Ellie stepped out of the town car and onto the polished marble driveway of Adrian's Manhattan penthouse. The sheer opulence of her surroundings struck her like a tidal wave. Glittering city lights stretched as far as the eye could see, and the air was crisp with the faint scent of luxury—the kind of life Ellie had only glimpsed in movies.

She clutched her worn leather bag tighter, feeling entirely out of place in her secondhand coat and scuffed boots. Adrian, of course, looked perfectly at home. Dressed in a tailored navy suit, he stepped out behind her, a calm confidence radiating from every inch of him.

"This is where you'll be staying," Adrian said, his tone casual, as if he hadn't just escorted her into a palace in the sky. He gestured toward the massive glass doors of the building. "The top floor is private. It's fully staffed, and the space is more than enough for the two of us."

Ellie frowned, already overwhelmed. "The two of us? As in... living together?"

He gave her a sideways glance. "That's the deal, remember? Married couples don't live apart."

She opened her mouth to protest but stopped herself. What did she expect? A fake marriage came with strings attached—big, shiny, diamond-encrusted strings.

The elevator ride to the top floor was quiet, save for the faint hum of classical music playing in the background. Ellie couldn't help but fidget as she stood beside Adrian. The polished interior reflected their contrasting appearances: Adrian, composed and pristine, and Ellie, feeling like a misplaced jigsaw piece in a grand puzzle.

When the doors opened, she stepped into a space so stunning it almost stole her breath. The penthouse was a masterpiece of modern architecture—floor-to-ceiling windows, marble floors, and sleek furnishings that screamed sophistication.

"This... this is where you live?" Ellie asked, her voice almost a whisper.

Adrian smirked. "One of the places I live. Come, I'll show you your room."

He led her down a long hallway that branched off into several rooms. Each door they passed hinted at more luxury: an in-home theater, a library that rivaled public ones, and even a gym. Finally, they reached a room that Adrian pushed open with ease.

"This will be yours," he said.

Ellie stepped inside, and her jaw dropped. The room was twice the size of her entire apartment. A king-sized bed sat at the center, dressed in silky white linens, and the walls were adorned with minimalist artwork. A private balcony offered a stunning view of the city skyline.

"I... I don't even know what to say," she admitted, running her fingers along the edge of the plush comforter.

Adrian leaned against the doorframe, his expression unreadable. "It's just a room. If you need anything else, let me know."

She turned to him, still clutching her bag. "And what about you? Where's your room?"

"Down the hall," he replied smoothly. "We'll share common spaces, of course. Publicly, we need to appear as a couple. But privately, we'll stay out of each other's way."

Ellie nodded, relief washing over her. This arrangement, crazy as it was, felt slightly more manageable if she had her own space.

Later that evening, Ellie found herself seated at an impossibly long dining table, picking at a meal prepared by Adrian's private chef. She wasn't sure what was more intimidating—the elegance of the meal or the silence between her and Adrian.

"You've been quiet," Adrian observed, breaking the tension. "Second thoughts?"

Ellie glanced up, startled. "No. Well, maybe. This is just... a lot. I'm not used to any of this."

He studied her for a moment, his expression softening slightly. "I don't expect you to be. But you'll adjust."

"That's easy for you to say," she shot back, unable to mask the frustration in her voice. "You've lived in this world your whole life. I'm just... me."

Adrian set down his fork, leaning back in his chair. "You agreed to this because you wanted something better for yourself. Don't forget that. This isn't just for me—it's for you, too."

Ellie narrowed her eyes. "That's a convenient way to frame it."

He smirked faintly. "Call it what you want. But if we're going to pull this off, you'll need to embrace it."

As the night stretched on, Ellie retreated to her room, feeling the weight of the day settle on her shoulders. She flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

What had she gotten herself into?

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a text from her best friend, Charlie.

Charlie: "Still alive? Please tell me Mr. Moneybags hasn't locked you in a golden cage."

Ellie chuckled, quickly typing back:
Ellie: "Alive, yes. But I might be in over my head. His penthouse is insane."

Charlie: "Girl, you've got this. Just remember: he needs you as much as you need him. Don't let him forget it."

Ellie smiled faintly, setting the phone aside. She didn't need reminding—this was a business deal, nothing more. And if Adrian thought she was just going to roll over and play the part of the perfect wife without a fight, he had another thing coming.

For better or worse, she was stepping into his world.

To be continued...