The city blurred past as Aurora gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white against the leather. Her father's words echoed in her head, each syllable a sharp sting against her already frayed nerves.
A business deal. A marriage proposal. For the sake of the company.
Anger coiled in her chest, she was used to this…to her father's ruthless negotiations, the way he moved people around like chess pieces in a never ending game of power, but this? This was different. This wasn't just another business transaction. This was her life. And apparently, her hand in marriage was just another bargaining chip in his grand design.
Her jaw clenched, the weight of exhaustion settling into her bones.
As she drove deeper into the neighborhood, the smooth roads turned rougher, cracks spider webbing across the asphalt and eventually, her car gave a warning jolt as the pavement turned into an uneven dirt path.
She groaned. Of course… this would happen.
Sighing, she pulled over and grabbed her phone, dialing Vincent again.
"My car can't make it through this road. Where the hell do you live?"
Vincent sounded unbothered. "Do you see any store nearby? A convenience store?"
Aurora scanned the street and spotted a bright neon sign flickering in the distance. WS— Opens 24 Hours.
"Yeah, I see it."
"Good. I live upstairs. The rooftop," Vincent said before ending the call.
Aurora blinked at her phone. The rooftop?
Shaking her head, she grabbed her bag and started walking, the cool air nipping at her skin. Her heels clicked against the pavement, each step a reminder that she was wildly overdressed for this part of the town.
Halfway through, something slammed into her head…a solid, unyielding force that sent her stumbling backward. Her feet lost their balance, and before she could stop it, she hit the ground with a graceless thud.
Pain flared at her temple as she winced.
"Hey, you okay?"
A voice, deep and smooth, cut through the daze settling over her.
Aurora groaned, pressing a hand against the ache blooming at the side of her head. "Do I look okay to you?" she muttered, blinking past the stars dancing in her vision.
The man crouched in front of her, offering his hand. And man he was fine…
Tall. Broad shouldered. Dark hair, slightly messy, like he had a habit of running his fingers through it absentmindedly. But it was his eyes that stole her breath, stormy gray and sharp yet filled with something close to concern. Or maybe she was imagining that part.
Aurora swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how ridiculous she must have looked sprawled on the pavement. She hesitated, then took his hand. His palm was warm, rough with callouses, his grip steady as he helped her to her feet. But the moment she straightened, dizziness hit her like a freight train.
Before she knew it, she was pressed against his chest.
Aurora went still. Her face red as a Valentine's Day dress.
"Whoa, easy," he murmured, steadying her. The low rumble of his voice vibrated through her, sending an entirely different kind of shiver down her spine.
Aurora pulled back immediately, praying her face wasn't betraying the chaos going on in her head.
The guy…who looked like he had been sculpted by an ancient god reached down and picked up her bag. "That's going to swell if you don't treat it," he said, motioning toward her head. "Come inside for a minute."
She hesitated.
What will swell? My head… or my heart?
Still, common sense won out, and she followed him inside the store. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, illuminating shelves stocked with snacks and drinks.
The guy…the Greek Statue set her bag on the counter and grabbed a cold soda from the cooler. He handed it to her. "Press that against your head," he instructed, leaning against the counter with an easy confidence.
Aurora did as he said, sighing at the cool relief.
"You live around here?" he asked, watching her.
She shook her head. "No. I'm visiting a friend. He, uh, lives above this store."
The guy raised a brow. "Oh, you mean Vincent? Wow, I didn't know he had a girlfriend."
Aurora choked on air. "What—no!" she practically shouted. The guy flinched slightly, clearly not expecting that level of reaction.
Aurora took a breath, lowering her voice. "I mean, no, I'm not his girlfriend. I'm actually his boss."
Something shifted in the guy's expression, amusement, maybe?
Aurora straightened, regaining her composure. She pulled a sleek business card from her purse and handed it to him. "Aurora Everly, co-CEO of Everly Elite Enterprise."
He took the card, his lips quirking up. "Nice to meet you, Aurora." He flipped the card between his fingers, then looked back at her. "Am Theo Winslow and My parents own this store."
Theo. The name suited him.
Theo glanced at her bag. "Let me help you with that."
Aurora reached for her purse. "Who do I pay to?"
Theo shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Consider it an apology for the ball."
Aurora narrowed her eyes, ready to argue, but before she could, Theo had already grabbed her bag and headed toward the door.
She followed, her gaze—completely and unintentionally—drifting lower.
Okay. Wow. How is it even possible for a human man to have a butt this perfect?
She forced herself to look away, shaking her head. No. No. No We are not doing this today.
By the time they reached the staircase leading to the rooftop, she was determinedly keeping her thoughts appropriate.
Vincent opened the door before she could even knock. He was out of his usual suits, dressed in casual sweatpants and a hoodie, looking much less like the polished assistant she was used to.
His gaze flickered between her and Theo. "I hope you're not planning on staying long."
Aurora smirked. "Nope. I'll be out of your hair by tomorrow evening."
She stepped inside, but before the door shut, she turned back to Theo.
"Thanks for the drink. And… for helping."
Theo's lips curved into a smirk. "Anytime, Aurora."
The door closed behind her, shutting out the world outside.
Aurora exhaled slowly, pressing the soda can against her temple again.