Elena was lying on the couch, lazily scrolling through nothing in particular when her phone lit up.
An unknown number flashed on her screen.
She frowned slightly. For a second, she considered ignoring it.
Then answered anyway.
"Who's this?"
She waited for a response but there was a brief silence.
"I think you skipped a very basic 'hello?'"
She stilled, immediately recognising that voice…
"Mr. Hale?"
"Yes, Elena. It's me," Alaric replied, sounding mildly unimpressed. "How have you still not saved my number?"
She sat up slowly. "I didn't think I would ever get a call from you."
There was yet again a brief silence on the other end.
"…We're getting married in two weeks," he said, a hint of disbelief creeping into his tone. "We're getting engaged by the end of this week, and you didn't think you'd need my number?"
Elena shrugged lightly, even though he couldn't see her. "I didn't think it was necessary."
Alaric exhaled slowly.
Not in irritation but more like… in confusion, he didn't have time to process.
"Where are you?" He asked pinching the bridge of his nose.
"At home."
"Good," he said quickly, shifting back to business. "Listen carefully. We have a party to attend tonight."
Elena frowned. "A party?"
"It's important," he continued. "The final signing will happen there. So I need you to be on your best behavior."
That made her sit up straighter.
"What exactly do you mean by that?" She asked, her tone sharpening slightly. "Have I ever misbehaved with you?"
"I didn't mean it like that," he corrected quickly, a faint sigh slipping through. "What I mean is… people will be watching us. Closely." He added. "This is your chance to show them we're actually… together like a couple."
Elena leaned back again, thinking for a second. "You were starting to sound annoying," she said plainly, "but you do make sense."
Alaric almost scoffed.
"Fine," she added. "I'll behave the way you want me to."
He glanced around instinctively, lowering his voice just a fraction.
"Just stay by my side," he said. "That's enough."
She took a moment to address what he wanted. "Okay… Mr. Hale," she replied softly. "As you wish."
Something about the way she said it… made him ponder on it.
But he moved on.
"Do me a favor," he said. "Go to my room. Pick out a suit for me… something that matches whatever you're wearing tonight." He let out a small sigh. " I think I'll be late."
Elena blinked. "You're okay with me going through your things?"
"I don't keep anything personal there," he replied casually. "Just some few clothes. Leave it on the bed."
"Alright. Anything else?"
He denied.
"Just… remember what I said this morning."
And before she could respond… the call ended.
Elena stared at her phone for a second. Then slowly stood up. She hadn't planned to move. Hadn't even planned to get up yet.
And yet… her feet were already carrying her toward his room. Almost like the decision had been made without her.
The door opened easily. He left it unlocked. Indide… The room was neat.
Too neat.
Everything in its place, everything untouched… like no one really lived there.
His suitcase was already empty, laid aside. So she directly moved to the wardrobe. Checked the rows of suits. Surprised to find it organized. He brought very minimal clothing with him.
Elena ran her fingers lightly over the fabrics before pulling one out… something clean, sharp but not overly formal. It would work. It would match the party vibe.
She placed it carefully on the bed.
And that's when she noticed it. A small photo frame… On the bedside table.
Her steps slowed as she walked closer to it.
In the photo… a younger Alaric stood between his parents, a rare, unguarded smile on his face. Beside him, his mother held a baby in her arms… tiny, wrapped carefully, completely unaware of the world around her. Must be his sister.
Elena's gaze lingered on the phone. They looked… happy.
Not the kind of happiness people showed the world. It was a raw emotion on their face. Something real.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"So you do have a happy family…" she murmured softly. "Despite everything else…"
Her fingers hovered near the frame… but she didn't touch it.
Instead, she stepped back.
Because somehow… This felt like something she wasn't meant to disturb.
____________________________
By the time Alaric got back, the sky outside had already begun to darken.
He checked his watch as he stepped in.
Two hours.
That's all he had before the party starts.
The penthouse was quiet.
Too quiet.
His gaze moved across the living area but Elena was nowhere in sight.
For a second, he wondered if she had gone out… then dismissed it, seeing the faint light coming from her room.
"She's here," he muttered under his breath, already walking toward his room.
The moment he stepped inside, his attention shifted.
On the bed… everything was laid out.
The suit as he asked. Crisp. Perfectly chosen for the party but what surprised him was… Beside it, cufflinks are placed neatly. With a matching watch and a pair of shoes.
Alaric stopped.
"I didn't ask for all this…" he murmured, stepping closer.
But there was no irritation in his voice. Only… surprise. His gaze lingered on the arrangement. The coordination. The precision.
A faint, almost reluctant smile touched his lips. "Not bad," he muttered.
His sister would've approved seeing Elena's choice.
That thought came uninvited… and stayed for a second longer than it should have.
He didn't waste time after that. Took a quick shower. Did a clean shave. The suit slipped on effortlessly, fitting like it was meant to be worn tonight.
As he adjusted his collar and ran a hand through his hair, he heard it… The sound of her heels.
"She's ready," he said under his breath.
Grabbing the cufflinks, he stepped out into the hallway, fixing them as he walked.
"Thank you for picking the suit," he began, his tone casual, distracted. "And also for the other…"
He looked up at her and stopped in the middle of speaking.
Whatever he was about to say… never came out.
Elena stood at the end of the hallway.
For a moment… he didn't move.
She looked… different.
Not just dressed for the evening… but entirely transformed.
The dress fit her like it belonged to her, every detail intentionally hugging her curves, every movement effortless. Her hair, her posture, the quiet confidence in the way she stood…
She wasn't trying.
And that made it worse.
"You look…" he started.
Elena glanced down at herself, misreading the pause. "Bad?" She asked, adjusting the fabric slightly. "Does it not match the vibe?"
Alaric exhaled softly.
"You look exactly like what we need," he said finally, his voice steady again. "A woman who's in love."
It was the safer answer.
Not the honest one.
Because what he almost said… was something else entirely.
He stepped closer. Slowly towards her.
"Just to make sure we act the part too…" he added, his gaze not leaving hers. The distance between them closed. "Elena," he said quietly. Then he leaned down slightly towards her to whisper… "Kiss me."
Her eyes widened instantly. "What… what did you just say?"
"I said," he repeated, his voice lower now, more deliberate, "kiss me..."
The corner of his lips curved.
"...Like you love me."
Another step closer.
"Now."