Terms And Conditions Of the Heart

Chapter Five: The Rules Are Changing

Eliana Carter had built her reputation on control and would do anything to keep the standards.

In business, she was a force—sharp, ruthless, and always two steps ahead.

In relationships? She avoided them. Emotions were messy, unpredictable, dangerous.

Her heart had been cold due to multiple experiences.

She ruled in her world.

So why did it feel like Adrian Blackwood was slowly unraveling her?

Why did it feel like with every smirk, every challenge, and—God help her—that kiss, he was forcing her to step into unfamiliar territory?

She was burning inside.

By the time they returned to the ballroom, she had forced a neutral expression onto her face, but inside, she was still burning.

She wasn't even sure what she was more upset about—the fact that Adrian had kissed her in front of Nathan, or the fact that she had let him.

And worse? She had wanted to kiss him back.

That's a lot.

Under the Spotlight

As they stepped into the crowd once more, Eliana felt the weight of a dozen eyes watching them.

Wealthy investors, socialites, and business moguls whispered behind their champagne glasses.

Judging. Measuring. Waiting.

How much of their relationship was real?

How long would it last before the cracks began to show?

She could already hear the rumors forming, the speculation growing.

But Adrian? He looked utterly unaffected, as if he hadn't just thrown a grenade into their arrangement.

He enjoyed every moment he had.

He leaned down slightly, voice smooth as silk. "Relax, darling. You're acting like you have something to hide."

She shot him a tight smile. "Oh, you mean like the fact that we're pretending to be engaged?"

"Exactly." He smirked. "And yet, you look like you're about to bolt."

She took a slow sip of champagne, keeping her expression calm. "I don't bolt, Adrian. I strategize."

Mmmm

His smirk deepened. "Of course you do."

Before she could retaliate, a tall, well-dressed woman in a sapphire gown approached them.

"Eliana. Adrian." Her voice was smooth, her gaze sharp with curiosity. "I must say, I was quite surprised to hear about your engagement. You two have always seemed… competitive."

Eliana forced an easy smile. "Competition breeds passion, doesn't it?"

Adrian chuckled, and for a moment, she could feel his genuine amusement. "She keeps me on my toes."

The woman's lips curled slightly, as if filing that information away for later.

"Well," she said, swirling her wine, "I look forward to the wedding. If it lasts that long."

With a pointed smile, she drifted away.

Eliana clenched her jaw.

Adrian laughed under his breath. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she muttered.

"Immensely."

A Silent Ride Home

By the time the gala ended, Eliana was drained.

The entire evening had been a careful performance, an intricate game of deception. And yet, the only part that had felt real was the kiss.

She sat beside Adrian in the sleek black car as they drove through the city, the distant hum of traffic filling the silence.

For once, neither of them spoke.

The tension between them had changed—gone was the playful teasing, the easy back-and-forth.

Now, there was something heavier between them.

Something unspoken.

Eliana stared out the window, her mind racing.

She had been so sure about this arrangement when they started.

So sure she could keep things strictly business.

But now?

Now she wasn't sure of anything.

The Kiss That Won't Fade

When they reached her penthouse, Adrian walked her to the door, just like he always did.

A habit. A routine.

But tonight felt different.

Eliana turned to him, folding her arms. "No more surprises, Adrian."

His lips twitched. "You didn't like it?"

She hesitated.

Because if she said no, she'd be lying.

And if she said yes… she wasn't ready for that truth.

Adrian stepped forward, his presence commanding, inescapable.

"Eliana." His voice was quieter now, lower. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Something in the way he said it made her stomach tighten.

Because she wasn't sure anymore.

Something was changing.

And that terrified her.

Instead of answering, she turned, unlocked the door, and walked inside without looking back.

But even as she closed the door behind her, she could still feel him there.

Still hear his voice in her head.

Still taste the ghost of his kiss.

And for the first time since they started this game—she was afraid she was losing.

A New Fear

She leaned against the door, exhaling a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

She had kissed men before. Many, in fact.

So why was this different?

Why did it feel like Adrian had crossed an invisible line—one they were never meant to cross?

And why did part of her want to do it again?

Her phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her out of her thoughts.

A text from Adrian.

Adrian: Still thinking about it?

Her stomach flipped.

Damn him.

She typed back before she could stop herself.

Eliana: About what?

A pause. Then—

Adrian: The kiss.

Her pulse hammered in her throat.

She should ignore him. She should shut this down before it spiraled into something she couldn't control.

Instead, her fingers moved before she could stop them.

Eliana: It was just part of the act.

Another pause. Then—

Adrian: If you say so.

She stared at the screen, at the two words that felt like a challenge.

Her grip tightened around the phone.

This was a game.

A performance.

And she had no intention of losing.

Even if, deep down, she was starting to suspect… Adrian Blackwood was no longer playing.