Maya had never liked large gatherings. The idea of being pressed into conversation with strangers while balancing a glass of champagne and a forced smile felt suffocating. But she wasn't given a choice this time.
Adrian had shown up at her bookstore that morning—impossibly handsome in a tailored black coat, his expression unreadable. He leaned on the counter with that disarming ease of his and said, "My mother is hosting a charity gala tomorrow night. I want you to come with me."
Maya nearly dropped the stack of books in her hands. "What?"
"Come with me," Adrian repeated, voice low but insistent. "I need you there."
She laughed, though it came out too sharp. "Adrian, I don't do galas. You know that."
"You don't do galas," he agreed, "but you do me." His lips curved into a teasing smirk, but there was something vulnerable beneath it, something that told her he wasn't just asking—he was pleading.
Maya's chest tightened. She wanted to tell him no, to remind him that she belonged to quiet corners and paperback worlds, not crystal chandeliers and designer gowns. Yet, the way his blue eyes searched hers, as if she was the anchor in his storm, made it hard to resist.
"Why me?" she asked softly.
"Because in that room full of people who think they know me, you're the only one who actually does," he said simply.
Her resolve wavered. Against her better judgment, she nodded. "Fine. But don't expect me to blend in."
Adrian's grin broke through, dazzling and boyish. "Trust me, Maya. You'll outshine them all."
The next evening arrived far too quickly. Maya stood in front of her mirror, staring at the reflection that hardly felt like her. She wore a simple knee-length gown in deep emerald that hugged her waist and skimmed over her hips. Her curls were loose, framing her light brown eyes with a softness she didn't recognize.
For a moment, doubt clawed at her. What if she embarrassed Adrian? What if she didn't belong in his world?
The knock on her door startled her. Adrian stepped inside when she opened it, and his breath audibly caught. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, the first two buttons of his shirt undone just as she remembered from the bookstore. He looked devastatingly handsome—and he was looking at her as if she had singlehandedly stolen the night.
"You're perfect," he said, voice husky.
Maya flushed. "You're biased."
"I've never been more certain of anything in my life."
The Vale estate was lit like something out of a fairytale. Twinkling lights wound around marble columns, and elegant guests milled about the sprawling ballroom, champagne flutes in hand. Maya's pulse quickened as Adrian led her inside. Every eye seemed to follow them.
"Adrian Vale," someone called, approaching with a wide grin. It was a man about Adrian's age, equally handsome, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "And you've brought… a friend?"
"Maya," Adrian introduced firmly, placing a protective hand on the small of her back. "She's with me."
The man's brows flicked up, curiosity mingling with mild surprise. "Interesting. Well, welcome, Maya."
As he walked away, Maya whispered, "He didn't like me."
Adrian bent close, his lips brushing her ear. "I don't care if anyone likes you. You're here for me."
The warmth of his breath made her shiver, her nerves momentarily forgotten.
Hours passed in a blur of polite conversation and clinking glasses. Adrian never left her side, though she noticed the way people studied him—an heir on display, every move dissected.
When they finally escaped to the terrace, Maya exhaled in relief. "That was exhausting."
Adrian chuckled, loosening his tie. "Now you see why I needed you."
"Adrian…" She hesitated, then met his gaze. "Why me, really? You could have brought anyone tonight. Someone from your world. Someone who fits."
His smile faded, sincerity taking its place. "Because when I look at you, I don't feel like Adrian Vale, the heir. I feel like a man who's finally allowed to breathe."
Her heart pounded. He stepped closer, the night air cool but his presence warm, magnetic.
"You make me forget the weight of it all," he continued. "And for once, I want someone by my side who isn't here for the Vale name. I want you, Maya."
The words tangled in her chest. She wanted to push him away, to remind him that she wasn't meant for glittering ballrooms or family legacies. But the way he looked at her, raw and unguarded, made it impossible.
Her voice trembled. "Adrian, this… it's dangerous."
"So is wanting something real," he murmured.
And before she could argue, he closed the distance, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that silenced every fear.