The house was quiet.
Evie was in the living room, arms folded, her gaze fixed on Ezra, who lingered near the window, casually holding a glass of wine.
Since the interview ended, he had said nothing.
She eventually cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "Thanks for the kiss. It was... really convincing," she said, still grappling with the lingering sensation, her cheeks flushed and heart pounding. It was meant to be a mere business arrangement, and yet the kiss stirred something within her that she couldn't ignore.
Ezra glanced at her lazily. "It was necessary," he replied, taking a leisurely sip of his drink.
Evie parted her lips, to say something, but instead nodded, suppressing her mixed feelings. "Of course."
Silence settled in again, thick with unspoken tension. Evie licked her lips, feeling the weight of their uncharted territory. "I'll retreat to my room, then," she said, turning to leave.
As she walked away, she could sense his eyes on her—an awareness that intensified her heartbeat. She couldn't tell why her heart was palpitating this way. But she knew one thing, Ezra was responsible for it. There was just something about his eyes and lips that ignited...
She took in a deep breath, forcing herself to remember that this was just a business arrangement and in the next five months, everything would vanish.
How could she be thinking about such a thing?
'You're so unserious, Evie' she said to herself.
Evie found herself eating breakfast in her room alone, just as she did for lunch. It felt dull without Ruby around—their shared moments replaced by solitude with a business partner who seemed indifferent.
Seeking solace, she opted for a quick nap to recover from all the fake smiles, questions, and that kiss. She lay down, slipping on her eye mask, and fatigue overtook her.
Hours later, her phone buzzed incessantly, jolting her awake.
She pushed the mask aside, her hair tousled, and grabbed her phone, curious about the disturbance.
Notifications flooded in, all centered around her and Ezra—and it was good news.
A smile crept across her face as she read the comments.
'That kiss was electric; they're a real couple.'
'Evie's blush says it all; who wouldn't feel that way in his arms?'
'Who claimed Ezra was cold-hearted? Did you see how he looks at Evie? He's in love!'
'For real, they're undeniably the number one couple trending in Country M right now; everyone is shipping them hard.'
'They look so good together!'
'Ezra & Evie, we see you!'
'Did you see how Ezra treats Evie? He caught her from falling on the red carpet. She deserves that kind of love; it's clear those rumors about her were unfounded.'
"The rumors were unfounded; I regret what happened to her. She's genuinely sweet," one comment stated, and Evie felt a swell of emotion.
'I'm sorry for doubting Evie before. Not all rumors have merit. She's always had our backs, yet we turned against her. I hope she can forgive us,' another user wrote.
"I believe in Evie now. I fully support you, girl," another chimed in.
'Ezra and Evie make a fantastic couple. I'm rooting for them," another comment read, prompting a chuckle from Evie.
The guilt lingered—that this was nothing but a lie to cover up the rumors, yet this façade was diverting attention from her past struggles, transforming her image into that of a queen.
Her eyes brightened when Ruby called, and Evie picked up instantly. "What's up, girl? I bet it's been an incredible day," Ruby exclaimed, excitement dancing in her voice.
"Yeah… I can't believe they're suddenly rooting for me and Ezra. It's unreal after all that's happened," said Evie.
Ruby took a deep breath. "Evie, you need to let the past go and focus on your happiness. It's time to stop dwelling on what's behind you," she asserted.
"Look, those videos with Derek have been buried online, while you and Ezra are everywhere with your love story. People are rooting for you, your clients are back, you're getting more deals, and your followers are growing. It's like that setback was just the beginning of something even bigger in your life, and you should celebrate that, Evie."
Evie smiled warmly, appreciating Ruby's unwavering support. "Thank you for your advice. I'm fortunate to have you by my side."
Ruby shrugged, a smirk on her face. "Why wouldn't you be?" She said, raising her shoulders high.
"And we need to celebrate this! Should I come visit? I want to," Ruby urged, her lips forming a playful pout.
Evie's eyes narrowed. "I'll talk to Ezra about it, and I'll let you know."
"Great! Anyway, I've got things to do, so I'll catch you later. Bye, bestie," Ruby said, blowing a kiss before hanging up.
Evie chuckled, then sighed as she reflected on how dramatically her situation had changed. The same critics who wished her ill were now treating her like royalty, and she still couldn't quite grasp it. Rising from her bed, she knew she had to share this with Ezra since it impacted both of them.
She found herself at his door and knocked.
"Come in," he called out, and Evie walked into the room, her heart racing for reasons she didn't understand. His masculine scent hit her, as she walked in. Her eyes wandering briefly across the room, everything was perfectly in order. It looked just as cold as he was.
Ezra was seated at the table, focused on his iPad, reviewing company status.
"You need to see what's happening online. I think everyone is eating us up," Evie said, her voice low but assertive.
"I have seen," Ezra replied flatly.
Evie's shoulders sagged; she had hoped to bring him the news first. It seemed like he had beaten her to it.
Suddenly, she felt foolish for coming just to deliver that. She bit her lower lip, seeing that he wasn't interested in talking, and she decided it was time to leave.
"Okay then," she mumbled, turning on her heel toward the door.
"Congratulations," Ezra said, glancing up just as she reached the exit. "This calls for a celebration, doesn't it?"
With her hand on the doorknob, Evie turned to face him, shaking her head. And she chuckled nervously, "No, you don't have to. You're busy, and—"
"Let's have dinner tonight," he interjected firmly.
"Dinner?" She raised an eyebrow, taken aback.
"Yes, dinner. Or do you have something else in mind?" he questioned, his gaze unwavering.
"No, dinner is fine," Evie replied, a hint of shyness slipping through her assertive façade.
****
Evie stepped into the dining room, her deep burgundy silk slip dress sculpting her figure with poise and allure.
The thin straps rested lightly on her shoulders, and the soft sheen of the fabric reflected the ambient light, giving her a radiant glow. She exuded an air of temptation wrapped in sophistication. Her hair cascaded in soft waves, framing her face perfectly.
Ezra was already present, leaning against the table, his black button-down shirt fitted snugly, sleeves rolled up to his forearms. The top two buttons were casually undone, revealing a hint of collarbone and skin that made him appear both relaxed and commanding. Charcoal slacks rounded out the ensemble — simple, understated, yet impossible to overlook.
The air was rich with the enticing aroma of grilled rosemary chicken and creamy mashed potatoes, intermingling with the savory notes of garlic butter and roasted vegetables. A bottle of red wine, deep and aged to perfection, stood uncorked beside two glasses.
"Hi," she greeted softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, closing the distance between them.
Ezra met her gaze with a steady intensity. "You're late," he remarked, his calm tone causing Evie to bite her lower lip, contemplating his words.
Without pause, he stepped aside and pulled out her chair with a practiced ease.
Evie blinked in surprise as she took her seat. "Thanks," she replied, trying not to read too much into his gesture.
He poured the wine with deliberate precision, and Evie watched his movements, her heart quickening. When he met her gaze after pouring, she offered a shy smile. Their glasses clinked together before savoring the wine.
After setting her glass down, Evie shifted her focus to the table, appreciating the effort he put into creating such a beautiful setting.
"Did you arrange all of this?" she asked, her voice steady, aware that this dinner was to celebrate a step in their fabricated relationship, yet it felt real.
Ezra shook his head. "Sam did," he replied, referring to the butler.
A smile curled on her lips. Naturally, a busy man like him had little time to spare for something that was merely for show. "Thanks for inviting me to dinner," she said, meeting his eyes, her expression warm.
"It's no big deal," he waved off, still composed. "Help yourself."
Evie nodded, returning her gaze to the food. As she tasted the chicken, her eyes lit up in surprise. "The chicken tastes dramatic," she said, enthusiasm evident in her tone.
"How so?" Ezra asked, raising an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Tastes like the cost of my rent," she replied, savoring another bite.
A chuckle escaped Ezra's lips. "Funny"
Seeing him smile like that, Evie took a moment to fully appreciate him, noticing the charm in his smile and the undeniable allure in his demeanor before she turned her attention back to her meal, hiding her thoughts. "I thought you wouldn't talk during meals," she ventured.
"Honestly, I don't," he admitted with a hint of amusement. "But here you are, making me break that rule."
"Is that a bad thing?" she asked.
He shrugged, seemingly unfazed. Evie rolled her eyes playfully, a smile dancing on her lips before she continued to eat.
After a satisfying meal, she leaned back in her chair, twirling the wine in her glass, her gaze still locked on Ezra, who remained at ease. The way he savored his food and drink was both seductive and elegant. Had he mastered everything so beautifully?
Breaking the silence, she asked, "So... do all your dinners come with contracts and fake relationships?"
After a brief pause, Ezra replied, keeping his focus on his plate, "Only with women who crash into me at bars." A playful smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.
Evie scoffed, her laughter bright. "I must be special then."
Ezra finally met her gaze, the air between them thickening as they held each other's eyes for longer than necessary. Her heartbeat quickening until ...
Clearing his throat, he leaned into his chair, breaking the spell. "We need to keep things professional."
"Right," Evie quickly said, shaking off the cold that had just settled in. She took a sip of her drink, using the moment to regroup.
It was surprising how quickly her lighthearted joke had shifted the atmosphere; she thought they were connecting, but now it felt as though she had crossed a line, and he was making that clear.
She thought of excusing herself, but first, she needed to ask something important. "By the way— Ruby, my friend was concerned about me after everything that's happened. She'd like to come visit," Evie stated.
"Do you mind?"
Ezra was silent, his expression unreadable.
Evie continued, trying to persuade him, "I assure you, she won't overstep or cause any issues. It'll just be for a short while."
"Fine, as long as she doesn't overstep," he replied, his tone terse.
"Of course," Evie said with a small smile. "She's harmless," she added.
Little did she know, Ruby's visit would be anything but harmless.