Chapter 2 THE FIRST STEP

Isla barely slept that night.

The contract, the meeting, the sudden turn her life had taken, it all swirled around her mind, robbing her of any chance for rest. Her bed felt too big, the silence too loud. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Lucien Cross's piercing gaze, heard the calculated precision in his voice. Even now, hours after their meeting, she could still feel the weight of his presence hanging over her.

She hadn't expected to feel this way. Detached. Cold. But the whole situation had unsettled her in ways she couldn't explain. It wasn't just the money, it was the idea of pretending to be something she wasn,t.

A woman pretending to be in love with a man she barely knew. A man who made it clear that he didn't believe in love at all.

It was all a lie, she reminded herself. A business arrangement, nothing more. Three months, then she could walk away and never look back.

That's what she kept telling herself, anyway.

The next morning, Isla found herself back at the gleaming office building of Cross Industries. The contract had been signed the night before, the terms agreed upon with an efficiency that left no room for doubt. All that remained now was the execution. The reality of what she had agreed to began to set in as she stood in the lobby, the cold marble floors reflecting her own apprehension.

She took the elevator up again, this time not so much in awe of the sleek architecture as in dread of the task that awaited her. What had she gotten herself into?

The elevator doors opened to the 30th floor, and she stepped out into the same pristine, high-powered world she had walked into the day before. The receptionist greeted her with the same cool professionalism as before, nodding toward the office where Lucien Cross awaited her.

"Mr. Cross is expecting you," she said, without the slightest hint of curiosity in her voice. "Please go right in."

Isla's heart beat a little faster as she made her way toward the door. Her palms were clammy, but she forced herself to appear calm as she knocked softly on the door.

"Come in," Lucien's voice called, as crisp and commanding as always.

She opened the door, stepping inside. Lucien was sitting at his desk, just as he had been the day before, his focus on the papers in front of him. There was no sign of emotion in his face, just the same stoic, controlled expression that she had come to associate with him. His dark eyes flicked up briefly as she entered, then returned to his work.

"You're early," he remarked, his tone neutral, though there was a hint of approval in his voice.

Isla swallowed hard. "I thought it would be best to get started."

Lucien nodded, gesturing toward a chair across from his desk. "Have a seat."

She obeyed, sinking into the chair with a quiet sigh. She had no idea what to expect from this meeting. No idea what would come next.

"Are you ready for the first step?" Lucien asked, his gaze still trained on her, the intensity of it making her feel exposed.

The first step. The first step toward what? The first step toward convincing the world they were in love, to deceive everyone around them, all while she tried to maintain her own sense of self. It felt so... wrong.

But what choice did she have?

"Yes," she said, her voice firmer than she felt. "I'm ready."

Lucien finally pushed the papers aside and leaned back in his chair. His eyes scanned her face, his expression unreadable. "Good," he said, his voice softer now, almost like a command. "We'll be attending a charity gala this evening. It's important that we present ourselves as a couple. A believable one."

Isla nodded, unsure of how she was supposed to make it believable. She wasn't an actress. She was a woman struggling to make ends meet. She had no idea how to play the role of a fiancée. Especially not a fiancée of a man like Lucien Cross.

"I'll have a dress sent to your apartment," Lucien continued, breaking her thoughts. "You'll wear it tonight. I've arranged for us to arrive together, and I expect you to act like a fiancée. No hesitation, no second thoughts. Do you understand?"

The chill in his voice made it clear that there was no room for error.

"Yes," Isla said again, this time with more certainty. "I understand."

He gave her a sharp nod, then went back to his papers. It was as though the meeting had ended, as though she was already dismissed. But before she could move, he looked up at her again.

"You're not just playing a role for the public, Isla," Lucien said, his tone now clipped, direct. "You're playing it for me. I need you to be convincing, because if you aren't, it will be your credibility on the line as well as mine. The board, the media, they're all watching. And I won't tolerate failure."

Isla's heart raced. He made it sound so serious. As though there was more at stake than just a job.

"I'll do my best," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucien nodded once more, a faint glimmer of something, maybe approval, maybe something else, passing through his eyes. "That's all I ask."

Isla didn't wait to be told twice. She stood, her hands shaking as she smoothed down her skirt. She had to focus on the task at hand, to block out the nerves and the growing sense of discomfort that seemed to be wrapping itself around her chest.

Before she left, Lucien spoke again, his voice low, almost thoughtful. "Isla, one more thing."

She turned back to him, expecting some final instruction. But when she met his gaze, she saw something else there, something unexpected. For just a moment, the mask slipped, and she saw a flicker of something real in his eyes. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the same cold precision.

"Remember," he said, his voice steady, but with an edge that made her stomach twist. "I am not looking for a partner. Not emotionally, not otherwise. You are here for a purpose. Don't forget that."

And with that, the door was shut, leaving her alone in the quiet, cold corridor of his world.