Chapter 3 The New Arrangement

Alea nodded, her fingers tightening around the clutch in her lap. “Got it.”

The flash of cameras greeted them as they stepped out of the car. Ethan’s hand rested lightly on Alea’s back, guiding her toward the entrance. The crowd buzzed with whispers, eyes darting between them, trying to piece together the sudden appearance of the enigmatic CEO with a woman no one recognized.

Inside, the air was thick with the hum of polite conversation and the clinking of champagne glasses. Alea spotted Diana almost immediately. She was draped in a red gown, her arm linked with Harson’s. The sight sent a jolt through Alea, but she forced herself to keep her expression neutral.

Ethan’s grip on her waist tightened ever so slightly. “Stay composed,” he murmured.

“I’m fine,” Alea replied, her voice steady.

They made their way through the room, exchanging pleasantries with various guests. Ethan’s charm was effortless, his words measured and precise. Alea followed his lead, surprising herself with how easily she fell into the role.

As the evening progressed, Diana and Harson approached, their expressions a mix of curiosity and barely concealed disdain. Diana’s eyes flicked over Alea, her lips curving into a saccharine smile.

“Ethan,” Diana said, her tone syrupy sweet. “And who is this lovely companion?”

“My wife,” Ethan replied smoothly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “Alea Watson.”

Diana’s smile faltered for the briefest moment before she recovered. “How… unexpected.”

“Life is full of surprises,” Alea said, matching Diana’s tone with practiced ease.

Harson’s gaze lingered on Ethan, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. The tension between the four of them was palpable, the unspoken history hanging heavily in the air.

Before anyone could say more, a waiter interrupted with a tray of champagne. Ethan took two glasses, handing one to Alea.

“To new beginnings,” he said, raising his glass. His eyes locked with Harson’s, the challenge clear.

Alea clinked her glass against his, her pulse quickening. The battle lines were drawn, and the first move had been made.

Ethan leaned against the doorway of his expansive kitchen, observing Alea as she moved through the space with measured hesitance. Her small overnight bag sat near the stairs, a silent reminder of how quickly their lives had intertwined under an unconventional agreement.

“This place is…” Alea paused, her eyes scanning the modern, minimalist design of Ethan’s penthouse. “Cold.”

Ethan’s lips quirked upward, barely a smile. “Practical,” he corrected, crossing his arms. “You’ll find everything you need here. Including privacy.”

She nodded, clutching her purse tightly. “So, where… should I stay?”

“The guest suite,” Ethan said, gesturing toward a hallway to the left. “It’s already prepared.”

Alea nodded again, muttering a quick thank-you before heading toward the direction he indicated. Her footsteps were soft, almost hesitant, as if afraid to disturb the oppressive silence that lingered in the luxurious space.

Ethan sighed, pushing away from the doorway. He retrieved a glass from the cabinet and poured himself a measure of scotch. As the amber liquid swirled in his glass, his mind replayed the day’s events. Signing that contract was a gamble—one he’d calculated meticulously. Yet, as Alea’s presence filled his home, he felt an unfamiliar unease. Vulnerability wasn’t something he allowed in his life, but now it had a foothold.

He took a sip, savoring the burn that accompanied the thought of his next moves. Diana and Harson had no idea what was coming for them.

The next morning, Alea awoke to the sound of soft chimes echoing from her phone. She squinted at the screen, reading a polite message from Ethan: Breakfast is at 7. We have meetings to attend afterward.

Her brows furrowed. She had expected their arrangement to be more… detached. Yet, here he was, setting a schedule. Groaning softly, she swung her legs over the bed and padded toward the ensuite bathroom. If she was going to step into this charade, she would at least make sure she looked the part.

By the time she made it to the dining area, Ethan was already seated at the long, polished table, scrolling through his tablet. The faint aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries filled the air. A place was set across from him, complete with a steaming cup of coffee waiting for her.

“Morning,” Alea said, her voice softer than she intended.

Ethan glanced up, his sharp gaze appraising her. “Morning. Take a seat. We have a lot to cover.”

As she sat down, he slid a folder toward her. “This contains everything you need to know about today’s schedule. We’ll be attending a charity gala this evening. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the guest list.”

Alea opened the folder, her eyes scanning the neatly organized pages. “And I’m supposed to… mingle?”

Ethan nodded. “You’ll be playing the role of my supportive wife. People will ask questions. Our job is to make them believe this is real.”

She looked up at him, a hint of irritation creeping into her tone. “You do realize I have a job, right? One that doesn’t involve acting as your arm candy.”

Ethan’s expression remained impassive. “You’ll be compensated for the time you dedicate to this arrangement. Your employer has already agreed to adjust your schedule.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You contacted my boss?”

“I’m thorough,” he replied simply. “You’ll find that’s a quality of mine.”

Alea bit back a retort, focusing instead on the task at hand. The guest list was intimidating, filled with influential names she had only seen in business magazines. She’d have to tread carefully to avoid embarrassing herself—or Ethan.

Hours later, Alea stood in front of a floor-length mirror, adjusting the strap of her evening gown. The dress was stunning, a deep emerald green that contrasted beautifully with her dark hair. Ethan had insisted on providing the wardrobe, much to her annoyance. Still, she couldn’t deny the craftsmanship of the gown as it hugged her figure.

“You clean up well,” Ethan’s voice cut through her thoughts. She turned to find him leaning against the doorway, his black tuxedo tailored to perfection. His eyes lingered on her for a moment before he stepped closer, offering his arm.

“Shall we?”

The ride to the gala was quiet, the tension between them palpable. Alea fiddled with the delicate bracelet on her wrist, a loaner from Ethan’s seemingly endless collection of luxury accessories. She felt like an imposter, stepping into a world she didn’t belong to.

“Relax,” Ethan said, his voice low. “You’ll do fine.”

She shot him a skeptical glance. “Easy for you to say. You’ve been doing this your whole life.”

His lips curved into a faint smirk. “Then take notes.”

The gala was a whirlwind of introductions, polite smiles, and veiled conversations. Alea stayed close to Ethan, her nerves threatening to overwhelm her with each new handshake. Yet, as the evening progressed, she found herself slipping into the role more naturally than she expected.

“You’re doing well,” Ethan murmured during a brief lull. They stood near the edge of the grand ballroom, watching as guests mingled around them.

“That’s because I’ve said exactly three sentences all night,” she replied dryly.

Ethan’s chuckle was soft, almost genuine. “Sometimes less is more.”

Before she could respond, a familiar voice cut through the noise. “Ethan? Is that you?”

Both of them turned to see Diana approaching, her arm looped through Harson’s. The sight of them together was like a punch to the gut, even for Alea, who had no personal stake in their history. She felt Ethan stiffen beside her, his jaw tightening.

“Diana,” he said coolly, his expression unreadable. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Her smile was saccharine, her eyes darting briefly to Alea. “I could say the same. And who is this?”

Ethan’s hand settled on Alea’s lower back, a possessive gesture that sent a clear message. “This is my wife, Alea.”

Diana’s smile faltered, her eyes narrowing slightly. Harson, however, looked mildly amused. “Wife? That’s news,” he said, his tone dripping with mock surprise.

“We prefer to keep our private lives private,” Ethan replied smoothly, his gaze unwavering.

Alea forced a smile, her heart pounding as she extended a hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Diana took her hand briefly, her grip surprisingly firm. “Likewise. Though I must say, this is quite… unexpected.”

“Life is full of surprises,” Alea said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions brewing inside her.

Ethan’s hand remained on her back as they navigated the rest of the evening, his demeanor as composed as ever. But Alea could sense the tension simmering beneath his calm exterior. This was only the beginning, and they both knew it.

As the night drew to a close, Alea couldn’t shake the feeling that Diana’s parting smile had been more of a warning than a farewell. And when Ethan’s grip on her arm tightened slightly as they left the venue, she realized that their arrangement was about to become far more complicated than either of them had anticipated.