Chapter 1: The Encounter in the Rain
The clock struck 10:00 PM. Outside, the sky had opened up, pouring down a relentless sheet of rain that blurred the neon lights of the city. Ariana sighed, wiping the wooden counter of her small, cozy cafe. It had been a long day, and all she wanted was to go home and curl up with a book.
Just as she reached for the "Closed" sign, the bell above the door chimed— Ting!
"I'm sorry, we're just closing for the night," Ariana said without looking up, her voice weary but polite.
"A cup of black coffee. No sugar," a deep, commanding voice resonated through the quiet shop.
Ariana looked up, and for a heartbeat, her breath hitched. Standing by the door was a man who looked like he had stepped straight out of a luxury magazine. He was tall, dressed in a sharp black tailored suit that was now soaked from the rain. His hair was damp, clinging to his forehead, but it didn't diminish the raw power he radiated. Yet, despite his cold aura, there was a flicker of exhaustion in his piercing grey eyes.
Ariana hesitated, then softened. "It's a rough night out there. Please, take a seat. I'll make it for you."
A few minutes later, she placed a steaming mug in front of him. The man was staring out the window at the rain-slicked streets, lost in thought. As she set the cup down, she noticed his hand was clenched tightly on the table.
"Are you alright, sir?" Ariana asked, her voice a gentle murmur.
The man—Jayden Black—turned his gaze toward her. His eyes were intense, searching her face as if looking for a hidden motive. But all he found was genuine kindness.
"The city feels too loud tonight, doesn't it?" he remarked, his voice surprisingly low.
Ariana smiled softly. "Sometimes, you have to lose yourself in the silence to find peace. I hope the coffee helps."
Jayden took a sip. He had tasted the most expensive blends across the globe, but there was something about this simple cup of coffee—and the girl who served it—that stilled the storm inside him.
He stood up, pulling a sleek business card from his wallet and sliding it across the counter. "I am Jayden Black. And you are?"
"Ariana," she replied, blinking in surprise.
"Ariana," he repeated, the name sounding like a vow on his lips. "That cup of coffee just helped me make a very difficult decision. We will meet again soon."
Before she could respond, he disappeared into the rainy night, leaving behind the scent of expensive cologne and a mystery that would soon turn Ariana's world upside down. Little did she know, Jayden Black didn't believe in coincidences—he believed in results. And his next result required a wife.
Chapter 2: An Offer One Cannot Refuse
The rain had stopped, but the damp smell of the pavement remained. Three days had passed since the mysterious man in the black suit visited Ariana's cafe. She found herself glancing at the door every time the bell chimed, her heart racing for a reason she couldn't explain.
Just as she was wiping down the tables, a sleek, black limousine pulled up in front of the shop. Two men in suits stepped out, holding the door open for none other than Jayden Black.
He walked in, his presence instantly making the small cafe feel cramped. He wasn't wet today; he looked impeccable—powerful, cold, and untouchable.
"Mr. Black," Ariana breathed, clutching her cleaning rag. "I didn't think you were serious about coming back."
Jayden didn't waste time with small talk. He walked straight to the counter and placed a thick folder on it. "I don't make empty promises, Ariana. I'm here because I have a proposition for you."
Ariana frowned, looking at the folder. "A proposition? About coffee?"
Jayden leaned in, his gaze locking onto hers. "No. About your life. I've done my research. Your brother is in the hospital, and the bills are piling up. Your shop is struggling to stay afloat because of the rising rent in this district."
Ariana felt a chill. "How do you know all that?"
"I make it my business to know everything about people I intend to work with," Jayden replied calmly. "Here is the deal: I need a wife. My family is forcing an arranged marriage upon me with someone I despise. I need a woman who is sensible, kind, and—most importantly—not part of my social circle."
Ariana's eyes widened. "You want me to... marry you? We don't even know each other!"
"It's a contract, Ariana," Jayden clarified. "One year. You live in my house, we attend social events together, and the world believes we are in love. In exchange, I will clear all your brother's medical debts, pay off your shop's lease for the next five years, and give you ten million dollars when the contract ends."
The room went silent. The ticking of the wall clock felt like a hammer. It was a lifeline—a way to save her brother and her dreams. But the cost was her freedom.
"Why me?" she whispered.
Jayden stepped closer, the scent of his expensive cologne filling her senses. "Because you were the only person in this city who looked at me with kindness instead of greed. So, Ariana... do we have a deal?"
Ariana looked at the contract, then at the man whose eyes held a storm of secrets. She knew that once she signed this, there was no going back.