Chapter 13: The Rules of Engagement

The restaurant was dimly lit, the scent of aged whiskey and rich leather filling the private lounge. A soft hum of jazz played in the background, but Liyana barely noticed. She sat with her legs crossed, one manicured finger tracing the rim of her wine glass as she waited.

She didn't wait long.

Damien arrived precisely on time, dressed in a sharp black suit that made him look effortlessly authoritative. He spotted her immediately, a slow smirk tugging at his lips as he made his way over.

"Miss Xu," he greeted smoothly, sliding into the seat across from her. "I must say, I'm honored. Two meetings with you in two days? People might really start believing we're engaged."

Liyana arched a brow. "Oh? I thought you'd enjoy the attention."

He chuckled, signaling the waiter with a slight tilt of his fingers. "I do enjoy many things, but media speculation about my love life isn't one of them."

She swirled her wine, watching the deep red liquid catch the light. "That's funny. You didn't seem particularly eager to shut down the rumors earlier."

Damien leaned back, studying her. "And you? You seemed rather… accepting."

Liyana smirked. "I weighed the pros and cons."

"And?"

She leaned forward slightly, her voice smooth. "It's an opportunity, Damien. Westward Plaza's owner is already eager to finalize the deal with me. Investors are suddenly seeing Celeste as more powerful because of this supposed 'alliance' between us. If people want to believe we're engaged, I see no reason to correct them—for now."

Damien's gaze darkened with something unreadable. "So you're playing along."

"For my benefit," she clarified. "But don't get any ideas. This isn't real."

He hummed, resting his chin on his knuckles. "You say that with such conviction, but you do realize—rumors have a way of turning into reality."

Liyana tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Are you hoping I'll fall madly in love with you, Damien?"

A slow, lazy smirk stretched across his lips. "Would it be such a bad thing?"

Liyana scoffed. "Please. If I wanted to date, I wouldn't pick my childhood crush."

Damien stilled. It was subtle—just the smallest pause in his movements. But she caught it.

And she knew she had struck a nerve.

"Childhood crush?" he repeated, his voice deceptively calm.

Liyana leaned back, enjoying the moment. "Oh? You forgot? That's disappointing. I thought you had a better memory."

His eyes glinted, but his smirk remained. "If I had known, I might have treated you differently."

"Exactly why I never said anything."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with something unspoken.

Then Damien exhaled, shaking his head with a quiet chuckle. "You really are dangerous, Liyana."

She lifted her glass in a mock toast. "I try."

The waiter arrived with Damien's drink, breaking the tension. He took a sip, then leaned forward, his voice lower now. "So, what's our next move, fiancée?"

Liyana crossed her legs, her posture exuding effortless confidence as she met Damien's gaze across the table. "We need rules."

Damien smirked. "Rules? Now that doesn't sound very fun."

"This isn't about fun, Damien," she said, ignoring the playful glint in his eyes. "If we're going to let the public believe this rumor, then we need to control the narrative. I don't intend to let this turn into a circus."

Damien leaned back, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Alright, Liyana. Lay down your terms."

"First," she said, lifting a single finger. "We handle this with professionalism. No unnecessary involvement in each other's businesses unless the situation absolutely demands it."

Damien tilted his head. "And what exactly demands it?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Things like media statements or major business decisions that affect both our companies. Otherwise, I don't want you meddling in Celeste, and I won't interfere in Aurora Grand."

Damien hummed. "I'd say that's fair. But you do realize, if we're supposedly engaged, there will be assumptions that our companies are working closer together."

Liyana smirked. "Exactly. And that assumption will benefit us both."

Damien chuckled. "Clever."

She ignored his amused expression and continued, lifting a second finger. "Second, no personal assumptions. This is a strategic move—nothing more. Don't read into anything."

Damien raised a brow. "Anything?"

"Anything."

He leaned forward slightly, his smirk widening. "Not even if you start falling for me?"

Liyana scoffed. "Not even if you start falling for me."

Damien chuckled lowly, but didn't argue.

"Third," she said, her tone turning slightly sharper, "we make sure our families don't get involved in this."

Damien's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "You don't think they'll be pleased with the news?"

"They might," she admitted, crossing her arms. "But this isn't real. And I don't want them using this as an opportunity to push us into something else."

Damien was silent for a moment before nodding. "Agreed."

Liyana relaxed slightly, but before she could move on, he tilted his head at her.

"I have a rule too."

Liyana arched a brow. "Oh? Let's hear it."

"If we're doing this, we do it right," he said smoothly. "Which means, in public, you act like you actually like me."

Liyana laughed. "Oh, please. That's the easiest part."

Damien smirked. "Is it?"

She gave him a saccharine smile. "Of course, Gege."

His smirk faltered for a split second.

Liyana tilted her head innocently. "What? That's what you used to call me, wasn't it? Your little sister?"

Damien's fingers tightened slightly around his glass, the playful glint in his eyes dimming for just a moment.

She had expected him to tease her back, but instead, he simply stared at her, his expression unreadable.

And for some reason, that silence felt more satisfying than any comeback he could have made.

"Alright, Mei-Mei," he finally said, voice smooth but with an edge she couldn't quite place. "Let's play by your rules."