The CEO's Reluctant Bride

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as Ava stirred awake, her mind still clouded with thoughts of the previous day. The board meeting replayed in her head—the tension, the way Adrian had intervened, his voice cutting through the heated room with calm authority. And then... that moment afterward, when his gaze lingered on her just a second too long.

You're overthinking this, she told herself, throwing the covers aside. Yet, no matter how many times she repeated that mantra, the flurry of emotions inside her refused to quiet down.

By the time she arrived at the office, the atmosphere had shifted. Conversations seemed to halt whenever she passed, glances flitting toward her before darting away. She caught snippets—

"Did you see how close they were?"

"Maybe she's not just an assistant after all..."

"I heard they left together last night."

Ava's shoulders stiffened. Great. Office gossip—exactly what she didn't need. Ignoring the whispers, she made her way to her desk, only to find a steaming cup of coffee already waiting for her. She glanced up to see Adrian emerging from his office, adjusting his cufflinks with nonchalance.

"You should try that before glaring at it," he said without looking her way.

Her fingers curled around the cup. He didn't... She took a cautious sip—hazelnut, just how she liked it. Ava's gaze shot back to him. "You didn't have to—"

"I didn't," he cut in, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "I just hate seeing you grumpy in the morning."

A few desks away, someone audibly gasped, and Ava resisted the urge to sink into the floor. He's enjoying this way too much.

By lunchtime, she thought things couldn't get worse—until Adrian leaned against her desk, arms folded. "There's a charity event tomorrow. High-profile. We need to attend."

"We?" Her eyebrows shot up.

"Yes, we," he said, voice steady. "You're my wife, remember? Or have you forgotten the contract already?"

Her cheeks burned. Of course not. "Can't you take someone else?"

He tilted his head. "Would you rather I do that?"

The way he said it—teasing, yet laced with something deeper—made her stomach twist. Why does he make everything so complicated?

With a sigh, she muttered, "Fine. But I'm not wearing anything ridiculous."

---

Later that evening, they found themselves in a boutique that screamed luxury. Ava eyed the glittering gowns with skepticism while Adrian sat on a plush chair, clearly out of place yet somehow owning the room.

"You have expensive taste," she mumbled, flipping through hangers.

"You have an eye for the obvious," he shot back, earning an eye roll.

After trying on several dresses, Ava emerged in a sleek, midnight-blue gown that hugged her curves perfectly. She smoothed the fabric, glancing at her reflection—then caught Adrian's gaze through the mirror. He wasn't teasing now. No smirks. Just... watching.

"It's just a dress," she said, fidgeting.

His voice was quiet. "It's not the dress."

Her breath hitched. What does that even mean?

Moments later, the attendant handed him a delicate silver necklace. Without asking, Adrian stepped closer, brushing her hair aside as he clasped it around her neck. His fingers grazed her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

Too close. Too much.

"There," he murmured near her ear, "now you look the part."

Ava turned, heart pounding. "We're playing a role, remember?"

"Of course," he said, stepping back. But his eyes held that infuriating glint again—the kind that made her question everything.

Lines are blurring, her mind whispered. And you're letting them.