Unspoken longing

Chapter Five: New Rules

The next few days blurred into a series of increasingly uncomfortable encounters, but Valeria had learned one thing quickly: Alejandro was a master at keeping his emotions locked away, and if he expected her to play a role, she needed to learn to do the same.

She arrived at work early, the quiet hum of the office filling the air as she set down her bag. Alejandro’s office door was closed as usual. The thick, glass window told her nothing about what was happening inside. She had yet to fully understand the man behind the polished façade of the Ice King. Even when they’d been alone, there had always been something distant, something cold about him.

Was it all an act? Was he actually human underneath?

She shook the thoughts away. It didn’t matter. She had a job to do, a role to play, and she would play it well. After all, this fake fiancée charade wasn’t for nothing. Alejandro’s career was on the line—he needed her just as much as she needed the paycheck.

That was what she had to keep reminding herself.

Still, the weight of her actions hung in the air. The contract was clear: pretend to be in love. Live like a couple. And not just in front of a few people. In front of everyone. All the time.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts.

Alejandro:

Meet me in the conference room in 10 minutes.

Valeria’s stomach did a somersault. The last time he’d called for a meeting like this, it had been to finalize their engagement plan. She didn’t know if she was ready for whatever he’d throw at her next.

The conference room was quiet when she arrived, but Alejandro was already there, sitting at the head of the long, polished table. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were focused—intent, almost like he was watching for something.

He didn’t look up as she entered. He didn’t have to. She could feel his eyes on her even before he acknowledged her presence.

“Close the door,” he said, his voice calm and steady.

Valeria did as instructed, then took the seat across from him. She crossed her arms, waiting for him to speak, but there was something different in the air this time. No demands. No pretensions. Just... silence.

Alejandro broke it first. “I need you to attend the press conference on Monday.”

Valeria nodded slowly. “Of course. What’s the... angle this time?”

Alejandro’s gaze locked onto hers, a slight shift in his features that almost seemed like hesitation. For a moment, Valeria swore she saw a flicker of something softer, something human in his eyes. It was gone as quickly as it had appeared, but it made her uneasy nonetheless.

“There’s an image to uphold,” he continued, his tone businesslike again. “It’s not just about looking like a couple. We need the press to believe it. You need to play the part. Well.”

Valeria’s heart sank. She had always known the role would involve acting, but the pressure was starting to feel suffocating. She wasn’t an actress. She didn’t know how to pretend to be in love with a man who barely acknowledged her existence outside of the occasional instruction.

But then she remembered why she was doing this. Why she had to.

She swallowed the knot in her throat. “Got it. Play the part. But... Alejandro?”

He didn’t look up from his phone as he checked a message, his attention half on her, half on his screen. “Hmm?”

“Do we have to... pretend like we’re... in love? I mean, we’re in front of the press all the time. Do we have to—” She trailed off, realizing how foolish the question sounded.

Alejandro glanced at her, his gaze sharp. He raised an eyebrow, and for a brief moment, the intensity of his gaze made her feel small. “Do you think this is a game?”

Valeria froze.

“No,” she said quickly, “I don’t.”

“I expect more than just a pretty face at these events, Valeria. I expect dedication. I expect you to make it real. You’ve seen how they look at us. They know we’re not... ordinary. But they also need to believe in our story. The press, the investors, the clients. They need to see a couple that’s powerful, that’s committed to each other. That means your role doesn’t end after the cameras are off.”

Valeria’s chest tightened, and she felt her palms begin to sweat. He wasn’t just telling her to play the part. He was telling her to live it.

“Understood,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear rising in her.

Alejandro gave a small, approving nod, as if satisfied with her response. “Good.”

There was another long silence, one that stretched between them like a rope pulling taut. The weight of the moment settled heavily on Valeria’s shoulders. This was no longer just about the press or the investors. This was about her life. About living a lie.

How much of herself would she have to sacrifice to keep this going?

As if reading her thoughts, Alejandro added, “You’re getting paid. Triple your salary, remember?”

That stung. She had almost forgotten about the money, the thing that made all of this tolerable. It wasn’t enough to erase the bitterness in her chest, but it was a reminder that this wasn’t entirely a lost cause.

She glanced at him, trying to keep her emotions in check. “And what about... you?”

His expression didn’t change. “I’m doing this for the company. For the investors. It’s a temporary arrangement.”

Valeria nodded slowly. “Right. Temporary.”

“Exactly.” Alejandro’s voice softened, just slightly, as he stood up. “We’ll go over the details tomorrow. I expect full commitment, Valeria. This doesn’t end at the press conference. I need you to keep up the act at all times.”

He turned to leave, but then paused, as if remembering something important. He looked back at her, his eyes softer than before, but still unreadable.

“Don’t let the press think you’re weak. You’re stronger than you realize. I’ve seen it.”

Valeria’s heart skipped a beat. He’s noticed?

But before she could respond, Alejandro was already walking out the door.

She sat there, stunned, trying to process what he’d just said. For a moment, it felt like he had let a little of his guard down. Like maybe—just maybe—there was more to him than the cold, detached CEO. But she couldn’t let herself get distracted by that. This wasn’t about her feelings or his. It was about the deal they had made.

And she had to see it through.