Chapter 2: The Beginning of Trouble
The moment they got into the limousine, Sophie yanked herself away from Adrian, her heart still pounding from the unexpected kiss.
"You didn't have to do that," she muttered, crossing her arms.
Adrian leaned back in his seat, completely unbothered. "Vanessa was testing you. I made sure you passed."
Sophie shot him a glare. "Oh, how kind of you. Next time, warn me before you stick your tongue down my throat."
Adrian smirked. "Noted."
She hated that his voice made her stomach do a stupid little flip.
Before she could retort, his phone buzzed. Adrian glanced at the screen, and his expression darkened.
Sophie frowned. "What is it?"
Adrian clenched his jaw. "A problem."
He handed her the phone, and her breath hitched at the headline.
> "Sophie Blackwood: Gold Digger or Loving Wife?
Inside the Shocking Marriage of Billionaire Adrian Blackwood!"
Attached was a photo—a picture of her from last year, working as a waitress in a restaurant. The article accused her of trapping Adrian for money, claiming she wasn't who she said she was.
Sophie's stomach sank.
"This… this is Vanessa's doing, isn't it?" she whispered.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Most likely."
Sophie clenched her fists. "I don't care what people think about me. But I do care about my business. If my clients start thinking I'm some—some gold-digging scammer, my reputation is ruined!"
Adrian's gaze softened, just slightly. "I'll handle it."
Sophie looked at him. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Adrian reached out and gently took her hand. His thumb brushed against her skin, sending a shiver up her spine.
"By making sure the world believes we're real."
Sophie's breath caught. "What are you saying?"
His lips curved slightly. "You and I are going on a honeymoon."
---
The private jet was pure luxury—all leather seats, golden lighting, and a private bar. But Sophie was too distracted by the man sitting beside her.
She turned to Adrian. "A honeymoon? Seriously?"
Adrian sipped his whiskey. "The press will expect us to be seen together. A romantic trip is the best way to silence the rumors."
Sophie exhaled, slumping back. "And where exactly are we going?"
Adrian's smirk was infuriating. "Santorini."
Her jaw dropped.
"Santorini? As in Greece? As in white beaches, blue rooftops, and expensive resorts?"
He nodded.
Sophie blinked at him. "You do realize I've never even been outside the country before, right?"
Adrian arched a brow. "Then it's time you experienced the finer things in life, Mrs. Blackwood."
Sophie scowled. "You're enjoying this way too much."
Adrian simply clinked his glass against hers. "To a successful honeymoon."
Sophie had no idea what she had just signed up for.
---
The Santorini resort was a dream—pristine waters, soft sand, and a villa so beautiful it looked like something out of a romance movie.
But Sophie's excitement vanished the moment she stepped into the bedroom.
"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered.
One bed. Again.
Adrian walked in behind her, looking completely relaxed. "Problem?"
Sophie turned, hands on her hips. "I think you enjoy torturing me."
Adrian smirked. "Not at all. But if you'd rather sleep outside, I can arrange that."
Sophie huffed and threw a pillow at him. "Fine. But you stay on your side!"
He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Of course, dear wife."
Sophie grumbled and flopped onto the bed.
This was going to be a very long honeymoon.
---
The Santorini sun was warm against Sophie's skin as she and Adrian strolled through the bustling markets. The streets were lined with colorful flowers, and the scent of fresh seafood and spices filled the air.
For a moment, she almost forgot this was fake.
"Try this," Adrian said, handing her a piece of baklava.
Sophie hesitated before taking a bite. The sweet honey and crunchy nuts melted in her mouth.
"Oh my god," she groaned. "This is amazing."
Adrian chuckled, his gaze softening as he watched her. "You act like you've never had good food before."
Sophie licked the honey off her lips. "Not the billionaire kind, no."
Adrian suddenly reached out, his thumb brushing gently against the corner of her mouth.
Her breath caught.
"You had something there," he murmured.
Sophie felt her heartbeat slam against her ribs.
His fingers lingered on her chin for a second too long, his gaze darker, more intense.
For the first time since this whole marriage began, Sophie saw something in his eyes that wasn't businesslike control.
It was something else.
Something dangerous.
Sophie stepped back, breaking the moment. "We should go."
Adrian studied her for a second, then smirked.
"As you wish, Mrs. Blackwood."
Sophie turned away, trying to ignore the fact that her entire body was still tingling.
This was bad.
She was starting to feel something real.
—
Sophie adjusted her dress as she and Adrian entered the sunlit terrace of a luxury Santorini restaurant. The air was warm, the view of the Aegean Sea breathtaking, and for a moment, she allowed herself to pretend.
Pretend that this was a real honeymoon. Pretend that Adrian wasn't just her fake husband.
But reality crashed down when their waiter arrived.
He was tall, tan, and ridiculously handsome—with dark curls and an easy smile.
"Welcome to La Mer," he said, his Greek accent smooth. His gaze lingered on Sophie. "A beautiful place for a beautiful woman."
Sophie blinked. "Oh! Uh… thank you?"
Adrian's fork clinked against his plate.
The waiter turned to him, still smiling. "And you must be her…?"
Adrian's expression darkened.
"Husband," he said flatly, his voice low and dangerously cold.
Sophie almost choked on her drink.
The waiter raised his hands in mock surrender. "Ah, my apologies. A lucky man, indeed."
Adrian didn't respond. He simply reached over and grabbed Sophie's hand, interlacing their fingers.
She stiffened at the possessive gesture, her heart hammering in her chest.
The waiter took the hint and walked away.
Sophie turned to Adrian, raising an eyebrow. "Was that really necessary?"
Adrian didn't let go of her hand. "He was flirting with my wife."
Sophie's lips parted. "You mean your fake wife."
Adrian met her gaze, his golden eyes unreadable. "Does it matter?"
Sophie swallowed hard.
Oh, this was dangerous.
---
Later that evening, Sophie lounged by the resort's infinity pool, her legs dipped in the cool water. The moon reflected off the surface, casting everything in a soft glow.
Adrian sat beside her, his usual crisp suit replaced with a half-unbuttoned shirt and dress pants rolled up at the ankles.
She took a sip of wine. "So, what's your deal with Vanessa?"
Adrian exhaled, staring at the water. "She was… expected."
Sophie frowned. "Expected?"
"My family wanted me to marry her. It would have been a smart business move. A merger between two powerful families."
Sophie tilted her head. "But you didn't."
Adrian's lips curved slightly. "No. I don't like being told what to do."
Sophie smirked. "That doesn't surprise me."
A moment of silence settled between them, heavy with something unspoken.
Then, Adrian turned to her. "And you? Have you ever been in love?"
Sophie hesitated, fingers swirling in the water. "Not really. I've dated, but love? That's… different."
Adrian studied her. "You don't believe in it?"
Sophie let out a soft laugh. "I don't believe in the fairytale version. Love isn't magic, Adrian. It's just… circumstance and timing."
He was quiet for a long time.
Then, before she could react, he reached out—his fingers gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Sophie's breath hitched.
Adrian's touch was warm, lingering. His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a split second, she thought—
But then, he pulled away, his expression unreadable.
"You might be right," he murmured.
Sophie's heart pounded as she stared at him.
What was happening between them?
---
>>>>>>>>>[VANESSA STRIKES ]<<<<<<<<<<
The next morning, Sophie woke up to her phone buzzing relentlessly.
She groggily reached for it—only to see dozens of missed calls and notifications.
Her stomach dropped.
She opened a news article.
> "EXPOSED: Sophie Blackwood's Hidden Past!
Shocking reports reveal that billionaire Adrian Blackwood's wife is nothing more than a struggling designer with a history of financial trouble. Sources claim she married for money. Is Adrian Blackwood being deceived?"
Sophie froze, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts.
This was bad.
Very bad.
Her past—her debts, her failed business ventures—it was all out there, twisted into a disgusting narrative that made her look like an opportunist.
And she knew exactly who was behind it.
Vanessa.
Sophie clenched her fists. That snake.
Just then, Adrian walked into the room, his own phone in hand, his expression stormy.
"She just declared war," he muttered.
Sophie swallowed hard. "What do we do?"
Adrian met her gaze, his golden eyes flashing with something dark, dangerous.
"We fight back."
---
An hour later, Sophie sat across from Adrian in his private study.
He tossed a file onto the table. "We're going to prove them wrong."
Sophie hesitated before opening it. Her eyes widened at the contents.
Photos of them together—holding hands, sharing private moments, looking… in love.
Sophie's mouth went dry. "Where did you get these?"
Adrian smirked. "I have my ways."
Sophie exhaled. "So, what? We just stage some 'romantic' moments for the press?"
Adrian leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers.
"No," he said, his voice low.
"We make them believe we're madly in love."
Sophie's pulse skipped.
"How?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian's gaze darkened.
"We go on national television. And we give them the performance of a lifetime."
---
What's Next?
A live interview where Sophie and Adrian must convince the world their love is real.
Vanessa plans an even bigger scandal to tear them apart.
The lines between real and fake feelings blur dangerously.