Chapter 3 — Public Eyes
The contract was signed the next morning.
Zara sat across from Lucien in his private office while a lawyer reviewed the documents with the seriousness of a man examining national security files.
The pen in her hand felt heavier than it should have.
She signed.
One smooth stroke.
Her future, for the next twelve months, was officially tied to the man sitting silently opposite her.
Lucien took the document without comment.
Then he said, "Good."
That was it.
No celebration.
No emotional reaction.
Just business.
Zara exhaled slowly.
"So," she said, leaning back slightly in her chair, "when does the acting start?"
"Tonight," Lucien replied.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
"There is no preparation time?"
"You are intelligent enough to adapt."
Zara narrowed her eyes.
"That is not a compliment. That is corporate bullying disguised as confidence."
Lucien did not respond.
Instead, he slid a small black box across the table.
Zara frowned.
"What is this?"
"An engagement ring."
She opened the box slowly.
The ring inside was simple but elegant — a silver band with a small crystal that reflected light like frozen water.
"It is not flashy," Lucien said.
"I noticed," Zara said.
"I do not like excessive jewellery."
"Neither do I," she replied.
Silence settled for a moment.
Then Zara asked, "Do I have to wear this everywhere?"
"Yes."
"Even when sleeping?"
Lucien paused.
The pause was so subtle that most people would not notice it.
"Yes," he said finally.
Zara blinked.
Then muttered, "This is beginning to feel suspiciously controlling."
"It is for public image consistency."
"Of course it is," she said.
He stood up.
"Get ready. The gala starts in two hours."
The charity gala was held in one of the city's most expensive hotels.
Lights glittered like stars.
Music flowed quietly through the air.
High society conversations moved like slow-moving rivers of power.
And Zara felt completely out of place.
Until Lucien stepped beside her.
Without looking at her, he said quietly,
"Smile."
"I am smiling."
"You look like someone who just remembered a funeral."
Zara forced her lips upward.
"Better?" she asked.
"No," Lucien said.
"But acceptable for public viewing."
She elbowed him lightly in the side.
The movement was so quick that no one else noticed.
Lucien's eyes moved slightly toward her.
Dangerously close to amusement.
Then—
A woman approached.
She was tall, elegant, and wore a dress that cost more than Zara's yearly salary.
"Lucien," the woman said softly, "I heard you were engaged."
"Yes," Lucien replied.
The woman's gaze moved slowly to Zara.
Studying her.
Evaluating her like a competitor in a silent war.
"And this is?"
"My fiancée," Lucien said.
Zara extended her hand politely.
"Zara Quinn."
The woman smiled.
But it was not a friendly smile.
"I am Amelia Hart," she said. "Lucien's former partner."
Zara raised one eyebrow.
"Oh," Zara said.
Then added casually,
"Business partner or emotional partner?"
Silence.
Amelia's smile tightened slightly.
Lucien spoke before the woman could respond.
"Both," he said.
Something inside Zara's chest tightened unexpectedly.
Not jealousy.
She told herself it was not jealousy.
It was irritation.
"Interesting," Zara said.
Then she reached quietly for Lucien's arm and linked her fingers through it.
The movement surprised him.
Not visibly.
But Zara felt the smallest stiffness in his posture.
She smiled sweetly at Amelia.
"Well," Zara said, "people change partners sometimes."
The words hung in the air like a polite declaration of territory.
Amelia's eyes flashed briefly.
Then she said,
"I hope you understand Lucien better than the others did."
Zara tilted her head slightly.
"I hope so too."
After Amelia walked away, Zara whispered without looking at him,
"Your ex-partner is scary."
"She is not my ex," Lucien said.
"Then what is she?"
"Someone I worked with in the past."
Zara hummed quietly.
Then added, almost to herself,
"I hate elegant enemies."
Lucien asked, very softly,
"Why?"
"Because they smile while trying to destroy you."
Silence again.
Then Lucien said,
"Do not worry."
"About what?"
"If anyone tries to destroy you here tonight," he said, "they will regret it."
The words were spoken as if discussing business risk management.
But Zara felt something warm and dangerous spread slowly inside her chest.
Because Lucien Vale had just spoken like a man who was already planning violence for her protection.
And that was far more terrifying than open hostility.