The water was too hot.
But Alex didn't move.
Steam filled the bathroom.
Blurred everything.
Mirror.
Walls.
Reality.
For a moment—
He could pretend.
That none of this was real.
Then the water stopped.
And everything came back.
The contract.
The penthouse.
The marriage.
Tonight—
He was walking into a room full of billionaires…
As Adrian Laurent's husband.
Alex grabbed a towel.
Ran it through his hair.
"Great," he muttered.
He stepped out.
Everything was already waiting.
His clothes.
Folded.
Perfect.
Placed like he belonged here.
He didn't.
His eyes moved to the closet.
His father's jacket.
Still there.
Alex walked closer.
Touched it.
A pause.
Then he shut the door.
No time for that.
He got dressed.
Black suit.
White shirt.
Perfect fit.
Of course it was.
That bothered him.
More than anything else.
When he stepped into the living room—
Adrian was there.
By the window.
Again.
Like he owned the city.
Alex adjusted his sleeves.
"Well?"
Adrian turned.
Looked at him.
Once.
"Acceptable."
Alex frowned.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"You're terrible at compliments."
No reaction.
"Come here."
Alex walked over.
The tablet lit up.
A document.
Alex sighed.
"Please tell me that's not another contract."
"No."
"What is it?"
Adrian met his eyes.
"The rules."
Alex blinked.
"We already have rules."
"Those were basics."
A pause.
"These are survival."
That word again.
Alex leaned in.
Started reading.
PUBLIC RULES
Appear together.
Stay close.
No contradictions.
No arguments.
Be convincing.
He stopped.
"'Be convincing' again."
"Yes."
Alex exhaled.
"You're obsessed with that."
"It matters."
Alex kept reading.
PRIVATE RULES
No media.
No leaks.
No independent deals.
"Fine."
Then—
PERSONAL RULES
No entering my office.
No interfering.
No emotional dependency.
Alex looked up slowly.
"Emotional dependency?"
Adrian didn't move.
"It complicates control."
Alex let out a short laugh.
"You're unbelievable."
Silence.
Alex leaned against the table.
"So what if we accidentally become… friends?"
A pause.
"That would be a mistake."
…he meant that.
Completely.
The room went quiet.
Alex looked back at the tablet.
"Anything else?"
"Yes."
Of course.
Adrian stepped closer.
"For one year—your safety is mine."
Alex frowned.
"That sounds expensive."
"It is necessary."
"Why?"
Adrian's eyes didn't move.
"Because people will use you."
Alex tilted his head.
"Why would anyone care about me?"
A beat.
"Because now—you belong to me."
Silence.
That felt heavier than it should.
Alex looked away.
Toward the city.
"So I'm a target."
"Yes."
"Great."
"You will have security."
"No."
"Yes."
Alex turned back.
"I don't need bodyguards."
"You already have them."
That shut him up.
A pause.
Alex crossed his arms.
"The men from before…"
"They're gone."
"You're sure?"
"I paid them."
Just like that.
Alex laughed quietly.
"Money fixes everything for you."
Adrian looked at him.
"No."
A beat.
"What doesn't it fix?"
No answer.
That was answer enough.
Adrian picked up his jacket.
"It's time."
Alex checked the clock.
"You're serious about this gala."
"Yes."
Alex groaned.
"I hate rich people."
"You'll adapt."
"I doubt that."
They moved to the elevator.
Doors opened.
Closed.
Silence inside.
Alex leaned back.
"You still didn't answer something."
"What?"
"Why me?"
"Because you're predictable."
Alex frowned.
"That's not a compliment."
"It isn't one."
…great.
The elevator stopped.
Doors opened.
Garage.
Cars.
Drivers.
Control.
Alex followed him.
Slow.
Thinking.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"This still feels like a terrible idea."
Adrian opened the car door.
"Possibly."
Alex sighed.
"You say that too casually."
"You signed."
Fair.
Alex got in.
The city moved outside.
Lights.
Noise.
Life.
Everything faster now.
He leaned back.
"Alright."
Adrian waited.
"If we're pretending to be married—"
"Yes."
"We should at least look like we don't hate each other."
A pause.
"Agreed."
Alex nodded.
"So how?"
Adrian looked at him.
Calm.
"Stay close."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
Alex frowned.
"That sounds easy."
"It isn't."
The car turned.
Lights ahead.
Gold.
Bright.
Cameras.
Crowds.
Power.
Alex leaned forward.
"Please tell me that's not it."
"It is."
…of course.
The car slowed.
Flashes exploded outside.
Reporters.
Voices.
Chaos.
Alex's chest tightened.
Adrian adjusted his cuff.
Perfect.
Untouched.
Then he looked at Alex.
"Ready?"
Alex stared at the madness.
"No."
Adrian opened the door.
"Good."
Alex frowned.
"Why is that good?"
Adrian stepped out.
"Because fear looks real."
Alex followed—
And the cameras exploded.