her new world
578 Words
The mansion was too big.
Too cold.
Too quiet.
Kiara stood at the entrance, suitcase in hand, staring at the marble floor that could’ve fit her entire kampung house twice over.
This wasn’t a home. This was a palace.
And now, it was hers… for three months.
“Miss Kiara,” a butler greeted, bowing slightly. “Mr. Aiden is upstairs. He said to show you to your room.”
My room? Not our room?
She felt a strange relief.
The butler led her past glass walls, spiral stairs, and paintings she couldn’t even name. Everything smelled like expensive wood and perfume she couldn’t afford.
When they reached the room, the butler smiled politely.
“This will be your space. Dinner is at seven. Mr. Aiden is... not fond of lateness.”
“Noted,” she mumbled, stepping into the room.
It was beautiful. A soft white bed, a view of the city skyline, shelves filled with books — untouched, probably just for show.
Kiara sat at the edge of the bed and stared at her hands.
“What did I get myself into…”
---
7:00 PM sharp. She stepped into the dining hall.
The table was long — unnecessarily long. Aiden sat at the far end, scrolling through something on his tablet.
He didn’t look up when she walked in.
“You’re on time,” he said coldly. “Impressive.”
Kiara didn’t reply. She sat down across from him, even though it felt like they were in two different worlds.
Dinner was silent — aside from the clinking of silverware. The food was elegant, arranged like it belonged in a magazine. Kiara missed her mum’s cooking already.
Halfway through the meal, Aiden finally spoke.
“Tomorrow, you’ll be joining me for a business dinner. Dress accordingly.”
She blinked. “Business dinner?”
He nodded. “You’re my wife now — on paper. People will ask questions. You need to act the part.”
“What do I say?”
“Say nothing unless spoken to,” he said. “Smile. Laugh when others do. Don’t embarrass me.”
Kiara’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You make it sound like I’m your robot, not your wife.”
Aiden finally looked up — really looked at her.
“I paid for this. This is a transaction. Let’s not pretend it’s more than that.”
Kiara clenched her jaw. She wanted to argue. But she needed that money.
So she swallowed her pride and nodded.
---
That night, Kiara couldn’t sleep.
Not because the bed wasn’t comfortable — it was the softest thing she’d ever laid on.
But because everything in her life had changed in just 24 hours.
From kampung girl to the wife of a billionaire CEO — even if it was just pretend.
She turned to the side and stared at the city lights blinking outside the window. Somewhere out there, her father was resting in the hospital, hopefully getting better.
She had to remind herself why she was here.
Not for Aiden.
Not for his world.
But for her family.
---
Meanwhile, upstairs, Aiden stood by his own window, sipping a glass of wine. His mind kept replaying the look in Kiara’s eyes — strong, defiant, but clearly hiding pain.
She was different. Not like the women he usually dealt with — fake, polished, predictable.
There was something… real about her.
He hated it.
Because real was dangerous.
And Aiden Laurent didn’t do real.
- Writer
