Chapter 2
Valentina's POV
Standing before the penthouse door in Manhattan's Upper East Side, my hands trembled as I pressed the doorbell.
Was this REALLY where I'd be living?
The door opened, revealing Sebastian. He'd changed out of his suit into a simple white dress shirt and dark slacks. Gone was the cold business elite demeanor, replaced by the charm of a man at home.
"Punctual. Good." He took my worn suitcase. "Come in."
Following him into the apartment, I was struck speechless.
Oh my GOD.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Central Park, modern minimalist décor everywhere—leather sofas, marble coffee tables, an open kitchen where every appliance gleamed. Any single piece of furniture here cost more than my entire dorm rent.
"All of this is... yours?" I asked in a daze.
"Now it's yours too." Sebastian set down my suitcase. "For a year, at least."
I swallowed hard. This luxurious lifestyle felt as unreal as a fairy tale.
"We need to establish some ground rules." Sebastian's voice brought me back to reality. "First, we maintain separate spaces. The master bedroom is mine, the guest room is yours. Second, when we have visitors, we need to act like a real married couple."
"Act like a married couple... what does that mean?" I asked nervously.
His gaze grew intense. "Intimate when we need to be, affectionate when required. But privately, we keep our distance."
I nodded, trying to ignore the inexplicable disappointment in my chest.
"Remember, this is only temporary." He added, "After one year, you take the money and leave. We never see each other again."
Never see each other again... why did those words sound so harsh?
The next morning, I groggily got up to shower. I'd tossed and turned all night on a bed three times larger than my dorm bed, and now my head was pounding.
The guest room had no ensuite bathroom, so I had to use the shared one down the hall. Though not as private as the master suite, it was still luxuriously unbelievable. After a hot shower, I wrapped myself in a towel to return to my room for clothes. Sebastian should still be sleeping anyway—I'd make it quick.
The moment I pushed open the bathroom door and stepped into the hallway, I froze.
Just ahead, the master bedroom door opened simultaneously. Sebastian emerged fresh from his shower, hair still damp, wearing only dark sleep pants, his muscled chest and abs completely exposed.
The narrow hallway suddenly felt impossibly cramped. We stood less than three steps apart, close enough to feel each other's body heat.
Our eyes met, and the air seemed to crystallize.
I felt my cheeks instantly ignite, clutching my towel desperately, terrified it might slip. Sebastian's gaze traveled from my wet hair to my bare shoulders down to my long legs, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
"Sorry, I thought..." I stammered.
"I should have checked if anyone was using the bathroom." His voice sounded hoarse.
We stood frozen, neither moving. I could hear my heart pounding frantically, could feel his burning gaze moving over me.
Finally, Sebastian forced himself to look away, pressing against the wall to let me pass.
"In the future... we need to be more careful." His voice was deeper than usual.
I fled to my room, shutting the door and leaning against it, gasping for breath. My heart hammered like it might burst from my chest, that moment of electric current leaving my entire body weak.
It was just an accident, Valentina. Don't read into it.
Meanwhile, Sebastian returned to his master bedroom, closing the door and leaning against it, taking a deep breath.
DAMN.
He forced himself not to replay the scene—Valentina's damp hair, bare shoulders, those panicked eyes. The way she clutched that towel made her look so vulnerable, so in need of protection...
"Get it together, Sebastian," he told himself. "That was just a normal male reaction. She's only a contract partner. Don't let her affect you."
But when he closed his eyes, that image remained. Not because of her body, but because of the trust in her eyes. Even in such an awkward situation, her gaze held no fear—only shyness.
This was dangerous. More dangerous than the board's threats.
Because Valentina Delacroze was making him forget this was all just an act.
The third morning, I decided to make breakfast.
I had nothing else to do anyway, and Sebastian looked like the type of workaholic who only drank black coffee for breakfast. Having cared for Sofia since childhood, I was used to taking care of others.
When Sebastian emerged from the master bedroom, the entire open kitchen was filled with the aroma of eggs and bacon.
"You don't need to do this for me." He stood at the kitchen entrance, wearing a perfect navy suit, ready for work.
"I'm used to caring for others." I placed the prepared breakfast on the island. "Besides, I need to eat too—just made an extra portion."
Sebastian sat down and tried the eggs. His expression showed surprise.
"Thank you... this is delicious." His tone was much gentler than usual.
"Really?" I felt pleased. "Sofia always says I make the world's best scrambled eggs. Though she might be lying."
Mentioning Sofia, my smile turned tender. Sebastian noticed this change, complex emotions flashing in his eyes.
"How is she doing?" he asked.
"Surgery is scheduled for next week. With your money..." I paused. "With this money, she'll be fine."
Sebastian watched me quietly without speaking. But I could feel him observing me, trying to understand me.
Just as I was secretly studying him too.
That afternoon, while I was reading in the living room, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Damn." Sebastian emerged from his study, looking serious. "That's Mr. Miller. He wasn't supposed to come now."
"Mr. Miller?"
"My business partner." Sebastian quickly approached me. "Remember, we're a loving married couple."
With that, he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into his embrace.
Instantly, my world spun.
His chest was firm and warm, carrying a faint cologne scent. I could feel his heartbeat and my own burning cheeks.
"Play along, darling." He whispered in my ear, his warm breath making me shiver.
The doorbell rang again. Sebastian released me to answer the door.
"Mr. Miller! What an unexpected pleasure." Sebastian's tone instantly became enthusiastic.
A middle-aged man with graying hair entered, his gaze lingering on me.
"This must be your newlywed wife?" Mr. Miller smiled kindly. "Such a beautiful girl."
"Valentina, my wife." Sebastian wrapped his arm around my waist again, more intimately this time. "Darling, this is Mr. Miller."
I tried to act natural, but Sebastian's hand rested on my waist, his thumb gently stroking my ribs, making it nearly impossible to concentrate.
"You two are truly in love." Mr. Miller remarked admiringly. "Sebastian, marriage seems to have changed you. You're more... gentle."
Sebastian looked down at me, the tenderness in his eyes almost making me believe this was all real.
"She's changed me in many ways." He said softly.
My heart raced uncontrollably. DAMN it, this was just acting!
Thirty minutes later, Mr. Miller finally left. The moment the door closed, Sebastian immediately released me.
The living room fell into awkward silence.
"That was... just acting." He said, though his voice sounded unnatural.
"I know." I tried to make my voice sound calm. "We acted well."
But why was my heart still pounding?
