The next morning, I woke up with a headache—not because of a late-night painting session, but because of thoughts about Ethan Rivera. A contract marriage? Really? I didn't know whether I should be scared, excited, or angry.
Sophie, as usual, was cheerful. "Laraaa! Are you ready for your big day?" she teased while sipping her coffee.
"Big day?" I asked, half-annoyed.
"Yes! Didn't you have a meeting with that CEO yesterday? He seems serious about his proposal."
I rolled my eyes. "Sophie, I don't even know him. And besides, it's just a contract… it's not real love. I can't… I won't—"
"Lara, come on. But let's be honest. Don't you feel it? That something? That spark? The way he looked at you?"
I froze. Okay, I couldn't deny it. Ethan's eyes were… intense. It was as if he could see all my weaknesses even without me saying anything.
When I arrived at Rivera Corp, the lobby was huge, modern, and intimidating. People were walking around as if they all had a purpose. And then there he was—Ethan Rivera, standing tall in a perfectly tailored suit, his face emotionless but his eyes… those eyes.
"Ms. Mendoza," he greeted, extending his hand. "Thank you for coming."
"Uh, hi… Mr. Rivera," I stammered, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, confident, yet controlled.
"We can talk in my office," he said, leading me through a hallway filled with awards, photos of the company's milestones, and impressive art pieces. I couldn't help but notice that he appreciated art—maybe that's why he approached me.
He gestured for me to sit. "Lara, I know this is sudden, but I need someone to enter a temporary marriage contract with me. I have reasons I can't share publicly."
I blinked. "Temporary… marriage? Excuse me, but that sounds—like—"
"Like what?" he asked, calm yet curious.
"Like crazy! I mean, I don't even know you, and now you're asking me to… marry you?"
He leaned back, studying me like a chess player. "I understand. And I don't expect trust overnight. But it's only for one year. We will define rules, boundaries—everything. Business-like. Nothing more. Or less."
My heart raced. A business-like marriage? I wanted to say no immediately, but something inside me… curiosity? Fear? Excitement?
"What's the catch?" I finally asked, crossing my arms.
"A catch?" He smiled faintly. "The catch is… you might end up falling for me. And I… might fall for you too."
I laughed nervously, hoping he didn't notice my face turning red. "That's… not funny. Seriously."
"Maybe not," he said, his eyes locking with mine. "But sometimes, life's strange contracts teach us lessons our hearts never forget."
As I left his office, my mind was spinning. A fake marriage? Ethan Rivera? Falling in love? It felt like a movie I didn't know whether I wanted to watch… or be afraid of.
And just like that, my life began to change—one contract at a time.