Chapter Four: The Rules
888 Words
The contract sat untouched on Ava’s coffee table.
For two days.
Every time she walked past it, she reminded herself of all the reasons she should refuse.
Ethan Blake was arrogant.
Controlling.
Far too calm for someone asking a complete stranger to fake an engagement.
Yet every time she opened her laptop and looked at the overdue invoices, reality won the argument.
Her business wasn’t failing because she lacked talent.
It was failing because one cancelled client had turned into three.
Rent was due next week.
Her employees depended on her.
Sometimes pride was a luxury she couldn’t afford.
⸻
Monday morning arrived with relentless rain.
Ava walked into Blake Capital carrying the signed contract inside her handbag.
Noah greeted her with his usual polite smile.
“I’ll let Mr. Blake know you’ve arrived.”
“I doubt he needs announcing.”
“He insisted.”
She couldn’t tell if that was professionalism or another one of Ethan’s habits.
A minute later, Noah opened the office door.
“He’s waiting.”
⸻
Ethan looked up from his desk as she entered.
His expression remained unreadable.
“You came.”
“I almost didn’t.”
His gaze shifted to the document she placed on his desk.
The signed contract.
For the first time since she’d met him, something resembling satisfaction crossed his face.
“I appreciate practical decisions.”
“Don’t mistake practicality for enthusiasm.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
She sat opposite him.
“So…”
He opened the folder.
“We should establish the rules.”
“Rules?”
“Our engagement needs to look convincing.”
“I thought pretending would be the easy part.”
“It won’t.”
He stood and walked toward a large digital screen mounted on the wall.
With one click, photographs appeared.
His parents.
His grandfather.
Business associates.
Magazine covers.
Tabloids.
Interviews.
“These people,” he said, “will ask questions.”
Ava stared.
“You prepared a presentation?”
“I prefer preparation over improvisation.”
She couldn’t help laughing.
“You actually made slides.”
“They’re effective.”
“They’re ridiculous.”
“They’re organized.”
She shook her head.
“You really don’t know how to relax, do you?”
“I relax.”
“When?”
He thought about it.
“…Sunday mornings.”
She blinked.
“That’s your answer?”
“I play chess.”
“Against people?”
“Myself.”
She stared at him.
“You know what?”
“What?”
“I officially believe you’re the most boring billionaire in New York.”
For a brief second…
Ethan looked genuinely offended.
“I’ve been called many things.”
“I’ll add boring to the list.”
“…Interesting.”
She smiled triumphantly.
“I made you react.”
“You enjoy provoking people.”
“I enjoy provoking you.”
He looked at her for a long moment.
“I noticed.”
⸻
An hour later, they had covered almost everything.
How they supposedly met.
Their fake anniversary.
Her favorite flower.
His favorite coffee.
Which hand he wore his watch on.
The names of his family members.
By the end, Ava’s head hurt.
“This is exhausting.”
“It will become natural.”
“If I accidentally call your grandfather ‘sir’ instead of ‘Grandpa,’ are we doomed?”
“No.”
“If I forget your favorite wine?”
“No.”
“If I spill coffee on you again?”
He met her eyes.
“…Then we’ll have a problem.”
She laughed.
“I knew you’d bring up the coffee.”
“I’ll never forget it.”
⸻
Just as Ava reached for her handbag, Ethan spoke again.
“One more rule.”
She looked back.
“What now?”
He stepped closer.
Close enough that she could smell the faint scent of cedarwood and expensive cologne.
“If we’re in public…”
His voice remained calm.
“…people need to believe we’re comfortable together.”
“I’m listening.”
Without warning…
He gently reached for her hand.
His fingers wrapped around hers.
Warm.
Steady.
Ava looked down at their joined hands before looking back up.
“What are you doing?”
“Demonstrating.”
Her pulse skipped.
It was ridiculous.
This wasn’t romantic.
It was research.
Practice.
Nothing more.
“You’re tense,” Ethan observed.
“You grabbed my hand without warning.”
“You’ll need to get used to it.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Mr. Blake.”
For the first time…
A genuine smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Small.
Brief.
But unmistakably real.
Ava caught herself staring.
Then quickly pulled her hand away.
“That’s enough practice for today.”
She picked up her bag and walked toward the door.
Behind her, Ethan watched silently.
Noah entered a moment later.
“How did it go?”
Ethan glanced toward the closed office door.
A woman who challenged him at every opportunity.
A woman who refused to be intimidated.
A woman who had just made him smile without trying.
“Better than expected.”
For the first time since agreeing to the arrangement…
The engagement no longer felt like just another business deal.
It was becoming something far more dangerous.
- Writer
