Quinn was still recovering from the drama of last night's party when she got a call from her father early in the morning.
"Quinn, your mother and I need you to come by the house this evening," he said, his tone serious. "We have some things to discuss—about the company."
Quinn's heart sank. A "discussion" with her parents rarely meant good news. She reluctantly agreed, mentally bracing herself for whatever was coming.
Meanwhile, in another part of town, Ethan was getting a similar call from his own parents. "Ethan, we have an important matter to address regarding the company's future," his father told him. "It's essential you join us tonight."
Ethan wasn't sure what to expect, but his parents had been putting more and more pressure on him lately—about everything from his career to his personal life. As he ended the call, he had an uneasy feeling, wondering what they had planned.
---
**That Evening**
When Quinn arrived at her parents' place, she found them sitting in the study, with a pile of documents spread out on the table. Her father gestured for her to sit down, and without preamble, he launched into business.
"As you know, we've been working closely with Ethan's family's company," he began. "And…there have been some recent shifts in the industry. A merger would be beneficial, but there's one condition the board is insisting on to secure investor confidence."
Quinn's eyebrows knit together. "What condition?"
Her mother looked at her gently, though her voice was firm. "They believe that a marriage alliance between you and Ethan would demonstrate stability. It's not just business—it's about presenting a united front."
Quinn stared at them in shock. "You're joking…right?" She searched their faces, but they looked deadly serious. "You want me to… marry a guy I barely know? For a business deal?"
Her father sighed. "I understand how this sounds, but it's in the best interest of both companies. And Quinn, this is bigger than any one of us."
---
At that same moment, Ethan was facing a similar conversation with his parents, who laid out the terms bluntly.
"Ethan," his mother said, her gaze steely, "we need this merger to happen smoothly. It's about survival in a competitive market, and your marriage to Quinn will provide the assurance investors are looking for. It's not ideal, but it's the solution we need."
Ethan held back his frustration, trying to stay calm. "So you're asking me to marry someone for the sake of the company?"
His father shook his head. "We're not asking, Ethan. We're telling you that this is necessary. You don't have to rush into a relationship with her—this can be a contract marriage. A partnership, no strings attached. If you both agree to it, it's just business."
Ethan clenched his jaw, but he couldn't ignore the way his parents' words tugged at him. He'd been loyal to his family and their business for years. But marriage…?
---
**The Awkward Meeting**
The next day, Quinn and Ethan found themselves awkwardly sitting across from each other at a high-end restaurant, both clearly uncomfortable. Neither wanted to bring up the elephant in the room, but eventually, Ethan broke the silence.
"So… they told you about this… arrangement?" he asked, not quite meeting her eyes.
Quinn sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yes. Apparently, we're supposed to 'marry' for the sake of company 'stability'." She gave a humorless laugh. "Unbelievable."
Ethan nodded. "Trust me, I wasn't thrilled either. But they're really pushing this, and they've made it clear the companies' futures are at stake."
Quinn frowned, crossing her arms. "Look, Ethan, I'm all for family loyalty, but this? It feels…crazy. And we barely know each other."
He gave her a sympathetic smile. "I agree. But… maybe we could come up with a compromise. If we go along with it just for the short term, we can make it clear this is purely for business."
Quinn looked at him thoughtfully. "Like a contract marriage? Set boundaries, no strings attached?"
Ethan nodded. "Exactly. We'll outline everything we're comfortable with, keep things professional, and part ways when this blows over."
Quinn raised an eyebrow, suddenly finding the idea less intimidating. "And… no sudden romantic feelings or anything, right?"
Ethan smirked. "Trust me, I'm just as interested in keeping things business-only."
They both laughed, the tension easing slightly. Maybe this arrangement wouldn't be so bad after all.
---
**Later that Night**
Back at her apartment, Quinn called Ava, needing to vent.
"You won't believe this," Quinn said, pacing the floor. "My parents want me to marry Ethan. For business reasons. Can you believe it?"
Ava gasped, practically squealing. "Are you serious? That's the most dramatic thing I've ever heard! Are you going to do it?"
Quinn groaned. "I don't know. Ethan and I talked, and we're thinking of making it a contract marriage. Strictly business."
"Oh, come on, Quinn!" Ava teased. "You and that gorgeous man in a 'strictly business' marriage? Right. How long until he sweeps you off your feet?"
"Ava," Quinn warned, though she couldn't help but laugh. "I am not falling for him. We're just doing this for the companies."
"Sure," Ava replied with a knowing smirk in her voice. "Well, I can't wait to see how this 'strictly business' plan works out."
Quinn shook her head, but a small part of her wondered if Ava had a point. She couldn't deny that, while Ethan was annoying at times, there was something magnetic about him. But she brushed the thought aside. This was just a contract. Nothing more.