Adrian's fingers tightened on his phone.
I could hardly hear my own thoughts since my heart was beating so loudly in my chest.
Like a brand, the message on his screen was deep-rooted in my memory.
"I know she's not your fiancée".
My stomach twisted with cold dread. The sender of this message wasn't just watching us.... they knew the truth.
I took a deep breath. "Who sent it?"
Adrian took a while to respond. His keen eyes never left the screen; it was obvious that his mind was unsettled.
His jaw tightened as he finally let out a breath through his nostrils. "No name. Just a private number.
Of course.The kind of people who sent cryptic threats didn't exactly sign their names at the bottom.
In an attempt to calm myself, I crossed my arms.
"So, what happens now?"
Adrian's dark eyes were unreadable as he faced me.
"We give them what they want."
I felt a chill go through me. "What do you mean?" He put his phone in his pocket and moved closer, his presence commanding.
"We shine a little light on this. If someone is trying to expose us, we get ahead of them. Control the narrative."
My throat tightened each breath.
"You're implying—" "Yes," Adrian interrupted. "We declare our engagement. In public.
I blinked, certain I'd misheard him.
"Are you crazy?"
He had an annoying sneer. "No, not at all." I sneered. "That plan is awful."
"That's the best strategy."
I had to bend my head to look him in the eye as he moved closer.
Do you believe the sender of that message will stop? No, Mia. They are waiting for us to mess up. The second we hesitate, they'll pounce. We don't give them that chance."
A lump formed in my throat.
"What if I say no?" Adrian's expression remained the same, but there was a frightening flash in his eyes.
"Then you'd better get on the run, because whoever is coming after us won't give a damn if you're innocent or not."
--- This is a nightmare.
This isn't where I should be. None of this was supposed to involve me.
My plan was to sneak in, establish connections, and go without anyone noticing. Right now? The rich CEO wants me to pose as his fiancée, and here I am standing with him in a lavish hotel suite.
for a whole month!. I'm losing my mind already!.
I gathered my arms around myself and took a shaky breath.
"We're going to announce it," you said. But let's be frank—this benefits you, not me."
After studying me for a while, Adrian nodded."You're correct."
I was surprised by that. "Wait?" "What?" He walked over to the minibar, pouring himself a glass of whiskey.
"I'm asking you take a huge risk. I'll make it worth it.
His eyes were keen as he turned back to me.
"How much do you make yearly?"
I paused. "That's none of your business."
He smiled. "Exactly. But whatever it is, I'll bet it'll be a penny. He said mockingly.
I tensed up. "At least I'm surviving."
"Barely." After taking a taste of his beverage, Adrian put it down. "This is what I'm offering.
For a month, you pretend to be my fiancee. I'll give you enough money in return so you never have to "survive" again. My heartbeat quickened as I gazed at him. "How much?"
He named a figure.
I choked. "You're kidding."
"I don't make jokes about money."
I fell onto the soft sofa when my legs faltered. That amount could change my story for good!.
But at what cost?.
--- As I combed through my hair, my thoughts were racing. "You're asking me to lie to the entire world. To deceive everyone."
"Yes." Adrian sat opposite me, staring straight ahead. "And you leave a free woman—financially stable, no more struggling—in exchange."
The offer seemed too good to be true. However... "Why me?" I asked suddenly.
"You could hire anyone. A model, an actress, someone used to playing pretend. Adrian's lips twitched. "That's exactly why I can't hire someone like that. It would look staged. Too perfect. People would see right through it."
I scowled. "And you believe they won't see right through me?"
"Mia, you're real." His tone had softened.
You're the last person anyone would expect to be part of a scandal. You are believable because of that.
I swallowed. He wasn't wrong.
However, that didn't lessen how terrible this was.
--- There was silence for a beat between us.
Adrian then leaned forward, leaning on his knees with his elbows.
"A month. You play the part, put on the ring, and smile for the cameras. At the end You leave with your money and a clean slate.
I gave a trembling breath." And what if I refused?"
His eyes grew gloomy. Then whoever sent that message keeps digging. And they won't just chase me down, once they discover who you really are. They'll come after you.
A shiver went up my back.
I didn't have any illusions; I didn't measure up to be singled out. However, I would be collateral damage if I were caught in the middle of something this big. And nobody would give a damn.
I let out a breath. "I need time to think."
Adrian gave a headshake. "Time is not on our side."
My fingernails sank into my hands. "You expect me to agree to this right *now*?"
"Yes." He said in a straight face.
My heart pounded as I stared at him. This was insane. Reckless.
But so was staying in a situation I couldn't control.
I licked my lips. "All right. But, I have conditions.
Adrian's eyes were bright with curiosity. "I'm listening."
"I won't pretend to be intimate. No private touching or kissing. This is strictly professional.
He grinned. "You're scared you'll fall for me?"
I mimicked mockingly. "You're scared you'll fall for me?."
He laughed. "Noted. What else?
I made my shoulders square. "You let me go at the end of the month. No strings. No sudden extensions.
Adrian looked at me for a long time and then nodded. "Agreed."
I let out a slow breath. "All right, then."
He smirked again. "Welcome, to the role of a lifetime fiancee
--- We were interrupted by a harsh knock.
Adrian frowned , rising to his feet. He walked confidently over to the door and yanked it open.
The weak corridor light cast shadows over the face of the man on the other side, who was clothed entirely in black.
He held up an envelope. "Mr. Mogul, this was left for you."
Adrian took it, his fingers gripping the crisp paper tightly. "Who left this?"
The man gave a shrug. "No one noticed."
A bad feeling settled in my gut.
Adrian ripped the envelope open and closed the door. A single card with three phrases written in a beautiful, looping font was inside.
**You made a mistake.**
I felt sick to my stomach.
Adrian flipped the card over. Nothing else could be found. No signature. No explanation. Just the message.
He looked at me slowly.
"Looks like we just ran out of time."