At the grand event
Ella adjusted the strap of her satin gown for the hundredth time, feeling like an imposter in a world of polished perfection. The gala was in full swing, the glittering chandeliers casting a golden glow over the room filled with society's elite. She tugged at the neckline of her dress again, muttering under her breath.
"Stop fidgeting," Damien's smooth voice cut through her nerves.
She turned to find him standing beside her, effortlessly handsome in a tailored black tuxedo. His gray eyes swept over her critically before softening just slightly. "You look fine."
"Fine?" Ella shot back. "I feel like a fish out of water. These people can probably smell the fact that I don't belong here."
Damien smirked, offering her his arm. "They'll believe whatever we want them to believe. Just smile, keep your head high, and let me handle the rest."
Ella hesitated before taking his arm. His warmth was unexpected, and for a moment, she almost forgot the rules.
As they stepped into the grand ballroom, all eyes turned to them. The chatter dulled to murmurs, and Ella felt the weight of a hundred stares. Damien, however, seemed unfazed.
"Mr. Calloway," a reporter called, rushing forward with a camera crew in tow. "Care to comment on your surprise engagement? Everyone's dying to know—who is this stunning woman by your side?"
Damien's hand tightened on Ella's, and he gave the reporter a cool smile. "This is Ella Reyes, my fiancée."
Ella forced a smile, though her cheeks burned under the scrutiny. "Nice to meet you," she said, keeping her voice steady.
The reporter's eyes gleamed. "Miss Reyes, how did you two meet? Was it love at first sight?"
Ella hesitated, glancing at Damien for guidance.
"It was unexpected," Damien said smoothly, his tone perfectly measured. "But when you know, you know."
Ella resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He made it sound so effortless, like they weren't walking a tightrope of lies.
The rest of the evening was a whirlwind of introductions, forced smiles, and champagne toasts. Ella clung to Damien's arm like a lifeline, doing her best to follow his lead.
It wasn't until they reached the Calloway family table that her nerves truly spiked.
"Damien," a deep voice drawled. "And this must be the fiancée we've heard so much about."
Ella turned to see a man who could only be Henry Calloway—Damien's father. His sharp features and calculating gaze sent a chill down her spine.
"Ella Reyes," Damien said, his tone clipped. "Ella, this is my father, Henry."
Henry extended a hand, his smile razor-thin. "Charmed, I'm sure. Tell me, Miss Reyes, what is it you do?"
"I'm… a caterer," Ella said, hoping her voice didn't waver.
"A caterer?" Henry's smile didn't falter, but his tone dripped with condescension. "How quaint."
Damien's jaw tightened. "She's also a brilliant entrepreneur," he said, his voice sharp. "She's been helping me with some projects recently."
Ella blinked at him, surprised by his defense.
"Is that so?" Henry's gaze flicked between them, his expression unreadable. "Well, I look forward to seeing what you bring to the family, Miss Reyes."
Hours later, Ella and Damien stood outside, the cool night air a welcome relief from the suffocating atmosphere of the gala.
"You did well," Damien said, breaking the silence.
Ella scoffed. "Your dad hates me."
"He hates everyone," Damien said with a shrug. "Don't take it personally."
She crossed her arms, her heels digging into the gravel. "You didn't have to lie for me back there. About the 'brilliant entrepreneur' thing."
"It wasn't a lie," Damien said, his tone matter-of-fact. "You've built a business from nothing. That takes brilliance."
Ella stared at him, caught off guard. For a moment, he didn't seem like the cold, calculating billionaire she'd agreed to fake a life with.
But then he straightened, his mask slipping back into place. "Get some rest. We have another event tomorrow."
And just like that, the moment was gone.
The day after the gala, Ella was still reeling from the whirlwind of their first public appearance. She had barely had time to recover when Damien summoned her to his office.
"I need you to call your sister," he said, his tone as curt as ever.
Ella blinked, confused. "Why? Did something happen?"
"Just do it," Damien said, already typing away on his laptop.
Ella frowned but pulled out her phone and dialed Lily's number.
"Hey, Lil," she said when her sister picked up. "Damien wants to talk to us. Can you come over to his office?"
"His office?" Lily sounded skeptical. "What's going on?"
"I have no idea," Ella admitted, glancing at Damien, who was now on the phone himself. "Just get here as soon as you can."
An hour later, Ella and Lily stood in front of a sleek black SUV, their curiosity growing as Damien ushered them inside.
"Where are we going?" Ella asked, her nerves prickling.
"You'll see," Damien said, his tone clipped.
The ride was silent, save for Lily's whispered questions and Ella's futile attempts to reassure her. When the car finally stopped, Damien stepped out first, motioning for them to follow.
Ella's breath caught as she stepped out and saw the sprawling, modern house in front of her. The sleek lines, expansive windows, and perfectly manicured lawn screamed luxury.
"What is this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Damien turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "Your new home."
Ella stared at him, stunned. "What?"
"And," he added, gesturing to another house just down the street, "that one is for your sister."
Lily gasped, grabbing Ella's arm. "Are you serious?"
"I don't joke," Damien said, his gaze steady. "Both properties are fully paid for. Yours comes with a housekeeper and security detail. Your sister's is equipped with everything she'll need for her studies."
Ella's heart pounded as she looked between the houses and Damien. "Why would you do this?"
"It's practical," Damien said, his voice cool. "Your current apartment is a liability. This arrangement requires you to project a certain image, and these homes ensure that."
Lily let out a squeal of delight, already tugging Ella toward the front door of her new house. "This is amazing! I can't believe this is real!"
But Ella couldn't move. She turned to Damien, her chest tight with a mix of gratitude and something she couldn't name. "Thank you," she said softly.
Before she could stop herself, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.
Damien stiffened immediately, his body rigid against hers. After a brief, tense moment, he pulled away, his expression cold.
"Don't do that again," he said, brushing at his sleeve as though her touch had dirtied him.
Ella's stomach twisted. "I—what?"
"Hugging me," Damien said, his tone sharp. "It's unprofessional and unnecessary."
The words stung more than she expected. Her gratitude evaporated, replaced by a wave of humiliation.
"Damien, I didn't mean—"
"It doesn't matter what you meant," he said, cutting her off. "Just remember the terms of our agreement."
Without another word, he turned and walked back to the car, leaving Ella standing in the driveway with tears streaming down her face.
Lily came running back, her excitement fading as she saw Ella's expression. "Ella, what happened? Did he say something?"
Ella wiped at her tears, forcing a shaky smile. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"It's not nothing," Lily said, her voice firm. "You're crying. If he's treating you like this, it's not too late to end this contract. We can figure something else out."
"No," Ella said quickly, shaking her head. "I can handle this."
"Ella, come on—"
"I said I can handle it," Ella snapped, her voice trembling. "This isn't about him. It's about us. This house, your education—it's all worth it."
Lily looked at her for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. But you're stronger than I am, because I would've punched him."
Ella let out a weak laugh, though her heart still ached. "Believe me, I thought about it."
That night, as Ella sat alone in her beautiful new house, she reread the contract Damien had given her.
Her fingers hovered over the words, her chest tightening. She'd already broken one rule today, and Damien had made it clear how he felt about that.
This wasn't about feelings. It wasn't about her.
It was a business arrangement. Nothing more.
****
The evening was unusually quiet in Ella's new house. She was curled up on the plush couch, staring blankly at a movie she wasn't watching. The day had been emotionally draining, and all she wanted was peace.
Her phone buzzed, shattering the silence. She picked it up, frowning at the unknown number on the screen.
"Hello?"
A deep, menacing voice greeted her. "Ella Reyes, your father's debts have a way of following you, don't they?"
Ella's grip tightened on the phone, her heart skipping a beat. "Who is this?"