Vincent stood near the kitchen with his hoodie sleeves rolled up and a glass of water in hand, the light from his ceiling casting shadows that highlighted the sharp curve of his nose and mouth, looking almost amused at her arrival.

He barely spared her a glance before taking a slow sip.

"You look like hell," he remarked, his tone light but observant, as if he was taking in every detail-her slightly disheveled hair, the tension in her shoulders, the fire still burning in her eyes.

Aurora threw her bag onto the couch with more force than necessary, the leather hitting the cushions with a dull thud. "Fantastic. Just what I needed to hear," she muttered, her voice filled with exhaustion and frustration.

Vincent leaned against the counter, his eyes on her. "Let me guess...your father proposed another ridiculous deal, and you stormed out in dramatic fashion?"

She shot him a glare, chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. "You could at least pretend to be surprised."

His smirk deepened. "This is, like what, the third time he's tried to sell you off?"

"Fourth," she muttered, running a hand through her hair before collapsing onto the couch. Her body ached with exhaustion but adrenaline kept her upright.

Her mind was still spinning from the conversation-her father's cold and detached tone, the way he had spoken about her future as if she weren't even in the room. "But this time, he's serious, he wants me to marry a Carlos Romano."

The smirk vanished from Vincent's face and his grip tightened around the glass, his once lazy amused eyes changing into seriousness as he set the glass down on the counter.

"Carlos Romano?"

Aurora frowned at his reaction. "Why do you sound so serious?"

Vincent exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Carlos Romano isn't just some businessman. He is a problem."

She sat up straighter, her pulse quickening. "Meaning?"

"Meaning he doesn't take no for an answer. And he doesn't like losing."

The weight that had been pressing against her back all morning solidifies because Aurora knew exactly what that meant.

Men like Carlos Romano-men in her father's world-saw everything as a transaction. And transactions had to be completed, one way or another.

If she said no, it wouldn't just be a rejection. It would be a challenge. A battle she isn't prepared to fight.

"Great," she muttered. "So my father's basically throwing me to a wolf."

Vincent scoffed, pushing the glass aside with a quiet clink. "More like a viper. One that enjoys playing with his prey first."

Aurora clenched her jaw. It shouldn't have surprised her. Her father had always treated her like an asset-something he made from scratch.

But this was different, this was dangerous.

Her fingers curled into the couch's armrest. "I won't marry him."

Vincent studied her for a moment, then put his hands into his trouser pocket, a slow smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. "Then you need to play smarter than him."

Aurora let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "Like what? Marry someone out of spite?"

Vincent arched a brow, his lips twitching into amusement. "It wouldn't be the worst idea."

She blinked at him. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," he said smoothly, without hesitation. "Carlos is calculating. If he thinks you're already 'claimed,' he'll hesitate to make a move. And if your father believes you're already with someone, he loses his leverage."

Aurora stared at him, trying to ignore the way her pulse kicked up at the suggestion.

It was reckless...It was insane...It was perfect.

Neither her father nor Carlos would expect her to make the first move.

A slow thrill ran through her veins as she smirks. "Fine," she murmured, tilting her head slightly. "Then I need to find me a boyfriend... I can't get married now."

Vincent exhaled, shaking his head with an amused smirk. "And here I thought my weekend would be boring."

-

Hours later, Aurora stumbled into the bright convenience store, the hum of several bottles of vodka and a thirty minutes call from her father still burning in her veins.

The cool air bit at her skin as she scanned the aisles, rows of instant noodles and cheap snacks blurring slightly in her vision.

Her reflection flickered on the fridge doors-makeup slightly smudged, lips parted in quiet contemplation. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, the only sound besides the hum of the store's refrigerator units.

Then she saw him.

Theo.

He was standing by the counter, scanning the shelves with a furrowed brow, one hand casually stuffed into the pocket of his sweater.

Her lips curled into a slow, mischievous smile.

"Be my contracted boyfriend for two years," she said, stepping toward him. "And I'll grant you three wishes."

Theo turned, his brow furrowing as he took her in. His dark eyes flickered with confusion, scanning her face, taking in the slight sway of her stance and the determination in her alcohol-induced haze.

"What?"

Aurora tilted her head, her expression unwavering. "Three wishes. Anything you want."

"You're drunk," he muttered, turning away.

Aurora grabbed his wrist, her fingers tightening around his skin, her grip surprisingly steady. "I'm serious."

Theo studied her, his eyes searching her's, like he was waiting for her to start laughing saying it was a joke.

"You're serious? We just met like a few hours ago. Why the sudden proposal?" he asked, his voice confused.

Aurora's smirk deepened. "I've never been more serious, and I think you would be perfect by my side."

"Sounds more like you're looking for a weapon, not a man," he said.

She shrugged, her grip still firm. "Can't I want both."

He scoffed and ran a hand through his hair, his frustration obvious. "You're insane."

Aurora took a step closer, the distance between them shrinking. "You're the only person I know who doesn't play by my father's rules and that makes you valuable."

Theo let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You have no idea what you're asking for, Princess."

Aurora lifted her chin, meeting his gaze without hesitation. "Try me."

For a long minute or two, neither of them moved. The air between them pulsed, pressing down like a loaded gun.

Theo exhaled, muttering under his breath, "This is a terrible idea."

Aurora watched Theo, waiting for the rejection she was sure would come. But instead, he studied her, his dark eyes searching her face.

"You're serious?" he asked, voice low, almost testing her.

Aurora smirked, tilting her head slightly, letting her amusement show. "Dead serious."

Theo exhaled, shaking his head, a quiet laugh escaping under his breath. "And if I say no?"

"Then I'll find someone else." She shrugged, feigning indifference as she reached for a pack of gum from the store counter. She unwrapped a piece, slipping it between her lips before adding, "But I doubt you'll refuse."

Theo crossed his arms and she could practically feel him sifting through her words, trying to untangle the hidden motive behind them.

"You're that confident?"

Aurora took a step forward, closing the space between them. She was so close that she could see the hesitation in his eyes. Close enough that her breath, carrying the faint scent of mint, mixed with the faint scent of rain lingering on his sweater.

"I think you need this as much as I do," she whispered.

Theo's jaw clenched and unclench still looking at her but didn't deny what she had just said. Then, without a word, he turned and walked out of the store.

Aurora blinked.

Did he just...

"Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath, her fingers curling into a fist at her side.

She was upset because she had practically handed him an opportunity wrapped in gold, and he had just walked away.

The audacity.

-

Aurora leaned back in her office chair, tapping her pen against the glossy surface of her desk. The rhythmic clicks echoed through the quiet room, but she barely noticed.

The pile of paperwork in front of her remained untouched as her mind was elsewhere, trapped between the chaos of her father's latest demands and the nagging thought of a certain man.

He had walked away, he shouldn't be on her mind, but yet, he was.

Vincent sat across from her, legs crossed, lazily scrolling through his phone as if he had all the time in the world. He looked far too comfortable in his expensive suit, his usual air of amusement firmly in place.

"Still thinking about your little convenience store proposal?" he drawled, not bothering to look up.

Aurora shot him a glare before sighing. "He just walked away."

Vincent smirked, finally setting his phone down. "Smart man."

She grabbed a pen and threw it at him. He dodged effortlessly, barely blinking.

"He'll come around," Vincent added, stretching his arms out. "Guys like Theo? They always do. He's just making you sweat first."

Aurora hated how much sense that made, but before she could respond, the intercom on her desk buzzed.

"Miss Everly," her front desk manager's voice crackled through the speaker. "There's a man here to see you. He says you're expecting him."

Aurora frowned, sitting up straighter. "Who?"

"Theo Winslow."

Vincent let out a low whistle. "Well, looks like someone changed their mind." He said taking his leave.

Aurora didn't respond. She pressed the intercom button, keeping her voice steady. "Send him in."

A moment later, the door swung open.

Theo stepped inside, no longer in sweater and sneakers. He wore a crisp white dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the veins along his forearms. His dark hair, usually messy, was neatly styled, and there was confidence in the way he carried himself and I loved it.

Aurora tilted her head, watching him carefully. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Theo didn't waste time as he closed the distance between them."I gave it a lot of thought and..."

She arched a brow, fingers trailing over the edge of her desk. "You agreed?"

Theo leaned forward, his palms resting on the desk, gaze steady. "On one condition."

Aurora met his eyes, curiosity flickering in them. "Name it."

"I want my first wish now."

She barely suppressed a smirk. "Already? That's bold."

Theo's lips curled at the corner, a smirk playing on his lips. "I want a job at Everly Elite Enterprise. A real one."

Aurora studied him for a long moment before picking up the contract agreement from her desk drawer. She flipped through the pages with deliberate slowness, then set it down with a small, satisfied nod.

"That's fine," she said, smoothing out the contract. "But before we finalize this, let's go over the terms to avoid any misunderstandings."

Theo watched as she lifted the contract, her tone shifting into that of a business woman.

"This contract is between Party 'A' which is me-and Party 'T' that's you- which aims to set the terms of a romantic relationship between both parties for the space of two years, including requested dates and meetings, both far and near, at my discretion." She paused, her gaze flickering up to meet his. "You will also be granted three wishes, to be fulfilled within the two-year contract period."

Theo nodded.

"In the case of a breach of contract," Aurora continued, "the penalty shall be a fee of-" she glanced up, eyes twinkling with amusement-"two billion dollars."

Theo's brows shot up. "Two billion dollars?" He let out a low laugh. "Isn't that ridiculous?"

Aurora leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "Are you planning on breaching the contract?"

His grey eyes held hers, unblinking for a moment before he shook his head. "No, I don't plan to." He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "But still, that amount is insane."

"If you're not going to breach it," she said smoothly, "then just sign the contract. You'll get your job here, a monthly salary, and two more wishes to go."

Theo hesitated, his fingers grazing the edges of the paper adjusting it to his side. "I'll sign it... can you pass me a pen?"

Aurora smiled, handing him her pen.

Theo took a moment before pressing the pen to paper, signing with steady strokes.

Once he was done, Aurora took the pen from his hand and signed her name beside his.

She pressed the intercom. "Vincent."

Within seconds, the door opened, and Vincent strolled in, his expression entirely entertained.

Vincent placed a sleek laptop on the desk and gestured toward the projector as it flickered to life.

He turned to Theo, looking far too pleased with himself. "I've summarized some things you need to know to carry out the contract."

Theo leaned back in his chair as Vincent clicked on the first slide. He frowned as he reads aloud:

"Born in 2003. Loves chicken. Dislikes anything spicy."

Theo blinked, then glanced at Aurora, who only smirked.

Vincent shrugged. "These are just a few of the basics. I'll send a full file to your email."

Theo exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. "What did I just get myself into?"

Aurora only smiled, leaning back in her chair.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough."

Aurora leaned back in her chair, watching Theo as he studied the agreement like he had just made a deal with the devil.

Vincent, ever the observer, tapped the laptop shut with a smirk that never quite reached his eyes. "Well, that's settled. Welcome to Everly Elite Enterprise, Mr. Winslow."

Theo didn't respond immediately, his focus still remained on the contract as his thumb traced the embossed lettering as if searching for some hidden clause, something he'd missed before he signed the contract.

Aurora knew what he was thinking, the sick realization that he was now tied to her, to this world, with no easy way out...for at least two years.

Finally, he looked up. "So, when do I start?"

Aurora tilted her head slightly, pretending to consider it when, in truth, she already knew the answer. "Tomorrow morning. But for now..." She stood, smoothing the fabric of her tailored dress, a calculated movement designed to exude authority. "We need to make an appearance."

Theo frowned. "An appearance?"

Vincent chuckled, clearly enjoying the show. "Your first public outing as Aurora's... what's the word? Arm candy?"

Aurora shot him a glare before shifting her attention back to Theo. "There's a gala tonight. Press, investors, shareholders, CEO's. If we're doing this, we need to sell it."

Theo exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, I go from being a part-timer to playing the role of a billionaire's boyfriend overnight?"

Aurora smirked. "Try to keep up, Winslow."

-

The gala was nothing short of theatrical-a spectacle of money, influence, and quiet wars fought over a glass of champagne and strategic handshakes.

The grand ballroom shimmered under the weight of extravagant chandeliers, casting golden light over figures adorned in designer gowns and tailored suits worth more than most people's homes.

Aurora stepped out of the sleek black car first, her entrance commanding, the elegant black gown she wore clung to her like a second skin, highlighting her curves.

The moment she stepped on the red carpet, camera flashes erupted in a storm of white blinding lights and she absorbed it all-the attention, the murmurs, and shouts of love from fans she didn't know.

Then Theo stepped out beside her.

Gone was the man who had his hands in his sweater pocket in the convenience store. Gone was Theo the part-timer. In his place stood someone...

Broad-shouldered, sharp-jaw, exuding an effortless confidence, the black suit tailored to perfection, accentuating his build in a way that made him look slightly commanding.

Aurora smiled as she linked her arm through his, feeling the tension in his muscles beneath the expensive suit.

"Relax," she murmured just low enough for him to hear. "You look like you're walking into an execution."

Theo exhaled, his jaw tightening. "I'd rather be."

"Too late for that," she said sweetly, leading him forward.

The minute they entered the grand ballroom, the shift was evident.

Eyes flicked toward them, some discreet, others not, and then, the whispers started.

"Who's he?"

"Have you seen him anywhere?"

"What's his networth?"

"Does he own a company?"

Aurora ignored them, but she felt Theo tense beside her. His grip on her arm tightened slightly enough for her to notice his nervousness and without much thought, she squeezed his arm in return.

Don't react to their words she whispered.

To her relief, he didn't, he exhaled slowly, straightening his posture, and then masking his expression.

A familiar voice cut through the crowd. "Aurora."

She didn't have to turn to know who it was. Her grip tightened on Theo's arm before she turned to face her father.

He stood near the bar, a drink in hand as his gaze swept over Theo with the slow deliberation of a man assessing an investment gone wrong but Theo held his ground.

"Aurora," Mr. Everly called again, his tone deceptively smooth. "I didn't realize you were bringing a... guest."

Aurora smiled, the kind that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I thought a little change would be refreshing."

Mr. Everly's eyes flickered toward Theo. "And you are?"

Theo met his gaze without hesitation. "Theo Winslow. Aurora's..." a pause "...boyfriend."

Mr. Everly smirked. "Boyfriend, is it?"

Aurora felt Theo tense beside her again, but she didn't give her father the satisfaction of letting it linger, she looped her arm more firmly through Theo's turning away from her father. "We should mingle."

Mr. Everly didn't stop them, but as they walked away, she could still feel his eyes on her back.

-

Theo let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the invisible chains wrapped around him. "That went well."

Aurora licked her lips, wetting them. "He hasn't made a move yet."

Theo frowned, glancing back toward where Mr. Everly stood, now engaged in a conversation with one of his associates. "A move?"

She gave him a knowing look. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough."

Minutes later, one of her father's assistants approached. "Miss Everly, your father requests a private word."

Aurora's lips thinned. Of course, he does.

She turned to Theo. "Stay here."

His brows drew together. "You sure?"

She didn't miss the shift in his tone-concern, maybe?

"I can handle him."

Theo didn't look convinced, but he nodded.

She followed the assistant through the crowd, and then entered a private lounge where her father stood with a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"You've done a lot of reckless things, Aurora," Mr. Everly said, swirling the amber liquid. "But this? This might be your most desperate attempt yet."

Aurora crossed her arms, refusing to give him the reaction he wanted. "Spare me the dramatics."

"You think parading around with some nobody is going to make me rethink my plans?" He took a slow sip, the ice clinking softly against the glass. "I admire the effort. But you're playing a losing game."

Her jaw clenched. "Theo is more than capable..."

"He's a liability."

Mr. Everly set his drink down. "I did my research Aurora. A washed-up part-timer with a family in debt." He stepped closer, his voice disapproving. "Is that what you've been reduced to? A woman so desperate to hold on to control that she drags a nobody into her war?"

Aurora refused to let him see her falter. "I have a right to choose."

Mr. Everly chuckled knowing. "You're still a kid, but let me make something clear." He leaned in. "I will not let you keep that nobody Aurora."

Her fingers curled into fists, but she couldn't do anything. She watched as her father picked up his glass again, then with a slow tilt of his wrist, he gestured toward the ballroom.

"Enjoy your date." His smirk deepened. "While it lasts."