Chapter 5: Rules and Temptations
698 Words
Chapter 5: Rules and Temptations
Sleep didn’t come easily that night.
Amara lay on the unfamiliar bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment since the wedding. The silence of the room only made her thoughts louder.
The kiss.
His voice.
The way he looked at her when he said she was his wife.
She turned to her side, pulling the sheets tighter around herself.
“This is just a contract,” she whispered again.
But the words didn’t feel convincing anymore.
Morning came too quickly.
A soft knock sounded on her door before it opened slightly.
“Ma’am, your breakfast is ready,” a maid said politely.
Amara sat up slowly, still disoriented. “Thank you.”
She got out of bed and took a moment to steady herself before heading downstairs.
The dining area was just as grand as everything else in the house. And there, at the head of the table, sat Alexander.
Already dressed.
Already composed.
As if he had never lost a second of sleep.
Amara hesitated before walking in.
“Good morning,” she said.
He glanced up briefly. “You’re late.”
She frowned. “It’s barely morning.”
“I start my day early.”
“That doesn’t mean I have to.”
A small silence followed.
Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his lips twitched.
Amara blinked.
Did he just… almost smile?
She quickly sat down, trying to ignore the strange shift in the air.
Breakfast was served, but neither of them spoke for a while.
Until—
“You’ll be coming with me today,” Alexander said.
Amara looked up. “Where?”
“The company.”
Her hand paused mid-air. “Your company?”
“Our company,” he corrected.
The words felt heavy.
Too real.
“I don’t work for you,” she said carefully.
“No,” he replied calmly. “But you are my wife. People will expect to see you.”
She stared at him.
“So this is part of the image.”
“Yes.”
Of course it was.
Amara let out a small breath. “Fine. What do I have to do?”
“Stay close. Smile when necessary. Speak only when needed.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You make it sound like I’m a prop.”
His gaze met hers directly. “For now, you are.”
The bluntness stung.
But she refused to show it.
“Then don’t expect me to enjoy it.”
“I don’t.”
Silence again.
But this time, it felt sharper.
After breakfast, a car was already waiting.
Amara sat beside him again, the same tension filling the space between them.
Except this time, it felt different.
Closer.
More dangerous.
When they arrived, the building towered over her, just like everything else in his world.
Employees lined up as soon as they stepped inside.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning, ma’am.”
Amara stiffened slightly.
Ma’am.
She wasn’t used to this.
Alexander didn’t slow down. His hand moved to the small of her back, guiding her forward.
The contact was brief.
But it sent a strange warmth through her.
She glanced at him.
His expression hadn’t changed.
As if touching her meant nothing.
But her heart didn’t agree.
Inside the elevator, the doors closed, leaving them alone.
Finally.
Amara exhaled. “You didn’t tell me it would be this… intense.”
“They’re just doing their job.”
“Well, it’s overwhelming.”
He looked at her then, really looked this time.
“You’ll get used to it.”
That again.
She crossed her arms. “You say that a lot.”
“Because it’s true.”
The elevator stopped.
The doors opened.
But neither of them moved immediately.
For a brief second, their eyes held.
Something unspoken passing between them.
Then—
Alexander stepped out first.
And just like that, the moment was gone.
Amara followed, reminding herself again why she was here.
One year.
No feelings.
No mistakes.
But as she walked beside him into his world, she couldn’t ignore the truth anymore.
The rules were already starting to blur.
And she didn’t know who would break first. 🔥
- Writer
