Morning came without mercy.
Aarav Knight woke up before the alarm, eyes already open, mind already working. Sleep had become a shallow thing for him—more like closing his eyes than resting.
For a moment, he stared at the ceiling of his penthouse.
Then he remembered.
Elena.
The handshake.
The one-week trial.
The lie that would begin tonight.
He sat up slowly.
You've handled bigger risks, he told himself.
This is just another strategy.
Yet his chest felt heavier than usual.
Elena's Morning
Elena woke up late.
She stared at her phone, blinking.
Three missed calls.
One message.
Unknown Number:
This is Aarav Knight's office. A car will pick you up at 4 PM today. Please be ready.
Her heart skipped.
"So it's really happening," she whispered.
She sat up, running a hand through her hair.
She had agreed. That was on her.
But knowing something and feeling it were different things.
Elena stood in front of her small mirror, studying herself.
I'm not made for his world, she thought.
And yet… she didn't back out.
Knight Empire – Noon
The building of Knight Empire stood like a monument to control—steel, glass, and silence.
Aarav walked through the main hall, his presence instantly changing the air. Conversations died. Steps slowed.
Power followed him naturally.
Inside the elevator, his assistant Maya spoke carefully.
"Sir, the gala tonight is extremely important."
"I know."
"Investors, media, foreign partners… and your cousin."
Aarav's jaw tightened at the last word.
"Ryan will behave," Maya added.
Aarav looked at her. "No, he won't."
Maya hesitated. "About the woman—"
"She will be there," Aarav said firmly. "No mistakes."
Maya nodded. "Understood."
But inside, Aarav wasn't as confident as his voice.
4:00 PM – Elena
A black luxury car stopped outside Elena's apartment.
Neighbors stared.
Elena swallowed hard.
A well-dressed woman stepped out. "Miss Elena Moore?"
"Yes."
"I'm Sophia. Stylist for tonight."
Before Elena could protest, she was escorted into the car.
As they drove, Sophia smiled politely.
"Relax. You're not the first woman to be nervous."
Elena smiled weakly. "I'm not supposed to be here."
"None of us ever are," Sophia replied.
Transformation
The boutique was quiet, expensive, intimidating.
Dresses lined the walls like art pieces.
Sophia studied Elena carefully.
"You don't need to look powerful," she said. "You need to look untouchable."
An hour later, Elena barely recognized herself.
A deep midnight-blue dress. Simple, elegant.
Soft makeup. Hair loose, natural.
She looked… confident.
Not fake. Just refined.
Elena stared at her reflection.
This is still me, she reminded herself.
But her heart pounded.
Aarav Sees Her
Back at the penthouse, Aarav adjusted his cufflinks.
The doorbell rang.
He turned.
Elena stepped in.
For the first time in years, Aarav forgot to speak.
She wasn't flashy.
She wasn't trying.
And that was exactly why she was dangerous.
"You look…" he paused, searching for the right word.
"Out of place?" Elena offered.
"No," Aarav said quietly. "Perfect."
She blinked, surprised.
Then she cleared her throat. "So… what's the plan?"
Aarav stepped closer. Not touching. Just near enough.
"You stay beside me," he said. "Smile when needed. Speak only if comfortable."
"And if someone asks personal questions?"
"I'll handle it."
She nodded. "And if you panic?"
"I don't."
She smiled slightly. "Liar."
For a second, Aarav almost smiled back.
The Drive
Inside the car, silence stretched.
City lights rushed past.
"Are you scared?" Elena asked softly.
"No."
She looked at him. "Then why is your jaw so tight?"
Aarav exhaled slowly.
"Because," he said, "this world doesn't forgive weakness."
Elena nodded. "Then don't be weak. Be human."
He didn't answer.
But her words stayed.
The Gala
The venue was grand.
Cameras flashed the moment Aarav stepped out.
And then—
Elena took his arm.
The reaction was instant.
Whispers.
Surprise.
Curiosity.
"Who is she?"
"When did he start dating?"
"Is this serious?"
Aarav felt it—control slipping.
Not from the crowd.
From her touch.
Her hand was warm. Steady.
She leaned in slightly and whispered, "Breathe."
He did.
Ryan
Ryan spotted them immediately.
His smile sharpened.
"Well, well," Ryan said, approaching. "So the rumors were true."
Aarav's voice was calm. "Ryan."
Ryan turned to Elena. "And you are?"
Before Aarav could speak, Elena smiled politely.
"Elena."
Just that.
Ryan's eyes flicked back to Aarav.
"Interesting choice," he said. "Very… real."
Aarav replied coolly, "I don't do fake."
Ryan chuckled. "We'll see."
As Ryan walked away, Elena whispered, "He hates me already."
Aarav replied quietly, "He hates everything he can't control."
Cracks Appear
Throughout the night, Elena stayed by Aarav's side.
She didn't overact.
Didn't pretend too much.
She listened.
And slowly, people stopped questioning.
Aarav noticed something strange.
With her beside him, the noise felt… distant.
Lighter.
At one point, an investor joked, "You've changed, Mr. Knight."
Aarav replied, without thinking, "Maybe I wanted to."
Elena looked at him, surprised.
So did he.
The Balcony
Later, Elena stepped outside for air.
Aarav followed.
The city glowed below.
"You did well," he said.
"I wasn't acting," she replied. "I was just being myself."
He studied her profile.
"That's what scares me."
She turned. "Why?"
"Because," Aarav admitted, "my world destroys people like you."
Elena met his gaze.
"Then protect me," she said softly. "Or let me leave."
Something twisted inside his chest.
"I don't protect," he said. "I control."
She nodded. "That's your problem."
The Almost Moment
Music drifted from inside.
They stood close.
Too close.
For a second, Aarav imagined leaning in.
Then his phone buzzed.
Reality returned.
A message from Ryan:
Enjoy the lie while it lasts.
Aarav's expression darkened.
Elena noticed. "What is it?"
"War," he replied.
End of the Night
As they left, cameras flashed again.
This time, Elena didn't flinch.
In the car, silence felt different.
Comfortable.
"Tonight," Elena said, "you weren't alone."
Aarav looked out the window.
For the first time in years, that felt true.
But comfort was dangerous.
And lies always demanded a price.