ADRIAN'S POV
The villa hummed with quiet energy. News of the proposal hadn't even fully settled yet, and already the ripple was spreading through the empire—both business and personal. I stood near the balcony, hands gripping the railing as the cool evening breeze did little to calm the storm inside me.
"She's going to change everything," Isaac muttered from behind me, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his face.
"I don't care about change," I replied, voice low but firm. "I care that she's mine."
Isaac raised an eyebrow. "And yet, every man in the city, and perhaps half the women, will want to have words with you about that."
I didn't flinch. "Let them come. Anyone who hurts her… they answer to me."
A faint chuckle echoed behind us. Augustina appeared, arms crossed, looking mischievously satisfied. "Well, well… Adrian Goodwill, finally putting a ring on it. I'd say about time."
I turned, meeting her gaze. "Augustina, I don't need a lecture. I just need… her. That's all."
"Good," she said, smirking. "But don't think this goes unnoticed. The empire talks, Adrian. And the woman you just claimed… she's not ordinary."
I nodded once. "I know."
---
KISS'S POV
I adjusted the dress Oscar had chosen, trying to suppress the laughter threatening to escape me. The soft pink silk hugged me perfectly, elegant but understated, and every time I caught my reflection, I felt both nervous and excited.
The sound of footsteps drew my attention. Adrian entered, tailored suit flawless, hair slightly tousled as if he had just run a hand through it a hundred times thinking about me.
"You look…" he began, voice low, pausing to let the words linger. "…incredible."
I smirked, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. "You already said that yesterday. You're running out of compliments."
He chuckled softly, eyes scanning me as though I were the only thing that mattered in the world. "You can't run out when you're looking at perfection."
I felt a blush creep up, and for once, I let it show. "Stop, or I might start believing you."
"I want you to believe it," he whispered, closing the distance between us. His thumb brushed the back of my hand, sending a shiver through me.
"Adrian…" I murmured, unable to finish the thought.
"I mean it," he said, voice husky. "You're mine. No one else comes close. And anyone who tries… well, they'll regret it."
---
ADRIAN'S POV
The guests began arriving—the inner circle of business partners, old allies from the empire, and some of the new faces curious about the engagement. Cameras flashed subtly, but my eyes were fixed solely on her. Kiss. Calm, composed, yet radiating an energy I could feel in every nerve of my body.
Ashley Barlow arrived shortly after, lips painted in that sharp, cruel smile. She stopped abruptly when she saw Kiss, expression faltering. My jaw clenched. "Don't," I muttered under my breath. "Not tonight."
Kiss noticed, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. She whispered, "Don't worry about her."
I nodded. "I won't."
Then Chris appeared. My chest tightened as I caught sight of him from across the room. He froze the moment our eyes met, lips pressing into a thin line. The air tensed, thick with history, with warnings, with unspoken challenges.
Kiss leaned into me slightly. "Ignore him," she whispered.
"I plan to," I said. "But I'm watching."
---
KISS'S POV
The room was alive with chatter, glasses clinking, but I felt Adrian's presence as a tangible force at my side. I could feel the eyes of the empire on us, the unspoken tension. Ashley tried to linger near me, but I ignored her, gracefully moving through the crowd with Adrian subtly guiding me with a protective hand on my lower back.
Chris approached, finally breaking through the circle of onlookers. "Kiss…" he said, voice low, urgent. "We need to talk."
I raised a brow. "Chris… now is not the time."
He shook his head. "No. You need to hear me. You can't just… let him take you and pretend like it's nothing. I know you want him, but I—"
I stepped closer, cutting him off. "Chris. For our friendship's sake… don't say things like that. Ever again. Or I swear, you'll never hear from me again."
He hesitated, jaw tight, then nodded slowly. "Fine," he muttered, but I could feel the tension radiating from him.
Adrian's grip on my hand tightened. "Everything okay?" he asked quietly.
I nodded, leaning into him slightly. "Perfectly fine. Don't worry about anyone."
His lips brushed the side of my head. "Good. Because no one touches what's mine."
---
ADRIAN'S POV
The night continued, and the conversations were a blur. Old deals, new alliances, subtle power plays—I handled them all with Kiss by my side. Every time she laughed, every time she smiled, every subtle brush of her hand, my chest tightened. I couldn't stop myself from thinking… this is it. This is everything.
Ashley lingered on the periphery, eyes sharp, lips pursed, clearly plotting. Chris stayed nearby, controlled but watching. Both were shadows of challenges yet to come. But for now… I had her. And that was enough.
I leaned closer to Kiss as we stepped onto the balcony for a moment of respite. "You realize, don't you," I whispered, "that tonight… you've officially entered a world where everyone knows you're mine?"
She smirked, playful yet fierce. "And I have no problem with that. Besides… I like being yours."
I smiled, thumb brushing her cheek. "Good. Because I'm not letting anyone take you from me."
"I wouldn't want them to," she murmured, voice soft but unwavering.
---
KISS'S POV
The night was perfect in a way I didn't expect. The champagne, the laughter, the whispered conversations. But the most important thing—the most grounding thing—was Adrian. Standing next to him, hearing him speak, feeling him protective yet gentle, knowing he was mine… it made the chaos of our lives, the rivalries, the tensions, the past dramas, fade into the background.
And yet… I could feel Chris's gaze. I knew the storm wasn't over. Not even close.
But for now, for this night… I was safe, loved, and utterly, completely Adrian's.
And that was all I needed.