Chapter Two: The Man Who Said Yes

Amara’s brain stopped working.

Completely.

She was shocked he played along.

There was no way this was happening.

No way.

Adrian Cole’s hand was still resting lightly on her waist.

Like it belonged there.

Like she belonged there.

“…What?” she whispered under her breath.

Beside her, David looked like someone had just slapped him.

Twice.

“You,” David pointed between them.

“This is a joke, right?” He said.

Adrian didn’t even look at him.

Instead, his eyes remained on Amara.

Calm.

Unbothered.

Almost amused.

“Do I look like I’m joking?” he asked quietly.

David jaws were falling.

But he closed it.

Then laughed awkwardly.

“Alright… alright,” he said.

“This is funny.”

But no one laughed.

Amara’s heart was beating too fast.

Too loud.

This wasn’t funny.

This was a disaster.

Because she knew one thing for sure,

She had never met this man before.

“…Can I talk to you?” she said quickly, forcing a smile.

Adrian didn’t argue.

He simply nodded once.

Still holding her,

He guided her away.

Far enough so no one could hear them.

The moment they stopped,

Amara pulled away instantly.

“What are you doing?!” she whispered harshly.

Adrian slipped his hands into his pockets calmly.

“Helping you,” he replied.

“Helping me?” she almost choked.

“I don’t even know you!”

“That’s obvious,” he said.

Amara stared at him.

“…Then why would you say that?” she demanded.

Adrian tilted his head slightly.

“You pointed at me,” he said.

“As your fiancé.”

“…That was a mistake!” she quickly cut in.”

“I disagree.”

Amara blinked.

As if caught.

“You disagree?” she repeated.

“Yes.”

Silence.

“…You’re insane,” she said finally.

That gave a small smile.

“Possibly,” Adrian replied.

Amara ran her hand through her hair in frustration.

“This is not funny,” she said.

“You could have exposed me!”

“I could have,” he agreed.

“Then why didn’t you?” she asked.

That,

That was the real question.

Adrian’s expression remained the same.

“Because I need something,” he said.

Amara froze.

“…What?”

He stepped closer.

Not too close.

Just enough to make her nervous.

“A fiancée,” he said simply.

Silence.

Amara blinked.

Once.

Twice.

“…I’m sorry,” she said slowly.

“I think I heard that wrong.”

“You didn’t.”

Her mouth opened.

Closed.

Opened again.

In shock

“You’re joking,” she said.

“I’m not.” He replied.

This had to be a dream.

A very bad one.

“You want me,” she pointed to herself,

“To pretend to be your fiancée?”

“Yes.”

“No,” she said immediately.

Adrian didn’t show any reaction as if he was bothered by her response.

“You haven’t heard the full offer,” he added.

“I don’t need to,” she replied.

“This is crazy.”

“Paid.”

That one word stopped her.

“…What?”

“I’ll pay you,” he said.

Amara rolled her eyes.

“How much?”

Adrian looked at her for a moment.

As if calculating something.

Then,

He mentioned a number.

Amara’s jaw dropped.

“…You’re lying.”

“I don’t lie.”

Her heart skipped.

That amount of money could solve everything.

Her rent.

Her problems.

Her stress.

“…Why me?” she asked carefully.

Adrian’s gaze didn’t leave her eyes.

“Because you’re convincing,” he said.

Amara frowned.

“I just watched you lie without hesitation,” he added.

That was not a compliment.

“And because,” he continued,

“You already started this.”

Silence followed.

She knew he wasn’t wrong about that.

At all.

“…This is a bad idea,” she said quietly.

Adrian nodded once.

“It is.”

A pause.

“But you’re still considering it.”

Amara didn’t deny it.

Because she really was.

And that scared her.