(Sweet Lies & Sharper Truths)
"I want to hear it."
Ethan's tone wasn't loud, yet it carried pressure sharp enough to slice through excuses. His gaze locked onto Aria like a hunter who had already spotted prey pretending to be grass.
Aria smiled.
Inside?
Fantastic. He's interrogating me over a book. Next step—trial by fire?
Silence stretched.
Ethan's eyes darkened. "Are you lying to me?"
Ah. Straight to accusation. Subtlety died early in this man's life.
Aria exhaled softly, then spoke.
"It's A Midsummer Night's Dream," she began, voice calm and smooth. "One of Shakespeare's comedies."
She leaned back slightly, as if recalling.
"It looks absurd, but everything is controlled by something… higher. There's a magical flower—drop its juice into someone's eyes, and they fall in love with the first thing they see."
She paused, then added lightly—
"Human. Animal. Questionable choices included."
Ethan didn't interrupt.
Aria continued just enough—concise, accurate, effortless.
Then she reached forward and took the book back from his hand.
"You ruined my page," she said, frowning slightly. "Now I'll have to find it again."
Ethan blinked once.
She… actually read it?
"I didn't notice the bookmark," he replied flatly.
"Clearly," Aria said, waving him off. "Next time, try not to sabotage literature."
She turned a page dramatically.
"Also, don't stand there. You're blocking my light and my peace."
Ethan stared at her for a moment.
Then—
He left.
The door closed.
Aria immediately dropped the act.
"…I survived."
She leaned back, covering her face.
"That was too close."
The system hummed.
"You almost got exposed."
"Excuse me," Aria muttered, "that was a masterclass performance."
Then she narrowed her eyes.
"He checked the garden earlier. He knew I wasn't there."
Her expression sharpened.
"The more I lie, the easier I'll slip."
She tapped her fingers lightly.
"So now… I mix truth with illusion."
Pause.
Then she sighed.
"This man is exhausting."
That evening—
For once, Ethan stayed.
Dinner happened.
Work followed.
And then—
Music.
From downstairs, a soft piano melody drifted upward.
Ethan paused mid-document.
The sound was… clean.
Precise.
Unexpectedly moving.
He stepped toward the window.
Below, Aria sat at the piano.
Back straight.
Head slightly lowered.
Fingers dancing across keys like they belonged there.
The melody flowed gently.
Elegant.
Controlled.
Almost… melancholic.
Ethan frowned.
Since when does she play like this?
Downstairs—
Aria's inner voice was far less poetic.
Left hand steady. Right hand elegant. Don't mess up. Don't flex too hard. Stay "fragile."
She switched pieces smoothly.
Softer now.
More emotional.
Very "white moonlight."
Two staff members whispered nearby.
"Miss Aria is incredible."
"Honestly, if I were Mr. Vale, I'd fall in love again."
Aria almost missed a note.
Control yourself. You are art. You are elegance. You are not eavesdropping.
The song ended.
She lifted her hands gracefully.
Then—
"Improved."
Ethan's voice came from behind.
Aria turned, smiling.
"Really? I thought I got worse."
She lifted her hands toward him.
"Look. Stiff, right?"
Her fingers were pale, slender, almost too perfect.
Ethan stepped closer.
Then—
He took her hand.
"I'll show you," he said quietly.
His grip was firm.
Warm.
Guiding.
Aria's thoughts paused.
Oh? Physical contact unlocked? Progress.
"Thumb here," he murmured.
She tilted her head slightly.
Their distance shrank.
Too close.
Just enough.
Then—
She pulled back suddenly.
"Alright, I get it."
She smiled playfully.
"I may be out of practice, but I don't need a beginner teaching me."
Ethan actually laughed.
"Right. I forgot."
His gaze lingered.
"You were always better."
Aria handed him a teacup.
"I made this."
She blinked innocently.
"Try it."
He accepted.
Suspicion remained.
But he drank anyway.
Warm.
Light.
Unexpectedly good.
"Not bad," he admitted.
Aria smiled sweetly.
"Of course. I don't do anything halfway."
Then she added softly—
"Unlike some people who investigate and still find nothing."
Ethan paused.
Looked at her.
Slowly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Later—
In her room—
Aria sat quietly.
Her expression no longer soft.
The system displayed data.
Trust Value: -2 → 0
She scoffed.
"Zero?"
"I worked all day for zero?"
"Better than negative," the system said.
Aria leaned back.
Eyes sharp.
"Now I understand."
Screens of information flashed.
Company files.
Contracts.
Hidden motives.
Ethan Vale didn't care about her.
Not really.
What he wanted—
Was the Larkspur Group shares.
Her inheritance.
Her value.
Aria laughed softly.
"So I'm not a person."
"Just a walking bank account."
The system hesitated.
"…Yes."
She stood up slowly.
Eyes gleaming.
"Good."
Her smile turned dangerous.
"Because that means…"
She tilted her head.
Voice light.
Deadly.
"He needs me."
And for Aria Larkspur—
That was more than enough to win.