04

Petrik

That night, the car was waiting for Lia right in front of the building. Attention to detail was one of my requirements, especially tonight, and the stylist had prepared a custom dress for her—discreet yet elegant, enough to make her stand out just right. Nothing flashy, but impactful enough to draw glances—a delicate balance that, perhaps, suited her personality perfectly.

When she descended the stairs, I forced myself to keep a neutral expression. Lia stopped in front of the car, her eyes meeting mine directly in a way that made her seem almost provocative. I observed her without hiding it, and with each step, she exuded the stance of someone who knew exactly what she was doing. The silhouette outlined in the simple, dark dress was flawless. Surprisingly, I felt a slight tension build up in my shoulders—a tension I had to control.

As soon as she got in the car and shut the door, silence fell between us, broken only by the hum of the engine. I felt tempted to break that quiet, but I held back. I watched her for a moment, and seeing her elegant profile and the determined look on her face, I realized there was something about her demeanor that affected me in an unexpected way. With anyone else, that stance would be challenging and unsettling, but with Lia, it was... intriguing. She drew me in.

“Mr. Ivanov,” she greeted me formally, but there was a hint of sarcasm in her tone. I knew there was nothing submissive about Lia, and it was this contrast between her serene appearance and sharp tongue that kept me on my toes with every word she spoke.

I stayed silent for a moment before responding with a forced calmness. “Very well, Lia. As you like to emphasize, we have an important night ahead of us. This will be our first public appearance as a couple, and I need you to be up to the task.” My voice sounded impersonal, reinforcing that all of this was merely contractual.

She only raised an eyebrow, showing no surprise but with a subtlety that made it clear she found it all rather ironic. “Understood. I’ll be the exemplary wife,” she replied, her voice carrying a light tone, as if purposely trying to provoke me.

I swallowed her comment, keeping my face expressionless. I didn’t want to show that her response had gotten to me. Even though I tried to rationalize it, the truth was that her sharp tongue and resistance stirred a part of me I thought I could keep in check. But I couldn’t allow this attraction to grow. Our relationship was purely professional, and that was how it needed to remain.

When we arrived at the event, I stepped out first, extending a hand to help her out. The touch of her hand on mine sent a slight warmth through my skin, and I had to remind myself that it was just a formality. An act, nothing more. We walked together toward the entrance, and it was hard to ignore her presence beside me, as if her proximity created a tension I wasn’t accustomed to feeling. It was irritating, almost unsettling.

We entered the hall, filled with important figures—investors and businessmen who awaited a glimpse of the "ruthless businessman" in his new phase, now accompanied by a wife. I was certain Lia understood what was at stake and what I expected from her—control, discretion, and above all, an elegant and untouchable presence. She, for her part, seemed to understand exactly how to behave. Lia spoke with those who approached her, always poised, her language precise. But I noticed a certain reserve in each response, an almost calculated calmness, as if she was savoring the moment to maintain control over the situation.

During a conversation with one of my associates, I noticed his gaze lingering on Lia, perhaps curious, perhaps surprised. After all, everyone who knew me knew I had always despised the idea of "commitment." It was curious how, even within a façade of a marriage, she evoked curiosity and even admiration.

“Petrik, I didn’t think you were capable of settling down like this. With all due respect, it’s a surprise,” said my associate, casting a suspicious look.

Before I could respond, Lia interjected, her voice calm yet with a hint of irony that didn’t go unnoticed. “Commitments are like contracts. As long as all parties are satisfied, it’s a beneficial agreement for everyone.”

I stayed silent for a moment, observing her attentively. The ease with which she handled invasive questions, the way she kept her composure despite curious glances—all of it was a display of control that I appreciated, though in a way, it also threw me off guard. There was no fear in her eyes, nor any desire to please. Lia seemed completely indifferent to the need for approval, and maybe it was exactly that which made her presence so... compelling.

Leaning in slightly, I murmured in a low enough voice that only she could hear, “You’re enjoying the situation more than I expected, Lia. But remember: I need someone on my team, not against me.”

She lifted her gaze to meet mine. “I’m not playing against you, Mr. Ivanov. I’m just seizing the opportunity,” she said, with a slight smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

After a while, I noticed that, despite her reserve, Lia had somehow become the center of attention in an almost imperceptible way. Her brief and polite yet firm responses seemed to intrigue everyone she interacted with. It was as if her challenging presence created an irresistible aura. And perhaps it was this sense that she belonged to no one that bothered me. She was my wife on paper, but nothing about her demeanor indicated I had any control over her. And instead of pushing me away, it only intrigued me further.

When we finally stepped away from the others, I stood beside her in silence, trying to decipher the source of that tension. I, who had always kept my emotions under control, now found myself in a situation that was, at the very least, unsettling.

She, on the other hand, seemed unfazed, as if the night was merely a game in which she dictated the rules.

“I think you’ve adapted rather quickly for a... ‘contract wife,’” I commented, keeping my voice cold but unable to hide my curiosity.

“Well, Mr. Ivanov, as you said, everything is just a contract. And you’ve always made it clear that you like... perfection,” she replied, casting me a slightly challenging look.

I smirked slightly, admiring her boldness. “Good. That will save us a lot of trouble in the future.” She was, without a doubt, a mystery. A mystery I intended to unravel, even if with every conversation, every exchange of glances, I found myself fighting an impulse I hadn’t felt in years.