Ryan couldn't stop sneaking glances at Amber. Sitting side by side in the car, the air between them was charged with unspoken tension.In a low voice, just loud enough for her to hear but quiet enough to keep the driver oblivious, he said, "Oh, right. I forgot to give you this at home."With a subtle movement, he slid a small turquoise box toward her. Tiffany's. Her heart skipped a beat as her fingers, slightly trembling, lifted the lid. Inside was a delicate platinum band adorned with a brilliant, round-cut diamond encircled by smaller sparkling stones, radiating timeless elegance.She took it out and slid it onto her ring finger. Ryan looked at her and said,"Now the charade is complete." He spoke more to himself, as if trying to grasp the reality of it.Amber simply nodded, unable to say a word.Ryan spoke next, his voice steady. "We still haven’t discussed our story. Let’s keep it simple and clean. We met at a hotel some time ago—you worked there. We won’t mention the name to avoi
Amber stood on the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her bare legs. Her oversized T-shirt hung loosely, barely grazing the hem of her shorts. She held the cigarette between her fingers, the ember glowing faintly as she took a slow drag. She hated the habit, hated herself for resorting to it, but tonight her nerves wouldn’t settle.The city lights stretched endlessly before her, a sea of gold against the inky black sky. It should’ve been calming, but her mind was elsewhere—on him.The soft creak of the balcony door broke her thoughts. She stiffened, already knowing who it was.“Couldn’t sleep?” Ryan’s voice was low, still rough from the evening.Amber didn’t turn to face him. She kept her gaze fixed on the skyline. “Could ask you the same.”His footsteps were deliberate, each one sending a ripple of awareness through her. He came to stand beside her, leaning casually on the railing. The faint scent of his cologne mixed with the smoke in the air, making her pulse quicken.“I
Amber sat on the sleek leather sofa in Ryan's penthouse, staring blankly at the towering glass windows that framed the Chicago skyline. It was a beautiful view—one she had never imagined she would have—but it only made her feel more out of place. The penthouse was luxurious, immaculate, but it felt strangely empty.For the first time in what felt like forever, Amber had nothing to do. There were no deadlines to meet, no customers to serve, no bills to pay. She had lived in chaos for so long, in the small trailer park where she had grown up, and even when she worked at the strip club, there was always something. But now, everything was still.She sighed, glancing around. The quiet was deafening.Ms. Gladys, the housekeeper, had greeted her that morning with a warm smile and had quickly become a kind of comfort for Amber. Ms. Gladys wasn’t pushy, but she was always there when Amber needed a chat or a cup of coffee. But today, Amber felt an unfamiliar loneliness creeping in.Her mind wan
Amber’s knuckles were white as she gripped the armrests, her eyes darting nervously to the window of the first-class cabin. She tried to focus on her breathing, but the hum of the engines and the slight turbulence made her stomach churn.Ryan glanced at her, lounging effortlessly in his seat with a bottle of beer in hand. He tilted his head, amused by her discomfort. "You’re not going to claw the armrest off, are you?"Amber shot him a glare, her voice tense. "I’m fine.""Right. You look totally fine," Ryan said with a chuckle. "Alright, let’s make this easier. How about we play a game?"Amber frowned but turned to him, curious despite herself. "A game?""Yeah, to distract you. Something simple. We ask each other questions. You answer honestly, I answer honestly."Amber raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "That’s it?"Ryan smirked. "That’s it. Unless you’re scared of my questions."Amber rolled her eyes. "Fine. Go ahead."Ryan leaned back, clearly pleased. "Alright, what’s your favorite mov
Ryan had barely landed when his phone buzzed with a message from Tom: Good luck with your stripper... try not to have too much fun 🍆😆Ryan rolled his eyes at the message, irritation rising within him. Without a second thought, he typed back: You sound like a kid. I won’t even bother replying. Goodbye, loser.The moment he sent it, the shift in his mood was instant. The easy camaraderie and warmth he had felt with Amber on the plane were gone. Reality hit him hard, and what had felt like a connection now seemed like a distant memory.Ryan glanced over at Amber, his face cold. “Let’s go.”Amber froze, shocked by his abruptness. She thought they had come to some understanding during the flight, that they had reached a certain rapport. But now, his tone, so detached and sharp, felt like a slap in the face.As she picked up her trolley, she couldn’t help herself. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? Two personalities in one?”Ryan looked at her and laughed,
Amber was sprawled on the sofa, wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts, watching Pretty Woman. She had a glass of champagne in one hand and a plate of strawberries beside her, a wedding gift from the hotel. She dipped a strawberry into the champagne and took a bite, her expression unreadable as she focused on the film.Ryan walked into the room, still wearing his tuxedo shirt and pants. He stood by the sofa, watching her for a moment before speaking.“You really think this is your story, don’t you?” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You want to be the hooker who finds the prince, but I’m not the idiot in that movie. I’m not some dumbass like that guy.”Amber slowly turned her head toward him, her gaze still on the screen. She didn’t seem fazed, taking another bite of her strawberry without a word at first.“You’re talking about me now, Ryan?” she said with a hint of amusement. “I’m not some movie project for you. Don’t bring your fairy tale crap into this.”Ryan clenched his jaw
Ryan woke up the next day with a splitting headache. It had been years since he’d had a hangover like this—probably not since his college days. He groaned as memories of the night before came rushing back, particularly how rude he’d been to Amber. After a hot shower and popping an ibuprofen, he made his way to the suite’s living room.Amber was already there, having breakfast and fully dressed. Ryan couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked, even in something as simple as a red shirt, jeans, and bare feet. His gaze lingered a second too long on her feet, of all things, and he felt a wave of arousal. What the hell? Since when do feet turn me on? I really need to get laid, he thought, shaking his head.“Good morning, Amber,” Ryan greeted her as he leaned over the table to grab the coffee thermos.“Good morning, Ryan. How are you feeling?” she replied, her tone teasing, a small smirk playing on her lips.Ryan took a long sip of his coffee, letting the warmth settle him. “Starting
Ryan was sitting at his desk, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his trousers sharp but relaxed without a tie. He was breathing deeply, muttering curses under his breath as he read his grandfather's will for the hundredth time. I couldn’t believe it. After everything he’d done for the old man and the company, this was his payback. A forced marriage? For what? Neither he nor his father had been happy in their marriages. Why was that?He knew that his grandfather had strict beliefs and high expectations, and for the company’s good image, the person responsible had to assume an integral and well-received stance in society. But what the fuck? This isn’t the fifties.The absurdity of the idea alone made him furious, wanting to punch the wall. Ryan tried to calm himself, but all he could think about was how to fix this mess. Sighing, he stood up and walked over to the window, his eyes scanning the traffic on one of the busiest streets in Chicago. His thoughts were interrupted by
Ryan woke up the next day with a splitting headache. It had been years since he’d had a hangover like this—probably not since his college days. He groaned as memories of the night before came rushing back, particularly how rude he’d been to Amber. After a hot shower and popping an ibuprofen, he made his way to the suite’s living room.Amber was already there, having breakfast and fully dressed. Ryan couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked, even in something as simple as a red shirt, jeans, and bare feet. His gaze lingered a second too long on her feet, of all things, and he felt a wave of arousal. What the hell? Since when do feet turn me on? I really need to get laid, he thought, shaking his head.“Good morning, Amber,” Ryan greeted her as he leaned over the table to grab the coffee thermos.“Good morning, Ryan. How are you feeling?” she replied, her tone teasing, a small smirk playing on her lips.Ryan took a long sip of his coffee, letting the warmth settle him. “Starting
Amber was sprawled on the sofa, wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts, watching Pretty Woman. She had a glass of champagne in one hand and a plate of strawberries beside her, a wedding gift from the hotel. She dipped a strawberry into the champagne and took a bite, her expression unreadable as she focused on the film.Ryan walked into the room, still wearing his tuxedo shirt and pants. He stood by the sofa, watching her for a moment before speaking.“You really think this is your story, don’t you?” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You want to be the hooker who finds the prince, but I’m not the idiot in that movie. I’m not some dumbass like that guy.”Amber slowly turned her head toward him, her gaze still on the screen. She didn’t seem fazed, taking another bite of her strawberry without a word at first.“You’re talking about me now, Ryan?” she said with a hint of amusement. “I’m not some movie project for you. Don’t bring your fairy tale crap into this.”Ryan clenched his jaw
Ryan had barely landed when his phone buzzed with a message from Tom: Good luck with your stripper... try not to have too much fun 🍆😆Ryan rolled his eyes at the message, irritation rising within him. Without a second thought, he typed back: You sound like a kid. I won’t even bother replying. Goodbye, loser.The moment he sent it, the shift in his mood was instant. The easy camaraderie and warmth he had felt with Amber on the plane were gone. Reality hit him hard, and what had felt like a connection now seemed like a distant memory.Ryan glanced over at Amber, his face cold. “Let’s go.”Amber froze, shocked by his abruptness. She thought they had come to some understanding during the flight, that they had reached a certain rapport. But now, his tone, so detached and sharp, felt like a slap in the face.As she picked up her trolley, she couldn’t help herself. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? Two personalities in one?”Ryan looked at her and laughed,
Amber’s knuckles were white as she gripped the armrests, her eyes darting nervously to the window of the first-class cabin. She tried to focus on her breathing, but the hum of the engines and the slight turbulence made her stomach churn.Ryan glanced at her, lounging effortlessly in his seat with a bottle of beer in hand. He tilted his head, amused by her discomfort. "You’re not going to claw the armrest off, are you?"Amber shot him a glare, her voice tense. "I’m fine.""Right. You look totally fine," Ryan said with a chuckle. "Alright, let’s make this easier. How about we play a game?"Amber frowned but turned to him, curious despite herself. "A game?""Yeah, to distract you. Something simple. We ask each other questions. You answer honestly, I answer honestly."Amber raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "That’s it?"Ryan smirked. "That’s it. Unless you’re scared of my questions."Amber rolled her eyes. "Fine. Go ahead."Ryan leaned back, clearly pleased. "Alright, what’s your favorite mov
Amber sat on the sleek leather sofa in Ryan's penthouse, staring blankly at the towering glass windows that framed the Chicago skyline. It was a beautiful view—one she had never imagined she would have—but it only made her feel more out of place. The penthouse was luxurious, immaculate, but it felt strangely empty.For the first time in what felt like forever, Amber had nothing to do. There were no deadlines to meet, no customers to serve, no bills to pay. She had lived in chaos for so long, in the small trailer park where she had grown up, and even when she worked at the strip club, there was always something. But now, everything was still.She sighed, glancing around. The quiet was deafening.Ms. Gladys, the housekeeper, had greeted her that morning with a warm smile and had quickly become a kind of comfort for Amber. Ms. Gladys wasn’t pushy, but she was always there when Amber needed a chat or a cup of coffee. But today, Amber felt an unfamiliar loneliness creeping in.Her mind wan
Amber stood on the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her bare legs. Her oversized T-shirt hung loosely, barely grazing the hem of her shorts. She held the cigarette between her fingers, the ember glowing faintly as she took a slow drag. She hated the habit, hated herself for resorting to it, but tonight her nerves wouldn’t settle.The city lights stretched endlessly before her, a sea of gold against the inky black sky. It should’ve been calming, but her mind was elsewhere—on him.The soft creak of the balcony door broke her thoughts. She stiffened, already knowing who it was.“Couldn’t sleep?” Ryan’s voice was low, still rough from the evening.Amber didn’t turn to face him. She kept her gaze fixed on the skyline. “Could ask you the same.”His footsteps were deliberate, each one sending a ripple of awareness through her. He came to stand beside her, leaning casually on the railing. The faint scent of his cologne mixed with the smoke in the air, making her pulse quicken.“I
Ryan couldn't stop sneaking glances at Amber. Sitting side by side in the car, the air between them was charged with unspoken tension.In a low voice, just loud enough for her to hear but quiet enough to keep the driver oblivious, he said, "Oh, right. I forgot to give you this at home."With a subtle movement, he slid a small turquoise box toward her. Tiffany's. Her heart skipped a beat as her fingers, slightly trembling, lifted the lid. Inside was a delicate platinum band adorned with a brilliant, round-cut diamond encircled by smaller sparkling stones, radiating timeless elegance.She took it out and slid it onto her ring finger. Ryan looked at her and said,"Now the charade is complete." He spoke more to himself, as if trying to grasp the reality of it.Amber simply nodded, unable to say a word.Ryan spoke next, his voice steady. "We still haven’t discussed our story. Let’s keep it simple and clean. We met at a hotel some time ago—you worked there. We won’t mention the name to avoi
Amber stepped out of the sleek black car, the cool evening air brushing against her skin. Henry, Mr. Carter’s driver, efficiently retrieved her luggage from the trunk.“I’ll take these up for you,” he said, already stacking the bags onto a trolley.Amber gave him a polite nod. “Thank you.”The elevator ride to the penthouse was smooth and silent, the hum of the machinery the only sound between them. When the doors opened, Ms. Gladys was waiting at the entrance to the hallway, her posture neat and welcoming.“Miss Amber,” she greeted with a small smile. “It’s good to see you again. Mr. Carter let me know you’d be staying. Let me show you to your room.”Amber followed the older woman down the hallway, her heels clicking softly against the polished floors. Henry wheeled the trolley behind them, saying nothing as he kept pace.When they reached the guest room, Ms. Gladys opened the door and gestured for Amber to enter.“You’ll be staying here,” she said, her voice warm. “It’s the same roo
Amber walked into the boutique, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. The air was crisp, and the lighting was soft, casting a glow on the racks of carefully curated clothing. It was the kind of place where women came to buy clothes for events that meant something—gala dinners, charity events, important meetings. Nothing like the stores she was used to."Welcome to The Velvet Thread!" a voice called from the back of the store. Amber turned and saw a woman approaching with an easy smile. Her red hair fell in waves, and she was curvy, confident, wearing a chic black dress that screamed sophistication. "I'm Sophia. How can I help you today?"Amber hesitated for a second. She wasn’t used to these kinds of places, and she could feel her usual confidence slipping. "Uh, yeah... I just got engaged," she said, her voice a little uncertain. "My fiancé is a businessman, and, well... I need some clothes that’ll fit his world. More... refined, I guess."Sophia raised an eyebrow but didn’t s