Chapter 4 The Only Way.
Zephyra Lione had just stepped out of her bedroom, still wrapped in her bathrobe with her hair bundled in a towel, fresh from the long, calming shower she took. She was about to get cereals to eat when she spotted someone in the living room.
Someone was lounging on her couch like they owned the place.
“Elara?” Zephyra blinked in disbelief. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Her manager didn’t even flinch. Elara sipped her coffee like it was the most natural thing in the world. Elara sat on the couch, her legs crossed like she was the owner of the house. She’d probably memorized Zephyra’s passcode long ago, letting herself in whenever she pleased.
“Morning to you too,” Elara said, plastering on a fake, too-sweet smile.
“Don’t try to be cute. Did you come here to nag me about Dravencorp issue again? Because I don’t regret a single second of it.” Zephyra crossed her arms, defensive already. “It was worth it. Now everyone knows what kind of person that jerk is.”
“I’m not here to nag,” Elara replied evenly, though her gaze was sharp. “Even though you went against your promise to not cause trouble anymore. I’m here to fix the disaster you started with Kairo Draven.”
Zephyra rolled her eyes and moved toward the kitchen, yanking open the fridge for milk. “Please. Don’t make it sound like I went out and burned his company to the ground. I just let everyone see the kind of cold and pretentious jerk he is.”
“Fine” Elara said pointedly, setting her mug down with a click, “I’m done nagging. I just want to settle it. I can't watch years of our work for the spring launch go down the drain. I hate to admit but we need Dravencorp for our launch.”
Zephyra shut the fridge and turned back. She knew it deep down too that she couldn't do without Dravencorp's partnership. “So? What’s your plan, Miss Elara?”
“Get dressed.” Elara ordered. “
“Where to?”
Elara smirked. “Just follow me.
Unless you want your designs to go out this season. Or the Designer of the Year award…”
That made Zephyra still. Her heartbeat slowed a fraction. “You really didn’t have to bring the award into this. You’re blackmailing me.”
“I’d do what I have to do,” Elara said simply. “Because that award is yours. If you want it, follow me. Do what I say.”
Zephyra stared for a long moment before sighing. “Fine. But if this is another boring lecture about my life and how I should act ‘professionally,’ I’m walking out.”
“Trust me,” Elara said. “I wouldn’t put you through that again.”
\---
They pulled into a quiet, upscale neighborhood that looked like money had been poured into building it. The silence felt expensive.
“Where are we?” Zephyra asked, scanning the street.
Elara didn’t answer, stepping out of the car and gesturing for her to follow.
“Elara…” Zephyra’s suspicion deepened.
But her assistant kept walking.
When they entered the modern, minimalist home, Zephyra froze. Sitting on a leather sofa, drink in hand, was Kairo Draven, his expression unreadable as always. Beside him sat a tall, clean-cut man in a navy suit, the man that introduced himself as Kairo's manager.
Zephyra turned sharply to Elara. “Really? You brought me to his house? What am I supposed to do now, beg him for a chance?”
Kairo looked up, scoffing. “Do you think I want to be here? Let’s just sit and hear what they have to say. We both don’t want losses, do we?”
She glared, but sat down.
The suited man gave a polite nod. “I’m Percy, Mr. Draven’s secretary. Elara and I have been in contact over the past two days.”
“And?” Zephyra asked flatly.
“And we believe a simple truce isn’t enough,” Percy said. “We need a public sign that what happened between you two wasn’t real.”
Zephyra laughed in disbelief. “Not real? I said it in front of everyone. I don’t take back my words.”
Kairo’s scoff was louder this time.
Elara leaned forward. “Which is why we’ll release an article framing it as a lovers’ quarrel.”
Zephyra blinked. “What? Lovers’ quarrel? We hate each other.”
“Exactly,” Percy replied. “The narrative will be: lovers turned enemies, now reconciling in public.”
“So we’re what—in a fake relationship now?”
“You are,” Elara confirmed, already dialing a number. She spoke into the phone, “Go ahead. Publish it.”
Zephyra’s eyes widened. “You didn’t….”
Elara ended the call with a satisfied smile. “Oops. The media’s posted it. You two are officially a couple.”
Kairo nearly laughed. A relationship with Zephyra Lione? Never.
It was the same thought she had. Neither of them wanted this.
Yet Elara and Percy went ahead. They didn't care about their opinions. They just wanted to solve the issue.
“We plan to take it further,” Percy said. “The article will say the fight happened because Mr. Draven didn’t have time for his girlfriend and….”
“Why should I be the bad guy?” Kairo cut in sharply. “Say she didn’t have time for me. Isn’t this just confirming what she said about me?”
Zephyra grinned. “Why not? It fits your smug face. You look like the kind of man who’d ignore his girlfriend.”
Percy cleared his throat. “Let’s not fight. There’s a reason you were too busy… you were planning a secret surprise. A marriage proposal.”
Kairo froze. “…Proposal?”
Zephyra choked. “A what proposal?”
“It’s the only believable happy ending,” Elara said brightly. “A whirlwind love story.”
Zephyra stood up angrily and faced Elara. “You know well, how I feel about this topic. How could you plan all without caring about my feelings?”
Elara stood up too and held Zeph's hands. “Zee, come on. I'm sorry but it's not even real. It's just for public to see. It would even foster better partnership. There's more to gain from this arrangement. It’s been your dream to get the Designer of the year award and I know that you definitely deserve it.”
Zephyra sighed and sat back.
Percy slid a folder across the table. “This is the contract terms. One year. Public appearances together. Occasional displays of affection. No public drama. No slander. Media access to wedding photos. Best of all, business partnership. It’s a win-win situation.”
“I would be marrying a man I hate?” Zephyra said.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Kairo muttered. “I don’t want this either.
She went quiet, but her eyes glinted with calculation.
Kairo recognized that look. He was thinking the same way. If they were going to do this, he’d make sure he frustrates her. He will make sure he teaches her a lesson.
He picked up the contract, skimmed it, and nodded. “Fine. It works for me. As long as we both benefit.”
Zephyra smirked. “I trust you, Elara. I’m game.”
Zephyra was going to make sure she beats Kairo at whatever game he’ll try to play.
And like that, they signed.
Kairo stood, extending his hand. “Let’s fix our reputations together and increase our profits… Mrs. Draven.”
She scowled and almost vomited at the sound of that name but shook his hand.
From that moment, she was his wife. And he fully intended to teach her manners.