Chapter 1: Offer
I stopped removing my makeup when my phone rang.
Lark.
I quickly answered, a small smile forming on my lips.
“Hi, love. I’m sorry I couldn’t watch your show tonight.”
I laughed softly. “It’s okay. This was our last show anyway. You can watch next time if you ever get the chance.”
“Well, I told you, didn’t I? I never get tired of seeing you act.” He paused. “I sent you a gift, by the way. I can’t pick you up tonight either. Randolph insisted on throwing me a bachelor’s party. I’m a bit embarrassed I didn’t go, but if you want.”
“Oh, please, Lark,” I interrupted, amused. “Don’t make me feel guilty. Go and have fun. Just make sure there are no girls there.”
He chuckled. “You know me.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Alright. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
When the call ended, I stared at my reflection for a moment.
Everything felt... right.
Perfect, even.
“You’re glowing,” Nathalia teased as she handed me a bouquet of roses.
“I hope everyone gets a love life like yours,” she added dramatically.
I smiled as I smelled the flowers, pulling out the small card tucked between them.
Lark. Of course.
“Are you really leaving us, Fenna?” Janna asked softly.
“You’re one of the best actresses here,” Nathalia added. “Didn’t you get an offer for a drama lead? You’re really not taking it?”
Sabel scoffed. “Please. She already chose her dream to be the perfect housewife for her prince charming, Lark Ellinton.” I stood up and faced them, smiling.
“I love acting. I always will. But Lark and I have plans. I want to focus on our future first.”
They looked at me, a mix of sadness and understanding in their eyes.
“If I get the chance, I’ll come back,” I added softly.
Janna hugged me first. Then Nathalia. Then Sabel.
“We’ll miss you,” Janna whispered.
“You’re acting as if we’ll never see her again,” Nathalia said, laughing.
We all laughed, but something in my chest tightened. Like this moment mattered more than I realized.
“I’ll borrow our Veronica for a while.”
We turned as Sir Javier entered the dressing room.
“Sir?” I blinked.
“We’re meeting a prospective investor.”
“Sir... just in case you forgot, this is my last project.”
“I know,” he said calmly. “But I need to ask you one last favor. He wants to talk to you. He really admired your performance from the first show until the last. He never missed a single one.”
Something about that made me uneasy. A man who suddenly becomes devoted to theater?
That usually meant something else. Still... I couldn’t refuse Sir Javier.
“Just a moment, right?” I said.
He nodded and clapped lightly. “Of course, Fenna. Just a moment. Don’t worry, he’s not like those old men who think money can buy everything.”
I forced a small smile, but unease lingered in my chest. That was when I realized this wasn’t just an ordinary meeting.
The walk to the conference room felt longer than usual. Two bodyguards stood outside. That was when I realized this wasn’t jus an ordinary meeting. That alone told me everything. The person Sir Javier wanted me to meet wasn’t just an investor.
“Go ahead,” Sir Javier said.
“Alone?”
Sir Javier nodded, smiling reassuringly at me. “Yes, Fenna. Don’t worry. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
I hesitated. But I stepped inside anyway. I knew the theater’s funds were weakening. Investors were disappearing, choosing to put their money into more profitable things. Over time, fewer people were interested in watching theatrical shows.
“Alright, Sir,” I finally said softly, then stepped through the door.
The room was quiet. Too quiet. I rubbed my arm as a sudden chill ran through me. A bouquet of tulips rested neatly on the table. Then I saw him. Standing with his back turned.
Tall.
Still.
Imposing.
As if the room belonged to him. He turned slowly. And his eyes landed on me.
Cold.
Sharp.
Observant.
I felt it immediately. That strange, uncomfortable feeling. Like I was being seen too clearly.
“Have a seat, Miss Rosette” his baritone voice called as he walked.
His voice was deep. Controlled. I walked toward the chair across from him and sat down, folding my hands on the table. He watched me closely. Then his gaze dropped briefly. To my ring. Before returning to my face.
“I’m Aslan Alverston,” he said. “You’re Fenna Rosette.”
Not a question.
A statement.
“Yes, sir.”
“I like your performance.”
“Thank you.”
“I won’t waste your time,” he continued. “I want to offer you a project.”
“I’m sorry, but this is my last show.”
“I know.”
That made me pause.
“Then I’m sorry, but I can’t accept the project you’re offering.”
“Name your price.”
I blinked.
“...What?”
“No matter how much,” he said calmly, “accept my offer.”
My fingers tightened under the table.
“What kind of offer is this?”
Silence.
Then he leaned back slightly, studying me. And said
“Act with me.”
My brows furrowed.
“Play the role of a loving mother to my children.”
For a moment. I thought I misheard him.
“A... what?”
“A role,” he repeated. “You’re an actress.”
“That’s on stage,” I said sharply. “Not in real life.”
“I’m not asking for marriage,” he replied calmly. “Just a contract.”
My chest tightened.
“This is ridiculous.”
“One billion.”
My breath caught.
The room fell silent.
“What did you say?”
“Name your price.”
I raised my hand, stopping him. I heard him. Clearly. One billion.
“Be a loving mother to your children?” I repeated slowly.
“Yes.”
I clenched my fists.
“I’m sorry, but you approached the wrong person. I’m an actress on stage not in other people’s lives.”
“I know.”
His answer came too quickly.
Too certain.
“But I want you, Fenna Rosette.”
The way he said my name. It made my chest tighten. I stood up abruptly.
“Excuse me”
“One billion.”
My steps froze. I turned back. He was smiling. Not kindly. Confidently. As if refusal wasn’t an option.
And for a second....
Just a second....
My mind betrayed me.
A billion...
What could I do with that?
No.
I clenched my jaw. I hated that thought.
Hated that hesitation.Hated him for making me think it.
I returned to my seat slowly.
“Plus a house. Any property you want....”
Before he could finish
I grabbed the glass of water and poured it onto his thigh.
Silence.
Cold.
Sharp.
“Oops,” I said calmly. “Sorry. I was just surprised.”
His expression didn’t change much.
But his eyes darkened.
“You didn’t hear my answer earlier?”
“No,” I continued, my voice firm. “Even if it’s another billion—it’s still no.”
I stood up again.
“Find someone else.”
I glanced at his soaked pants.
“I don’t have money with me but tell me how much it costs, I’ll pay for the laundry.”
Then I turned and walked away. But before I reached the door Something crashed behind me.
I froze.
When I turned....
The chair he was sitting on was now overturned on the marble floor.
He stood there.
Watching me.
Walking toward me.
Slowly.
Dangerously calm.
My heart started pounding.
I stepped back
And almost fell.
But his arm caught my waist.
Firm.
Steady.
Too close.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “I can find another woman. It would be easy with my enticing proposal”
His voice lowered. “But I only want you.”
My breath hitched. I pulled away immediately.
“I’m getting married,” I said quickly, raising my hand to show my ring.
“My fiancé won’t accept this. And neither will I.”
“I see.“. He smiled
Too calm.
Too easy.
“You may go.”
I didn’t wait. I left immediately. But as I walked down the hallway
I felt it again.
That gaze.
I turned.
He was there.
Watching me.
And for the first time
I felt something I couldn’t explain.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Something worse.
Something that lingered.
I didn’t know it then.
But that moment
That offer
That man
Would destroy everything I thought I had left.
