Chapter Two: The Coldest Eyes
1134 Words
The black car stopped in front of a towering glass . Liana sat frozen in the back seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as her heart beat so loudly she was certain the driver could hear it.
The Callisto Tower loomed above her like a silent judge. Sleek, imposing, and polished to perfection, it reflected the cloudy morning sky and the city below. A silver emblem gleamed above the glass doors, bold and undeniable. She had arrived.
“Miss Hart,” the driver said politely. “Mr. Callisto is expecting you.”
She nodded, her voice caught in her throat.
With quiet grace, she stepped out of the car, her heels tapping softly on the marble floor as she entered the towering lobby. The space was cold and pristine, with glass walls and a high ceiling that echoed every sound. Security men stood in dark suits, still as statues, and the atmosphere was so still it made her breath sound too loud.
A tall woman with a tight bun and black suit approached her with a tablet in hand.
“You’re Miss Liana Hart,” the woman said after a quick glance. “Follow me.”
No smile. No welcome.
Liana obeyed without a word, her chest tight with nerves as they moved through the wide corridor, the world around her silent and professional. Every step she took echoed in her ears, and every door they passed looked heavier than the last.
When they reached the elevator, the woman swiped a keycard and pressed the top floor. As the doors closed, Liana’s reflection stared back at her in the mirror-lined walls. Pale. Tense. Her hands clenched her purse tightly.
The elevator opened to a quiet hallway bathed in natural light.
“He’s waiting inside,” the assistant said, then turned and walked away without another word.
Liana stared at the massive black doors in front of her. Her heart pounded so loudly now she could barely hear her own thoughts. Everything about this moment felt final.
She took a deep breath and knocked.
“Come in,” a deep voice answered.
She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The office was modern and vast, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city skyline. The light bathed the room in a soft silver glow, reflecting off dark wooden shelves and a sleek black desk. Behind it stood a man who turned slowly at her entrance
Damien Callisto.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Calm. His presence filled the room long before he spoke. Dressed in a fitted charcoal suit with the top buttons of his shirt undone, he looked effortless and dangerous all at once. His sharp features were perfectly symmetrical, but it was his eyes that held her still. Cold gray eyes. Unreadable. Intimidating.
He studied her, head tilted slightly.
“You’re early,” he said.
“I thought it would be better to arrive ahead of time,” she replied, her voice too soft.
He didn’t smile. “Punctuality is a good habit. Sit.”
She moved to the seat opposite his desk and lowered herself gently, her hands folded tightly in her lap. The chair was soft, but her posture stayed rigid. His gaze hadn’t left her once.
“I reviewed the contract your father signed,” Damien said. “You’ve read it in full?”
“Yes.
“Then you understand the arrangement. You are to be my wife for a year. No emotions, no intimacy, and no interference in my personal life. You will act as my partner in public. Beyond that, our lives will remain separate.”
“I understand,” Liana said again.
“Good.”
He leaned back in his chair, still watching her like she was a file he needed to categorize.
“Do you have any personal conditions?” he asked.
She hesitated. “Only one. I want my mother’s treatment to begin right away. She doesn’t have much time.”
“It already began this morning,” he replied simply.
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
He gave a small nod. “Private hospital. Best doctors. Everything was arranged once your father agreed to the deal.”
Liana lowered her gaze, her throat tight with emotion. “Thank you.”
“I don’t need thanks. It’s part of the agreement.”
The words were sharp, but they didn’t sting. She wasn’t here to be liked.
Damien rose from his seat and moved around the desk toward her. Each step he took was calm and deliberate, and yet the closer he got, the harder it was for her to breathe.
He stopped in front of her.
Liana stood too, though every instinct told her to sit back down.
“This is not a romantic story, Miss Hart,” he said in a low voice. “There will be no affection, no gentle moments, no expectations. We are entering a business arrangement. Nothing more.”
“I know,” she said, though her voice cracked.
His eyes swept over her once more, pausing briefly at her lips, before returning to her eyes.
“Yet you look scared,” he murmured.
“I’m not,” she said quickly.
He didn’t reply. Instead, he turned and opened a nearby drawer, removing a small black box. He held it out to her.
“This is the ring. You’ll wear it starting today. The ceremony takes place tomorrow. Private, with only my legal team present. No press.
She opened the box slowly.
The diamond ring inside sparkled like fire and ice. Simple, elegant, and expensive. Too beautiful for a loveless marriage.
“It’s... beautiful,” she whispered.
“It’s practical,” he corrected.
She closed the box gently. “After the ceremony, will I move into your estate?”
“You will. Your things will be packed and moved for you. You’ll be escorted and briefed by my staff. You’ll have your own suite. Meals and routines will be arranged to avoid unnecessary interaction.”
“And if someone asks about our marriage?” she asked quietly.
“You’ll smile,” he said. “You’ll act in love. And if I ask you to attend events, you will attend. That’s all I expect.”
She looked at him, trying to find something in his expression. Warmth. Guilt. Anything. But his face was unreadable, his posture so perfect it felt rehearsed.
“What happens if I break a rule?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
He leaned closer, his voice cold and smooth.
“Then you’ll see why people fear me more than they admire me.”
Her heart thudded loudly in her chest.
But she didn’t look away.
She didn’t flinch.
So she lifted her chin, squared her shoulders, and nodded.
“Then I’ll be your wife, Mr. Callisto.”
- Writer
