4. Cinderella For One Night

Harper's eyes met with his from where she sat. She looked away quickly and got up to attend to other things.

She opened the door of his office, adjusting and clearing her throat as she walked in. She would talk to him normally, go on with her job and everything will be fine, simple! No need to make anything awkward.

Harper nervously shifted her chair, avoiding Eros' penetrating gaze as he leaned back, his icy eyes fixed on her. 

"I trust you've come to a conclusion and reviewed the terms. Time is money, and I don't appreciate wasting either."

"Oh absolutely," Harper replied, feigning ignorance. "The contract was a riveting bedtime story."

He arched a brow, unimpressed. Harper continued to evade eye contact, her fingers tapping nervously on the mahogany table.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"I haven't decided yet."

"This deal could elevate you. Don't let personal feelings cloud your judgment." He crossed his fingers. "Anyone would jump at the opportunity without even reading the terms."

"Oh, personal feelings? Silly me, I almost forgot we were in the heartwarming business of emotionless transactions." She said sarcastically.

Eros's expression remained stoic as Harper struggled with the decision. She finally glanced up, meeting his gaze briefly.

"Success often requires sacrifice, Harper. Decide wisely." He leaned back.

"I can't just agree to be your fiance just like that. I have my own terms too and all of these feels too sudden." She said, avoiding eye contact. 

Harper  sighed, weighing the pros and cons in her head. She got up and left the office, heading straight to the restroom. She had to decide fast yet carefully. 

"You have to decide Harper. Do you really want to do this? Get involved with that selfish, self-absorbed guy you hate the most or just go ahead with Asia's plan– find him a suitable match?" She thought to herself as she looked into the mirror.

Harper felt someone hold her hand as soon as she came out of the restroom. It was Eros. His hands were firmly wrapped around her wrist as he dragged her.

"What's going on?" She asked, trying to match his pace.

"I need your help right now." He said without stopping. He opened the door to his office, quickly dulled the transparent doors and turned to face her.

"There's a dinner party tonight and you need to come with me." He said.

Harper massaged her wrist as she looked at him. "A dinner party? How? It wasn't in your schedule."

"Yes. My father is meeting with some top investors and I have to be there. It's like a business relationship banquet kind of thing and I can't just go alone." 

"But I haven't even signed the contract yet."

"You can when you get home. It's part of your job."

"But shouldn't I be coming with you as your personal assistant." She asked, folding her arms as she watched him.

"You'll be doing both." He replied without looking at her but keeping his eyes glued to the monitor. "Don't worry, I'll pay you for the inconvenience. You have to be ready by five."

"It's three fifteen. Did you just get this invitation?" She asked.

"I've had it for a month now. I didn't take it seriously."

Harper ran her fingers through her hair and let out a deep breath. She had an hour to prepare for a party with top investors and billionaires out of the blue. There would be so many different people there.

Not that she hadn't been to any before, but she had always gone as his personal assistant. Now she's going as his fiancee, pretending to be in love in the presence of those kinds of people.

"You shouldn't be wasting any more time. The driver will pick you up by four thirty." He said.

Four thirty? Out of the blue? Just like that? Harper had so many questions and the top question was what to wear. She barely went out on dates and the gowns she had for business parties weren't even fit enough for the night.

She pressed the button on the elevator as she still tried to process what was going on. She hadn't signed the contract yet but work had begun — he didn't even ask if she was comfortable with going with him. 

Harper rummaged through her wardrobe for the right dress for the occasion. She finally made her choice, a blue sequin long sleeved evening gown. 

The doorbell rang and she grabbed her purse to leave.

"Hello, I'm so sorry for —" she stopped midway as she saw who it was. "Why are you here? I thought you said the driver would come pick me up."

"I changed my mind." Eros replied, standing in front of her with his hands tucked in his pocket. His gray eyes looked around as he bent a little to look inside. His jet black hair glistened under the lights, a few strands falling in as he bent.

"How did you know where I lived?" She asked.

"You're not so hard to find." He replied, still looking around as if standing there was making him feel uncomfortable.

Harper pouted and rolled her eyes. "Shall we? I didn't waste too much time." She said and closed the door.

He walked behind her, his six foot four inches height standing above her small frame like a giant.

Eros started the car and they drove off. Harper tightened her hands to a fist as she swallowed each time. Her heart was beating very fast as her brain played out so many possibilities of her messing up and everyone knowing she was putting up an act with someone she didn't even like at all.

"Where is this?" She asked as he parked.

"You'll know when we get in. You look like clown in a circus gown." He replied and got out of the car.

Harper cussed under her breath as she rolled her eyes. As long as she was going to be paid for all of the stress she was going through at the moment, then she was ready to swallow whatever happens.

Three women bowed immediately as they walked in. He brought her to a salon. Harper watched as he talked to the stylishly dressed woman waving at her.

The salon was luxurious, almost too much for Harper’s liking, with its glimmering chandeliers, marble floors, and gold-framed mirrors that stretched from floor to ceiling. The air smelled of lavender and vanilla, with soft jazz playing in the background. 

"Eros, it's the first time you're bringing someone here." The woman said and walked towards Harper. "Oh my days… you are one delicate touch of beauty and innocence." She said as she shook Harper's hands.

"Oh… thank you." Harper smiled awkwardly.

"Just make her look good. Do your thing Donna, I trust you." He said and went to take a seat.

Eros leaned against the far wall, his arms crossed and gaze indifferent, as Harper was ushered into the inner room by Donna, and two other women.

Harper was nervous. She could feel her heart beat more rapidly as the ladies began beautifying her. It was the first time she ever got this kind of treatment.

It would be best to describe Harper as a serious introvert. Asides burying herself in work, she spent most of her time watching episodes of anime or sitcoms.

She sat stiffly in the plush chair, her fingers nervously clutching the armrests.

"Relax, darling," Donna cooed as she ran her hands through Harper’s hair. "You’re about to be transformed into a goddess.”

Harper forced a smile, unsure how to feel about the whole situation. Her dark brown hair was washed, conditioned, and meticulously blow-dried until it shone like silk. Then, Donna began curling her hair into loose, elegant waves, letting a few strands frame her face to soften her features.

"Your skin is lovely," one of the assistants said, massaging a cool, fragrant lotion into Harper’s face before applying makeup.

Harper nodded awkwardly. She wasn't used to compliments, especially not about her appearance. She watched in the mirror as the team applied a subtle yet glamorous makeup look. Her almond-shaped eyes were accentuated with a soft smokey eye and a touch of gold shimmer, while her lips were painted a deep red, bold but sophisticated.

Donna presented three options for the dress: a sleek black gown, a shimmering silver number, and a blue sequined masterpiece with long sleeves and a thigh-high slit, an advanced version of the gown she was wearing earlier.  

She tried on the first dress and walked out to show him. Her feet staggered as she walked on the six inch heels to him.

"Hmm…" she cleared her throat as she looked away.

Eros looked up and their eyes met and she could see his eyes widen in surprise.

"How's it?" She asked, giving a fake bow.

He didn't reply, rather got up and looked at her. She looked away, smiling dryly as she played with her fingers.

"It's bad, isn't it?" She asked again, tucking loose strands of hair behind her ears.

It was the first time in a long while that she had let anyone see her with her hair down in makeup. It was usually tied up and that way it remained. The first time he saw her with her hair down was at the restaurant and this time, she was wearing proper make-up and a dress that she could only dream of buying in her fairytale dreams.

She still saw him staring at her, loss for words. It felt embarrassing as she cleared her throat many times.

"Can you please say something?" She said, looking at him.

"I… hmm." Eros cleared his throat as he dipped his hands in his pocket and looked to the side. "I'm sorry for staring at you like that."

"You can tell me if it's bad. You've been staring at me too long." She pouted.

His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before his usual cold demeanor returned. "You look… presentable," he said, his voice low and curt.

Harper couldn’t tell if it was a compliment, but she chose to take it as one.

Harper looked at him with shock. This was the first time he was giving honest compliments - at least. It was usually like they never noticed each other — like he never even noticed her at all. She saw his lips part into a smile for the first time.

She looked down, playing with her fingers as she felt her cheeks flush red.

"Yo—" he said, pointing to her face.

"What?" Harper asked in horror. "Is something wrong with my face?"

"No… " he smiled. "Your cheeks were flushed red." He said and she quickly covered her cheeks in embarrassment.

The drive to the party was quiet, neither of them talked about what happened at the salon but she could feel him steal glances at her. Harper played some music and cleared her throat. 

𝄞 Ooh, you're so sweet (so sweet), so tight (so tight)

I won't bite (ah-ah), unless you like (unless you like)

If you smoke (what you smoke?) I got the haze (Purple Haze)

And if you're hungry, girl, I got fillets (woo-woo)

Ooh, baby, don't keep me (waiting)

There's so much love we could be making (shamone) 𝄞

Leave the Door Open by Silk Sonic played from the radio. Harper quickly tuned the radio to change the song.

𝄞 Kiss me hard before you go

Summertime sadness

I just wanted you to know

That baby, you the best

I got my red dress on tonight

Dancin' in the dark, in the pale moonlight

Done my hair up real big, beauty queen style

High heels off, I'm feelin' alive… 𝄞

Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey played again, causing the atmosphere to become more awkward.

"I guess… I'll turn it off." She said finally as she turned off the radio. The silence continued as Eros' tapped his fingers on the steering and she looked out the window.

"We'll be there in an hour." He said, breaking the silence.

"Oh… no problem." She replied, nodding her head.

"Are you hungry?"

"I can't do much in this dress. I'm okay." She smiled awkwardly.

The silence continued for some minutes and Eros broke the silence again.

"This is your first time on a long ride to a party?"

"Not really but it's my first time on a long ride with someone that's not my boyfriend." She said and looked out the window. "Thank you for this though." She smiled at him.

"Hmm."

They arrived at the venue finally and Harper's nervousness began. She felt Eros put his hand on hers and squeeze it gently.

"It's going to be okay. You'll do a good job." He said with a smile.

She smiled back and took a deep breath. She looked out to see the gigantic building and sophisticated men and women walking hand in hand.

Eros got out of the car and turned to the passenger seat to open the door. He stretched out his hand for her and slowly, she held his hands. 

"Shall we?" 

The venue was a modern palace, a towering glass building illuminated by hundreds of golden lights that twinkled like stars against the night sky. The driveway was lined with sleek black cars, and valets in crisp uniforms scurried about. Harper’s nerves skyrocketed as Eros escorted her up the grand marble steps, his hand firmly on her back.

Inside, the ballroom was breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm glow over the crowd of elegantly dressed men and women. Tables were adorned with white roses and flickering candles, while a string quartet played soft classical music in the corner.

Eros led Harper straight to the center of the room, where a group of investors was gathered. Their sharp suits and confident smiles radiated power. Harper felt out of place, but Eros’s presence beside her gave her an odd sense of steadiness.

"Lancaster," one of the men greeted him with a firm handshake. "And who is this?”

"My fiancée," Eros said smoothly, his hand slipping around Harper’s waist.

Harper’s heart skipped a beat. She forced a smile, hoping her unease didn’t show. "It’s lovely to meet you," she said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of nerves inside her.

The evening unfolded like a strategic dance. Eros introduced Harper to more investors, his charm as sharp as a blade. Harper played her role well, nodding and laughing at the right moments, though she couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of her depth.

Dinner was served—an exquisite five-course meal of caviar, lobster bisque, and filet mignon. Harper nibbled at her food, too nervous to eat much. Eros, on the other hand, was perfectly composed, his every move calculated.

Eros excused himself to speak with a key investor, leaving Harper alone. She wandered to the edge of the ballroom, trying to catch her  breath. Her reflection in a nearby mirror startled her—she barely recognized the polished, elegant woman staring back. 

“Eros!” 

Harper turned to look at the breathtakingly gorgeous woman descending the stairs…