"Never seen one before?" Julian asked, his expression cold. There was no trace of a joke in his voice.
"For the damn first time," Lunessa snapped back, "you're the first man I've ever met who asks a girl he barely knows—"
She stopped mid-sentence. Her brows drew together, "Wait."
Julian's gaze didn't shift.
"You called my name," she said slowly. "Earlier. You called me Lunessa."
Silence.
Her chest tightened. "How do you know my name?"
Julian looked at her, his expression barely shifting.
"And for the damn first time for me too," he said calmly, "someone approached me in public, claimed to be my girlfriend, and called me honey."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Wouldn't it be weird if I didn't check her background right away?"
The words were matter-of-fact.
No apology or embarrassment.
Just logic.
Lunessa's jaw tightened. "So you investigated me."
"I verified you," Julian corrected again. "Immediately."
She scoffed. "You people really don't know the meaning of privacy."
Julian met her gaze steadily. "And people like you?" he asked calmly. "Do you know the meaning of privacy?"
Her brows knit together. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means," Julian replied evenly, "you walked into a public place, attached my name to yours, and expected no one to look."
"That was different," she shot back. "I had no choice."
Julian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Everyone who crosses into my world says that."
The words stung.
"You think I wanted this?" Lunessa demanded. "You think I enjoy being watched, judged, dissected?"
"I think," Julian said quietly, "you underestimated what it costs to use someone like me."
"I didn't use you!" Lunessa shot back, her voice rising before she could stop it.
Julian didn't flinch.
"Then what would you call it," he asked evenly, "the way you approached me?"
She hesitated. Just for a second.
"You announced yourself as my girlfriend," he continued calmly. "You leveraged my name. You demanded something in return."
"That was survival," she snapped. "Not manipulation."
Julian's gaze remained steady. "Those two look the same from where I stand."
Her chest rose and fell sharply. "You think I planned all of this?"
"No," he replied. "I think you improvised."
The word hit harder than any accusation.
"And that," Julian added, "is usually more dangerous."
Lunessa clenched her fists. "Then I'm sorry… if that makes you feel better."
Julian raised an eyebrow, then nodded. "Apology accepted."
Before she could react, he stepped out of the car.
Her stomach dropped.
Julian rounded to her side and opened the door. "Then allow me to apologize first," he said calmly, "for whatever comes after this… if that makes you feel better."
In one swift motion, he grabbed her and hauled her out, swinging her over his shoulder.
"What are you doing?!" Lunessa struggled, panic flashing through her as she tried to wriggle free.
A sharp, warning tap landed against her, freezing her mid-movement.
"Stay still," Julian said coolly. "Unless you want your face on tomorrow's headlines."
Her breath hitched.
The night air felt suddenly colder and her lips trembled as she knew there was no turning back the moment they entered the elevator.
The penthouse door swung shut behind them, Julian didn't bother turning back, hooking his foot around the edge and kicking it closed with a dull, final thud.
Lunessa was still slung over his shoulder, her world tilted upside down, his coat brushing her cheek, the steady rise and fall of his steps grounding and unsettling at the same time.
"Put me down," she muttered, more breathless than she liked.
Julian didn't answer and headed straight to the stairs.
Entering the room, he crossed it in a few long strides and turned sharply before he dropped her onto the bed.
Slightly hard.
The mattress dipped violently beneath her, the impact knocking the breath from her lungs as the frame creaked once in protest.
"Excuse—" she gasped.
He followed immediately, one knee braced against the mattress, his hand pressing down beside her head, close enough to trap her without touching her.
"First time?" he asked quietly.
She bit her lip, fear and anger tangling in her chest.
"What do you think?" she replied, forcing a daring edge into her voice, still trying to play brave.
Julian leaned closer, his shadow falling over her face. "Since I'm in a hurry," he said evenly, "I didn't plan to play gentleman."
"Why?" she snapped, the words leaving her mouth before she could stop them. "Going through menopause or something? Is that why you're in such a rush?"
The room went still.
Julian stopped.
Then, without looking at her, he reached for the bedside drawer and pulled it open.
Her breath caught.
Julian took out a small silver packet and held it between his fingers, turning it once, as if weighing a decision.
"Should we test it?" he asked calmly.
Her breathing quickened, panic slipping through the cracks of her bravado.
"I—I'm really sorry," she said quickly, the words tumbling out now. "I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have used you."
Her voice shook. "So please… just let me go. I promise I won't appear in front of you again."
Her eyes burned, vision blurring as fear finally surfaced.
Julian watched her in silence.
Then he exhaled softly, almost irritated.
"Haish," he muttered. "I don't like where this is going."
The whole room temperature felt dropped.
"You know… I'm not the type to force someone to get what I want…" He paused, then leaned close to her ear, his body pressing against hers.
"So," he whispered, "would you willingly do it? Because, by hook or by crook, we need to do it tonight…"
She couldn't close her mouth; it was trembling too much. "W-why me?"
He blinked, then locked eyes with her. "Because you're the one who willingly knocked on my door," he said calmly. "So the one you should blame is yourself, not me."
He continued pressing on her body and whispered again.
"I'm a businessman," Julian continued evenly. "I always take every chance that gives me benefits."