Chapter 3 A Reckless Proposal

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."