Contracted to my enemy

The first lie

didn’t sleep well that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I kept seeing that contract. Seeing his face. Hearing his voice saying, “It means everything.”

I told myself it was just stress. Nothing more.

By morning, I had already started getting calls.

“Are you ready?” my assistant asked over the phone.

“Ready for what?” I sat up, rubbing my forehead.

“The public appearance. It’s today.”

I paused.

Right. The contract didn’t just stay on paper. It had already started.

I sighed. “Send me the details.”

A few hours later, I was dressed and standing in front of a mirror. Simple but elegant. Nothing too loud. Just enough to look presentable.

When I stepped outside, a car was already waiting.

And then I saw him.

Adrian was already inside.

Of course he was.

I got in without saying a word, shutting the door behind me. The space felt smaller with him in it.

“Morning,” he said, not even looking at me.

I ignored him.

The driver started the car, and silence filled the space again. Not the comfortable kind. The kind that makes you aware of every breath.

After a few minutes, Adrian finally spoke.

“You look… acceptable.”

I turned to him sharply. “And you still talk too much.”

A small smirk appeared on his face. “Good. Keep that energy. We’re going to need it.”

“Need it for what exactly?”

He looked at me then, fully this time.

“For convincing people this isn’t fake.”

I rolled my eyes. “It is fake.”

“Not to them.”

That answer made me quiet for a second.

He wasn’t wrong.

By the time we arrived at the venue, cameras were already flashing. People were waiting. Watching. Whispering.

I stepped out of the car first, trying to keep my expression steady.

Then Adrian followed.

The moment he stood beside me, the noise increased.

Reporters called out questions, flashes going off nonstop.

“Are you two officially together?”

“When did this start?”

“Is this a business partnership or something more?”

I forced a small smile, just like we had been briefed.

Adrian, on the other hand, moved closer and placed his hand lightly on my waist.

I stiffened immediately.

“What are you doing?” I muttered under my breath.

“Playing my part,” he replied calmly, his lips barely moving.

I didn’t respond, but I could feel my heart beating faster than normal.

We walked forward together, acting like we belonged beside each other. Like this was real.

Inside the building, things were quieter, but the pressure didn’t go away.

At some point, we were separated briefly for photos and interviews. I tried to stay composed, answering questions carefully.

But one question caught me off guard.

“Are you happy in this relationship?”

I hesitated.

For a split second, my mind went blank.

Then I smiled.

“Of course,” I said.

It felt strange saying it. Like I was telling a lie I hadn’t fully accepted yet.

When I finally walked away, Adrian was already waiting.

“Not bad,” he said.

I raised a brow. “Don’t get used to it.”

He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice.

“You’re going to have to get used to me.”

I frowned. “And why is that?”

“Because,” he said simply, “this is only the beginning.”

Something in his tone made me uneasy again.

Like he knew something I didn’t.

And for the first time since this whole thing started…

I began to wonder if this contract was really about business.

Or something else entirely.