Chapter 6:
The gala was a glittering storm of high society—
Champagne towers spilling gold,
Gossip curling like smoke,
Women floating past in gowns worth more than Eden's entire student debt.
Everything gleamed. Everything was cold. Everything was fake.
Cassian's hand rested lightly at the small of her back as they descended the grand marble staircase. The touch was part of the act, the performance they'd been perfecting for weeks.
But the way his thumb brushed against the fabric of her dress?
That didn't feel rehearsed.
That felt like something else entirely.
---
"Remember," Cassian murmured near her temple, his lips just brushing her skin, "you're mine tonight. Don't let them see the seams."
Eden gave a tight, perfect smile. "Don't worry, Cassian. I've got you. I'm a damn good actress—onstage, offstage, under pressure."
Their eyes met. A flicker passed between them.
And then the doors opened—
And they stepped into the spotlight.
---
Flashbulbs. Gasps. Whispers.
Their entrance was orchestrated perfection.
Eden walked like she'd been born to wear diamonds and command attention. Chin high. Shoulders poised. Smile sharp.
Inside, though?
She was walking a tightrope strung high above broken glass.
The first hour blurred. She shook hands, charmed old men, complimented socialites, leaned into Cassian when the cameras turned their way. They were a perfect illusion. And Cassian? He played his role like a maestro—touching her waist just enough, smiling like he'd memorized her.
But somewhere in the middle of the act, the script cracked.
---
Cassian turned to her.
Not to whisper a line.
Not for show.
Just to look at her.
"You look…" he said softly, voice low. "Stunning."
Eden blinked.
That wasn't in the script.
She smirked faintly. "Improvising now?"
His lips twitched. "A little."
Then, under the warm hum of a chandelier, with no eyes watching—
Cassian leaned in and kissed her.
No cameras.
No applause.
Just them.
And for the first time, it wasn't performance.
It was real.
Soft.
Warm.
Dangerous.
It made her forget what pretending felt like.
---
Later, back at the penthouse, the silence was louder than the gala ever was.
Cassian poured two glasses of wine. Handed her one.
"You were incredible tonight," he said.
"I know," she replied, aiming for confidence.
"You looked… happy."
Eden stared into her glass. "Told you. I'm a good actress."
He didn't smile. He didn't flirt.
He just set down his wine and asked, "Were you pretending… when I kissed you?"
Her breath caught.
Her fingers tightened.
"Yes," she said.
It was a lie.
Cassian stepped closer. "And now?"
The safe answer was waiting on the tip of her tongue.
But instead she whispered, "I don't know."
He reached for her. Touched her cheek.
Soft. Careful. Real.
"Then let's stop pretending," he murmured. "Just for a minute."
And for that one minute—
Eden let herself believe.
That his touch wasn't part of the game.
That his gaze wasn't calculated.
That she wasn't just a contract in heels.
She leaned into his hand.
Her lips parted.
Then—
Buzz.
His phone vibrated, sharp and loud.
He didn't check it. But the moment shattered anyway.
Eden pulled back fast. Blinked away heat. "We should… stick to the contract."
Cassian didn't argue. He just nodded.
"Right."
She walked away.
Didn't look back.
---
The next morning, the space between them felt like a canyon.
Cassian was gone before she woke.
No note. No explanation. Just the scent of him left on the pillow.
When he returned that afternoon, he didn't say a word.
Eden stood in front of her vanity, brushing her hair, watching him through the mirror.
"Hey," she said. "Where've you been?"
He didn't answer.
She turned. "Cassian. What are you doing?"
Still silence.
Then—
Ding.
The doorbell.
Eden opened the door. A courier stood waiting with a sleek envelope.
She signed without thinking.
Inside:
Two first-class tickets.
Paris. Tomorrow.
And a note, written in Cassian's sharp, familiar script:
"Let's make them believe it."
---
Eden stared at the words.
She didn't know if he meant the press.
Or her.
But either way…
Something had shifted.
And there was no going back.