Chapter 4 – Part 1
The bodyguard stepped aside and let her in.
"Thank you," Ella said calmly, though her eyes were fixed on Henry in clear annoyance.
They walked toward his room in silence.
Henry could still feel her piercing gaze.
The dim hallway lights reflected in his sharp eyes, making them glow faintly.
Suddenly, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into a quiet corner.
Ella didn't resist.
She was curious.
Besides, she was a karate student. If he tried anything stupid, she knew exactly how to use her legs quite well.
Henry stepped closer, closing the gap between them.
"Why are you acting weird since this evening?" he asked, his voice low.
"Weren't you the one who insisted on this… arrangement?"
The words echoed in her mind.
And suddenly—
That image replayed.
Henry's hand wrapped around that girl's waist.
Her red lipstick slightly smeared.
His face leaning down toward hers.
The closeness.
The intimacy.
The way Ella had frozen where she stood.
The tightness in her chest.
Back to the present.
Henry sighed.
"This relationship was your idea. So why are you annoyed? I can't even figure out what I did to make you this angry."
Her fingers curled into her palm.
He really didn't know?
Or he was pretending not to?
The image flashed again.
His hand on that girl's waist.
His lips dangerously close to hers.
Ella forced herself to remain calm.
If this was fake…
Why did it hurt so much?
She inhaled slowly before pushing him away, finally regaining control of herself.
"Let's get the dress. That's the only reason I'm here."
She turned to walk away, but he grabbed her hand again.
"What happened?" he asked, softer this time.
Ella glared at him.
"Besides, we're in a fake relationship. You can do whatever you like with other girls. Just remember the contract rules. No one must find out this relationship isn't real."
She folded her arms.
"You're wealthy. I'm wealthy. You're handsome. I'm gorgeous."
She shrugged lightly.
"So yes… do whatever you want."
She started walking again.
This time, he didn't stop her.
But she paused and looked back.
"Oh, and you can make out with any girl you like. Just don't do it in open spaces. Don't blow our cover."
Then she walked off.
That was when it finally dawned on Henry.
He quickly caught up with her.
"What do you mean by make out with some girl?"
Ella scoffed.
"Please. Just give me the gown."
She stopped outside his door.
"Are you not coming in?" he asked.
"No."
He stared at her for a moment, then went inside and returned shortly with a box.
He handed it to her.
She took it and walked away without another word.
As she walked down the hallway, she sighed.
"Why did I let my anger get the best of me?"
Henry didn't deserve those cold words.
They weren't even dating.
He didn't owe her anything.
If anything, she owed him.
Six Months Ago…
Ella's hair flowed freely down her back as she adjusted the luxurious black gown she was wearing.
Her room was enormous, yet every piece of furniture looked plain and cold.
She applied light makeup before walking downstairs to the dining hall.
She sat opposite her elder sister, Ruka, who was already giving her a mischievous look.
Her mother, Lina, had given birth to five daughters and three sons. Ella was the youngest.
Normally, the last-born should be the most loved.
But in her case, it was the opposite.
Her mother and siblings had a way of making every dinner feel like judgment day.
To outsiders, they were the perfect family.
Successful. Independent. Owners of the top company in the city.
But for Ella, her only achievement was getting into an elite, expensive college.
Her eyes scanned the table.
The tension told her something was coming.
As usual, Ruka started.
Ruka was twenty-eight, married, with two children. Perfect husband. Perfect image. Perfect life.
"Apart from the college you entered two years ago," Ruka began smoothly, "when are you going to think about getting married? You'll be twenty-one next month."
Ella blinked.
"Marriage? Really?"
Her siblings nodded in agreement.
Even her mother.
"Your eldest sister is right," her mother said gently. "Maybe marriage will help you start proving your worth."
Ella's chest tightened.
"I'm not getting married," she said firmly. Then corrected herself. "At least not now. Not in the next three years."
Her father, who looked like a prince straight out of a fairy tale, finally spoke.
"There's no need to pressure her. She got into a good college. That's enough for now."
His voice was calm.
But Ella knew him.
"At least you have a boyfriend, right?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
The entire table fell silent.
Ella's throat went dry.
Ruka leaned forward slightly.
"So? Do you finally have a boyfriend?"
Ella opened her mouth—
And then the television interrupted.
A news report flashed across the screen.
"The son of M's Company, Henry Hordesen, has returned from Germany to complete his studies and prepare to take over the family business."
Henry.
The name rang in her mind.
High school.
The boy who loved teasing her.
The boy who suddenly relocated to Germany.
Ella's lips curved slightly.
Her pride was on the line.
"Yes," she said calmly.
"For a matter of fact… I do."
The room erupted with laughter.
Her brother Nike chuckled.
"Sweetheart, enough with the jokes. You should become a comedian."
Ella's jaw tightened.
"I'm not joking. We've been dating for two days."
"But he just arrived yesterday," Ruka said sweetly. "How did you meet him?"
Ella was about to lie again—
But Ruka smiled.
"Well… I believe you."
The room quieted.
Ella blinked.
"You do?"
"Yes," Ruka continued. "Let's have dinner with him."
Ella felt her heart slam against her chest.
"Of course, you'll be there," Ruka added. "Since you're his girlfriend."
She sipped her tea calmly.
"Three weeks," Ruka said. "That should be enough time."
Ella forced a smile.
"Yes. Three weeks is fine."
She stood up abruptly.
"I'm full. I'll go rest. Thanks for dinner."
She didn't look back as she climbed the stairs.
Her legs felt weak.
"I'm doomed," she whispered.
"What am I going to do now?"