The next morning, Lila awoke to the soft hum of the city below, the sunlight spilling through the massive windows of the Alveron mansion. Each morning felt heavier than the last, not because of the luxury around her, but because of the man she was married to. Adrian. CEO, perfection in every way, and yet… cold. So impossibly cold.
She dressed quickly, choosing a simple cream blouse and pencil skirt, hoping to remain invisible in the vast mansion. Breakfast had become a silent ritual of avoidance. But today, something felt different. A faint shift in the air as if the walls themselves were whispering secrets she wasn't meant to hear.
Adrian appeared in the kitchen precisely at eight, his suit impeccably tailored, his expression unreadable. Yet, there was a subtle softness in his eyes this morning, something Lila had never noticed before.
"Good morning," she said cautiously.
"Morning," he replied, voice low, almost… hesitant? She blinked, unsure if she imagined it.
They ate in silence, the clinking of cutlery loud in the otherwise still room. Lila tried not to notice the way his gaze lingered on her occasionally, or the tension in the space between them, thick and suffocating.
After breakfast, Adrian spoke. "I've arranged for you to accompany me to a meeting today. It's important you observe how the company runs."
Her stomach twisted. "Observe? I'm not an employee."
"You're under my contract," he said firmly. "Observation is part of your education."
Lila clenched her fists, frustrated. "Education? I didn't sign up for this!"
He didn't respond, merely adjusted his cufflinks and left the room. Lila followed reluctantly, feeling the weight of her helplessness pressing down on her chest.
At the office, the employees barely noticed her presence, though Lila could feel their curious eyes. She trailed behind Adrian as he moved through the glass-walled corridors, speaking to managers, signing contracts, and making decisions with a precision that both intimidated and fascinated her.
Lila struggled to understand the jargon, accidentally knocking over a folder of documents. Adrian's hand caught it effortlessly, his touch sending an unexpected warmth through her.
"Careful," he said, voice low but laced with something that felt like concern.
Her cheeks burned, and she quickly looked away. How could someone so intimidating also make her feel… vulnerable?
The day dragged on, filled with meetings, introductions, and awkward silences. Lila's mind wandered constantly, trying to decipher Adrian's moods, his intentions. He was always distant, yet moments like the one earlier hinted at a hidden layer beneath the icy exterior.
Returning home, exhausted, she found a small envelope on the table. Inside, a handwritten note:
"You handled yourself better today. You're learning quickly… but don't mistake patience for leniency."
Her heart raced. Was this a warning… or something else entirely?
Later, as she prepared for bed, she replayed the day in her mind. Each moment with Adrian had left a mark—his sharp gaze, the subtle concern, the unspoken words. She realized something frightening: she was beginning to notice the little things, the gestures he never intended her to see. And with each passing day, resisting the pull between them became harder.
That night, sleep came fitfully. In the quiet darkness, Lila whispered to herself, "What am I doing? How am I supposed to survive a year… with him?"
And somewhere, she felt the stirrings of something far more dangerous than fear: a dangerous curiosity… and an undeniable attraction.
Tomorrow, she would see another side of Adrian—one he had never shown anyone. And for the first time, Lila wondered if surviving the year was even possible… without losing her heart.