Kael’s Office

Silent, Aria remained seated in the chair.

Staring.

Processing.

Failing to process.

Aria: “…A company gala.”

Kael: “Yes.”

Aria: “With the board.”

Kael: “Yes.”

Aria: “And you want me to go there pretending to be your girlfriend.”

Kael: “Correct.”

Aria rose to her feet without warning.

Aria: “I can’t even pretend to be calm in elevators!”

Kael bit his lip, fighting the grin that kept pushing through.

Kael: “You’ll manage.”

Aria: “I will not manage.”

Kael: “You managed dinner.”

Aria folded her arms across her chest.

Aria: “Your ex appeared.”

Kael: “You survived.”

Aria: “Barely.”

Kael slouched by the desk, arms loose at his sides. A quiet hum filled the room behind him.

Kael: “The gala is tomorrow night.”

Aria blinked.

Slowly.

Aria: “…Tomorrow?!”

Kael: “Yes.”

Aria tapped her chest, eyes wide. Then she stepped forward - her finger rising like a flagpole into the air.

Aria: “I need preparation time!”

Kael: “For what?”

Aria: “For pretending to be someone who belongs in a billionaire gala!”

Kael paused, eyes on her face. A beat passed before he spoke again.

Then said calmly -

Kael: “You already do.”

Aria froze.

A silence sat between her thoughts. Then words faded before they formed.

Faster than a blink, she steered the talk elsewhere.

Aria: “Also… I don’t have a dress.”

A sudden movement sent Kael's hand toward the phone. It was already lighting up before he fully grabbed it.

Aria: “Why are you picking up your phone?”

Kael: “Solving the dress problem.”

Aria’s eyes widened.

Aria: “NO.”

Kael paused.

Kael: “No?”

Aria: “You are not buying me a dress.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Kael's face as one brow lifted slightly.

Kael: “Why not?”

Aria: “Because that makes this fake relationship dangerously fancy.”

Kael smirked slightly.

Kael: “Too late.”

________________________________________

Marketing Department

Back at her desk sat Aria.

Looking stressed.

Very stressed.

Leo noticed immediately.

Leo: “You look like someone told you the world is ending.”

Aria dropped into her chair.

Aria: “The world isn’t ending.”

Pause.

Aria: “…But I’m attending a billionaire gala tomorrow.”

Leo froze.

Then slowly smiled.

A grin stretching far across the face.

Leo: “WITH KAEL?”

Aria groaned.

Aria: “Yes.”

Leo clapped once.

Leo: “This is the best week of my life.”

Her finger moved toward his direction.

Aria: “You are enjoying this too much.”

Against the edge of the desk stood Leo.

Leo: “So what’s the problem?”

Aria sighed dramatically.

Aria: “Everything.”

Leo: “Details.”

Aria: “The board wants proof our relationship is real.”

Leo nodded thoughtfully.

Leo: “Understandable.”

Aria: “Understandable?!”

Leo: “Yes.”

Leo: “You two look like you’re about to fall in love anyway.”

Aria choked.

Aria: “WE ARE NOT.”

Leo just smiled.

________________________________________

Meanwhile Elena's Office

Elena sat without moving much at all.

Looking through documents.

Footsteps stop. A rap at the wood breaks the quiet. Stillness waits.

Assistant: “Miss Elena, the board meeting is ready.”

Fingers slid off the keyboard after the folder snapped shut.

Elena: “Perfect.”

She stood up.

Then asked casually -

Elena: “Did the rumor spread?”

Assistant: “Yes.”

Elena: “And the gala invitation?”

Assistant: “Sent.”

Elena smiled slightly.

Elena: “Good.”

The moment she stepped forward, her feet carried her closer to the exit.

She murmured softly under her breath -

Elena: “Let’s see how convincing this romance really is.”

________________________________________

Evening at Aria's apartment

Footsteps tapped back and forth across the carpet. The air stayed still except for her movement.

Footsore from stillness, he kept his eyes on her, treating each move as a show meant just for him.

Rohan: “You’ve walked past me fourteen times.”

Aria: “I’m thinking.”

Rohan: “You’re panicking.”

Aria stopped.

Aria: “I am not panicking.”

Rohan: “You’re fake dating your CEO and going to a gala tomorrow.”

Pause.

Rohan: “That’s panic material.”

Aria groaned and dropped onto the couch.

Aria: “Why did I agree to this?”

Rohan shrugged.

Rohan: “Because he’s handsome.”

Into the air flew a pillow, tossed by Aria his way.

Aria: “THIS IS NOT ABOUT THAT.”

Faster than a blink, Rohan stepped aside from the pillow. It missed him by inches.

Then asked casually -

Rohan: “Do you like him?”

Aria froze.

Completely.

Aria: “…No.”

Rohan leaned back.

Rohan: “That sounded like a lie.”

Aria reached for a second pillow.

________________________________________

Meanwhile at Kael's apartment

By the window stood Kael. He remained there without moving.

Thinking.

Leo walked in.

Uninvited.

As usual.

Leo: “So.”

Kael didn’t turn.

Kael: “How did you get into my apartment.”

Leo: “Spare key.”

Kael sighed.

Leo walked closer.

Leo: “Big gala tomorrow.”

Kael: “Yes.”

Leo: “With Aria.”

Kael finally turned.

Kael: “Yes.”

With quiet attention, Leo watched every move he made.

Then smiled.

Leo: “You’re in trouble.”

Kael frowned.

Kael: “Why.”

Leo answered immediately.

Leo: “Because this fake relationship isn’t fake for you anymore.”

Kael didn’t respond.

A reply came through instead.

________________________________________

The Next Day at Orion Headquarters

The entire office was buzzing.

Everyone was talking about the gala.

Aria stepped inside the structure.

Trying to act normal.

Trying.

Not succeeding.

Employees were whispering again.

Her. That's who it is

Employee 2: “The CEO’s girlfriend.”

Aria spoke under her breath, words meant only for her own ears.

Aria: “This is my villain origin story.”

Then suddenly -

A figure stepped forward, cutting off her way.

Aria looked up.

Elena.

Of course.

Elena smiled politely.

Too politely.

Elena: “Good morning, Aria.”

Aria: “Morning.”

Elena tipped her chin sideways.

Elena: “Excited for tonight?”

Aria forced a smile.

Aria: “Very.”

Elena moved a little nearer.

Elena: “You know…”

Pause.

Elena: “The board notices everything.”

Aria narrowed her eyes.

Aria: “Good thing there’s nothing to notice.”

Elena smiled again.

Dangerously calm.

Elena: “We’ll see.”

Then she turned and left.

Aria sighed.

Aria: “I really need that dress.”

________________________________________

Meanwhile - Somewhere Else

Kael’s uncle was looking at new photos.

Photos of the upcoming gala preparations.

He smiled slowly.

Uncle: “Perfect timing.”

Confusion showed on his assistant's face.

Assistant: “Sir?”

Forward he leaned, the uncle.

Uncle: “Tonight… the entire board will learn the truth.”

________________________________________

Back at Orion as evening nears

Aria appeared at the entrance of Kael’s office.

Holding a garment bag.

Looking nervous.

Kael looked up.

Then paused.

He stayed silent for a while. Then spoke.

Aria frowned.

Aria: “Why are you staring?”

Kael answered honestly.

Kael: “…Because you look incredible.”

Aria blinked.

Something caught her breath mid-step.

After that, her arms folded tight across her chest.

Aria: “Don’t start being charming now.”

Kael smiled slightly.

He reached forward, fingers open. A pause. The gesture waited in the air.

Kael: “Ready?”

Aria turned her eyes toward the hand he held out. Then paused, studying it without a word.

Then sighed.

Aria: “No.”

Still, she slid her fingers into his.

Aria: “But let’s go before I change my mind.”

Off they went, heading for the elevator. Walking began, step after step drawing them closer to the lift.

One missed it. The other didn’t see either

Elena watching them from the hallway.

Her expression thoughtful.

And slightly dangerous.