A DEAL AND THE GLARE
482 Words
Kiara sat at the edge of the long dining table, feeling like a small dot in a painting too grand for her. The chandeliers above glistened like stars, and everything was so silent, she could hear her own breathing. Across from her, Aiden was reading through a thick file, ignoring the untouched food between them.
She cleared her throat. "Aren’t you going to eat?"
He didn’t look up. "I’m not hungry."
Typical. Always cold. Always closed off.
Kiara toyed with her fork. "I thought part of this deal was to at least pretend we’re a couple. Sitting here like strangers doesn’t exactly scream husband and wife."
Aiden finally looked up. His eyes were sharp. "Pretending doesn’t mean wasting time."
She clenched her jaw. "Fine. Then let’s talk business."
He raised an eyebrow. "Business?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "You’re paying me to play your wife. So I want to renegotiate the terms."
Aiden leaned back in his chair, clearly intrigued. "Oh? And what exactly do you want?"
"No more being ignored like furniture. If we’re going to be in public together, you talk to me. You don’t brush me off. You don’t treat me like I’m invisible."
He stared at her for a moment, the corner of his mouth twitching. "You’re braver than I thought."
"Desperate people are," she replied quietly. "And I’m not here to be your shadow. I’m here because I had no choice. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let you walk over me."
The air was thick with tension. For a split second, something flickered in Aiden’s eyes — respect? Amusement?
He stood up, walked slowly to her side, and leaned down. His voice was low, almost whispering against her ear.
"Very well, Mrs. Grayson. We’ll play by your rules. For now."
Kiara didn’t flinch. She held his gaze, heart racing. "Good. Because I know how to play this game too."
---
Later that night, in the bedroom they were supposed to share, she found a note on the pillow:
> “The guest room is ready. Sleep there if you want. But remember — the media believes we’re madly in love. Sweet dreams.”
Her cheeks burned as she crumpled the note. He was mocking her again. But two could play this game.
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The next morning, paparazzi were already outside the mansion gates.
Kiara stepped out in a stunning white dress provided by Aiden’s stylist, her hair done perfectly, makeup light but elegant. She smiled confidently as she looped her arm around Aiden’s at the front steps.
"Ready for our romantic day, darling?" she said sweetly.
Aiden glanced at her, eyes slightly wide at her sudden charm. Then he smirked.
"You’re a fast learner."
She leaned closer. "You’ve no idea."
They stepped into the waiting car, both acting perfectly in love… but underneath that perfect act, sparks of tension were ready to explode.
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To be continued…
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- Writer
