Sienna."

That stopped him.

"What does that mean?" he turned slowly.

"Just that maybe you weren't as important to her as you thought," I said with a shrug.

And for one terrifying second... he saw me.

Not Sienna's replacement. Not the scandal in white.

Just... Aria.

He looked away first.

"You shouldn't get comfortable," he muttered.

"I'm not."

"You're starting to like this," he said, voice low, unfastening his watch.

"I like watching you squirm." I smiled faintly.

He stepped forward—too close again.

"You think you've won something?" he asked.

"No," I whispered. "But I've stopped losing."

His jaw clenched. Hard. Like he wanted to argue—but couldn't.

God, he hated that. His eyes gave it away.

"You're infuriating," he said, stepping back.

"Likewise," I breathed.

Then he reached past me for the whiskey. But his hand brushed my waist.

I froze.

So did he.

He didn't move. Didn't pull away immediately. And neither did I.

"I don't want this to get messy," he said, voice low.

"Too late."

He stepped back—slowly. Glass in hand.

And the distance between us felt like a slap.

I turned around—before he could see my face.

He'd shaken me.

But worse... I think I shook him too.

And neither of us knew what the hell to do about it.