The car door opened before Ammie could fully steady her breath.
"Step out," Adrian said from inside, his voice calm as always.
Ammie glanced at him briefly.
"You could at least say please," she muttered under her breath.
His eyes shifted to her.
One look.
Enough.
She stopped talking.
Then stepped out.
---
The venue was louder than she expected.
Ammie paused at the entrance, staring at the grand building lit with golden lights, luxury cars lined neatly outside, and people dressed like they belonged to a completely different world.
This wasn't just an event.
It was power on display.
Adrian stepped beside her, adjusting his cufflinks slightly.
"Stay close," he said.
"I'm not a child," Ammie replied instantly.
His expression didn't change.
"I didn't say you were."
Then he walked ahead.
As if that settled everything.
Ammie exhaled and followed.
---
Inside, everything felt heavier.
Eyes.
So many eyes.
People turned as Adrian entered—some immediately straightening, others smiling too quickly.
Whispers started almost instantly.
"That's him…"
"He rarely attends events like this…"
"Who is she with him?"
Ammie felt it immediately.
She was the question no one was ready to ask out loud.
Adrian didn't stop walking.
Neither did she.
---
"Adrian."
A sharp voice cut through the crowd.
Ammie looked up.
The same woman from the house.
Perfect posture. Sharp dress. Controlled smile—but eyes that didn't smile at all.
She walked directly toward them.
And stopped in front of Ammie.
Not Adrian.
Ammie.
"I didn't expect you to bring… company," she said lightly.
Ammie stayed calm. "Hello."
The woman ignored her greeting.
"Adrian," she continued, turning slightly to him now. "We need to discuss the merger proposal. Now."
Adrian's gaze flicked to her.
"Later."
One word.
Dismissal.
The woman's smile tightened.
"Of course," she said softly, but her eyes stayed on Ammie. "I see you've changed your preferences."
Ammie frowned slightly. "Excuse me?"
The woman finally looked at her properly.
"You'll understand soon enough," she said, voice sweet but sharp. "People like you don't stay in places like this by accident."
Ammie's chest tightened.
Before she could respond—
Adrian spoke.
"Enough."
The temperature dropped instantly.
Even the woman went silent.
His voice wasn't loud.
But it was final.
"Stop wasting my time," he said calmly. "If you have something to say, say it properly."
The woman's face shifted slightly.
Then she forced a smile.
"Understood, sir."
She turned and walked away.
But not before one last glance at Ammie.
Cold.
Measuring.
---
Ammie turned slightly toward Adrian.
"That's your assistant?" she asked.
"She works under my company," he corrected.
"She hates me."
"She doesn't matter," he replied immediately.
Ammie scoffed softly. "That's convenient."
He looked at her.
"You're not here to be liked."
That silence after his words felt heavier than the crowd.
Ammie looked away first this time.
---
They moved deeper into the event.
Flashes of cameras appeared.
Adrian's arm was lightly offered toward her—not touching, but close enough for appearances.
"Hold my arm," he said.
Ammie blinked. "Why?"
"Because people are watching."
She hesitated.
Then placed her hand on his arm.
Instantly—
Whispers grew louder.
Camera clicks increased.
Ammie felt it.
Eyes everywhere.
Judgment.
Curiosity.
Rumors forming without words.
She leaned slightly closer to him, voice low.
"I feel like I'm being displayed."
"You are," he replied calmly.
Her head snapped slightly toward him.
"That's not funny."
"I'm not joking."
---
They stopped briefly near a group of executives.
One of them smiled warmly at Adrian.
"Didn't expect you to attend with someone tonight," the man said.
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"She's with me."
No explanation.
No detail.
Just ownership.
Ammie's fingers tightened slightly on his arm.
She didn't like how that sounded.
But she didn't correct him.
---
Later, as they stood near the balcony, away from the noise, Ammie finally spoke.
"Why did you really bring me here?"
Adrian looked ahead at the city lights.
"Exposure," he said simply.
"To who?"
"To everyone."
She frowned. "That doesn't answer anything."
He turned slightly toward her.
"It answers everything you need to know."
A pause.
Then he added—
"Get used to it. This is your life now."
Ammie stared at him.
For the first time…
The reality settled deeper.
This wasn't just a contract.
This was a world she had stepped into—
And couldn't easily step out of.
---