Luelle
Luelle adjusted the sleeve of her jacket, her movements slow and deliberate as she stood in front of Ethan's apartment door. The sleek, modern exterior was imposing, just like its owner, and for a brief moment, she hesitated. The faint hum of city life behind her offered a strange contrast to the silence of the hallway, the muted tension pressing against her chest as she prepared herself for what lay ahead.
Her hand hovered over the door, the surface cool and smooth under her touch. She inhaled deeply, steadying her breath as her thoughts churned—reliving the moments that had led her here.
The phone call echoed in her memory, Ethan's voice smooth and unyielding as he spoke with the calculated charm that seemed to cloak everything he did. Dinner, he'd said. Tomorrow night. My place. The words had carried a weight she couldn't ignore, a reminder that their staged engagement was more than a public spectacle. It was a leash—a way for him to keep her close, to keep her under his watchful eye.
He didn't know her, not really. To Ethan, she was Elena King, the CEO of EK Enterprises—a woman of mystery, a curiosity to unravel, an anomaly in the Dominion's glittering sphere. But she knew he suspected more. She had seen it in the way he looked at her, his gaze probing, his questions veiled in charm but edged with intent. He didn't trust her—not completely. And he wanted answers.
For Luelle, the engagement was a disaster. Watching the news coverage earlier that day had only solidified her fears. The media frenzy was inescapable, every headline filled with speculation about the merger between EK Enterprises and Dominion subsidiaries. Analysts praised the financial benefits, lauding the stock surges that had followed the announcement. On paper, the engagement was a triumph. For her carefully constructed life, it was an earthquake.
Elena King had always been a mask, a persona she had created to step into the spotlight only when necessary. The true foundation of her world—the hidden empire she had built over years of anonymity—existed in the shadows, protected by secrecy and the loyalty of her most trusted followers. Charles managed much of it now, a confidant she could rely on to make decisions while she worked in silence. Elena made final calls, smiled at public events, and played her part to perfection, but Luelle ran the real show from behind the curtain.
Now, that curtain was unravelling. The engagement had thrust Elena King into the spotlight, tied her directly to Ethan, and invited scrutiny from every corner of the Dominion. Her father hadn't recognized her yet, thank God, but how long would it take? The moment he connected Elena King to Luelle Stone, her world would collapse. And it wasn't just the Dominion she had to fear. If the truth about her hidden empire came out, if even one thread unravelled too far, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Still, Ethan's words lingered in her mind. They weren't just casual remarks—they were calculated moves. The way he spoke about their engagement, the way he maneuvered conversations, the way he watched her—it was clear he was testing her. He wanted to uncover the mystery he believed Elena King carried, and she couldn't afford to let him get close enough to see the truth.
Her fingers brushed against the surface of the door, and she exhaled, her resolve hardening. She couldn't afford to let her thoughts unravel further. Ethan might have orchestrated this engagement to keep her close, to pick apart the threads of her story, but she wouldn't let him win. Elena King would play her part, just as she always had. She would smile, she would laugh, and she would deflect every question with calculated ease.
But beneath that mask, Luelle Frost would remain hidden, her secrets guarded fiercely, her empire protected at all costs.
She knocked.
The door swung open, and there he was, his smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
"Elena," he said smoothly, stepping aside to let her in. "Right on time."
Ethan
Ethan opened the door, and the sight of Elena standing in the hallway caused his thoughts to momentarily pause. She was stunning, her polished appearance complementing the quiet confidence she carried—even though he knew she was anything but at ease. He saw it in the faint tension at the corners of her lips, in the deliberate stillness of her posture. She was prepared for battle, even if it was one fought with words and charm.
"Elena," he said smoothly, his lips curving into a practiced smile. "Right on time."
She offered him a polite nod and smile in return, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I don't like to keep people waiting," she replied, her voice calm, composed.
Ethan stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. "I wouldn't expect anything less from a CEO," he quipped, watching as she moved past him into the apartment, her steps precise, careful. "Let me take your coat."
"Thank you," she said softly, slipping off her jacket and handing it to him. Her movements were measured, almost rehearsed, and Ethan couldn't help but notice the way her gaze darted briefly around the room before settling on him.
He hung the coat with deliberate ease, then turned back to her. "You look lovely tonight," he said, his tone warm and genuine. "It's a shame the tabloids can't capture you as you are now. You'd have them eating out of your hand."
Elena's lips twitched faintly, a flicker of amusement—or maybe annoyance—passing through her eyes. "I think the tabloids have had more than enough to say already."
"True," Ethan agreed, pouring two glasses of wine. He handed one to her, noting how her fingers brushed the stem lightly, carefully. She was still stiff, still guarded. "But I wouldn't worry about them tonight," he said, his voice softening slightly. "This is just dinner. No reporters, no cameras. Relax. Let's enjoy the evening."
Her gaze flicked to his briefly, and for a moment, he thought he caught the faintest glimpse of doubt beneath her calm exterior. But she nodded, taking a sip of the wine as if testing his suggestion.
"Relaxation doesn't come easily to people like us," she said after a moment, her tone light but pointed. "We're not exactly in the business of letting our guards down."
Ethan chuckled, leaning casually against the kitchen counter. "That's probably true," he admitted. "But it wouldn't hurt, would it? After all, we're supposed to be getting to know each other. Isn't that what engaged couples do?"
She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smile—though he wasn't sure whether it was genuine or calculated. "What exactly do you hope to achieve with this engagement, Ethan?" she asked, her voice even, her tone laced with subtle challenge.
There it was. The question he'd been expecting.
Ethan let out a quiet laugh, swirling the wine in his glass. "Ah, the bold question. You don't waste time, do you?" He set the glass down lightly, meeting her gaze head-on. "I think it's less about achieving something and more about understanding someone, don't you?"
She tilted her head slightly, her dark eyes narrowing just a fraction. "And is that what you're doing? Trying to understand me?"
"Trying?" Ethan echoed, letting his smirk grow. "I think I'm succeeding. Bit by bit."
Elena didn't respond immediately, her expression unreadable as she took another sip of wine. Then, with a light laugh that seemed almost genuine, she said, "Well, I hope you're enjoying the process."
"Oh, I am," Ethan replied, his tone smooth as he poured another glass for her. "I never expected my fiancé to be quite so intriguing."
The tension between them ebbed as the evening progressed, replaced by an air of cautious ease. By the time dinner was served, Elena's shoulders had relaxed, her guarded demeanor shifting into something quieter, less rigid. Ethan, too, found himself lowering his defenses, drawn into the sharpness of her mind and the understated elegance of her humor.
The conversation drifted naturally, starting with business but meandering into personal stories that neither had planned to share. Ethan found himself laughing at her dry observations about corporate life, and she, in turn, seemed genuinely amused by his anecdotes about the Dominion's more absurd social circles.
After dinner, Ethan led her to the sitting area, where the soft glow of a nearby lamp cast a warm light over the room. He poured them both another glass of wine, settling into the armchair across from her as she sank onto the couch, her posture noticeably relaxed.
"This was unexpected," she said finally, her voice quieter now, more thoughtful. "I didn't think dinner with you would be... enjoyable."
"Glad to hear I exceeded expectations," Ethan replied lightly, leaning back in his chair. He watched her closely, noting the way her smile seemed less forced now, her movements less measured.
For the first time, Ethan felt something shift. The suspicion he'd carried all evening hadn't disappeared—it still lingered in the background, a constant hum—but it was tempered now by something more immediate. She was undeniably intriguing, not just because of the mystery surrounding her, but because of the person she revealed in quiet moments like this.
And as the conversation continued, as their laughter filled the space between them, Ethan found himself thinking less about the game they were playing and more about the woman sitting across from him. She was a puzzle he wanted to solve, yes, but she was also someone he couldn't quite look away from.
Her phone buzzed and she smiled at him, "Sorry," she picks up the phone and the smile is replaced with a frown.
"Problem?" Ethan asks watching the smile fade into something he can't quite recognize.
She sighs and put her glass down while she stands up. "Sorry Ethan, I have to go, but thank you, I had a lovely evening."
Ethan rose from his chair, his movements fluid as he stepped closer, his dark eyes studying her. For a moment, she thought he might question her sudden departure, but instead, he simply nodded. "Of course," he said, his voice warm and sincere. "I had a lovely time myself."