The invitation came in gold foil, elegant and smug — Reid Corporation Annual Charity Gala.
The kind of event where billionaires smiled for cameras and pretended not to hate each other.
Noah stared at it like it was a death sentence.
> "System, any advice on surviving luxury events?"
Silence.
Right. The system had officially rage-quit reality after Ethan texted, "Thinking about you."
> "Guess I'm on my own," Noah muttered, tugging at his borrowed tuxedo.
He had rented it with his last paycheck and prayed no one noticed it wasn't designer.
The ballroom was a glittering sea of gowns and tuxedos. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead like frozen fireworks.
Noah hovered by the champagne table, trying not to trip over his own nerves.
Then—
> "Wilder."
That voice. Smooth, low, dangerous.
Noah turned.
Ethan Reid stood in a tailored black suit that fit him sinfully well.
His tie was blood-red. His expression? Calm — but his eyes flickered with something warmer.
Noah blinked. "Wow. You clean up terrifyingly nice."
Ethan's mouth twitched.
> "And you clean up… surprisingly well."
"Is that your version of a compliment or a threat?"
> "A compliment," Ethan said softly. "Don't make me regret it."
Noah grinned. "Too late."
Everywhere they went, people stared. Whispered. Snapped photos.
Two men — one CEO, one former rival — walking together like an accidental power couple.
Noah leaned closer and whispered, "People are definitely talking."
> "Let them."
"Really? No denial this time?"
> "I'm tired of pretending," Ethan said quietly.
Noah froze. "Wait, what—"
But before he could ask, the PR manager swooped in.
> "Mr. Reid! The auction's starting! You'll be bidding first!"
Ethan straightened, mask slipping back into place. "Stay close."
The auction started harmlessly — artwork, jewelry, vacations.
Then came the chaos.
> "Next up," the host said cheerfully, "a private dinner with Mr. Ethan Reid!"
The crowd erupted. Half the room started bidding instantly.
Noah nearly choked on his drink. "A dinner with you? Are they auctioning CEOs now?!"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "PR idea. I hate it."
Noah snorted. "If I bid, will it count?"
> "Don't."
Noah grinned. "You look nervous."
> "I'm not—"
> "One hundred thousand!" someone shouted.
Ethan's smile froze. "Maybe I am."
The bidding war went wild until, suddenly—
> "Sold! To the gentleman at the back!"
Everyone turned.
Noah blinked.
He was holding up his numbered paddle.
> "Wait—what?!"
The crowd gasped. The cameras clicked.
Ethan turned to him slowly, expression unreadable.
> "You just bought dinner with me."
Noah gaped. "That's not—! My paddle slipped!"
> "Of course it did," Ethan murmured. "In front of a hundred witnesses."
Noah's soul left his body. "I—I'll pay in installments?"
> "You're unbelievable," Ethan said — and he was smiling. A real smile this time.
Noah escaped the ballroom, gasping for air. "Great. I just spent fake money to win a fake dinner in a fake novel."
He leaned on the balcony rail, overlooking the glowing city.
Then the door opened behind him.
> "Running away again?"
Noah jumped. "I'm not running! Just… hiding attractively."
Ethan stepped closer, the city lights painting gold across his features.
> "You didn't have to save me at the auction," he said quietly.
Noah turned. "You looked uncomfortable. Guess I couldn't help it."
> "That's becoming a pattern with you."
Their eyes met — a strange, soft silence falling between them.
Ethan took a step closer. Then another.
> "You're not like anyone I've met," Ethan murmured. "You drive me insane."
Noah laughed nervously. "That's… romantic?"
> "No. It's dangerous."
Ethan's hand brushed Noah's cheek, fingers warm.
> "And I don't think I care."
Noah's heart tripped. "Ethan…"
The distance closed — inches now.
He could feel the heat of his breath, the world fading to just this moment.
Then—
> SYSTEM (static): "Warning… unauthorized connection detected…"
Noah froze. "Oh no, not now—"
> "What?" Ethan whispered.
Before he could answer, the lights flickered.
The ballroom music distorted, reality glitching again — just like before.
Noah gripped Ethan's jacket. "If reality breaks, just—don't let go, okay?"
Ethan didn't hesitate.
> "I won't."
The world around them shimmered — time itself bending — as if the story was rewriting again.
And in the chaos, their lips almost met—
Then everything went black.