Dignity of the Cold CEO’s Wife

Chapter 8

Selene woke early, long before the sun had fully brightened the sky. Her engagement dress hung neatly on the closet door, it's soft champagne fabric catching the faint morning light -- quiet, elegant, steady. She stared at it for a long moment, steadying her breath.

Tomorrow she would meet the Ravenson extrened family. Tomorrow, everything became real.

She forced herself out of bed and began her morning routine. By the time she stepped into the kitchen, Mari was already there, draped over a barstool in a satin robe, lazily sipping iced coffee even though it was barely eight.

Mari eyes Selene's neat braid and pressed blouse. "Wow. Someone's nervous."

Selene reached for a mug. "Someone has a lot to prepare today."

Mari shrugged, running a hand through her glossy black hair. "Relax. It's just an engagement party. People get engaged everyday."

"Not usually into a family like the Ravensons."

Mari grinned. "Exactly. Which is why i'm going to look incredible."

Selene bit her tongue. Mari would look incredible. But she would also probably say something reckless or wear something too dramatic or forget an important detail -- which meant Ethan and Selene were left fixing everything.

As if on cue, Selene's phone buzzed.

Ethan: Meeting at the estate at 10. Damien wants the final walkthrough done today.

Selene typed back a polite acknowledgement.

Mari leaned over her shoulder, reading. "Ugh. Perfect. Ethan's going to drag me through a million boring details again."

"You only came for half the last meeting," Selene reminded.

"Yead, because it was boring." She stood, stretching like a cat. "Let's just go so we can get it over with."

Walking into the event hall took Selene's breath away. Crystal chandeliers shimmered above marble floors, staff moved with precision, and the atmosphere radiated luxury and exprectation. Ethan spotted them first.

"There you are," he said warmly, walking over with a relieved smile. His voice was soft, never sharp. "I was starting to worry the coordinator would drag me back to check the timings again."

Mari lifted a brow. "We're on time. Barely, but on time."

Ethan chuckled quietly, not unkindly. "That's all that matters."

He stepped aside so they could see behind him.

Damien stood near the stage reviewing a tablet with the coordinator. No rushing. No irritation. Just calm, exacting focus. His posture straight. His tone controlled. Every instruction he gave was precise and carried out immediately.

Ethan leaned closer to the sisters, lowering his voice. "He's in work mode. Don't mind it -- he just wants everything perfect for the families."

Mari smirked. "Perfect or intimidating?"

Ethan didn't argue; he simply offered her a small, placating smile. "He means well."

When Damien turned and saw them, his expression remained unreadable, but his gaze settle on Selene with cool clarity.

"You're on time," he said, crisp but not harsh.

Mari scoffed. "Everyone keeps acting surprised by that."

Ethan lightly rested a hand on her elbow -- a soft reminder, not forceful. "Mari... easy," he whispered with a reassuring smile.

Damien didn't acknowledge the comment. "It is simply good to have the schedule followed," he said evenly, addressing no one in particular. The statement was neutral, not condescending.

Mari opened her mouth to retort, but Ethan guided her a few steps away with gentle insistence.

"Come on," he murmured. "They need us for the lighting review."

Mari allowed herself to be led. Selene stayed beside Damien.

Without looking at her, he handed her the tablet. "These are you greeting positions. Memorize the order."

She nodded. "I will."

Damien studied her for a brief moment -- not coldly, but with analytical interest. "Good."

The walkthrough began. Damien moved with precision, correcting angles, adjusting placement, and refining details with surgical calm. At one point the coordinator addressed Selene With instructions tather than Mari.

Mari bristled. "Why is everything going to her?"

Ethan stepped toward her gently. "Maybe because she's listening, Mari. It's alright."

Damien turned his head toward Mari, not unkind but absolute. "She demonstrates readiness. That is why directions flows to her."

Mari froze.

Ethan gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay," he whispered. "We are all learning today."

Selene pretended to focus on the script, but warmth crept into her cheeks. For the first time, she felt Damien's eyes linger on her -- evaluating her competence, not dismissing her.

A small shift. Barely noticeable. But real.

The afternoon passed in a blur of:

~tasting the final hors d'oeuvres

~monitoring the flower placements

~che king seat arrangements

~practicing the order of enterance

Selene found herself repeatedly consulted -- something Damien noticed. And each time she responded clearly, Damien's expression shifted... barely... but enough to tell he approved.

Mari, on the other hand, grew increasingly restless.

"This is so boring," she muttered more than once.

Ethan would answer softly, "Just a little longer, Mari."

Late afternoon, Selene excused herselfto step outside for air. She leaned against the railing overlooking the gardens, letting the breeze cool her skin.

She didn't hear Damien approach -- only felt his presence beside her.

"You handled today well," he said.

She blinked up at him. "I just followed directions."

"That is more than most people do," he replied simply.

A compliment, from him. Short, but sincere.

"i'll be ready for tomorrow," she said quietly.

He nodded, gaze steady. "I expect you will."

And without waiting for a response, he returned inside. Selene exhaled -- unsure whether she'd passed a test or merely survived it.

That evening, after hours of rehursal and last minute tweaks, Selene and Mari returned home. Selene sank onto her bed, exhausted, dress draped across her lap.

Tomorrow, everything would change.

The engagement party was no longer a distant idea. It was real. And she walking straight toward it.