Loving the Cold CEO

Chapter One- Gilded Lies

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One Month Ago

Ayana's PoV

New York glittered the way lies do, too brightly to ever reveal what they hid.

And tonight, I was one of those lies.

The ballroom shimmered with champagne laughter, crystal chandeliers, and a sea of tuxedos and expensive evening gowns. As always, my aunt hadn’t spared a single cent to ensure the Carrington name gleamed above the rest. Her galas were legendary, exclusive, ruthless, and exquisitely curated. Only those she deemed worthy crossed her threshold.

Not that many ever were, least of all me.

And yet I stood beside her now, smiling for the cameras that flashed every five seconds, slicing through my composure. They were here to capture the perfect princess of the Carrington Empire.

I am the Diamond on display tonight, the centerpiece.

But a diamond in a cage could still glitter.

Pierce's hand settled on the small of my back, and I cursed the criss-cross design of my dress- an Ayana Carrington original. Crimson sequins clung like firelight, the fabric molded to every deliberate curve of my body. It swept into a subtle train, whispering against the marble floors with every step I took in my black, red-bottom heels. The red shimmered like a whisper of defiance in a room built on pretense.

"Smile, sweetheart. They're watching."

Pierce's voice was honeyed and hollow, sweet enough to rot.

He was polite, practiced, every bit the heir to his family's empire- until the cameras turned away, that is.

Then, his fingers tightened, a quiet warning masked as affection.

I reinforced my mask, lips curving into that perfect smile that had earned me awards and adoration in equal measure. To the world, I was elegance personified. Inside, I was chaos wearing couture.

If Pierce doesn't kill me for slipping up, my Aunt will probably resurrect me just to murder me again...

Viola Everlyne Carrington was across the room, her voice drifting through a cluster of investors. Every one of her words was practiced, confident, and sharp enough to cut glass. She was in her element, creating alliances and profits out of people.

The Carrington family was shining bright tonight, and I was its most polished ornament.

The pressure mounted even more.

"Breathe before you forget how."

The whisper came from behind me, the lilt of eloquent Amharic bringing an involuntary smile to my lips.

Aimi Hattori leaned in, offering me a flute of champagne, her expression unreadable. Her gaze flicked to Pierce, a single, frigid glance that sent him retreating toward safer company. His aversion to her was mutual, though hers was tinged with something he’d never admit aloud: Power.

Aimi terrified him.

I mean, she did threaten to gut him like a fish if he ever hurt me again...oh, if only she knew...

News of my reconciliation with Pierce had gone down poorly with my friends, especially Aimi, who was convinced I’d been coerced. My reassurances had soothed Gianna, Elena, and Ariadne, but Aimi wasn’t so easily fooled. She’d made sure Pierce understood what would happen if he hurt me again.

She's not one to mince her words...and I had certainly suffered the brunt of her protectiveness, not that I would have it any other way...

We’d always fought for each other, and I loved my girls for that loyalty. Even if it tore me apart to lie to them about why I’d really gone back to him.

"I didn't expect you tonight. I thought you were finalizing the Europe launch. When are you flying out?"

I turned to my best friend, taking in the sight of her- the strapless gray gown that caught the light like smoke, the sleek fall of her dark hair spilling over her shoulders like ink. Aimi Hyejin Hattori was breathtaking, her bold eyeliner and cherry-red lips sharp against her pale skin. She rarely dressed up and even more rarely attended galas. But when she did, she became the focus of every gaze in the room- beauty and confidence personified.

Her being here tonight has everything to do with me.

With Gianna and her husband, Damian Aleksandros, on their babymoon on their private island in Greece; Ariadne in Los Angeles, wrapping production on her passion project; Kai Mancini unveiling his new line of luxury jewelry in the same city; and Elena and Axle setting down temporary roots in Ireland while overseeing construction on their dream home- only Aimi and I remained in New York.

At least, for now.

Soon, she’d be gone too - off on her European tour, launching her newest gaming masterpiece.

And then, it would just be me.

"My flight's in a few days. I delayed it a little. You know I wouldn't miss this event for the world. This charity means so much to you."

I smiled genuinely for the first time in what felt like forever as I squeezed Aimi's hand in thanks. The Ayara Foundation was a passion project I had built as a haven for young women in creative industries to receive the support they needed in the form of education and mentorship opportunities. I wanted them to achieve their goals and dreams.

Mother and I know a little something about fighting tooth and nail to do what you love, and whereas she achieved great success, I am yet to see all my dreams come true... maybe one day, I can truly stand before these women and declare my dreams fulfilled...

"For all her s**t, one thing I will credit Viola for is her ability to raise money effortlessly. Even though she's hijacked this event to propel her agenda, at least she's milking them dry whilst at it."

Aimi murmured, both of us watching the woman in question glide through Carrington Enterprises' ballroom. I wasn't surprised Aimi could see right through her. She was one of the most perceptive people I knew. Nothing ever missed her watchful eye.

Well, Aimi and...

"You should know...my brother is coming. And he's bringing Luka along."

I froze mid-sip.

Although Aimi's tone was casual, the weight beneath her words wasn't. Of course, she had noticed. She knew that I had been running, and from her brother no less.

One Month.

It had been one month since Elena and Axle's wedding.

One month since the champagne, music, and our dance under the stars.

One month since my heart beat wildly in my chest without reason.

I had not seen Ha Joon Hattori since that night, bar occasional Prion Group press conferences and in the background of video calls during friend hangouts that I had avoided by some excuse or the other.

Until now.

"I just know he brought Luka along to piss me off, or maybe he found a way to insert himself. Either way, it's annoying."

Aimi's complaints broke through the wave of anxiety coursing through me as I latched onto her irritation rather than my spiraling thoughts. She and Luka had been at odds more than usual recently, especially since Aimi's trip to Japan a couple of months ago, which Luka tagged along on. Both of them had ensured Elena's parents' safety at the time, but something seems to have shifted in their dynamic since then.

"Or maybe both of them simply came to support a friend, just as you did."

I tried to be as nonchalant as possible as I sipped my champagne, grateful for the fact that my hand was not trembling as hard as I thought it would. I ignored Aimi's look as she playfully rolled her eyes at me. I knew she could probably see right through my facade, but I chose wishful thinking instead.

A subtle hush rippled through the crowd, the air shifting as it always did when he was in the room.

And, true enough, Ha Joon and Luka cut through the crowd, each of the guests awed by their entrance. Whereas Luka was easy charm, greeting acquaintances with practiced ease and a handsome smile, Ha Joon was the opposite. He was controlled, measured, and completely composed as he allowed everyone around him to see what only he wanted them to see.

He wore a black Tuxedo that seemed to make his presence more profound. His hair, darker than midnight, fell slightly over his brow, and I itched to brush it back.

My fingers flexed involuntarily.

His gaze, steady and unreadable, skimmed the room before settling on me.

The world narrowed as my heart jump-started into that wild rhythm that belonged only to him.

I couldn't look away, holding his own as everything seemed to dissolve.

His smile was small, deliberate, as he inclined his head in greeting. He was polite, for the world's sake, but his gaze still lingered.

I returned his smile, recognizing the familiar spark that always ignited in the space between us whenever he was in the room.

The feel of Aimi's gaze broke the spell between Ha Joon and me as I quickly turned away, knowing well enough what I would see in my best friend's eyes were I confident enough to look at her.

Worry.

It always seems to break her otherwise cool expression whenever her brother and I are in the same room.

My chest ached, and I rubbed at it subconsciously as I tried not to focus on his approach. He moved with quiet authority, Luka murmuring something beside him that I barely heard.

"Mr Hattori. I was hoping to see you tonight. I trust the Prion Group delegation arrived safely?"

My Aunt greeted Ha Joon with the polished smile she reserved only for those with power worth coveting. I frowned at her statement, too out of it to think too much about her calculated questions.

"Perfectly."

His response was low, precise, and seemingly restrained. Even his politeness sounded dangerous, and I longed to know what was plaguing his mind.

"Wonderful. Well then, we can discuss business at a later time. For now, perhaps a dance with our jewel? It is her event."

My breath hitched at her words, but I found my practiced smile, granting it to Luka, who found his way to Aimi's side after our polite exchange.

"Aunt, I don't think..."

I didn’t finish. The sound of Pierce’s voice cut through the air, too smooth, too certain.

"My darling,"

His hand was on my waist again before I could step back. The pressure was deliberate, a performance of affection that bit into my ribs. My body went still, trained not to react, not to make a scene. The pain was familiar, and I accepted it to keep the peace.

My heart froze once my gaze flickered hesitantly to his.

Ha Joon's eyes were cold. To anyone else, he would seem like his usual, unreadable self, but I knew it was more. And beneath the calm, I saw it- something inexplicably dangerous flash within those icy depths. His jaw flexed once, a muscle jumping. His hands, resting loose at his sides, curled into fists before disappearing into his pockets.

"Aunt, I believe Ayana should share her first dance with me. I am, after all, her date tonight."

Pierce argued, voice light but with an edge to it. My Aunt gave him a simple but polite look, the kind that stripped men of power without them realizing.

"I understand, Pierce, but I believe you would be better suited to accompany me to speak to Senator Royce about the upcoming project."

Her gaze flickered to Ha Joon, then back to me.

"Ayana, do ensure to be a good host to Mr Hattori."

Her veiled message was loud and clear. I was to do as I was told or suffer the consequences. It was a miracle she had chosen to let my earlier attempt at defying her slide.

"Of course, Aunt."

I felt Pierce’s grip tighten, one last warning squeeze, before he released me.

"I'll only be a moment, Aya..."

Pierce stated, using my parents' nickname for me as his gaze lingered on Ha Joon for a moment, like a challenge, before he led my Aunt away.

Ha Joon’s gaze finally met mine, and the rest of the room fell away- the music, voices, the glittering chandeliers.

He didn't say a word.

He didn't have to.

There was a quiet promise in his eyes, one that made my heart almost stop:

He had seen everything.

And if Pierce ever touched me like that again, there wouldn't be a second time.

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