Chapter 6: A Valentine’s Deal Sealed
1217 Words
The private dining room buzzed with an energy Alina couldn’t quite pin down. It wasn’t romantic, not in the traditional sense, but it was charged—tense and alive, as if the air itself bristled with the weight of what had just happened.
Adrian sat across from her, calm and composed, yet something about the way his gray eyes stayed locked on hers made her pulse quicken. The ring on his finger glinted under the soft light, a bold symbol of the impulsive deal they’d just made.
Alina’s heart raced. She had exchanged rings with a stranger. Not just any stranger—Adrian King, her ex-boyfriend’s boss, a man who exuded danger, mystery, and authority with every breath he took.
What had she done?
“Regrets already?” Adrian’s smooth, deep voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.
Her head snapped up, and she forced herself to meet his piercing gaze. “No,” she said quickly, even though her nerves told a different story. “It’s just... a lot to process.”
He leaned back in his chair, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Understandable. Most people don’t plan on getting engaged at the drop of a hat.”
“Neither did I,” she muttered, her fingers twisting in her lap. “But here we are.”
Adrian’s expression turned serious as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Listen, Alina. I know this was a rash decision, but I’m not the kind of man who does things halfway. If we’re going to go through with this, we need to be clear about what this... arrangement entails.”
Alina straightened, her heart thudding in her chest. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“First,” he began, his tone firm, “I’m not doing this for fun. I don’t play games. If I’m putting a ring on your finger—even temporarily—it means we’re creating the illusion of something real. That means no half-measures. We act like a couple in every sense of the word.”
Her breath caught at his words, the intensity in his voice making her stomach flutter. “Every sense of the word?” she echoed, her cheeks flushing.
Adrian’s gaze didn’t waver. “Every sense.”
The weight of his words hung between them, and Alina swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure if it was the wine she’d sipped earlier or the sheer audacity of the situation, but a strange thrill coursed through her veins.
“Fine,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “What else?”
“Second,” Adrian continued, his voice softening slightly, “you don’t owe me anything. This arrangement is as much for you as it is for me. You want to make a statement to your ex. I have my reasons, too.”
Her curiosity piqued. “What reasons?”
A flicker of something dark passed through his eyes, but he didn’t elaborate. Instead, he said, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Alina frowned but decided not to press him. Something about Adrian told her he wasn’t the kind of man to reveal his hand until he was ready.
Adrian reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black phone. “I’ll have my assistant draft the paperwork tomorrow. In the meantime...” He tapped at the screen, then looked up at her. “We’ll make it official tonight.”
“Tonight?” Alina blinked, startled. “You mean like... announce it?”
He smirked. “That’s the idea. Jake needs to see this for what it is—a very public statement. I assume you’re okay with that?”
Alina hesitated, her mind racing. The thought of Jake seeing her with Adrian—his powerful, intimidating boss—sent a rush of satisfaction through her. But the idea of putting herself in the spotlight, pretending to be in love with a man she barely knew, made her stomach churn.
Adrian’s voice softened. “You can back out if you’re not ready, Alina. I won’t force you.”
His unexpected kindness surprised her, and for a moment, she saw past the confident exterior to something more genuine. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “I’m ready.”
The ballroom was packed with guests when they entered, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. Adrian’s hand rested lightly on Alina’s lower back, guiding her through the crowd with ease. His touch was firm yet gentle, sending a shiver down her spine.
Heads turned as they passed, whispers following in their wake. Alina felt the weight of the stares but kept her chin high, determined not to falter under the scrutiny.
“Smile,” Adrian murmured in her ear, his breath warm against her skin. “You’re supposed to be happy, remember?”
She forced a smile, glancing up at him. “I don’t suppose you have a manual for how to fake a relationship with someone like you?”
His lips twitched in amusement. “Just follow my lead.”
They reached the center of the room, and Adrian clinked his glass, commanding attention with effortless authority. The crowd fell silent, all eyes on him.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his deep voice carrying across the room, “thank you for joining us tonight. I’d like to take a moment to share some exciting news.”
Alina’s heart pounded as he turned to her, his gaze softening in a way that almost felt real.
“This beautiful woman beside me has agreed to be my fiancée,” he announced, his voice steady and sincere. “Alina has brought light into my life, and I’m honored to have her by my side.”
A wave of applause erupted, but Alina barely heard it. Her eyes locked on Adrian’s, her breath hitching at the intensity in his gaze. For a moment, she forgot it was all an act.
As the applause died down, a familiar voice cut through the crowd. “Fiancée? Seriously?”
Alina turned to see Jake standing near the bar, his face twisted in disbelief.
Adrian’s expression didn’t change as he addressed Jake. “Ah, Jake. I was hoping you’d be here to share in our celebration.”
Jake glared at Adrian, then shifted his gaze to Alina. “This is a joke, right? You can’t be serious.”
Alina squared her shoulders, her anger flaring at his audacity. “It’s very serious, Jake. I’ve moved on, and so should you.”
Jake took a step closer, his voice lowering. “You don’t know what you’re getting into, Alina. He’s not who you think he is.”
Adrian’s voice was calm but firm as he stepped between them. “That’s enough, Jake. You’re making a scene.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t over.”
With that, he stormed out, leaving a tense silence in his wake.
Adrian turned to Alina, his expression unreadable. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, though her hands trembled slightly. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
He offered her his arm. “Let’s get out of here. You’ve had enough drama for one night.”
As they left the ballroom, Alina couldn’t help but wonder what she’d just gotten herself into.
- Writer
