Bound By The Night

Gala Night

The night of the gala arrived with all the glamour and glitz expected of a high-profile charity event in London. The venue was a grand, historic building, its towering columns and elegant architecture bathed in soft, golden light. A red carpet stretched from the entrance, lined with photographers and journalists eager to capture the celebrities as they arrived.

Sun felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety as she prepared for the evening. She slipped into the black dress Adele had chosen for her, the fabric hugging her curves perfectly, making her feel both vulnerable and powerful. The dress was simple yet striking, with a plunging neckline and an open back that left just enough to the imagination. It was unlike anything Sun had ever worn before, and she couldn’t deny how confident it made her feel.

Adele, on the other hand, looked effortlessly stunning in a tailored black and white suit that highlighted her graceful figure. The contrast between their outfits was striking—Adele, all sharp lines and elegance, and Sun, with her soft curves and understated allure. They were a perfect match, at least in appearance.

As they walked down the red carpet together, Sun was acutely aware of the cameras flashing around them. She clung to Adele’s arm, her heart racing with every step. Adele was calm, her demeanor exuding the confidence of someone who had been in the spotlight for years. She smiled and waved at the cameras, expertly guiding Sun through the throng of journalists and admirers.

Once inside, they began to mingle with the other guests, exchanging pleasantries and engaging in small talk. Sun followed Adele’s lead, smiling and nodding in all the right places, but her mind was elsewhere. The tension of the night was building within her, the anticipation of what might happen making it hard to focus.

As the evening progressed, the inevitable happened. A paparazzi, bolder than the others, approached them with a microphone and a sharp, questioning tone.

“Adele, what do you say to the rumors that your relationship with Sun is just a publicity stunt? Are you really in love, or is this all for show?”

The question hung in the air, heavy and loaded. Sun’s heart skipped a beat as she glanced at Adele, wondering how she would respond. The crowd around them seemed to hush, waiting for Adele’s answer.

Adele didn’t miss a beat. She smiled, her eyes narrowing just slightly, as if amused by the question. “Rumors are just that—rumors,” she said smoothly, her voice carrying the perfect mix of warmth and authority. “Sun and I are very much in love, and anyone who sees us together knows that.”

But even as Adele spoke, Sun could see the flicker of doubt in the eyes of those around them. Words alone weren’t enough to silence the rumors. The paparazzi opened his mouth to push further, but before he could, Adele made her move.

Without warning, Adele turned to Sun, her hand gently cupping Sun’s cheek. There was a brief moment of hesitation, a breathless pause, and then Adele leaned in, closing the distance between them. Her lips met Sun’s in a soft, deliberate kiss.

For Sun, time seemed to stop. The world around her faded away, and all she could focus on was the feel of Adele’s lips against hers. It was supposed to be a calculated move, a performance for the cameras, but as soon as their lips touched, something shifted. A spark ignited within Sun, sending a rush of warmth through her body. Her initial shock gave way to something else—something deeper and more intense than she had expected.

Instinctively, Sun kissed Adele back, her hands finding their way to Adele’s waist. It was her first kiss, and though it was meant to be fake, it felt real in every way that mattered. The electricity between them was undeniable, a current that buzzed through her, filling her with a mixture of excitement and longing.

When they finally pulled away, Sun’s heart was pounding in her chest, her breath coming in short gasps. She could see the surprise in Adele’s eyes, a flicker of something she couldn’t quite identify before it was quickly masked. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, the cameras flashing wildly, capturing the moment from every angle.

Adele smiled, her hand still resting on Sun’s cheek as she turned back to the paparazzi. “I think that answers your question,” she said, her voice cool and confident.

The paparazzi, caught off guard, mumbled something incoherent before backing away, leaving them in peace. The kiss had done its job—the rumors would be squashed, at least for now. But as the excitement of the moment began to fade, Sun was left with a tumult of emotions she hadn’t anticipated.

She had always admired Adele, even harbored a secret crush on her, but she had never imagined it would come to this. The kiss had stirred feelings in her that she had been trying to suppress since this whole arrangement began. Feelings that she knew she had no right to have. After all, this was a business arrangement, a fake relationship meant to serve a purpose. Adele didn’t love her; she was just playing a role.

But as Sun glanced at Adele, who was now engaging with other guests as if nothing had happened, she couldn’t shake the question nagging at the back of her mind. What if she was wrong? What if, beneath the surface of their pretend romance, there was something more?

Sun pushed the thought aside, reminding herself of the rules they had agreed to. Adele was her boss, and this relationship was a temporary facade. But the butterflies in her stomach told a different story, one that was far more complicated and dangerous than she had anticipated. And as the night went on, Sun couldn’t help but wonder if she was the only one feeling the spark—or if Adele was hiding something beneath her calm exterior.