Chapter4
1113 Words
SETTING RULES
~TESSA’S POV~
I must have lost my mind. Yes, I must have.
There was no other explanation for why I was sitting in a sleek high-end car, engaged…correction. ‘Fake engaged’ to a man I had met barely an hour ago.
Nathaniel Pierce.
CEO. Billionaire. My Ex-Boss.
The man who looked at me like he could see right through me. Like he already knows every messy, desperate thought races through my head.
I crossed my arms, pressing my back against the cool leather seat as I let out a slow breath.
This wasn't real. It wasn't forever.
‘Just for a few months’. Six months exactly.
A few months of playing the role of Nathaniel Pierce's fiancee, making sure the media didn't turn me into a joke, and then we’d go our separate ways.
Simple.
At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.
Nathaniel sat beside me, impossibly organized, watching me with something that felt too much like joy.
“Regretting it already?” he asked, his voice smooth, teasing.
Oh, damn I am. But I wasn't going to stupidly say that. I scowled. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
His lips tilted into a smirk. “A little.”
I let out an exasperated breath and turned toward the window. My reflection stared back at me—wide-eyed, flushed, and not at all calm.
God. How had I gotten here?
One minute, I was planning a Valentine’s Day proposal to my boyfriend. The next, I was watching him shove his tongue down his assistant’s throat.
And then I proposed to a stranger. Not just any stranger.
His boss.
I winced at the memory. The way Ethan’s face had drained of color. The way his assistant had gasped. And the way Nathaniel had just stood there, perfectly still, and said—I do.
I turned back toward him, narrowing my eyes. “Why did you say yes?”
He raised an eyebrow, unbothered. “Because you put the ring on my finger.”
I exhaled sharply. “That’s not an answer.”
“Maybe I found the situation… entertaining.”
This jerk. I groaned. “Unbelievable.”
His smirk deepened, but before he could respond, the car slowed to a stop. I glanced out the window, my stomach sinking when I realized where we were.
My apartment. Right. Of course.
This was where we parted ways. Where I went inside, crawled into bed, and tried to process the absolute disaster of my life.
I reached for the door handle, but Hunter’s voice stopped me.
“We have a problem.”
Oh God, what now? I turned, frowning. “What?”
His eyes flicked toward the window. I followed his gaze— And felt my stomach drop.
Paparazzi.
At least six of them. Cameras flashing, voices shouting, and already snapping pictures before I had even stepped out of the car. I looked back at Hunter, my throat dry.
“How—?”
“News travels fast,” he said simply.
Right. Of course, it did. I had humiliated Ethan Hartley in the middle of a crowded street. I had proposed to Nathaniel Pierce, one of the most powerful men in the city.
Of course, the media had already sunk their claws into it.
Nathaniel leaned back, his expression unreadable. “If you go inside alone, they’ll spin their version of the story.”
I swallowed. I already knew what that version would be.
“Desperate woman proposes to billionaire in a jealous rage. He takes pity on her.”
My stomach churned. “So what do we do?”
He reached for the door handle. “We play the part.”
Before I could process his words, he was already stepping out. And then—chaos. Flashes of light. Voices yelling.
I stayed frozen for a second, gripping my dress with clammy hands. Then Nathaniel extended his hand toward me.
Steady. Certain.
Like he already knew I had no choice but to take it. I sucked in a breath, then placed my fingers in his. The second I stepped out, the shouting grew louder.
“Miss Hart, when’s the wedding?”
“How long have you and Mr. Reid been together?”
“Was this a planned engagement?”
I forced a smile, keeping my grip firm on Nathaniel’s as he led me through the chaos. He didn’t falter. Didn’t hesitate. He moved with the kind of confidence that made people step aside for him.
We reached the front entrance of my building, and I breathed out in relief as the doors closed behind us, shutting out the noise.
I was safe. God, they were desperate.
Only then did I realize Nathaniel was still holding my hand. I pulled away quickly, my skin burning from the contact. “I can handle myself, you know.”
His lips twitched. “Could’ve fooled me.”
I glared at him. “I just agreed to fake an engagement with a man I don’t know. Forgive me if I’m still trying to figure out what the hell is happening.”
He stepped closer, amusement flickering in his gaze. “You’re handling it well enough.”
I crossed my arms. “Is this a game to you?”
His expression turned unreadable again. “No. But if it was, I’d make sure I won.”
I swallowed, suddenly too aware of how close he was. I needed distance. I turned toward the elevator. “This doesn’t change anything. We need rules. Boundaries.”
“Of course,” he said smoothly, following me in.
I hit the button for my floor and turned back toward him. “Rule number one—no touching in private.”
Nathaniel’s gaze flickered down to my lips, then back to my eyes. “You were the one holding my hand.”
I clenched my jaw. “Because I had to.”
He smirked. “If you say so.”
I ignored him. “Rule number two—this ends in six months. No extensions.”
“Noted.”
“Rule number three…..”
“Let me guess.” He tilted his head. “No falling in love?”
I scoffed. “Please. That won’t be a problem.”
The elevator doors opened. I stepped out, heart pounding, but before I could take another step, his voice stopped me.
“Tessa.”
I turned back. Nathaniel leaned against the elevator wall, hands in his pockets, his blue eyes locked onto mine.
“This is going to be fun.”
The doors slid closed. I exhaled sharply, pressing my fingers against my temples.
What the hell had I just gotten myself into?
- Writer
