When Emily exited the office, she lingered outside, calming her breath—her mind especially. She can't believe she was hired as the fake fiancée of the most heartless and ruthless human being known to Lunaria.

As she stood outside the office, she didn't notice that her hands were trembling as she held the slim manila folder that held the contract. Emily couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. She had just signed a contract, agreeing to something that felt so wrong, but also so right. Is this really the answer? She thought. A fake engagement to this man... For what? Money? A future? She swallowed hard.

Her mind raced. What kind of person does this make me? She could feel the uncertainty gnawing at her insides, the doubt creeping in.

She looked down at the contract she signed. There was a stipulation that she had to move into the man's condominium, and she could already imagine how that would bode for her. What was there to do in his condominium, anyway?

Then, she heard muffled voices from the office, barely making out the conversation between Timothy and Laurence.

"...think it's going to work?"

"...work. It's a good thing we were able... candidates before letting the vacancy run..."

Emily leaned in, straining to catch more of their conversation, her hand on the door. Her heart was pounding, but she couldn't pull herself away.

"Poor girl, though..."

"...That's all you. You're scary when..."

"...I'm not scary."

"Right...because you..."

"Oh, come on, you know I'm nice!"

Timothy's voice was unmistakable, but then—

A sharp sound, a clatter, followed by a brief silence. Emily jumped back, her pulse quickening. What was that?

Her mind raced as she stared at the door. It sounded like something had fallen, but the moment felt strange. Had she imagined it? Then, everything clicked. They were talking about her.

Before she could sort through her thoughts, the door swung open, and Timothy stepped out. He froze when he saw her standing there, looking just as surprised as she was.

"Oh shit," was all he said, his eyes wide.

"What, did you forget something?" Laurence asked before noticing the seemingly awkward silence between the two. He quickly pieced things together, pinching the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "I knew this would happen eventually."

Emily blinked, words jumbled in her mind. "You... he... what, lie?" she stammered, trying to make sense of the mess of thoughts rushing through her.

"Long story," Laurence muttered, pulling Timothy away. Timothy, for his part, regained his composure almost immediately, his earlier alarm replaced by practiced nonchalance.

"Timothy, here, needs the act to maintain a stability in the company and to quash baseless rumours. Surely you understand."

Yeah, she thought. I get it. But why me?

"I, yes, understood." Emily heard herself say. 'It's all an act. He's not a horrible human. Does that mean he actually is a terrible human for the pretence? Shit.' She tried to process, but her confusion only worsened.

Emily could only nod, her brain a little slow on the uptake of information. Timothy was just cold to her earlier. Why was he acting differently now? Or was that another act?

The three of them were silent as they made their way to a secluded café, just a little off the border of Lunistra and Freycrest. Ironically, it was named The Café, and it had private rooms to ensure utmost secrecy for its patrons.

Emily couldn't help but dread this engagement, no matter how short it would be.