The next day, Chloe found herself standing inside one of the city's most well-known photo studios. The bright lighting, racks of high-end fashion, and buzzing production crew created an energy unlike anything she had experienced before. It was Sinclair Group's newest fashion campaign shoot, and today's model was none other than Elina Han,the glamorous actress whose face graced billboards, magazines, and social media feeds across the country.
Chloe was assisting Ms. Yuko and her team with coordination. Despite the busy schedule, she remained calm and focused, determined to prove her capability.
"Chloe, get Elina a cup of coffee," Ms. Yuko called out without looking up from her clipboard.
"Right away," Chloe responded promptly.
A few minutes later, she approached Elina, carefully holding the cup.
"Miss Elina, here's your coffee. Be careful, it's hot," Chloe said politely.
Elina didn't even look at her.
Instead, her eyes lit up as she spotted someone behind Chloe.
"Ryan! You're here!" Elina squealed and leapt up from her seat.
Chloe turned around in surprise.
Ryan had just entered the studio, dressed in a fitted navy suit that made him look every bit the powerful executive he was. Chloe had never seen him at work before, and the sight of him so poised and confident made her heart flutter.
But her smile faltered when she saw Elina walking straight up to Ryan and grabbing his arm, laughing like they were old friends.
Chloe froze.
Ryan didn't pull away.
Her heart sank. She turned quickly, pretending to focus on another task, but her chest tightened. It was irrational, she knew, but seeing them together made her feel invisible. As if she didn't belong in the same room, let alone the same world.
Behind her, Elina giggled and said, "Ryan, want to grab lunch after the shoot?"
Chloe couldn't help but listen.
"Thanks for joining our new campaign, Elina," Ryan said, his tone calm but distant. "I have a meeting after this, so I can't. But lunch is on the company. We hope you enjoy it."
He rejected her gently but firmly.
Still, the damage was done.
Chloe excused herself and slipped away to the restroom, locking the door behind her. She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection.
Her shoulders slumped. Her hands trembled.
What am I doing here? she thought. How could someone like me be engaged to Ryan Sinclair, the second son of the Sinclair family?
He was composed, charming, born into wealth and power. She was just… her. An ordinary woman with an ordinary background and insecurities she couldn't hide.
Her phone buzzed.
It was a message from Ryan.
Ryan: Where are you right now?
Chloe stared at the screen, stunned.
Chloe: In the restroom.
She typed back quickly and hesitated before unlocking the door.
When she stepped out, she was startled to see Ryan standing right there, hands in his pockets.
"You came looking for me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.
"I figured you might not be happy after seeing me with the model," Ryan said quietly.
Chloe looked away. "What woman would be happy seeing someone prettier hugging her fiancé? And you didn't even push her away."
Ryan stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Chloe didn't have time to step back, her back was already against the wall.
Then, gently and without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms.
Chloe stiffened in shock. Her face flushed a deep red.
It was the first time she had been held like this close, steady, and warm. She could hear his heartbeat against her cheek. She could feel his breath.
He looked into her eyes. Their faces were inches apart.
"Just remember this," Ryan said slowly. "I'm your fiancé. I will be loyal to you. I only tolerated her for the sake of our business. Don't misunderstand."
Chloe's heart pounded.
She didn't speak. She simply nodded, overwhelmed by how easily he made her believe him.
It was irrational. It was fast. But something about the sincerity in his eyes made her want to trust him.
Before either could say another word, footsteps echoed from around the corner. Ryan let her go quickly and straightened his jacket.
"I'm heading back now," he said, giving her a small nod.
Chloe remained still, staring at his retreating figure.
During lunch, she couldn't stop thinking about what had happened.
She picked at her food, her face heating every time she remembered the embrace. The way his voice softened just for her. The way he looked at her as if no one else mattered.
"Chloe, what's up?" her coworker Agnes asked, sitting down beside her.
"It's nothing," Chloe said, quickly snapping out of her thoughts.
"You've seen our VP, right? Ryan Sinclair?"
Chloe tensed. "What about him?"
"He's so dreamy," Agnes said with a sigh. "I heard he's been single forever. But don't get your hopes up. Even women from rich families are all over him. Girls like us don't stand a chance."
Chloe blinked. "What else do you know about him?"
"Not much. He's super low-key. Doesn't do interviews, barely attends public events, and almost never brings personal matters to work. Total mystery man," Agnes replied, sipping her juice.
"Anyway, don't waste time dreaming about someone like that. He's out of reach."
Chloe forced a smile, but inside, her emotions were swirling.
Agnes was right.
Ryan was out of reach. Her engagement to him wasn't born of love, or even choice. It was arranged.
And yet, his hug, his words, his message…
None of that felt formal. Chloe bit her lip and looked down at her tray. Her heart was too loud. Too hopeful.