The Restaurant

The moment stretched after he stepped away.

A tiny flame swayed above the wick, resting there like a breath held too long.

Aria was still staring at Kael.

Still suspicious.

Still confused.

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

Backrest cool against his spine, Kael let the silence settle. Stillness held him like an old habit.

Kael: “Enjoying what?”

Aria: “This fake relationship.”

Kael: “It’s very educational.”

Aria: “…Educational?”

Kael: “Yes.”

With a nod of his head, he pointed in her direction.

Kael: “I’m learning new things about you.”

Aria narrowed her eyes.

Aria: “Like what?”

Kael answered immediately.

Kael: “You talk to yourself when you're nervous.”

Aria froze.

Aria: “…I do not.”

Kael: “You also argue with elevators.”

Aria looked horrified.

Aria: “You noticed that?!”

Kael smiled slightly.

Kael: “It was difficult not to.”

Aria let out a low sound, hands moving to hide her eyes.

Aria: “This was a mistake.”

Kael shifted a bit closer.

Kael: “Relax.”

Kael: “It’s just dinner.”

Aria studied his face, slow and quiet. Her eyes moved over him without a word.

A silence settled, like before a breath. Then - normal again.

Almost comfortable.

Then - A jolt went through Kael’s body. He rose without warning.

Aria blinked.

Aria: “Why are you standing?”

A wave of fingers reached out across the space between them.

Kael: “Dance with me.”

Her eyes locked onto his fingers as if they might strike. A sudden stillness took hold of her breath.

Aria: “Absolutely not.”

Kael: “Why not?”

Aria: “Because we are pretending to date. Not starring in a romantic movie.”

Kael left his hand where it was.

Kael: “People are watching.”

Aria glanced fast at everything nearby.

He was right.

Some folks cast quick looks their way.

Whispering.

Probably recognizing Kael.

Aria sighed dramatically.

Aria: “I hate this plan.”

Hers moved at last, sliding into his grasp.

A soft touch guided her forward, leading to where the music played between flickering lights.

---

The Dance Floor

A quiet tune filled the room. Music drifted through the air, gentle and low.

Kael placed one hand lightly on Aria’s waist.

Aria froze instantly.

Aria: “This is very unnecessary.”

Kael: “You agreed.”

Aria: “I agreed under social pressure.”

Kael smiled slightly.

Kael: “You’re doing fine.”

Out of nowhere, their feet began to follow the rhythm. A quiet sway grew into steps that matched the beat. Slow at first, then smoother as time passed.

Aria turned her gaze away. She did not meet his eyes.

Aria: “If anyone from the office sees this - ”

Kael: “They will.”

Aria groaned.

Aria: “Perfect.”

They moved together, soft under the dim light. A pause between thoughts became steps. Quiet filled the space where words might have been. Their rhythm needed no sound.

Her eyes lifted suddenly. A moment passed before she met the gaze waiting ahead.

Then saw just how near they stood.

Too close.

Faster thudded her heart. Suddenly.

Kael noticed immediately.

Kael: “You’re nervous again.”

Aria: “I am not.”

Kael: “You are.”

Aria: “I am dancing with my boss.”

Kael: “Your fake boyfriend.”

Aria turned her eyes aside without delay.

Aria: “That sounds worse.”

Kael chuckled softly.

But then -A shift crossed his face, just a little.

Serious.

A sudden hush fell through the room -

A figure stepped through the door. A moment passed in silence.

A woman.

Tall.

Elegant.

Confident.

She saw Kael

She stopped walking.

Her eyes narrowed.

---

Back On The Dance Floor

Aria hadn’t stopped grumbling yet.

Aria: “And if Rohan sees photos of this he will never stop teasing me - ”

A silence fell across his body, mid-step. Movement just left him there, frozen.

Aria blinked.

Aria: “Why did we stop?”

Out ahead, Kael's gaze settled on the doorway.

Aria turned her eyes where he was looking.

Beyond the corner stood a figure - female, still. Her presence registered slowly, like dust settling after motion stops.

The woman was staring directly at Kael.

Not happily.

Her gaze drifted toward him, inch by inch.

Aria: “Do you know her?”

For a moment, Kael stayed silent.

That had spilled the whole story to Aria before a word was said.

Off she went, stepping in their direction.

Confident.

Slow.

Dangerous.

Aria whispered.

Aria: “Oh no.”

Kael sighed quietly.

Kael: “This… is inconvenient.”

Footsteps slowed as she drew near.

Her arms folded tight across her chest.

Looked at Aria.

Then at Kael.

Then smiled coldly.

Woman: “Kael.”

Aria whispered.

Aria: “You know she looks like she’s about to start a war.”

She looked away when the woman spoke.

Still staring at Kael.

Woman: “I leave the country for one year…”

Her hand moved in Aria's direction.

Woman: “…and you replace me already?”

Aria choked.

Aria: “REPLACE?!”

Kael pressed a hand to his brow.

Clearly tired.

Kael: “Aria…”

Kael: “Meet Elena.”

Aria blinked.

Aria: “…Okay.”

Out of nowhere, her finger moved to mark the space. A pause settled right there.

Aria: “…and Elena is…?”

The woman replied without waiting for a question.

A grin cuts the air.

Elena: “His ex.”

Aria’s brain stopped working.

Completely.

---

Outside the restaurant

Across the street - A shadow dipped toward the ground, carrying a camera. It settled into his hands like something tired.

Frozen mid-step, he clicked the camera a few times. Moments later, light caught the screen where images stacked quietly.

Kael.

Aria.

Dancing.

Elena steps forward, her voice steady as she faces them down.

The man smirked.

After that, the pictures were sent.

To one person.

Kael’s uncle.

---

Back Inside

A quiet shift in her stance pulled Aria around to face Kael.

Very slowly.

Aria: “…You did not mention an ex.”

Kael sighed.

Kael: “I didn’t think she would appear tonight.”

Elena laughed softly.

Elena: “Oh Kael.”

Her eyes landed on Aria one more time.

Judging.

Carefully.

Then smiled politely.

It carried a weight that seemed heavier than before.

Elena: “You must be the new assistant.”

Aria blinked.

Aria: “How do you know that?”

Close by, Elena shifted a little nearer.

Elena: “Because Kael would never date someone from his world.”

Silence.

Up went Aria's eyebrows, inch by inch.

Kael’s jaw tightened.

Aria folded her arms tight across her chest.

Aria: “…Oh this fake relationship just became very real.”

---

Elsewhere - Kael’s Uncle's Office

A glance passed over the pictures lying across the screen. The old man sat still, eyes tracing each one slowly.

Kael.

Aria.

Elena.

All together.

He smiled slowly.

Very pleased.

Uncle: “Perfect.”

Back he went in the chair, leaning.

Uncle: “Now let’s see which one of them breaks first.”