Adrian's words hung like a chopper over my neck.
*Assuring everyone that this engagement is real!*
My knees wobbled as I gazed at him.
His dark eyes glared into mine, penetrating and harsh. My throat tightened as the gala's sounds faded to a faint hum behind us.
When I finally blurted, "This... This is crazy," my voice was trembling.
"Not as crazy as sneaking into an elite gala without an invitation," Adrian shot back in a cool but tense tone.
"I didn't—" Then he moved closer and said, "Don't lie to me." "I know exactly who you are, Mia Thompson. A desperate designer trying to get a foot in the door. Right now, you're in over your head.
I let out a sigh. How did he know? The space seemed smaller and the air heavier. He smiled like a predator playing with its prey. "Slow down, my dear. I'm not trying to scare you. In reality, I'm offering you a lifeline.
"A lifeline?"
Echoing, my voice was weak. "Yes," he said effortlessly. "If you comply with this engagement, I'll make sure you depart tonight with your future and reputation intact."
My mind raced as panic clawed at my chest. *What choice do I have?* He had all the cards, and I was completely exposed.
I could not, however, soothe the boiling anger that ignited within me. "Why me?" I squinted and asked. "Why did you choose me among all of us here?"
Adrian's smile vanished as his expression darkened.
"Assume for a moment that you were in the wrong place at the wrong time".
"That's not an answer," I shot back, shocking even myself with the intensity of my voice.
As he drew closer, his voice became nearly a whisper. "You are right; it isn't. That's all the answers you'll get, though.
I gulped hard as his words weighed heavy on my mind. I said to myself in a whisper, "You're a monster."
Adrian gave a low, uninteresting laugh.
Perhaps. But tonight, I'm your monster. What's it gonna be, Mia? Should we make this look convincing or should I contact security? --- *What's it gonna be, Mia?* His question kept repeating in my mind as I stood there in shock.
My gut told me to run, to leave this nightmare behind, and to never look back. However, I couldn't. Not with his eyes staring at me, daring me to defy him.
I sucked a shaky breath, my mind spinning like a merry go round.
* Why have I come here? to establish connections. to make a pitch. to find an opportunity.
This was a chance, wasn't it? It was horrific and twisted, to be sure, but it was also a chance.
Adrian Cross was one of the city's most powerful men.Even if it was just for tonight, perhaps if I cooperated I could salvage something from this disaster. But at what cost? I was staring at him with a pounding heart.
He kept waiting, his expression resistant. I muttered, barely audible, "All right." "For the time being, I'll comply!." His lips curled into a slow, victorious smile.
"Wonderful decision."
--- The next hour was filled with introductions to people whose names I would never remember, handshakes, and phony grins.
With a firm grip on my back, Adrian was by my side no matter what. The motion was so faint that it made my skin crawl.
"This is Mia," he said again, in a tone so well-honed and rehearsed that it almost seemed genuine.
"My fiance!." It was like a slap each time he said that. I made an effort to smile, nodding and laughing as needed.
Inside, my thoughts was a roaring whirlpool. * How did I let this happen? * What am I doing? What does he really want with me? I couldn't focus on anything else.
Every word and every glance felt like a trap that I could fall into at any moment.
By the time the event ended, I was exhausted both physically and emotionally.
But Adrian was far from done. He led me to the exit before I could protest, saying, "We're leaving." I said, panicking, "Wait." "Where are we heading?" He replied, "Somewhere private," in a tone that left no space for discussion.
--- The driver of Adrian's sleek black car was outside, holding the door open. I hesitated for a few minute before sliding in, my heart racing.
The car was quiet as we stepped out from under the glittering gala lights. Adrian sat next to me and looked directly ahead. I couldn't take it any longer.
"Now what?" I demanded in a sharper-than-intended voice. He looked at me, but his expression stayed cold.
"We're setting the scene now."
"For what?" His words were straightforward: "For the world to believe this engagement is real." I balled my fists because I was so angry.
"Why me? Why not someone who is genuinely a part of your world? His jaw tightened, and for a moment I thought he might not answer.
The answer is straightforward, "Because you're disposable." It felt like a stomach kick when I heard that. My chest narrowed, I was on the verge of bursting with tears.
But I wouldn't let him see me go to pieces. I averted my gaze to the window as the city blurred past. My thoughts were racing with anger, fear, and some other emotion I couldn't quite place.
*Is this who I am now? A pawn in someone else's game?
--- The car stopped in front of what I thought was Adrian's penthouse, a huge building. When I followed him outside, he said, "We're here." My entire body begged me to run, but I was hesitant. But where would I go? He had shown that he could and would ruin me.
I followed him inside and out, my legs trembling. Sleek, modern, and utterly cold, the penthouse was as cold and threatening as its owner.
Adrian poured himself a glass and moved carefully and elegantly. "You're welcome to pass the night here."
"Stay here?" I said it again, louder. "You must be kidding." He asked icily, "Do I sound like I'm kidding?" I gazed at him and clenched my hands.
"You're unbelievable."
As he looked directly at me, he shot back, "And you're out of options." I looked aside, anger heaving in my chest. "I'm not done yet," I said in a low voice.
Adrian smiled as he raised his drink. "All right. I enjoy a challenge.
--- I barely slept at all that night. The agony of the couch was nothing compared to the storm raging in my head.
As the first rays of morning streamed in through the windows, I made up my mind. *I will not allow him to rule me.* But before I could come up with a plan, I was stopped in my tracks by the sound of footsteps.
Adrian came out of the doorway with a mysterious look. He said in a serious tone, "We have a problem." "What is it this time?" I asked warily.
He held up his phone, the screen glowing with a message.
It was a photo of us at the gala, accompanied by a single, chilling sentence:
I know she's not your fiancee!