"Pretending... or was it?"
•••••
A whole month had passed since that day.
The day she broke a rule, soaked her shirt, and accidentally stepped into Rayden's forbidden world.
But instead of punishing her or sending her away, he let her stay.
Since then, Aera had found herself falling into a rhythm-one built around Lily.
The child was still a storm of giggles, crayons, and wild footsteps. She had turned the mansion's silent halls into spaces of warmth and chaos. And Aera had unknowingly become the only one who could keep up with her.
It was a slow afternoon, sunlight bleeding lazily through the curtains. Aera sat beside Lily's crib in the nursery, humming softly as the little girl clutched a soft elephant plush.
"Naptime, little hurricane," she whispered, brushing back Lily's tiny fringe. "No water guns today, okay?"
Lily blinked sleepily and giggled, fingers curled around Aera's pinky.
Just then-knock knock.
Aera turned as the door creaked open. One of the older maids stepped inside, holding her apron.
"Mr. Rayden has requested to see you," she said politely. "Now."
Aera's heart skipped a beat. Rayden never "requested" her. He usually gave orders. Cold, blunt, quick. But "requested"? That was... different.
She nodded, kissed Lily's forehead, and tucked her in tight.
She found him in the main study, seated by the window, flipping through documents in that usual, soul-sucking silence.
When she stepped in, he didn't even look up.
"Sit," he said simply.
Aera took the seat across from him, fingers fiddling with her sleeves.
He finally looked up. And said the most absurd, shocking, terrifying words she'd ever heard.
"We have to pretend we're in love."
She blinked.
"...What?"
Rayden's silver eyes locked with hers, like it was just another business deal. "My parents are coming this evening. They believe we're a couple. They think you're not just Lily's caretaker-you're my partner."
Aera's mouth opened and closed, speechless. "But-why would they-?"
"I told them that," he said coldly. "When I took Lily in, I needed to appear... stable. Responsible. A man with a partner is harder to question."
Of course. He never needed her for companionship. Just the illusion of one.
"So what do I... do?" she asked, trying to steady her voice.
"You smile when I touch you. Act like you want to be here. Don't say anything stupid."
She nodded stiffly.
"Oh. And your things are being moved to my room."
Her head snapped up. "What?!"
Rayden stood, buttoning his cuff. "We share a bed now. For appearance."
Her breath caught in her throat. Not because she feared him. But because she feared how much she'd started noticing him.
His scent. His calm fury. His quiet loneliness.
Maids rushed around the house preparing it for guests. Aera's clothes were folded and placed neatly into his wardrobe. Her skincare, her books, her pillow-all moved.
Standing in his bedroom, she glanced at the massive bed. It looked like it could fit three people.
Still, the thought of sleeping even near Rayden made her heart gallop.
Evening arrived faster than she expected.
Aera wore a soft peach dress with a square neckline. Her hair was loosely curled, and her lips were tinted rose. She didn't know why she tried to look... beautiful.
Maybe because she wanted to convince herself just as much as she needed to convince his parents.
The doorbell rang.
Rayden's parents arrived with expensive perfume and judgmental eyes. His mother was elegant, his father stone-faced.
"Aera," Rayden said, voice low. "Come here."
She obeyed instinctively, standing beside him.
Then-his hand slipped around her waist.
Firm. Possessive. Heat bloomed through her skin.
And then-he leaned in.
His lips brushed her forehead. A brief, mechanical kiss.
But to Aera? It felt like a spark exploded across her chest.
Her breath hitched, and her entire body stilled.
"Are you alright, dear?" his mother asked.
Aera blinked rapidly, forcing a polite smile. "Y-Yes. Just a little nervous."
"She's shy," Rayden added smoothly. "But she's strong. And she's good with Lily."
Aera couldn't look at him. That kiss... that simple touch... left her flustered.
Dinner was served in the chandelier-lit dining room. Rayden sat beside Aera at the long table, his hand occasionally brushing hers as they passed plates and wine.
His parents asked formal questions-how they met, what Aera's hobbies were, whether she ever wanted kids of her own.
Rayden answered with calm lies.
"We met through mutual friends," he said.
"She's great with children."
"She keeps me sane."
Aera played along, but every time his hand found her lower back or touched her wrist too long, she forgot how to breathe.
What scared her most? It didn't feel fake anymore.
After dinner, his parents retired early to their guest suite. The house went quiet again.
And that's when it hit her.
She was going to sleep... in his room.
With him.
◦•●◉✿◉●•◦
Aera stood frozen at the doorway of the bedroom, her dress soft against her trembling fingers.
Rayden was already inside, unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt.
He looked up at her, expression unreadable. "Close the door."
She hesitated.
She closed the door behind her slowly.
📝 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞:
UMMM 😶🌫Okay but WHO GAVE HIM THE RIGHT TO KISS HER FOREHEAD LIKE THAT???