CHAPTER 5 — TRAINING HER

The first full day in Adrian’s world began with silence and control. Elena stood in the middle of a large, sunlit room on the top floor of the penthouse — mirrored walls, a long marble table, and racks of clothing that had appeared overnight like magic. It felt like a private finishing school designed for one purpose: to turn her into someone who belonged beside Adrian Voss.

Adrian stood a few feet away, sleeves rolled up, watching her with that calm, calculating gaze.

“Lesson one,” he said, voice low and precise. “How to walk beside me.”

He demonstrated first — slow, confident strides, shoulders back, chin level. Every movement was deliberate, powerful, and effortlessly commanding.

Elena watched, then raised a brow slightly. “You make it look like a performance.”

“It is,” he replied.

“Good to know I’ve been doing it wrong my entire life.”

“Your turn.”

She walked. Too fast. Too tense.

“Stop.”

She stopped, exhaling. “Let me guess… I failed already.”

“You’re rushing,” he said calmly. “Again.”

She tried again.

Still wrong.

Before she could adjust on her own, he stepped in behind her. One hand rested lightly on her lower back, the other adjusting her shoulders.

“Slow down,” he murmured, his breath brushing her ear. “You’re not running from something. You’re walking with me.”

Elena stiffened slightly. “You say that like you know what I’m usually doing.”

“I do.”

That irritated her more than it should have.

But she didn’t argue.

He guided her forward, his hand still on her back, his body too close, his presence impossible to ignore.

“Again.”

She walked. Slower this time.

“Better,” he said quietly.

His hand didn’t move.

Elena became very aware of it.

“Chin up.”

He stepped in front of her, two fingers sliding under her chin, lifting it gently but firmly until her eyes met his.

“Like this,” he said.

Her breath caught — just slightly.

Annoying.

“Better,” he repeated.

They didn’t move.

They were too close now. His fingers still under her chin, his gaze steady, searching. Elena could feel it — that shift in the air, that quiet tension building between them.

Her eyes dropped briefly to his lips before she could stop herself.

Mistake.

Adrian noticed.

Something in his expression changed — subtle, darker.

His thumb brushed lightly along her jaw.

Once.

Then he stepped back.

Just like that.

Control restored.

Elena let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“Lesson two,” he said, like nothing had happened. “How to speak. You have a sharp tongue. In public, you use it only when I allow it. Short answers. Polite smiles. No sarcasm.”

Elena folded her arms slightly. “That sounds exhausting.”

“It’s necessary.”

“Of course it is.”

He ignored the tone.

“Repeat after me.”

He made her practice greetings, responses, controlled smiles. Every time she slipped..

“Again.”

By the third round, she was visibly annoyed.

“You enjoy this, don’t you?” she muttered.

“No.”

“Liar.”

A pause.

Then, very slightly

The corner of his mouth almost moved.

Almost.

“Lesson three,” he said, stepping closer again. “How to act like you belong.”

“I do belong,” she said before she could stop herself.

His brow lifted slightly. “Then stop looking like you’re waiting for everything to fall apart.”

That hit.

She went quiet.

He stepped closer, adjusting her posture again — shoulders back, spine straight, head high. His hands settled briefly on her waist.

Too close.

Too warm.

Elena’s breath caught again, sharper this time. She could feel the heat from him, the strength in his hands, the way his gaze lingered just a second longer than before.

The tension returned.

Stronger.

Her heart started beating faster, and she hated that he might notice.

Adrian’s grip tightened just slightly—

Then released.

Control.

Always control.

“Tomorrow night, there’s an event,” he said, stepping away, his voice returning to that cold, business tone. “You will be ready. You will walk beside me. You will speak when spoken to. And you will not embarrass me.”

Elena exhaled, trying to steady herself. “No pressure.”

“None at all.”

He turned toward the door, then paused.

“Remember, Elena… this is my world now. Learn the rules quickly.”

Then he left.

The door clicked shut.

Elena stood there, staring at her reflection, her heart still racing, her skin still tingling where he had touched her.

She was irritated.

She was unsettled.

And, dangerously—

She was starting to want to prove she could survive in his world.