The Proposal (1)

Xavier Harrington's office was a monument to power. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city he was systematically conquering, furniture of dark leather… not a single personal photograph or memento to suggest the occupant was human rather than a perfectly engineered corporate machine.

The man stood with his back to the door, speaking quietly into a phone while gazing out at his domain. Tall and broad-shouldered, his bespoke suit emphasized a physique maintained by expensive personal trainers and ruthless self-discipline.

When he turned, Aria's breath caught—not because of his conventional good looks, but because of the absolute coldness in his ice-blue eyes.

Those eyes barely registered Aria's presence, focusing instead on Victoria as he concluded his call. "Meeting later. Pierce priority."

With that, he set down the phone without saying goodbye.

"Victoria. I expected this meeting four hours ago." His words fell like ice shards into the silence.

"A family emergency," Victoria explained smoothly. "My husband had a cardiac episode last night. He's stable now."

"I see." Xavier's gaze finally shifted to Aria, assessing her with the same detached interest he might give to a balance sheet showing unexpected figures. "And this is?"

"Aria Taylor," Victoria supplied when Aria's voice failed her. "Robert's daughter. My stepdaughter."

A flicker of something crossed Xavier's face before his expression settled back into impassivity. "I expected Vivian."

"There's been a change of plans," Victoria said steadily despite the bombshell she was about to drop. "Vivian is... indisposed. Permanently. Aria will be taking her place in our arrangement."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees as Xavier Harrington's gaze sharpened and his attention was now fully on Aria for the first time.

"Indisposed," he repeated. "An interesting euphemism.” He chuckled darkly.

Victoria's composure wavered slightly. "My daughter has made choices that make her... unavailable for the arrangement we discussed. Aria is Robert's daughter and my stepdaughter. The contract language accommodates this substitution perfectly."

Xavier moved from behind his desk with the fluid grace of a predator, circling to stand directly before Aria. Up close, he was even more intimidating. Over six feet of cold authority, his tailored suit emphasizing broad shoulders and a lean physique. His eyes, the pale blue of arctic ice, studied her with clinical detachment.

"Miss Taylor," he addressed her directly for the first time. "Were you aware of this arrangement before today?"

Aria tried to take a deep breath, but the shapewear restricted her lungs. "No," she managed. "I was informed last night."

A muscle ticked in Xavier's jaw.

He turned to Victoria. "You expect me to accept this substitution without prior consultation?"

"The merger benefits remain unchanged," Victoria replied smoothly. "Taylor Architecture’s assets, my family's social connections—"

"Your family's rapidly deteriorating social connections," Xavier corrected coldly. "Don't insult my intelligence, Victoria. I'm well aware of your financial situation. The Pierces haven't been truly wealthy in two generations. You've been trading on reputation alone."

He returned to his desk, pressing a button on his phone. "Michael, join us."

Moments later, the door opened to admit a man in his mid-thirties, impeccably dressed yet with a warmth in his dark eyes that his employer notably lacked.

He carried a tablet and seemed unsurprised by the tension in the room.

"Michael Chen, my chief of staff," Xavier introduced briefly. "It seems we have a situation. Victoria has brought Robert Taylor's daughter as a replacement for Vivian in our arrangement."

Michael's gaze met Aria's briefly, something like sympathy flashing across his features before his professional visage returned. "I see. And the original contract terms?"

"Supposedly unchanged," Xavier replied. "I'd like your assessment of the situation."

Michael nodded, turning to Victoria. "Mrs. Pierce-Taylor, perhaps you could clarify exactly what happened to your daughter? The timing is... concerning."

Victoria's smile tightened. "Vivian eloped last night with someone unsuitable. A model she met through her work. She's currently unreachable."

"Convenient," Xavier murmured, returning to the window. "And Robert Taylor? His medical emergency coincides perfectly with his stepdaughter's disappearance."

"My father's condition is not a convenience," Aria found her voice, anger momentarily overriding her fear. "He's in the hospital with heart problems that your financial pressure has exacerbated."

Xavier turned with one eyebrow raised at her outburst. "Financial pressure that he agreed to, Miss Taylor. No one forced your father to sign those loan agreements."

"No one explained the predatory terms, either," Aria countered, ignoring Victoria's warning glare.

To her surprise, a ghost of a smile touched Xavier's lips. "Predatory. An interesting choice of words from someone offering herself as a replacement bride."

"I'm not offering myself," Aria clarified, her cheeks burning. "I'm trying to save my father's company and his health!"

"Noble," Xavier commented, the word neither compliment nor insult in his neutral tone. "Michael, what's your assessment?"

Michael glanced between Aria and Victoria. "The contract language does allow for substitution of 'a daughter of Victoria Pierce and stepdaughter of Robert Taylor.' Legally, Miss Taylor qualifies."

"And the financial implications?"

"Unchanged," Michael confirmed. "The merger would proceed as planned. Taylor Architecture would be absorbed into Harrington Consolidated ' development division, debts restructured as agreed."

Xavier nodded, then turned to face the window again, his back to the room as he considered.

The silence stretched painfully, broken only by the faint sound of Victoria's nails tapping against her clutch.

"Miss Taylor," he finally spoke without turning, "What exactly do you know about this arrangement?"

Aria swallowed hard. "I know my father's company is deeply in debt to yours. I know there's a marriage contract that would merge our families' assets. I know my father's health depends on reducing his stress."

"And you understand what would be expected of you?"

"I..." Aria hesitated, realizing how little she actually knew. "I would become your wife, at least on paper. I would fulfill the social obligations that entails."

Xavier turned, his expression unreadable. "Social obligations. Yes. Including accompanying me to business functions, charity galas, board meetings when required. Presenting a united front to the public and the business community. Living in my home. Taking my name."

Each requirement fell like a stone, building a wall around the life Aria had imagined for herself.

"I understand," she said quietly.

"I don't think you do." Xavier crossed to stand before her. "This isn't a business arrangement you can clock out from at five o'clock. This is twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Your time, your image, your body become Harrington property."

Aria flinched at the last word. "My body?"

Victoria intervened smoothly. "The contract includes standard clauses about public appearance and representation of the Harrington name. Nothing inappropriate."

Xavier's cold gaze never left Aria's face. "Nothing inappropriate," he echoed. "Just the complete surrender of your independence."

Something in his tone made Aria wonder if he was trying to warn her away rather than convince her.

"I need to see the contract," she said firmly. "All of it. Before I agree to anything."

Victoria made a small sound of protest, but Xavier nodded to Michael, who produced a thick document from his briefcase.

"The full agreement," Michael said, handing it to Aria. "Take your time."

"We don't have time," Victoria objected. "Xavier, surely we can proceed with the understanding that—"

"No," Xavier cut her off. "If Miss Taylor is replacing Vivian, she will do so with full knowledge of what she's agreeing to." He checked his watch. "I have a call with Tokyo in thirty minutes. That should give you adequate time to review the highlights, Miss Taylor."

He nodded to Michael, who guided Aria to a conference table in the corner of the vast office.

Victoria made to follow. However, "Victoria, a word in private." Xavier's voice stopped her.

It wasn't a request.