part 2 : playing lovers ( chapter 6-10)
2154 Words
Chapter 6: The First Event
Morning sunlight streamed into Mei’s room, cruelly bright. She hadn’t slept much.
She pulled herself out of bed and nearly screamed at the knock on the door.
> “What?”
A polite female voice.
> “Miss Mei? We’re from Mr. Kaito’s styling team.”
> Styling team?
She opened the door and was immediately swarmed by three immaculate women.
> “We’ll prepare you for tonight’s engagement gala.”
“Hair, makeup, fittings.”
> “I didn’t agree to—”
> “Mr. Kaito did.”
---
Hours later, she barely recognized herself. Her hair was a sleek waterfall of black waves. Her simple face glowed with careful makeup. And the dress—black, silk, off-shoulder—was far too glamorous for a restaurant waitress.
> I look like one of them, she thought bitterly. A rich man’s accessory.
---
Kaito was waiting in the living room, scrolling through his phone. He didn’t look up until they cleared their throats.
When his cold blue eyes lifted, he went completely still.
For a moment—just a moment—Mei thought she saw surprise. Even...appreciation.
But his face hardened immediately.
> “Acceptable.”
Her fingers dug into the purse strap.
> “You’re unbelievable.”
> “I warned you,” he said calmly. “It’s for appearances.”
> “So I’m your doll to dress up?”
He closed the distance between them in two strides. She forced herself not to flinch.
> “No,” he said, voice low. “You’re my fiancée. Tonight, at least. You will smile. You will hold my arm. And you will lie as convincingly as I paid you to.”
She swallowed. Hard.
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips, then snapped away.
> “Car’s waiting.”
---
The gala was in a skyscraper ballroom, glittering like a jewel. The second they entered, flashbulbs exploded. Reporters called Kaito’s name.
She clung to his arm because she had to.
He was a perfect actor, hand firm on her waist, mouth near her ear.
> “Smile,” he commanded softly.
She did. Barely.
> “Closer.”
He tugged her in so her chest pressed to his side. Her heart pounded painfully.
> “I hate you,” she hissed between her teeth.
He didn’t even blink.
> “Good. They’ll never suspect.”
---
They made the rounds: board members, investors, gossiping socialites.
> “Kaito, you didn’t say you were engaged!”
“She’s lovely!”
“So sweet and quiet!”
Mei smiled until her face hurt. She wanted to scream.
Finally, during a lull, she turned to him.
> “I need air.”
He didn’t let go.
> “No.”
> “I’ll cause a scene.”
His eyes blazed. But after a tense beat, he exhaled.
> “Five minutes.”
---
Outside on the balcony, the city glittered. She gripped the railing so hard her fingers ached.
Inside, she could see him through the glass, talking business, that cold, perfect mask in place.
> What the hell did I get myself into?
And why, even now, did her stupid heart skip when he looked at her?
Chapter 7: The Accidental Kiss
Mei stayed on the balcony until the wind made her shiver. She didn’t want to go back in, didn’t want to see those fake smiles or feel Kaito’s iron grip on her arm.
But when she turned to leave, the door swung open, and he was there.
> “Your five minutes are up.”
> “You timed it?”
> “Yes.”
She glared. “You’re impossible.”
He didn’t rise to it. Instead he shrugged out of his suit jacket and draped it over her bare shoulders.
> “You’re shaking.”
She froze. The jacket was warm from his body. She smelled expensive cologne, crisp and smoky.
> “I don’t want your charity,” she whispered.
> “It’s not charity. It’s strategy. You can’t catch a cold before tomorrow’s press conference.”
That stung. She shoved the jacket back at him.
> “I hate this.”
He didn’t move to take it. Their hands clashed, wrestling over the fabric, the struggle more desperate than it should have been.
> “Stop it,” he growled.
> “Let go,” she snapped.
They were both breathing hard, faces inches apart. She could see the fine edge of frustration in his eyes. He was always so calm, so cold, but now—
> “You’re infuriating,” he bit out.
> “Right back at you,” she hissed.
The jacket slipped from their grasp, tumbling to the floor.
In the sudden movement, he caught her arm to steady her—
And their lips crashed together.
---
It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t planned.
Her heart punched against her ribs. His mouth was warm, firm, demanding. For a second she kissed him back, too shocked to think, tasting anger and something else that twisted in her chest like fire.
Then she shoved him away so hard he stumbled.
They both froze, panting.
> “Don’t,” she whispered, voice shaking. “Don’t you ever—”
His eyes were wide, breathing ragged.
But the cold mask slammed back into place in an instant.
> “That was an accident,” he said flatly.
Her lip trembled.
> “I know.”
She turned away before he could see her tears.
---
Inside the gala, music swelled. Laughter. Applause.
But on the balcony, it was silent, except for the ragged sound of their breathing.
Kaito didn’t reach for her again.
And she didn’t look back.
Chapter 8: The Rules
The car ride home was a coffin of silence.
Mei pressed herself against the far door, arms crossed tight over her chest, refusing to look at him.
Kaito sat like a statue. His cold blue eyes stayed fixed on the city lights whipping past.
But every time the car hit a bump, her lips tingled.
---
When they arrived at the penthouse, she stormed out first. He followed, voice low and even.
> “Don’t make a scene here.”
> “Oh, NOW you care about appearances?”
He didn’t answer. The elevator ride was torture.
---
Inside, she wheeled on him before the door even shut.
> “What the hell was that?”
> “I told you. An accident.”
Her voice cracked. “It didn’t feel like an accident.”
His jaw tightened. “You kissed back.”
She slapped him. Hard.
Silence.
His cheek reddened. He didn’t flinch.
> “Feel better?”
Her eyes burned.
> “No.”
---
He straightened his suit.
> “New rule.”
> “What?” she spat.
> “No touching outside of public events.”
She laughed, ragged. “So you can order me around like a dog but you’re scared of a kiss?”
He didn’t react, but his voice was low, rougher than she’d ever heard it.
> “I’m not scared of you.”
> “Liar.”
He stepped closer. She held her ground even though her heart tried to flee.
> “I don’t trust anyone,” he said softly. “Including myself.”
Her breath caught.
But he turned away, picking up his discarded jacket.
> “Goodnight, Mei.”
---
She watched him disappear down the hall.
When she finally made it to her own room, she locked the door and collapsed against it.
Her fingers brushed her lips.
> No touching.
She repeated it to herself over and over like a prayer.
But it didn’t stop her from dreaming about the heat of his mouth on hers.
Chapter 9: The Press Conference
The next morning was worse.
Mei barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes she felt his mouth on hers—angry, hungry, real.
But she didn’t have time to think. Kaito’s staff arrived at dawn.
> “You need to be ready in an hour.”
> “For what?”
> “Press conference. Announcing your engagement.”
She nearly threw a shoe at them.
---
When she stormed into the living room, Kaito was already waiting in a flawless gray suit.
He glanced at her dress—a pale cream wrap that hugged her waist—and simply nodded.
> “Acceptable.”
> “I’m not your toy,” she snapped.
He didn’t look up from his phone.
> “Today you are.”
She wanted to kill him.
---
The car ride was silent except for their breathing.
> No touching, she reminded herself.
But when they got out at the venue, there were dozens of cameras.
> “Kaito! Over here!”
“Is that your fiancée?”
“Smile for us!”
He didn’t hesitate. His hand closed around her waist, pulling her in.
> “Rule doesn’t count in public,” he murmured in her ear.
Her heart slammed.
She forced herself to smile, teeth grinding.
> “I hate you.”
> “Good. Now kiss my cheek.”
She froze.
> “What?”
> “Do it.”
His voice was absolute. Uncompromising.
She leaned in stiffly and brushed her lips against his cheek.
Flashbulbs exploded. Reporters shrieked.
His jaw flexed under her mouth. She felt his breath catch.
He turned his head slightly, enough that their lips nearly met.
She jerked away.
---
Inside the conference room, they sat at a table in front of the cameras. Kaito’s PR manager droned about “love at first sight” and “a beautiful union of two families.”
Mei thought she might vomit.
Then it was time for questions.
> “Miss Mei! How did he propose?”
She glanced at Kaito. His eyes were ice. Lie.
> “It was…private,” she managed. “Intimate. He’s very…uh…thoughtful.”
Kaito didn’t smile. But he slid his hand over hers on the table.
For the cameras.
But his thumb brushed her knuckles once. Warm.
---
The conference ended in chaos. Reporters begging for details.
When they finally made it outside, she yanked her hand away.
> “You’re an amazing liar,” she hissed.
He didn’t look at her.
> “So are you.”
Their car door slammed shut, separating them from the crowd.
She turned to him.
> “No touching, remember?”
He held her gaze.
> “I remember.”
His voice was quiet.
Almost regretful.
---
She looked away, pressing her forehead to the cool window.
> No touching.
But her hand still tingled where he’d held it.
Chapter 10: Cracks in the Mask
Back at the penthouse, Mei threw off her heels so hard they hit the wall.
Kaito watched her silently.
> “Don’t even start,” she snapped.
> “You did well,” he said evenly.
She turned on him.
> “That wasn’t well. That was humiliating. I lied to dozens of reporters about how much I love you!”
His jaw flexed.
> “That was the agreement.”
> “And the kissing? The hand-holding? Was that in the contract?”
He didn’t answer.
She crossed her arms, fighting the ache in her throat.
> “This was supposed to be business.”
> “It is.”
> “Liar.”
Silence.
He finally looked away.
> “Go get changed,” he said, voice low. “You’re done for today.”
She didn’t move.
> “Tell me you didn’t feel anything,” she whispered.
He froze.
---
When he didn’t answer, she laughed bitterly.
> “Exactly.”
She turned to go.
But his hand shot out, catching her wrist.
> “Don’t,” he said hoarsely.
She stared at his fingers on her skin.
> “No touching,” she reminded him.
He dropped her arm like it burned him.
> “Mei…”
Her name in his voice was the softest thing she’d ever heard.
> “Stop it,” she said, voice breaking.
He didn’t follow her as she fled down the hall.
---
That night, she sat on the edge of her bed, hugging her knees.
She heard him in the living room on a call, voice hard and cold in Japanese.
A billionaire. A control freak. A man who didn’t trust anyone.
Including himself.
---
She buried her face in her hands.
> No touching.
But what about her heart?
---
Meanwhile, Kaito sat alone in the dark, phone off, drink untouched.
He rubbed the heel of his hand over his chest as if he could force the tightness away.
He remembered the look in her eyes. The way her lips trembled.
> Don’t.
But he had no idea if he was telling her that...
Or himself.
- Writer
