5

Mia rang the gate bell after the cab dropped her at the address Mateo had given her. The gate alone was bigger than her entire apartment building.

"I have an appointment with Mr. Moore," she told the security guard who came to open it.

"Mia Scott?"

"Yes."

"Come in. That door there is the entrance, he's expecting you," he said, motioning her forward.

She nodded and followed the path he pointed out. As soon as she stepped inside, Mateo came down the stairs to meet her.

"Ah, Mia. You made it," he said. At least he didn't sound angry.

"Hello," she managed.

"This way," he said, leading her to a table set for two. "Let's get down to business."

She nodded, nervous, and took her seat.

"I'm Mateo Moore, CEO of Emeralds Group, only son and heir of Chairman Emeralds Moore, who is very eager to finally meet the woman in my life."

He explained that his father was expecting them for a simple dinner, that she would be introduced as the woman he was seeing. He gave her a quick rundown of details she should know about him in case his father asked, and asked her to do the same in return. In between, he had the maid bring out a proper meal, and Mia was surprised at how easily he spoke to her, how there wasn't a single mention of the night they'd actually met.

"And after all this?" she asked.

"That's all you have to do. Then we're even, remember?"

"Right," she said, swallowing the sting of it. She wanted the money. She wanted to earn it, not just be handed an out.

"After this, we're square," Mateo said, and she nodded again.

They spent another hour trading facts about each other, stiff and a little awkward on her end. Before she left, they exchanged numbers, and he promised to pick her up that weekend for the dinner with his father.

***

On the day, she heard the knock and already knew who it was.

"Uh... hello," she said, unsure what else to say.

He looked past her into the apartment, confirming she hadn't lied about where she lived.

"So this is really where you stay."

"Yeah, with my roommate. She's traveling, back tomorrow," she said. He didn't respond.

She was already imagining the conversation she'd have to have with Kessia when she got back. From robbing a stranger to this. Kessia would never let her live it down.

"Here." He handed her a bag. "If you're meeting my father, you should look the part."

She peeked inside. "Oh."

Without another word, she went in to change into the dress he'd bought, which fit her better than she wanted to admit. She caught him staring once, but neither of them said anything about it the whole ride to his father's house.

Just before they got out of the car, he said, "You remember everything I told you?"

"All of it."

He came around and opened her door before she could, then rested a hand at her waist as they walked in together.

"Dad, this is Mia, the love of my life," Mateo said.

"Good evening, sir. It's wonderful to finally meet you. Mateo's told me so much about you," she said, smiling and looping her arm through his.

His father studied her over the rim of his glasses, then turned to his son.

"So when are you two getting married?" he asked, setting the glasses down.

Mateo tensed beside her, just slightly. She glanced at him, confused.

"Dad, Mia's the woman I'm seeing."

"I gave you a week to introduce the woman you intend to marry."

"I know. She's the one," Mateo said.

She shook her head slightly, trying to signal him without his father noticing, and instead he laced his fingers through hers.

"Yes, Dad, we're working toward marriage," he said.

Her temper flared, and he must have felt it, because his thumb brushed gently over her knuckles.

"Actually," she added, forcing herself to play along, "Mateo already proposed."

His father's face broke into a wide smile.

"Wonderful. I'm proud of the man you're becoming, and I accept the woman you've chosen. She's perfect."

"Yeah. She is," Mateo said.

They exchanged a smile that felt hollow to both of them.

His father didn't press further, skipping all the questions they'd prepared for about how they met or fell in love. He seemed satisfied with the promise of a wedding alone.

Later that evening, Mateo drove her home, the silence in the car heavy after the day's performance.

"We're even now. Pretend girlfriend, done and dusted," she said, finally breaking it. He said nothing.

"Your dad's going to be shocked when there's no wedding in a week," she added, half laughing.

"He'll take my company from me."

"Huh?"

"He'll hand it to my cousin if I don't follow through," Mateo admitted.

"Oh. That's rough." She didn't know what else to say.

"You're not married, are you?" he asked instead.

"No."

She cut him off before he could say more. "Our deal ends here. I did what you asked to pay off what I owed."

"Mia, I'll take care of you. Whatever you need, shelter, money, clothes. You'd be my responsibility from here on."

"What?"

"Five hundred thousand dollars on top of what you already owe me. I'll always provide more if you need it."

"Why? Why would you do that?"

"If you'd marry me," he said.

She stared at him, speechless.