Aria looked at him, her heart beating so fast she could barely think straight.
"N…no," she said, trying to sound firm, even though her voice slightly betrayed her. "I don't want you to do anything to me. After what you did to me that night… not happening."
Ryan didn't respond immediately.
Instead, a slow smile spread across his face—calm, confident… and completely dangerous.
"Oh really…?" he said quietly.
His eyes stayed on hers, unreadable yet filled with amusement.
"What did I do…?" he asked, like he didn't already know the answer.
Aria froze.
"You—" she started, then stopped, her face instantly heating up.
He knew exactly what he did. And the fact that he was pretending not to made it even worse.
Ryan took a step closer. "Say it," he murmured.
Aria instinctively stepped back until her back touched the wall. "You're doing this on purpose…" she muttered, avoiding his eyes.
"Doing what?" he asked, taking another step forward.
Now he was too close. Way too close.
"You're teasing me," she said, her voice quieter now.
Ryan's lips curved slightly. "Am I?"
Her fingers curled slightly at her sides. She refused to look at him, because she knew the moment she did, she'd lose whatever control she had left.
"That night…" she began again, swallowing nervously. "You didn't exactly… go easy on me."
Ryan's expression shifted—just slightly—but enough to show he was enjoying this.
"And yet," he said, leaning just a little closer, "you walked into my room today."
Aria's eyes widened. "I—that's not—" she tried to argue, but the words failed her. Because he was right, and she hated that he was right.
Ryan watched her carefully, noticing everything—the way her breathing changed, the way her confidence slipped, the way she struggled to hold herself together.
"You say you don't want anything," he said quietly. "Then why are you still here?"
Aria froze, unable to answer. Her heart said one thing; her mind said another.
"I…" she tried, but nothing came out.
Ryan held her gaze for a moment longer. Then suddenly—he stepped back. The space between them returned, but the tension didn't leave. It stayed, heavy in the air.
"Go to sleep, Aria," he said calmly, turning away as if nothing had happened.
She blinked, still trying to catch her breath. "…That's it?" she asked softly, almost without realising it.
Ryan paused, glancing at her over his shoulder with a faint smirk on his lips. "For now."
Aria stood there for a moment, trying to steady herself before walking toward the door. One step. Two steps. Her hand reached the handle—and she stopped.
"…Ryan."
He didn't turn immediately, but he was listening.
Aria hesitated, then said it anyway. "A girl called Kim approached me today."
That made him move. Slowly, he turned to face her, his expression already sharper. "Where?"
"At the company entrance."
A pause. "She told me to stay away from you."
The air in the room shifted instantly. Ryan's jaw tightened. "Repeat exactly what she said." His tone wasn't calm anymore. It was controlled… but there was real anger under it.
Aria leaned lightly against the door, watching him. "She said you're hers. That your parents only know her. And that your mother already warned me to stay away from you."
Silence. Ryan's expression darkened, his eyes turning cold in a way that made the room feel smaller. "She said that to you?" Each word was slow. Measured.
Aria nodded. "And more. She wasn't exactly polite."
Ryan looked away for a second, running a hand through his hair as if holding something back. When he looked at her again, his eyes were sharp, protective, and dangerous.
"What did you say to her?"
Aria lifted her chin slightly. "I didn't let her talk to me like that."
Ryan took a step closer. "That's not what I asked." His voice dropped. "What did you say?"
Aria held his gaze this time. "I told her to stay in her lane. And that she doesn't get to talk to me like I'm nothing."
Ryan stared at her for a second, then exhaled slowly, trying to calm down. "She had no right to come to you," he said, his voice low but filled with anger. "She doesn't get to walk up to you and speak like that. I don't care who she is."
There was a pause. "I know her," he added, almost dismissively. "But that doesn't give her the right to disrespect you."
Aria felt something shift in her chest. Because this wasn't about his pride—it was about her.
Ryan stepped closer again, stopping right in front of her. "If something like that happens again… don't stand there and deal with it alone. Call me. Immediately."
Her heart skipped. Ryan's expression hardened more. "I don't like people talking to you like that. Especially not because of me."
Aria swallowed slightly. "And Kim?" she asked quietly.
Ryan's jaw clenched again. "I'll deal with her." Cold, calm, final.
Aria studied him, then nodded once. "Good."
She turned toward the door again, but this time she didn't feel as unsettled. Ryan might be cold to everyone else, but when it came to her, he didn't tolerate disrespect.
Aria paused at the door once more, then slowly turned back with a soft, playful smile. "Ryan… I want to sleep here tonight. I promise I don't snore."
Ryan stared at her, then offered a real smile. "You don't have to ask. Just do it, okay? I won't be offended."
Without overthinking it, she walked toward the bed and climbed in, pulling the blanket over herself. Ryan watched her for a moment. Something about how naturally she settled in felt right.
A few minutes passed. Aria watched Ryan move around the room until he opened the closet and pulled out a large, heavy suitcase, placing it on the floor with a thud.
"Are you not coming to bed?" she asked.
"I have a lot to do," Ryan said calmly. "You can go ahead. I'll come join you."
Ryan unzipped the suitcase and opened it. Aria leaned forward and froze. Money. Stacks and stacks of neatly packed money filling the entire suitcase.
"Ryan…?"
"Work," he replied casually, flipping through a stack.
"This is not 'work,' this is a whole bank!" Aria threw her hands up. "People don't casually keep this much money in their bedroom!"
"I do."
"…If I take just one, will you notice?" she asked slowly.
Ryan chuckled. "Yes."
She sighed dramatically, falling back onto the bed. "Ugh. Rich people are so stressful."
Ryan shook his head, amused, but his eyes drifted back to her. "…Go to sleep," he said quietly, his voice softer this time.
"Yes… " Let me sleep," she murmured, drowsy.
Ryan's expression turned serious and intent. "Do you want this money? Spend it."
Aria sat up, shaking her head. "No. Absolutely not. I don't want it."
Ryan studied her carefully. "Most people wouldn't say no."
"Then most people aren't me."
A small silence followed. "You don't want anything?" he asked.
"If I want something," Aria said softly, smiling as her eyes closed, "I'll ask for it. Right now? Sleep."
Ryan zipped the suitcase shut, pushed it aside, and turned off the lights on his side. He walked back to the bed quietly, and for once, the room didn't feel empty.
The Next Morning
Aria stirred, feeling warm and safe. Her fingers were tightened around something firm and warm.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and froze. She was hugging Ryan—arms wrapped tightly around him, face buried in his chest, leg tangled with his.
Oh my God.
"Y-You're awake?!" she whispered, panicking as she realised he was watching her calmly.
"I've been awake. For a while," he said.
"A WHILE?!" She tried to pull away, but his arm moved firmly around her back, stopping her.
"You were comfortable," he said smoothly.
"Let go! This is embarrassing!"
Ryan smirked faintly. "You weren't complaining five minutes ago. Still counts."
Aria covered her face. "I'm never sleeping again…"
"You don't need to be shy around me," Ryan teased, his voice dropping low. "We've already crossed that line. We had sex weeks ago."
"Ryan!" she snapped, hitting his chest lightly. "Why would you just say that so normally?!"
"Because it's the truth."
"I'm still allowed to be shy," she muttered, face burning.
Ryan's expression softened. "You were the one hugging me."
"I said I was asleep."
Ryan leaned closer. "It counts to me."
The way he said it sounded entirely real. Aria looked away, heart racing. "You're impossible."
"Get used to it."
Aria's Aunt's House
Outside the small compound, Aria's aunt was clearing dirt when an expensive car pulled up. A polished, elegant woman stepped out—Kim.
"Are you Aria's aunt?" Kim asked politely.
"Yes… I am," her aunt replied, suddenly alert. "What happened? Is Aria okay?"
"Oh no… she's actually doing very well," Kim said with a strange tone. She pulled out her phone. "Your dear niece… is not exactly the person you think she is."
Kim turned the phone around, showing photos of Aria beautifully dressed, standing intimately close to Ryan, entering his luxury car, and walking into his mansion.
"She's involved with a very rich man," Kim said with fake sympathy. "And not in a respectable way. She spends nights there, accepts expensive gifts… money. People are talking. She's basically selling herself to him."
Aria's aunt stepped back, feeling as though she'd been struck. Tears filled her eyes as the photos stared back at her. "My Aria wouldn't…"
Kim smiled secretly as she drove away, leaving her aunt broken.
Midday
In the garden, Aria was taking pictures on her phone when her aunt called. She answered happily, but was met with heavy, broken sobbing.
"Auntie, what's wrong?" Aria panicked.
"I… I didn't raise you like this," her aunt sobbed. "I trusted you… and you go behind my back? I've seen everything! You and that rich man… the one you're sleeping with for money!"
Aria froze, her blood running cold. "What? Auntie, no! That's not true! Who told you that?!"
"I sacrificed everything for you… I thought you were different," her aunt wept, hanging up the phone before Aria could explain the fake contract or Ryan.
Aria collapsed onto the couch inside, breaking down into deep, painful sobs. "Why would she think that about me…?"
Two hours later, Aria woke up from a fitful sleep. Distraught, she pulled out her suitcase and began frantically packing her things. The three-month deal wasn't over, but she had to go back and fix things with her aunt, even if it meant breaking the contract.
The door opened, and Ryan walked in. His expression shifted instantly when he saw the suitcase. "Aria…? Why are you packing? Where are you going?"
Aria kept folding her clothes through her tears. "I'm leaving. Please don't stop me. What I did was stupid. I've hurt my aunt."
Ryan stepped forward, catching her wrist firmly. Panic flashed across his face. "No… don't say that. Don't talk about leaving."
"Ryan, I'm serious—"
"I'm begging you," Ryan interrupted, his voice raw and desperate. "Don't leave."
Aria stared at him, stunned. The untouchable, controlled Ryan was gone—replaced by someone who looked terrified of losing her.
"Give me a reason," she whispered. "A real reason why I shouldn't leave."
Ryan didn't hesitate. "Because I love you, Aria. So much. I've loved you from the moment I saw you."
Aria's breath caught.
"I tried to ignore it. Tried to keep it professional… just a deal," Ryan admitted. "But it was never just a deal for me. I gave you those things because I wanted to. Because it was you. If you walk out that door, you're not just breaking a contract… you're breaking me. Stay because of me."
Overwhelmed, Aria dropped her bags and threw her arms tightly around his neck. Ryan held her tightly, buried in her warmth.
After a few moments, she pulled back, wiping her tear-stained face. "Have you eaten? Come, let me get you something to eat… then I'll tell you everything."
Over food, Aria detailed Kim's visit, the photos, the lies, and her aunt's devastating call.
Ryan's face turned dark and cold with anger toward Kim. He held Aria's hand across the table. "She doesn't know the truth, and that's my fault for not making sure no one could twist this. I'll talk to your aunt myself."
Aria looked up, surprised. "You don't have to—"
"I want to," Ryan said firmly. "I won't let her think badly of you."
Two Days Later
Ryan's car stopped in front of Aria's aunt's house. Ryan knocked on the door, and when her aunt opened it, her face hardened with shock and anger.
"So this is him?" her aunt said coldly, looking Ryan up and down. "You look way older than her."
"I understand why you'd think that," Ryan said respectfully.
"What is there to explain?" her aunt snapped. "I've seen enough."
Ryan stepped in front of Aria protectively. "We are involved," he said directly. "But not in the way you think. I care about Aria deeply. And I respect her."
"Respect?" her aunt scoffed.
"I love her," Ryan declared softly, cutting through the noise. "I love her, and I would never disrespect her."
Silence fell over the doorway. Aria stepped up next to him. "Auntie, please… someone lied to you."
Her aunt looked between them, her defensive posture beginning to fracture. "…Come in," she said quietly.
Inside, Ryan laid out the truth without making excuses for himself.
"Everything started with me, not Aria," Ryan explained calmly. "I approached her with a contract for a fake relationship. She only agreed because she was afraid of losing the job you helped her get. She did it to make your life easier and to make you proud. The gifts, the money—that was all me, trying selfishly to keep her close because I loved her."
He looked her aunt in the eye. "It's not her fault. If anyone is to blame, it's me. I'm sorry."
Her aunt sat back, tears welling in her eyes as the anger dissolved into understanding. She looked at Aria. "Is this true?"
"Yes, Auntie," Aria whispered. "I swear."
Her aunt let out a long breath and opened her arms. "Come here." Aria rushed into her arms, weeping with relief.
Her aunt looked over at Ryan. "I forgive both of you. But you say you love her? Take care of her properly."
Ryan smiled sincerely. "I will."
"Now sit," her aunt commanded, wiping her eyes. "You're not leaving without eating."
Over lunch, the heavy air completely lifted. Her aunt began sharing embarrassing childhood stories of Aria crying over ice cream and hiding in a bucket from visitors. Ryan laughed genuinely, enjoying every story while Aria hid her red face in her hands.
Before leaving, Ryan went out to his car and returned carrying numerous luxury shopping bags and a sleek briefcase.
"What is all this?" her aunt asked, alarmed.
"Groceries, clothes, items for the house," Ryan said gently. "And the briefcase is money for home repairs or anything you've delayed. It's not a payment—it's my way of thanking you for raising Aria."
Her aunt tried to refuse, but Ryan's quiet sincerity won her over. She shook her head with a fond sigh. "Fine… but next time, don't bring half a supermarket into my house."