When stars align

Curfew

Outing with Claudia . LUXURY RESTAURANT – NIGHT**

The place glows with quiet elegance. Chandeliers cast soft reflections off the glasses and polished silver. Emmanuel sits at a corner table, wine in hand, across from Claudia , who’s dressed to impress — confident, composed, sipping from a crystal flute.

Claudia tilted her head and spoke to him. “Well. I didn’t expect you to say yes.”

Emmanuel was smiling smoothly. “Maybe I’m done fighting the inevitable.”

She arches an eyebrow, suspicious but intrigued. “You, giving in? I almost don’t believe it.”

Emmanuel adjusted his sitting. “Maybe I just needed time to see who really had my back.”

He reaches for his wine again, holding her gaze. His words sound sincere, but behind his eyes — calculation.

Claudia sat up seductively. “ I’ll always have your back, Emmanuel . You just didn’t see it.”

Emmanuel smirks. “Maybe not. But are you real.?”

Claudia rolled her eyes. “Real doesn’t last in our circles. Power does.”

He leans forward slightly, like he’s beginning to be swayed — like maybe, just maybe, he’s seeing her point. “Then show me your world.” He replied.

Claudia smiled. “ is that an invitation?.”

Emmanuel nodded positively. “Consider it a test.”

He clinks his glass lightly against hers. He continued. If I’m going to marry you... I need to see exactly who I’m marrying.

She raises her glass, satisfied. “Then prepare to be impressed.”

---

EMMANUEL’S CAR – LATER THAT NIGHT**

Emmanuel sits alone in the parked car outside her estate. The moment he’s out of her sight, the charm fades. His jaw clenches. He pulls out his phone and hits record on a voice memo.

Emmanuel listen into phone. “She thinks I’m giving in. I’ll let her talk, let her brag, let her show me how deep she’s buried herself in this.

(Heartbeat)

And when she slips — I’ll make sure the truth buries her instead.”

He ends the recording. The game has begun.

*****

The lights are dim, and the soft hum of a TV playing in the background fills the room. Anna sits on the couch, her legs tucked underneath her, scrolling through her phone absentmindedly. Emmanuel is in the kitchen, heating up leftovers. The sound of the microwave buzzes quietly.*

Anna was trying to sound casual. “So… Claudia, huh?”

Emmanuel freezes for a second, then looks over at her, sensing the change in tone.

Emmanuel came back with two plates. “What about her?”

Anna replied without looking up. “I don’t know. Just... saw her post again. The one where she’s all "glam with a capital G" in the city. With your family. Again.“

Emmanuel sets the plates down and sits next to her, gently nudging her leg with his. Anna tries to hide the slight irritation in her voice, but it’s there.

He took a deep breath then spoke softly. “I told you, it’s not what you think.”

Anna exhaled then looked up at him. “I know. But every time I turn around, she’s there. Smiling like she’s already made her way into your family. Into your life.”

Emmanuel’s hand gently touches hers, his thumb rubbing over her knuckles in reassurance. “I’m with you. Not her. This... whole thing? It’s a mess, but it’s not us. You’ve always known where my heart is.”

Anna bites her lip, feeling a mix of jealousy and insecurity rise, but trying to keep it together. “It just feels like she’s everywhere. It’s like she’s never really gone.”

Emmanuel shifts closer, turning slightly to face her, his voice firm yet tender. “She’s not everywhere. You are. You’re the one who’s here, with me. Look... I’m wrapping this up in two weeks. No more pretend fiancée stuff. I’m done with this arrangement, Anna. I promise you that.”

Her eyes soften, but the jealousy still lingers, mixing with the vulnerability she’s tried to hide.

Anna talked quietly. “Two weeks?”

He nods, his gaze never leaving hers. “Two weeks. I’ll talk to my family. I’ll make sure Claudia Is exposed. No more pressure. It’s you and me, okay? You and me.”

Anna breathes out, a long, shaky exhale. The tension melts a little. Anna nods slowly. “Okay. Two weeks. Just... don’t leave me hanging, Nuel. Please.

He squeezes her hand tighter. “You’ll never be hanging, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”

They lean into each other, their foreheads touching for a moment, the quiet of the room filling with a shared understanding. Anna finally lets go of the tension, trusting him, even if the jealousy still stirs in her chest.

---

UPSCALE ROOFTOP RESTAURANT – NIGHT

The city lights sparkle below, casting a soft glow on the rooftop terrace. The tables are intimate, with flickering candles and twinkling string lights above. It’s calm, serene—a perfect escape from the chaos. ANNA walks in, her eyes wide at the beauty of the place. Emmanuel is already seated at a table for two, smiling up at her.

Emmanuel stood up as she approaches. “You look stunning. I mean, wow.”

Anna smiles, her earlier worries starting to fade as she takes in the romantic ambiance. Nuel pulls out her chair for her, and she sits down, still a little caught off guard.

Anna smiled softly. “This is beautiful. You didn’t have to do all this.”

Emmanuel was sitting across from her, his voice sincere. “I didn’t have to. But I wanted to. I know things have been crazy, and I just... I wanted to show you how much you mean to me. “

He reaches across the table, taking her hand gently. “I told you I’d make it right. And I meant it. It’s just you and me tonight. No distractions. No drama. Just us. “

Anna’s heart swells at his words, the sincerity in his eyes melting away the last of her insecurities. She squeezes his hand back. “I needed this. I needed to know that you meant it, that I’m the one you want. And not some... I don’t even know what she is”.

Emmanuel gave a small laugh. “She’s nothing. It’s always been you. I don’t need to be with anyone else. I just need to be with you, Anna.”

The waiter arrives, placing two glasses of champagne in front of them.

The waiter smiled at them. “Enjoy your evening, folks. If you need anything, just let me know.”

As the waiter leaves, Emmanuel raises his glass.“To us. To no more second-guessing. To a future where there’s no room for anyone but you.”

Anna’s heart skips a beat as she lifts her glass, meeting his gaze.

Anna smiled warmly. “To us. No more distractions.”

They clink glasses, and the weight of everything fades. For a moment, it’s just them, sharing a peaceful, perfect night. The soft murmur of the city below blends with the gentle music in the background. The tension between them is gone, replaced by pure connection.

Emmanuel spoke with his voice quieter now, more intimate. “You make everything feel right, Anna. Like the world stops when I’m with you.”

Anna teased him gently. “Good. Because I’ve got a lot more to offer than just being pretty at dinners.”

Emmanuel laughs, his eyes lighting up with admiration and affection. “Trust me, I’ve noticed. But it’s not just the way you look. It’s the way you make everything around you better. You’re... you’re the heart of everything I want.”

Anna’s smile fades into something softer, more vulnerable as she stares at him.

Anna whispered to him. “I love you, Emmanuel . And I trust you. Just... please don’t make me question it again.”

Emmanuel’s expression softens, and he reaches for her hand, his voice full of promise. “You won’t. I’ll make sure of it.”

Their hands stay intertwined, and for the first time in a while, Anna feels the weight in her chest completely lift. They sit there, talking quietly between courses, laughing over silly stories, just enjoying the moment. The world feels miles away as they simply exist in each other’s company.

A message popped in his phone and he saw the name in it. It was the private investigator he hired to check Claudia out.

He checked the message when he got to the apartment. It was a phone number followed by a message that reads: “He is in Claudia’s paws. She’s blackmailing him”.