One Bed, One Problem
620 Words
chapter four.,
Lena spent the rest of the day trying very hard not to think about Adrian's laugh.
Unfortunately, her brain refused to cooperate.
Every time she remembered the rare smile that had appeared on his face during breakfast, her heart did something strange.
Something dangerous.
By evening, she was annoyed with herself.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered while unpacking the last of her belongings.
A knock sounded at the door.
Before she could answer, Adrian walked in.
Lena immediately froze.
"Have you ever heard of waiting for permission?"
"I knocked."
"That doesn't mean you can just enter."
His eyes briefly scanned the room.
"I came to tell you something."
The serious tone in his voice instantly made her nervous.
"What happened?"
"My grandfather is hosting a family dinner tomorrow."
Lena relaxed slightly.
"That's it?"
"No."
The single word made her stomach tighten again.
"You'll be attending as my wife."
Lena groaned.
"Wonderful."
"It gets worse."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"How?"
"My family doesn't know our marriage is temporary."
"Of course they don't."
"They will be looking for reasons to challenge my inheritance."
Lena crossed her arms.
"So basically, they're going to hate me."
"Most likely."
"You're very comforting."
"I'm honest."
She rolled her eyes.
Adrian seemed completely unaffected.
"There is one more thing."
The hesitation in his voice immediately caught her attention.
Adrian Vale didn't seem like the type of man who hesitated.
"What?"
His expression became unreadable.
"My grandfather insists that married couples share a room during family events."
Lena blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then the meaning hit her.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Unfortunately, yes."
Heat rushed into her cheeks.
"You expect me to sleep in the same room as you?"
"It's one night."
"It's still a night."
Adrian looked far too calm about this.
"You can take the bed."
"And where will you sleep?"
"The couch."
Lena stared at him.
"You own half the city and your solution is a couch?"
His lips twitched slightly.
"It's only one night."
She hated that he was right.
Still, the idea of sharing a room with him made her incredibly aware of every little thing she had been trying to ignore.
His voice.
His eyes.
The way he occasionally looked at her when he thought she wasn't paying attention.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
The next afternoon arrived far too quickly.
The family estate was even larger than Adrian's mansion.
Luxury cars lined the entrance.
Servants moved everywhere.
The moment Lena stepped out of the car, dozens of eyes turned toward her.
Judging.
Analyzing.
Waiting.
"I hate this already," she whispered.
"Stay close to me."
His voice was low.
Protective.
The strange warmth it created inside her annoyed her immediately.
As they entered the grand dining hall, conversations stopped.
Every single person stared.
An older woman wearing diamonds frowned openly.
A younger man looked amused.
Several others simply looked shocked.
Then an elderly gentleman rose slowly from his chair.
His face lit up.
"Adrian!"
For the first time since Lena met him, Adrian genuinely smiled.
"Grandfather."
The older man embraced him warmly before turning toward Lena.
"And this beautiful young woman must be my granddaughter-in-law."
Lena smiled politely.
"Nice to meet you, sir."
"Nonsense." He laughed. "Call me Grandpa."
The warmth in his eyes immediately eased some of her anxiety.
Until another voice cut through the room.
Cold.
Sharp.
Cruel.
"Interesting."
Everyone turned.
A stunning woman stood near the staircase.
Vivian.
Her eyes locked directly onto Lena.
Then she smiled.
And somehow that smile looked more threatening than anger.
"Let's see how long this marriage lasts."
The room fell silent.
And for the first time, Lena realized she wasn't just pretending to be Adrian's wife anymore.
She was stepping directly into a war.
- Writer
