Power Play

Chapter Five

Early morning light filtered through the wide windows of Chris's penthouse, where I sat waiting for him in the living room, already dressed and ready to go. He was running a little late, which wasn’t common for him. My nerves felt like a ball of electricity in my stomach; today would mark our first public appearance together—a press conference to announce our "relationship."

Chris walked in, looking sharp and intense, his expression cold and focused. He barely spared me a glance as he buttoned his shirt cuffs with precise, almost mechanical movements. His dark eyes flickered over me momentarily.

"Ready?" he asked in a clipped tone, with no warmth, not even a polite smile.

I nodded, swallowing my nerves. "Yes, I’m ready."

He nodded toward the door without saying anything else. I took a deep breath and followed him out of the room. A strange mix of fear and anticipation churned inside me. It’s a job, I reminded myself. My heart didn’t have to be involved.

I*n the Car*

The ride to the conference venue was silent. Chris's eyes stayed glued to his phone, scrolling through emails while I sat next to him, watching the city whiz by in a blur of concrete and glass. The silence between us felt heavy, like a wall.

Then, he set his phone down and looked over at me, his gaze intense, as if he was weighing every word he was about to say.

"When we get there," he began, "you’ll stand beside me, smile when appropriate, and you won’t say a single word unless I signal to you that it’s okay to speak."

I curled my fingers in, keeping my face impassive. "Understood."

"Good." His eyes stayed hard. "This isn’t some game, Rose. You’re here to make an impression. And the impression is that Luke can no longer destroy anyone else's life."

I nodded, a tight feeling forming in my throat. His words were brutal, but maybe that was just his way. Perhaps he saw me as nothing more than a means to an end. That’s okay, I told myself. This isn’t about friendship or warmth. This is business.

****

*Arriving at the Venue*

The car pulled to a stop in front of a towering building, where a swarm of press and a hoard of cameras awaited us. My heart raced as Chris got out first, smoothing his jacket with an expression as steely as his eyes. Then he turned, reaching out and grasping my hand firmly—not gently, not affectionately, but with controlled precision, as if directing me.

He guided me through the crowd, completely ignoring the camera flashes and the murmur of comments. His focus was intense, his gaze fixed ahead. I took my cue from him, holding my head high, ready to play my part.

We entered the conference room, immediately struck by the opulence of it all. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, rows of chairs faced a raised platform, and at its head stood a podium. Journalists sat ready with notebooks, cameras, and recorders, their eyes tracking our every movement.

Chris released my hand, his face unreadable. "Stay by my side," he murmured—a quiet but clear warning.

I nodded, tension spreading down my shoulders. "Understood."

We marched to the head of the room, and he took the microphone. His eyes scanned the room with authority. "Thank you for being here," he began, his voice steady and unwavering. "Today, I have an announcement regarding the future of my personal and professional life."

I stood beside him, smiling softly, trying to project confidence. I reminded myself that this was what we agreed on—no more, no less. Yet, standing here with him, I felt a fragile sensation against the powerful world he walked in.

---

Tense Moment

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted them—Luke and Sophia. They stood at the back of the room, watching us with expressions that sent a shiver down my spine.

Luke looked smug, his gaze bouncing between Chris and me with a barely hidden glint of malice. Beside him, Sophia shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting around the room as if she’d rather be anywhere else.

Chris, too, noticed them, his jaw tightening in annoyance. For a brief second, his mask slipped, a flash of anger breaking through before he regained his composure, pretending they weren’t there.

I could practically feel Luke’s gaze boring into me, and it took every ounce of willpower not to look back. I straightened, praying my face wouldn’t betray me.

***

*After the Speech*

When Chris finally finished his speech, the room erupted into questions. He gestured for me to follow him off the stage, and I did, eager to escape the press—and Luke.

But as we made our way toward the exit, Luke stepped forward, blocking our path. He was smiling, a smile as insincere as ever.

"Chris," he said smoothly, holding out a hand that Chris ignored. "It’s been a while."

Chris said nothing, his face a mask of stone. He placed his hand on my shoulder and pushed me forward, acting as if Luke wasn’t there. But Luke ignored the hint. His gaze flicked to me, his eyes glinting with a taunting amusement.

"Rose," he greeted, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "Looking... different these days."

I forced myself to meet his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. "Luke."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. "Nice to see you too. Though, I’m not surprised you moved on this fast." His gaze shifted to Chris, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "Quite the upgrade, wouldn’t you say?"

Before I could respond, Chris stepped forward, his face inches from Luke’s. "Leave us alone, Luke. You’ve already done enough damage."

Luke chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "Oh, don’t be so tense, Chris. I’m just here to congratulate the happy couple."

Chris’s grip on my shoulder tightened, a silent warning not to engage. But I couldn’t hold back; anger and humiliation bubbled inside me, and I glared at Luke, forcing the words out.

"You don’t get to congratulate us, Luke," I snapped, my voice trembling with barely controlled anger. "You lost that right when you decided to ruin my life."

For a brief moment, Luke’s smile faltered, but he quickly recovered, his expression twisting into something crueler. "Temper, temper, Rose," he sneered. "Wouldn’t want your new… boyfriend here to see the real you."

Chris stepped forward again, his voice cold as ice. "Leave, Luke. You’re not welcome here."

There was an awkward silence. For a moment, it almost seemed like Luke would listen, but instead, he turned to Sophia, who stood wide-eyed beside him, oblivious to the tension. He laughed, taking a step back.

"Don’t worry, I was just leaving," he sneered, taking one last mocking glance at us. "Enjoy your... relationship."

***

*After the Encounter*

Once we finally made it outside, I felt like I could breathe again. Chris’s hand remained on my shoulder, his grip firm but oddly comforting. He let out a low, frustrated sigh, releasing me at last.

"Are you all right?" he asked, his tone calm but devoid of warmth.

I nodded, even though I felt drained, my nerves frayed from the encounter. "Yes, I’m fine. Thank you."

He studied me for a moment longer before nodding, seemingly satisfied. "Good. We’ll need to be prepared for more of this. Luke won’t give up so easily."

His words felt like a punch to the gut, but I forced myself to nod. "I know. I’m ready."

"Good," he replied curtly, his tone all business. "Because next time, I expect you to handle it without an emotional outburst."

His words stung, and I looked away, my face heating with embarrassment. "I’ll be prepared."

"See that you are," he said, unyielding. "This arrangement won’t work if you can’t control your emotions."

I clenched my jaw, swallowing down the frustration that threatened to bubble up. "Understood."

Without another word, he turned and headed for the car, leaving me standing there, a thousand unspoken words caught in my throat.

I followed him, reminding myself that this was just a job; I didn’t need his approval, his kindness, or his understanding. We drove away from the venue, the silence between us heavier than ever.