"You two are dating now?"
Travis stared at Adam with open disbelief, his eyes brimming with questions. "You and Diana, of all people? I mean... seriously?"
"We are," Adam replied flatly. "Believe it or not. But I need you to take everyone and leave."
"You're kicking us out?"
"I am."
"You're serious?"
"Diana never wanted our relationship public, which is why I kept it quiet. She's probably pissed now that you're all here when she came to visit."
Travis shook his head, still reeling. "But we're talking about Diana Frost. We've known the Untouchable Girl since high school."
Adam rolled his eyes. "Yes."
"How long have you two been...?"
"You ask too many questions."
Travis blinked. "Then what about the girl you met last night? Didn't you—holy shit!"
A voice cut through the room like a blade.
"What girl?"
Diana had just stepped out of the bathroom, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. Her gaze zeroed in on Adam like a heat-seeking missile.
Adam shot Travis a glare so deadly it could've killed the Wi-Fi. Travis gulped audibly.
"N-Nothing," he mumbled.
Diana's tone was ice. "I heard something about Adam banging a girl. Care to clarify, Adam?"
"No, Diana. I didn't." Adam kept his voice calm, firm.
The air turned heavy, like a storm cloud hanging low. Travis suddenly felt like he was standing in the middle of an emotional minefield.
"You're right, Adam. I should go," Travis said quickly, trying to escape the blast radius. He turned to Diana. "See you around. Hopefully we can talk sometime."
He gave Adam an apologetic glance before herding the rest of his half-conscious friends out the door. Ben, who was still coherent, helped him carry the others out like party casualties. Travis knew he owed Adam a massive apology—and just hoped their friendship could survive this.
The door clicked shut. Silence. Then—
Diana burst out laughing.
"How was my act?" she grinned, glancing at Adam.
"Brilliant," he said with a smirk. "I think he bought it."
"I almost lost it when I saw his face. He's funnier than I thought."
"You're not wrong."
Adam's phone buzzed. He checked it and chuckled. "Travis just apologized. Profusely."
Diana laughed again, surprised by how much she enjoyed the sound of Adam's rare laughter.
"Anyway," she said, her tone shifting, "what would your answer have been if I hadn't interrupted you earlier?" She exhaled slowly. "And Adam, if we want people to believe this fake relationship, maybe stop meeting random girls. At least for now."
"It wasn't what Travis implied," Adam said. "It was business. Strictly."
"Sure it was," she said, rolling her eyes. "So what's next?"
"Serina's birthday party. You're going as my date tonight."
Diana stiffened. "You mean Serina, daughter of the Prime Minister? That Serina?"
"The one and only. It'll be packed with press, politicians, celebrities—"
"You could've warned me!" She gestured at her casual clothes. "If I'd known, I would've prepared!"
"Already handled," he said calmly. "Madam Eve is delivering your dress, and Martin's doing your makeup."
Of course he had planned it all. Adam Stone never stepped into battle unarmed.
"Good," she muttered. "I didn't want to bother Marth on his day off."
Marth, her personal stylist, had been relieved of duty when Diana canceled her original party plans due to her father's health. Now, she was going as Adam's date. Once they went public, there would be no turning back.
Her palms felt clammy.
"Are you sure about this, Adam?" she asked, her voice softer now.
Adam studied her silently.
"Are you?"
"I keep telling myself this is for my father. That's the only reason I agreed to this madness. But what about you, Adam? Just because I never returned your feelings—that's your reason?" She stared at him. "You'll lose your freedom. Are you really willing to trade it… for me?"
"It's a gamble," Adam said honestly. "But I need a wife by the end of next month. My situation doesn't allow for hesitation."
"Who could force Adam Stone to give up his freedom?" she said, half to herself. "Who's that powerful?"
"Power always has a price," he replied. "I'll tell you when the time is right. But for now… don't ask."
Her jaw clenched. "That's selfish of you, Adam. It's not just your life that'll be sacrificed here. Mine too. Don't forget that."
"I know."
"I won't back out," she said at last. Her voice was steady. "But if I go to hell for this, I'm dragging you down with me. I'm not burning alone."
He didn't flinch. "I'll make your life better, Diana. Just don't fall in love with me."
She chuckled. "Cocky, aren't you? You were this close to jumping me earlier."
He smirked, shameless. "I'm just a man standing in front of a very attractive woman. You've studied male psychology, haven't you?"
"So you do want me?" she asked carefully.
His eyes darkened, scanning her like she was a masterpiece. Her breath caught.
"No sane man would refuse you," he said. "But lust and love? Two very different things."
She met his gaze, unblinking. The desire in his eyes was unmistakable. It rattled something deep inside her.
She swallowed. He was dangerously attractive. But falling into desire would only make things worse.
"If I become your wife… do you expect me to do my wifely duties?"
"Only if you want to," he said gently.
She exhaled in relief.
She wore a deep violet gown that hugged her figure like a second skin. Her hair was swept into a low chignon. Around her neck glittered a necklace worth more than most people's houses.
"How did you even know my size?" she asked in the limo. Adam, looking like he stepped off a fashion editorial in his tailored black suit, was scrolling through his phone.
"I have informants."
"What, you know my allergies too? My jeans size?" Her tone edged toward anger. "I don't appreciate you invading my privacy, Adam."
He looked up, meeting her gaze. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overstep. But I needed to be prepared for any questions about you."
"You could've just asked me."
"You're right," he said without argument.
After a beat, she said, "Speaking of, I barely know anything about you. You want me to play your fake wife—I need something to work with."
"Do you know my birthday?"
She flushed. "No."
He raised a brow. "You came to my birthday parties, remember?"
"That was a long time ago. My father made me go."
"Maybe you should Google me," he said, clearly sulking. "The internet knows more than you do."
"Don't pout," she teased. "You're right here—just tell me."
Still annoyed, he finally relented and gave her the basics. She listened intently, mentally storing every detail. She was amused, too—maybe for the first time in her life—by Adam Stone, sulking like a boy who got ignored by his crush.
It was a strange beginning.
But maybe... the start of something very real.