A Reckless Proposal

Vincent stood near the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, a glass of water in hand, his posture relaxed as ever. The lighting sharpened his features, casting shadows that highlights the sharp curve of his mouth. He looked almost amused at her arrival, like he had been expecting this exact moment.

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 laced with exhaustion and frustration.

Vincent leaned against the counter, his gaze steady. "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 sharp, uneven breaths. "You could at least pretend to be surprised."

His smirk deepened, unfazed. "This is, 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, exhaustion creeping into her bones, 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. His grip tightened around the glass, his once lazy amusement changed into seriousness. He set the glass down carefully on the counter, but not before she caught the slight tension in his fingers.

"Carlos Romano?"

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

Vincent exhaled, rubbing his jaw, his expression unreadable. "Carlos Romano isn't just some businessman," he said, his voice quiet. "He's a problem."

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

Vincent didn't answer immediately. But finally, he spoke. "Meaning he doesn't take no for an answer. And he doesn't like losing."

The cold weight that had been pressing against her ribs all morning solidified into something worse.

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 war she wasn't prepared to fight.

"Great," she muttered, voice tight. "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—a piece to be moved across a chessboard at his will. But this? This was different.

This was dangerous.

Her fingers curled into the couch's armrest, nails digging into the fabric. "I refuse."

Vincent studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he puts his hand 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 sheer audacity of 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.

"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 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 in 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 hoodie.

Her lips curled into a slow, mischievous smile.

She didn't hesitate.

"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, the determination beneath the alcohol-induced haze.

"What?"

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

A beat of silence stretched between them.

"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 gaze searching. The skepticism in his eyes was almost tangible, like he was waiting for the punchline to some elaborate joke.

"Why me?" he asked, his voice low.

Aurora's smirk deepened. "Because I think you would be perfect by my side."

His jaw tightened. A muscle ticked.

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

She shrugged, her grip still firm. "Maybe both."

His exhale was sharp, a scoff. He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration obvious. "You're insane."

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

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken challenges.

Finally, 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 moment, neither of them moved. The air between them pulsed, the weight of the night pressing down like a loaded gun.

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