Chapter 6: Red Carpets and Cold Shoulders
804 Words
The limousine pulled up to the velvet-roped entrance of the "Global Impact Awards," and Aria’s breath hitched the moment she saw the blinding wall of paparazzi waiting outside.
Dominic didn’t hesitate. He stepped out first, buttoned his tux, and turned to offer his hand. She placed hers in his, trying to hide the slight tremor in her fingers.
The cameras exploded.
Flashes, voices, shouting names.
"Dominic, over here!"
"Who’s the mystery fiancée?"
"Give us a kiss!"
Aria’s cheeks flushed as Dominic pulled her close, his hand resting on the small of her back. To the world, they were in love—untouchable, beautiful, perfect. To her, it was another performance. Another night pretending they belonged to each other.
They posed, smiled, and did the slow, practiced walk down the carpet. Dominic whispered little cues in her ear—“Smile wider,” “Left hand on my chest,” “Look at me, not the cameras.”
Every instruction was calculated.
Every movement, rehearsed.
But beneath the glitz, the tension between them was building—layered and cold like ice beneath their feet.
Inside the venue, the atmosphere buzzed with A-listers, CEOs, politicians. The champagne flowed freely, and the lighting was dim and golden, giving everything an ethereal glow.
Aria adjusted her crimson gown—an off-shoulder silk number that hugged every curve—and tried not to feel completely out of place. She hadn’t seen her own reflection all evening without feeling like a painted doll.
As they made their way through the crowd, Aria couldn’t help noticing how different Dominic was tonight. Colder. Stiffer. He hadn’t cracked a joke. He hadn’t even looked her in the eyes since the car ride.
She finally leaned in and whispered, “You okay?”
“Don’t talk. Just smile.”
The words hit her like a slap. She straightened, lips parting in silent disbelief.
Dominic noticed. “I didn’t mean—”
“Yes, you did,” she said quietly. “You meant every word.”
He exhaled and looked away.
Before she could say anything else, a woman approached. Tall, elegant, and wearing a gown that shimmered like moonlight. Her blonde hair was styled in waves, and her smile was sharp enough to cut glass.
“Dominic,” she purred. “It’s been a while.”
He turned, his expression unreadable. “Charlotte.”
Aria stiffened.
This had to be her. The ex-fiancée.
Charlotte looked Aria up and down with polite contempt. “You must be the replacement. I’m Charlotte.”
Aria blinked. “Fiancée. Not replacement.”
Charlotte’s smile never wavered. “How charming.”
Dominic’s jaw flexed. “Let’s not do this here.”
Charlotte leaned in, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “You always did have a type. Naïve, pretty, easily sculpted.”
Aria’s stomach twisted, but she refused to flinch. “And yet here I am, the one wearing his ring.”
Charlotte laughed. “Rented, dear. We both know how this story ends.”
With that, she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Aria turned to Dominic, heart pounding. “That was her, wasn’t it?”
He didn’t deny it.
“She’s a ghost,” he muttered. “Don’t give her power.”
“But you clearly haven’t let her go.”
Dominic met her gaze, something dark flickering behind his eyes. “Don’t confuse public roles with private wounds.”
“Then stop bleeding all over me.”
Silence fell between them like a steel curtain. Aria turned away, taking a flute of champagne from a passing tray just to keep her hands busy.
The night dragged on. Applause, speeches, more cameras. Dominic won an award for his work with youth mental health programs. Aria clapped along with the rest of the room, her expression picture-perfect.
But inside, she felt like a prop. A figure cut out and positioned next to a man who only spoke in orders and silence.
After the ceremony, as they waited for their car, Dominic finally broke the quiet.
“You handled her well,” he said.
Aria laughed, cold and bitter. “That’s what I am now? A handler?”
“No. You’re the only one in this arrangement who hasn’t tried to manipulate me.”
She blinked. “Is that… supposed to be a compliment?”
He looked at her then, really looked at her, and for a second—just a flicker—there was something soft in his eyes.
“I don’t trust easily,” he said. “But you surprised me tonight.”
Before she could respond, the car arrived.
They got in.
The ride back was quiet again—but not icy.
Just… distant.
And somewhere inside Aria, something shifted.
She wasn’t sure what this was turning into.
But she knew it wasn’t just business anymore.
- Writer
