Chapter 6: The Rules of the Game
1001 Words
Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow across Ava's bedroom.
She slowly opened her eyes, confused by the unfamiliar surroundings.
For a brief moment, she forgot where she was.
Then everything came rushing back.
The mansion.
The contract.
Ethan Blackwood.
She sighed deeply and sat up.
"This is really happening."
A gentle knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Mrs. Wilson entered carrying a silver tray filled with breakfast.
"Good morning, Miss Ava."
Ava immediately stood.
"You didn't have to bring breakfast to me."
Mrs. Wilson smiled warmly.
"It's Mr. Blackwood's instruction."
Ava blinked.
"He ordered this?"
"He said you should eat before the day begins."
Ava looked down at the tray.
Fresh fruit.
Toast.
Coffee.
Orange juice.
Everything looked delicious.
"He remembered?"
Mrs. Wilson nodded.
"Mr. Blackwood notices more than people realise."
After Mrs. Wilson left, Ava smiled to herself.
Maybe Ethan wasn't as cold as he wanted everyone to believe.
---
Meanwhile...
On the ground floor...
Ethan was already in the dining room, reading financial reports while drinking black coffee.
Liam entered carrying a tablet.
"Good morning, sir."
Ethan nodded.
"The press has already heard about your engagement."
"I expected that."
"They're demanding photographs."
"They'll get them."
"And the shareholders?"
"They're pleased."
Liam smiled.
"The fake engagement is already improving the company's public image."
"It isn't fake."
Liam looked confused.
Ethan calmly folded the newspaper.
"The marriage will be legally registered."
"The feelings are fake."
Liam laughed.
"That makes more sense."
---
A few minutes later...
Ava entered the dining room.
She stopped immediately.
The dining table was enormous.
It could seat at least twenty people.
Yet only Ethan sat there.
He looked up briefly.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
She hesitated.
"Can I... sit?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"You're asking permission in your own home."
She blinked.
"Our home."
The words felt strange.
She slowly sat opposite him.
For several moments they ate in silence.
Finally Ava spoke.
"Do you always read business reports during breakfast?"
"Yes."
"That's... depressing."
He looked at her.
"I enjoy my work."
"I enjoy eating."
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"You'll find I don't talk much in the morning."
"I've noticed you don't talk much at all."
For the first time that day...
Ethan actually smiled.
---
After breakfast...
Ethan stood.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"You'll need a wardrobe."
"I already have clothes."
"You have three dresses."
"You counted?"
"I observe."
Ava rolled her eyes.
"You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
---
An hour later...
Their car stopped outside one of the most luxurious fashion boutiques in the city.
The manager practically ran to greet them.
"Mr. Blackwood! Welcome back."
Ethan nodded.
"My fiancée needs a wardrobe."
The manager's eyes widened.
"Congratulations!"
Ava smiled awkwardly.
"Thank you."
Within minutes...
Racks of designer dresses surrounded her.
Elegant gowns.
Business suits.
Casual outfits.
Shoes.
Handbags.
Jewellery.
It was overwhelming.
"I can't possibly need all of this."
Ethan answered without looking up from his phone.
"You do."
"No, I don't."
"You'll be photographed."
"I can wear normal clothes."
"The media won't think they're normal."
She folded her arms.
"They're perfectly normal."
"For your old life."
His words weren't cruel.
They were simply honest.
Ava looked around.
She suddenly realised he was right.
If she was going to pretend to be the wife of one of the country's richest men...
People would expect her to look the part.
Still...
"It feels wrong spending this much."
Ethan finally looked at her.
"You're worrying about the price."
"Of course."
"I'm not."
---
Several hours later...
Ava emerged from the changing room wearing a simple emerald-green dress.
The entire boutique became silent.
The manager smiled.
"It looks as though it was made for you."
Ava looked in the mirror.
She barely recognised herself.
The dress fitted perfectly.
Elegant.
Sophisticated.
Beautiful.
Ethan looked up.
Their eyes met.
For the first time since signing the contract...
He forgot to speak.
Liam noticed.
"So..."
Liam whispered quietly.
"I assume we should buy that one?"
Ethan finally replied.
"Buy everything."
Ava nearly choked.
"Everything?"
"Everything."
"No!"
"Yes."
"I only need a few outfits."
"You'll wear them."
"I'll never wear fifty dresses!"
"You'll have opportunities."
"Ethan!"
The manager tried not to laugh.
"I'll prepare the invoice."
Ava turned towards Ethan.
"You realise you're impossible to argue with?"
"I've had years of practice."
She couldn't help laughing.
---
As they left the boutique...
Camera flashes suddenly exploded around them.
Reporters had been waiting outside.
"Mr. Blackwood!"
"When is the wedding?"
"Miss, how did you meet him?"
"Are you really engaged?"
Microphones were suddenly everywhere.
Ava froze.
She wasn't prepared for this.
The reporters continued shouting questions.
Before panic could take over...
She felt Ethan gently take her hand.
His grip was firm.
Steady.
Protective.
He leaned close enough for only her to hear.
"Don't answer."
She nodded.
Together they walked through the crowd.
The cameras clicked nonstop.
Every news outlet in the city captured the moment.
Inside the car, Ava finally let out the breath she'd been holding.
"I wasn't expecting that."
"It'll get worse."
"Worse?"
"When we announce the wedding."
She looked at him.
"How do you stay calm?"
"I've lived with it for years."
She stared out of the window.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to this."
Ethan looked at her quietly.
"You won't have to do it alone."
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Ava turned to him, surprised.
For a second, Ethan looked just as surprised as she was.
Neither of them spoke again.
But something had changed.
The distance between them was beginning to shrink.
Far away, hidden among the waiting reporters, a woman wearing dark sunglasses watched their car disappear.
Her expression twisted with anger.
She lowered her sunglasses, revealing cold blue eyes.
"So..." she whispered bitterly.
"You've already found someone else, Ethan."
She crushed the newspaper in her hand.
"I won't let this marriage happen."
A dangerous smile spread across her face.
"Not while I'm still alive".
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