Terms And Conditions Of the Heart

Chapter Two: The Terms of Our Engagement

If there was one thing Eliana Carter had learned in business, it was that every deal came with fine print.

And standing across from Adrian Blackwood in the dim glow of the Black Diamond Lounge, she had no doubt that whatever he was about to say next would come with terms she hadn't considered.

She folded her arms, keeping her expression neutral. "So, let's hear it. What exactly are the conditions of this… arrangement?"

Adrian took a slow sip of his whiskey before setting the glass down. "Simple. We make this look real—for both of us."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning," he drawled, "we go public. Public outings, occasional displays of affection, and, most importantly, we convince everyone that we are hopelessly in love."

A lump formed in Eliana's throat. "Hopelessly in love?"

Adrian smirked. "Any Problem?"

She clenched her jaw. "I don't do love, Blackwood."

"Neither do I," he said smoothly, "which makes us perfect for each other."

Eliana inhaled sharply, studying him. His gray eyes were steady, calculating, as if he had already thought three steps ahead. She had done business with ruthless investors before, but Adrian Blackwood played an entirely different game.

"You want me to act like I'm madly in love with you," she clarified.

"In public, yes."

She exhaled slowly. "And for how long?"

Adrian leaned back slightly, his lips twitching with amusement. "Six months should do."

Her stomach twisted. Six months? She had barely wrapped her head around the fact that she had just roped herself into a fake engagement. Now, he expected her to maintain it for half a year?

Eliana knew she should walk away. Cut her losses, make up a different lie to salvage her business deal, or simply deal with the consequences of her mistake.

But walking away meant failure.

And Eliana Carter did not fail.

She crossed her arms. "Fine. Six months."

"Good." Adrian straightened. "Now, let's get to the details."

The Contract of Deception

By the time Adrian finished laying out the terms, Eliana had the distinct feeling that she had just signed away her sanity.

• They would attend social events together—dinners, charity galas, business functions—anywhere they were expected as a power couple.

• They would maintain the illusion online—Adrian's PR team would subtly leak news about their "engagement" to the press.

• And the worst part? They had to act like a real couple in public, which meant holding hands, looking at each other like they actually liked each other, and possibly even kissing if the situation called for it.

"You're asking for a full performance," she muttered, rubbing her temples.

Adrian raised a brow. "Would you rather it look half-baked?"

She scowled. "No, but—"

"Then do it right." His tone was even, but there was something in his gaze—a quiet challenge. "If this works, you get your investors, and I keep my grandfather off my back. A win for both of us."

She knew he was right. If they could pull this off, she'd get the contract that could change her career, and he'd get whatever twisted inheritance game he was playing with his grandfather.

Still, something about this made her skin itch.

"What happens if we get caught?" she asked.

Adrian smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Then we both go down. And trust me, Carter, I don't like losing."

Neither did she.

With a deep breath, she extended her hand. "Fine. You have yourself a fiancée."

Adrian took her hand in his, his grip firm, warm. "Try not to fall in love with me," he murmured, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Eliana rolled her eyes. "Try not to fall in love with me first."

*The First Public Test*

Two days later, Eliana regretted everything.

Because she was currently walking into the Blackwood Charity Gala—an event crawling with media, New York's elite, and Adrian's family—with Adrian's hand resting possessively on her waist.

She had survived boardrooms filled with cold-blooded businessmen, but somehow, pretending to be in love with Adrian Blackwood in front of an audience was far more terrifying.

"You're tensing," Adrian murmured near her ear. "Relax, fiancée."

She barely resisted the urge to elbow him. "If you keep talking, I might start acting like a real fiancée and slap you."

Adrian chuckled, his fingers flexing lightly on her waist. "That's the spirit. Keep it up, and they might actually believe we're in love."

She huffed, forcing a smile as the first wave of people approached them.

"Adrian! You made it," a deep voice boomed.

Eliana turned to find an older man with piercing eyes studying her like she was a new stock option he wasn't sure about investing in.

"Grandfather," Adrian greeted smoothly, his voice unreadable.

Ah. The infamous Blackwood patriarch.

The man's sharp gaze flicked to Eliana. "And you must be the woman my grandson is so enamored with."

Enamored? Adrian really sold this lie well.

Eliana forced her best polite smile and extended a hand. "Eliana Carter. It's an honor to meet you, sir."

The old man's grip was firm as he shook her hand, his eyes scanning her like a human lie detector.

"Eliana," he repeated, then looked at Adrian. "I must say, I didn't expect you to settle down. You're not exactly the… commitment type."

Eliana's heart pounded, but Adrian didn't miss a beat.

"Some things are worth committing to," Adrian said smoothly, and then—without warning—he turned to Eliana and pressed a soft kiss to her temple.

The shock of it froze her.

It wasn't a deep, passionate kiss. It was simple, brief. But it was enough.

Enough to send warmth rushing through her skin. Enough to leave her momentarily breathless.

And enough to make Blackwood Senior nod approvingly.

"I see," he murmured.

Adrian's arm around her waist tightened slightly, his thumb brushing over the small of her back in a way that felt almost… natural.

Eliana swallowed hard.

Six months, she reminded herself. Just six months.

Then she could walk away.

Then she could forget all about Adrian Blackwood.

And then…

Then why did it already feel like she was in over her head?