The Business Party

Aluna stared at the thick folder containing the marriage contract in her hands, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and dangerous curiosity. Rey's cold words still echoed in her ears, "Don't ever try to find out about my past. You won't like what you discover." A burning curiosity now mingled with a gnawing sense of dread clutching her chest. What exactly was hidden behind the icy walls surrounding this man? What dangers lurked within his dark past? And why was she so drawn to uncover those secrets, even knowing the consequences could be horrifying? She could feel Rey's intense gaze on her, as if he could read the turmoil within her.

The following nights in the grand mansion felt like a cold, surreal dream. Aluna was introduced to the staff—efficient and silent, their expressions blank, their greetings polite but devoid of warmth. They treated her with respect but kept their distance, as if she were a valuable artifact not to be touched. The luxurious room that was now hers felt cold and impersonal, despite the expensive furniture and soft silk drapes. Every corner of the room radiated opulence, yet lacked any personal touch that could make her feel welcome or at home. She felt like a prisoner in a gilded cage, surrounded by beauty but isolated in silence. She longed for the warmth of her modest home, despite its imperfections.

Rey kept both physical and emotional distance. Their interactions were limited to short, formal instructions. He gave her several strict rules she had to follow: she was not to enter his always-locked study, not to ask questions about his personal life or mysterious work, and always be prepared to accompany him to public events as his wife. These rules felt like invisible chains binding her freedom, making her feel increasingly trapped in this contract marriage. Yet at times, when their eyes met unintentionally, Aluna caught a strange glint in Rey's eyes—an intensity that burned briefly before being extinguished, leaving behind a teasing trace of mystery.

Aluna spent most of her time alone in her lavish room, feeling like a display item waiting to be presented when needed. She tried exploring the mansion, but the cold, formal air of the staff discouraged her from lingering outside her room. She felt like a ghost in the house—present but unseen, a wife who felt like a stranger. Her curiosity about Rey's past gnawed at her thoughts. What had made him so cold and closed-off? What wounds was he hiding behind his icy exterior? And why was he so adamant that she not dig into his past?

One night, as Aluna was reading a book in her room, Rey suddenly entered without knocking. His sudden presence startled her. He stood at the doorway, his silhouette dark and imposing under the dim hallway light. His gaze was intense and unreadable.

"Get ready," he said curtly, his tone cold and commanding. "We're attending a business party tonight."

Aluna's heart pounded. This would be her first public appearance as Rey Adrasta's wife. She felt nervous and unsure if she truly belonged among the wealthy and powerful.

The gala night felt like a waking nightmare to Aluna. The dark satin gown she'd borrowed felt slick and unfamiliar against her skin, accentuating her figure in a way that made her uncomfortable—yet she couldn't ignore Rey's intense glances, which made her feel like she belonged to him. The glittering chandeliers reflected off every surface, illuminating the confident, powerful faces of businessmen and socialites. Aluna felt small and out of place amidst such blinding extravagance, like a lost child in a rich man's playground. She clung tightly to Rey's arm, feeling the tension in his muscles beneath his expensive suit—her only anchor in the sea of anxiety. The air was thick with expensive perfume and alcohol, creating a heady and intimidating atmosphere.

Rey led her through the crowd with firm steps, his expression cold yet always keeping her close. Several eyes followed them with curiosity and thinly-veiled disdain, soft whispers trailing them like invisible tails. Suddenly, Rey halted as a middle-aged man with a sly face and mocking smile approached.

"Reynald," he greeted with unmistakable sarcasm. "Long time no see. I heard you got married. Your taste is… unique."

His eyes then flicked to Aluna, sizing her up with a degrading gaze that made her swallow hard, feeling like a flawed exhibit.

"Bram," Rey replied with a dangerously cold tone, his expression darkening like storm clouds. "My personal matters aren't public entertainment."

Tension crackled between the two men, a hostile aura so strong Aluna could feel it, freezing the fake smiles of nearby guests. Bram let out a short laugh, but his eyes gleamed with a victorious glint that made Aluna wonder about the dark past he was alluding to—the same past Rey so desperately wanted to keep buried.

"Of course. I just didn't expect Reynald Adrasta to settle down with... a girl like this. Have you already forgotten your past that—"

He intentionally left the sentence hanging, his gaze taunting Rey, and Aluna could feel the fury radiating from the man beside her. His arm tensed under her grip, his jaw clenched tight, and his hand on her arm tightened unconsciously, as if trying to contain his simmering rage.

While Rey engaged in his tense exchange with Bram, Aluna inadvertently overheard a group of socialite women not far from them, their crystal glasses gleaming like unseen weapons.

"Look at Reynald's new wife," one blonde woman sneered, her sparkling dress clinging provocatively to her curves. "Like a lost kitten. There's got to be something fishy going on."

Another woman chuckled, her voice dripping with mockery. "Obviously. There's no way Reynald Adrasta suddenly marries a plain girl without some kind of gain."

They looked at Aluna with contempt and speculation, making her cheeks burn with shame and anger, feeling stripped bare by their judgmental stares. She felt so out of place, like a decoration being displayed and judged by elites who saw her as inferior. Their words were poisonous arrows stabbing at her already fragile sense of worth, making her feel smaller and more helpless.

Suddenly, one of the socialites—a middle-aged woman adorned with excessive jewelry—stepped closer with a sneer painted across her heavily made-up lips.

"So, you're the girl who managed to trap Reynald?" she asked with disdain, loud enough for nearby guests to hear, creating an awkward hush. "Tell me, what cheap trick did you use to get a man like him?"

Aluna froze, feeling all eyes turn to her, judgmental stares piercing her like daggers, leaving her exposed and humiliated. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill and shame her further.

But before the tears could fall, Rey moved.

With a possessive motion that shocked her, he pulled Aluna close by the waist until their bodies nearly touched, the sudden warmth of his body breaking through the chill of the night and her embarrassment. His masculine scent enveloped her senses, offering a strange, intoxicating comfort. His cold gaze shifted to the woman who had insulted Aluna, fury sparking in his eyes—dangerous, but also… protective.

"She is my wife," Rey said in a low, firm voice that carried both threat and undeniable claim. "Watch your mouth."

His grip on Aluna's waist was strong and unyielding, as if marking what was his for all to see—a bold declaration that stunned Aluna and made her heart race. She was stunned, caught in the heat of Rey's protective presence and sudden display of dominance, a confusing mix of shame, unexpected warmth, and dangerous curiosity about the cold man beside her.