Aria was still staring at Kael in disbelief.

Aria: “A public date?”

With a quick tilt of his head, Leo showed he really liked what was said. He moved as if something great had been shared.

Leo: “Yes! You can’t announce a relationship and then hide in separate corners of the building like coworkers who share a printer.”

Aria rubbed her temples.

Aria: “This plan gets worse every minute.”

Kael showed no sign of worry at all.

Too calm.

Kael: “It’s logical.”

Aria shifted her gaze his way, movement measured. Slowly did she face him.

Aria: “Logical?”

Her finger moved toward Leo. He stood still under her gaze.

Aria: “He just turned our fake relationship into a public event.”

Leo looked proud.

Leo: “You’re welcome.”

Kael rested his weight on the edge of the desk.

Thinking.

His eyes moved to Aria next.

Kael: “Tonight.”

Aria blinked.

Aria: “…What tonight?”

Kael: “The date.”

Aria’s jaw dropped.

Aria: “Tonight?!”

Leo clapped again.

Leo: “Perfect! I love efficiency.”

Aria looked between both men.

Aria: “Why does everyone here enjoy my suffering?”

---

Later That Afternoon Orion Office

Faster than a spark leaping through dry grass, word began racing across town.

Employees whispered every time Aria walked past.

A sudden gasp escaped one Leo as she walked in. Their papers nearly slipped through trembling hands.

Footsteps pause. "That's her," comes a hushed voice nearby

Leo 2: “The CEO’s girlfriend?”

Aria caught their words, a soft groan slipping out.

Across the room -

Foot propped against the edge of furniture, Leo stood there taking it all in - eyes fixed, silent. The room unfolded before him, one quiet moment after another.

Leo: “This is better than television.”

Into the shadow he stepped, Kael moving beyond without a word.

Leo smirked.

Leo: “So.”

Kael stopped.

Leo: “Where are you taking her?”

A hint of surprise flicked across Kael's face as one brow lifted slightly.

Kael: “Why are you involved in this?”

Leo looked offended.

Leo: “Because this company has been boring for five years.”

He leaned closer.

Leo: “Also… half the office is planning to follow you.”

Kael sighed.

Kael: “Of course they are.”

---

Evening outside aria's apartment

A shadow rolled up beside the structure, tires hissing on pavement. There it sat, still, engine off.

Kael stepped out.

The time caught his eye when he looked at the watch on his wrist.

Right on time.

Upstairs -Aria was pacing in her living room.

Rohan was sitting on the couch eating chips.

Watching the chaos.

Rohan: “Relax.”

Aria: “I am not going on a fake romantic date with my boss!”

Rohan shrugged.

Rohan: “You already agreed.”

Aria: “Under pressure!”

Rohan grinned.

Rohan: “Also… he’s waiting downstairs.”

Aria froze.

Aria: “He’s here?!”

Fog pressed against the glass as Rohan looked inside.

Rohan: “Yep.”

He squinted dramatically.

Rohan: “Wow.”

Aria narrowed her eyes.

Aria: “What now?”

Rohan: “He looks very handsome.”

Flying across the room, a pillow smacked into his chest - Aria had let it go without warning.

Aria: “Stop helping!”

---

Outside the Apartment

Aria walked out nervously.

Kael looked up.

For a moment -Nothing came out of his mouth.

Aria noticed.

Aria: “Why are you staring?”

Kael spoke calmly.

Yet more gentle than normal.

Kael: “You look nice.”

Aria blinked.

Caught off guard.

Aria: “…Thank you.”

After that, her arms folded tight across her chest in a flash.

Aria: “Remember this is fake.”

Kael pulled open the car door.

Kael: “Of course.”

Yet a small smile played on his lips.

---

Across the street meanwhile

Three Orion employees were hiding behind a parked car.

Leo was crouching dramatically.

Holding binoculars.

Employee 1: “Leo… this is illegal.”

Leo: “This is dedication.”

The lenses clicked into place when he twisted them just right.

Leo: “Ah.”

Employee 2: “What?”

Leo: “They’re leaving.”

Faster than usual, the workers hurried toward their vehicle.

Leo: “Follow them!”

---

The Restaurant

A quiet hush fell inside its walls, yet it hummed with life. Bright windows caught the evening light just right. Not every place earns such praise without trying too hard.

Soft lights.

Live music.

Into the room stepped Aria, her stride matched by Kael at her side.

Trying to act natural.

Yet her attention caught every detail. She noticed things most missed.

Aria (whispering): “People are staring.”

Kael nodded calmly.

Kael: “Good.”

Furious, Aria fixed her eyes on him.

Aria: “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

A seat by the glass held them. Their chairs stayed close, facing out.

For a moment -Things became quiet.

Awkwardly quiet.

Aria let her eyes move across the paper in front of her.

Then at Kael.

Back again at the menu now.

Aria: “So… what do fake couples talk about?”

Kael leaned back in his chair.

Kael: “Normal things.”

Aria sighed.

Aria: “This is not normal.”

The waiter arrived.

They ordered food.

Back came the quiet once more.

Finally -Kael spoke.

Kael: “Why did you join Orion?”

Aria looked surprised.

Aria: “That’s a serious question.”

Kael: “Answer it.”

For a second, she paused. Then her mind started moving.

Aria: “Because I needed a job.”

Kael smiled slightly.

Kael: “Honest.”

Aria: “Your turn.”

Kael: “Why do you argue with me every day?”

Aria grinned.

Aria: “Because someone has to.”

Kael laughed quietly.

It was the first moment since nightfall when…

Fake it seemed less.

---

Outside the Restaurant

Beyond the thick trunk, Leo crouched low alongside the workers. Shadows stretched long as they stayed still, pressed close to the bark. A quiet hush held them together, waiting. The air hung tight, breaths barely moving. Not one of them dared make a sound.

Watching through the window.

Employee 1: “This is ridiculous.”

Leo gasped dramatically.

Leo: “Wait.”

Employee 2: “What?”

Fingers aimed toward the glass pane.

Inside -Aria was laughing.

Kael was smiling.

Fingers slipping from the cold metal, Leo let the binoculars dip downward. The glass fogged with his breath just before he looked away.

Leo: “…Oh no.”

Employee 1: “What?”

Leo looked very serious.

Leo: “This might become real.”

---

Back Inside the Restaurant

Aria was still laughing about something Kael said.

Then suddenly -Her phone buzzed.

She checked it.

Her grin fell flat right then.

Kael noticed.

Kael: “What happened?”

On the display, Aria pointed out what he needed to see.

A message.

From an unknown number.

A picture was inside it.

A photo of Kael meeting someone secretly earlier that day.

And underneath it -One sentence.

Message:

"You should ask your fake boyfriend who he’s really working with."

Frowning took over Kael's face without delay.

Her eyes moved toward him, taking their time. A pause settled before she met his gaze.

Aria: “…Kael.”

Silence.

Aria: “Is there something you want to tell me?”