RULES AND HEARTBEATS
554 Words
The next morning, the tension still lingered.
Kiara avoided Aiden at breakfast. She sat quietly, nibbling on toast, while he scrolled through his phone, expression unreadable. Neither said a word about Clarissa.
But Kiara knew it — she had gotten under his skin.
And somehow, under hers too.
---
Later that day, a woman named Elise — Aiden’s personal assistant — showed up in Kiara’s room.
“Mr. Laurent asked me to deliver this,” she said, placing a thick folder on the table.
“What is it?” Kiara asked, brows furrowing.
“Guidelines,” Elise said. “Rules for this arrangement. He thought it would... make things easier.”
Kiara opened the folder.
Rules? Seriously?
---
CONTRACT WIFE RULES – By Aiden Laurent
1. No entering my office without permission.
2. No discussing our personal arrangement with anyone.
3. Always act ‘in love’ in public — hand-holding, smiles, light touches.
4. No sleeping in my room. Ever.
5. No emotional involvement. This is a business deal.
6. You can ask for anything… except my heart.
Kiara scoffed. So dramatic. So... cold.
At the bottom, in neat handwriting:
Sign to agree.
She grabbed a pen, paused for a moment… then signed with a firm stroke.
“Fine,” she muttered. “Let’s play your game.”
---
That evening, they had another event to attend — a corporate cocktail night.
Again, she dressed like a woman she barely recognised. He, as usual, looked like he walked out of a fashion magazine.
“You remember the rules?” Aiden asked as they walked to the car.
Kiara smirked. “Don’t talk. Don’t think. Just look pretty.”
He looked at her. “And don’t fall in love.”
She laughed. “Please. You wish.”
---
At the event, Kiara played her role perfectly. She smiled, laughed, nodded. At one point, Aiden placed a hand on her lower back — and her heart jumped.
But she told herself it was just nerves. Just acting.
Then it happened.
He leaned in. Whispered in her ear, “You’re doing good.”
And for a second… it didn’t feel fake.
---
That night, after they got home, Kiara kicked off her heels and flopped on the couch. Aiden walked past, loosening his tie.
She stared at him, something bubbling inside her.
“I read your rules,” she said suddenly.
He paused. “And?”
“You’re so obsessed with control,” she said. “But you can’t control feelings, Aiden.”
“I don’t want to feel,” he replied, turning to her. “Feelings complicate things.”
Kiara stood, facing him now. “But you do feel, don’t you? Even if it’s just… annoyance. Or jealousy.”
His jaw tightened. “This isn’t part of the contract.”
“Maybe not,” she said, stepping closer. “But I’m not a robot, and neither are you.”
Their eyes locked.
The space between them shrank.
Tension rose — thick, electric, undeniable.
But before anything could happen, he stepped back.
“I’ll be working late,” he said coldly. “Don’t wait up.”
And just like that, the moment was gone.
---
Kiara stood there, alone, heartbeat loud in her chest.
She didn’t want to fall.
But maybe, just maybe… she already was.
---
- Writer
