In Agreement... A Signed Contract

Aurora watched Theo, waiting for the rejection she was sure would come. But Instead, he studied her, his dark eyes flickering with something unreadable.

"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, gaze locked onto hers, analyzing every inch of her expression. She could practically feel him sifting through her words, trying to untangle the hidden motive behind them.

"You're that confident?"

Aurora took a slow step forward, closing the space between them. She was close enough now that she could see the flicker of hesitation in his otherwise impassive gaze. Close enough that her breath, carrying the faint scent of mint, mixed with the subtle scent of rain lingering on his hoodie.

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

A muscle ticked in Theo's jaw. He didn't deny it.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 should have been furious. She had practically handed him an opportunity wrapped in gold, and he had the audacity to walk away.

>>>

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

The pile of paperwork in front of her remained untouched. Her mind was elsewhere—trapped between the chaos of her father's latest demands and the nagging thought of Theo Winslow.

He had walked away.

He shouldn't have been on her mind.

And 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 detached amusement firmly in place.

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

Aurora shot him a glare. "He walked away."

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

She grabbed the nearest 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.

Before she could respond, the intercom on her desk buzzed.

"Miss Everly," her assistant'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."

Her breath hitched.

Vincent let out a low whistle, amusement flashing in his sharp gaze. "Well, well. Looks like someone changed their mind."

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 the guy in a faded hoodie and worn-out sneakers. He wore a crisp white dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the hint of veins along his forearms. His dark hair, usually unruly, was neatly styled, and there was an effortless confidence in the way he carried himself—like he belonged here, even if he didn't.

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

Theo didn't waste time. 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 beneath the surface. "Name it."

"I want my first wish now."

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

Theo's lips curled at the corner, the ghost of a smirk playing at his mouth. "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.

"Alright," she said, smoothing out the contract. "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 between Party 'A' which is me—and Party 'T' that's you—aims to set the terms of a romantic relationship between both parties for two years, including the 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, his expression unreadable.

"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, incredulous 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, as if weighing something far heavier than the inked words in front of him.

Finally, he adjusted the papers. "I'll sign it… can you pass me a pen?"

Aurora smiled, handing him one.

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 too 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 this contract."

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

"Born in 2003. Likes 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."