Leo ignored Mina's protests with a cold stare. "What you know or don't know doesn't matter. What's important is that you're going to come with me and pretend to be my fiancée until I can sort this out."
Mina felt as if she had just been trapped in the silliest slapstick comedy film. "But… why me?"
Leo furrowed his brow, his icy voice slicing through the tension. "Because you're here, and it doesn't seem like there are any other options. So let's get this done."
Mina swallowed hard, trying to suppress her embarrassment and panic. "But I'm not ready for this. I don't even know how to be a fiancée!"
Leo showed no sign of sympathy. "That's your problem. I don't care how you do it, but you have to pretend to be my fiancée until I can resolve this situation."
Mina sighed deeply and followed Leo toward the restaurant door. "But… what if I do something wrong? What if I don't fit this role?"
Leo merely stared at her with a flat expression. "You just need to act according to instructions. I don't have time to explain any further."
Mina could only follow Leo out of the restaurant, trying to manage the embarrassment and panic swirling within her.
Leo seemed largely indifferent to her feelings; he was solely focused on figuring out how to fix the mess that had just unfolded.
As they walked toward Leo's car, Mina felt like a comedy movie star experiencing the worst day of her life.
Inside the car, the atmosphere was awkward. Mina sat in the passenger seat with a blank stare, trying to comprehend the ridiculous situation she had just encountered.
Leo sat beside her, his expression serious as he attempted to devise a plan for how they would address this problem.
"You know," Leo said, trying to break the ice, "I don't often find myself in such ridiculous situations."
"And I don't often get caught in situations like this either," Mina replied, half-joking. "It feels like I've just slipped into a completely different world."
Leo pulled out his phone and checked a few messages, seemingly unfazed by the absurdity of the moment.
"How about we clarify a few things?" he suggested. "You're going to stay here tonight and pretend to be my fiancée. I'll tell you what you need to do."
"I think I'd prefer to know how to survive in a fancy restaurant than be a fake fiancée," Mina responded, half-amused and half-stressed. "But okay, I'll do it. Just please let me go afterward."
Leo shot her a sharp look. "Ugh, quit whining!" he huffed, appearing impatient.
Mina could only sigh. They approached the luxurious car waiting outside. Leo opened the door and allowed Mina to enter first before following her in.
As the car started moving, Mina looked out the window, feeling as if she were stepping into a world vastly different from her everyday life.
The vehicle came to a stop in front of a magnificent mansion, far more extravagant than anything Mina had ever imagined.
The building stood majestically with its large pillars and neatly manicured gardens, looking both impressive and somewhat intimidating.
"Wow," Mina whispered, awestruck by the luxury before her.
Leo opened the car door and stepped out, followed reluctantly by Mina. He offered a thin smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he guided her toward the mansion's front door.
"Welcome to my new world," he said in a cold tone that made Mina feel even more anxious.
As Mina entered the mansion with cautious steps, she felt a dramatic shift from her daily routine. The walls adorned with gold leaf, sparkling crystal chandeliers, and antique furnishings made her feel as though she had stepped into a very expensive film.
Leo led Mina to a spacious guest room, where he introduced her to several family members and followers. They seemed accustomed to the glamorous life and the chaos surrounding them.
"This is Mina," Leo said firmly, pointing her out to a group busy arranging an extravagant feast around a large dining table. "She'll be my fiancée tonight."
Mina attempted a friendly smile, though she felt stiff and awkward under all the scrutiny. "Hi, everyone. Nice to meet you."
Some nodded in confusion, while others looked skeptical.
"Alright," Leo said as they stood in the living room, "it's time to start your role as my fake fiancée. Don't worry, this is only temporary."
Mina nodded, trying to stay calm despite her racing heart. She felt as if she had just been thrown into a ludicrous comedy scenario.
"Okay, sir," she said, "I'll do my best. It's just one night, right? Besides, I'm curious what it's like to live as a mafia fiancée." She murmured quietly.
Mina gazed at the grand mansion before her, her eyes widening. "Oh wow… So, this is your house?" she said, half-whispering as if afraid the building might hear her and take offense.
Leo looked at her with an arrogant smile. "Yes, this is my house. Or more accurately, my castle. Let's go inside; we have a lot to do." He stepped in confidently, and Mina could only follow in awe.
Leo's home was far more luxurious than Mina had ever imagined. Crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and expensive paintings that looked as if they had come from a world-class museum decorated every corner of the space.
"It's like a dream," Mina muttered, glancing around with wide eyes. "It feels like a royal palace. You must be joking, right?"
Leo glanced at her. "Trust me, this isn't a dream, and I rarely joke."
Mina chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, if that's the case, maybe I should pinch myself to make sure I'm not asleep."
"I suggest you don't," Leo replied flatly. "I don't want blood on my marble floors."
Mina stifled a small laugh, trying to hide her astonishment at Leo's demeanor. "Alright, so what's the next step, Boss?"
Leo led her through a long hallway flanked by large pillars, toward a living room that resembled a royal meeting hall more than a regular lounge. There, a long dining table stretched out, complete with luxurious chairs that looked more comfortable than the sofa in Mina's home. On the table, exquisite dishes were neatly arranged, appearing more artistic than filling.
"Okay, here's what you need to know," Leo said, turning to Mina with his hands on his hips, like a teacher explaining an important lesson to an unprepared student. "You have to pretend to be my fiancée. That means you must follow a few rules: first, always smile. Second, don't speak unless spoken to. Third, if anyone asks, you are my long-lost true love."
Mina nodded, although she felt as if she were participating in an impromptu play for which she had not prepared. "Okay, smile, be silent, and pretend to be true love. Easy, right?" Mina tried to appear confident, though her heart raced as if it wanted to leap out of her chest.