My Boyfriend From The Store

No. Absolutely not.

Aurora's fingers curled around the edge of the table, her nails digging into the wood.

How dare he?

"No, Dad! I refuse to marry a man I don't even know just for the sake of the company!"

Her voice rang through the grand dining room, shattering the silence that had always existed in the house. The high ceilings and expensive paintings did nothing to soften the weight of her words as they clashed against her father's unshakable presence.

Across from her, Mr. Everly barely blinked. His face remained composed, but the tightening of his fingers around his whiskey glass gave him away. The ice clinked softly, the only sound in the vast room aside from her erratic breathing.

To him, this was not an argument.

It was just a transaction.

"Aurora, be reasonable," he said, his voice low. The practiced tone he always used to close deals and manipulate contracts.

"This isn't just any man. He is powerful and well-connected. This will benefit you."

A bitter laugh scraped its way up her throat. Benefit me?

She shook her head in disbelief, her nails pressing deeper into the polished surface of the table.

Of course, that's how he saw it.

"You make it sound like I'm a product to be sold," she snapped, her voice laced with resentment.

But that was exactly what she was to him-a carefully groomed heiress, prepped and polished for the highest bidder.

Her father sighed, slow and patient, as if she was the unreasonable one. "This is about securing your future."

A sharp pain spread through her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs.

Her future? Or the company's?

She didn't even need to ask.

Aurora's pulse pounded in her ears as she shoved back her chair, the legs screeching against the marble floors.

She couldn't do this.

If she stayed even a second longer, he'd start again-calm words laced with manipulation, his voice weaving a net around her, tightening until she second-guessed everything.

But not this time.

She turned on her heel, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor as she strode toward the grand staircase.

"Aurora..."

His voice carried through the air, rich with expectation and laced with duty.

It pressed against her back like a heavy weight, the same weight she'd carried all her life.

But she ignored it.

Not because she didn't hear him. But because if she stopped now, she wasn't sure she would be able to walk away.

A Prison Wrapped in Gold...more like Her Prison Wrapped in Gold.

Aurora Everly was beautiful.

Curves in all the right places.

Sultry, hypnotic eyes that could bring any man to his knees.

Full lips that whispered power, and elegance.

Men wanted her.

Women envied her.

To the world, she was a princess wrapped in gold, dripping in diamonds and luxury.

But to her?

It was a prison.

A cage made of glass and expectations, where her every move was watched and every step was dictated by rules she never agreed to.

She reached her bedroom and slammed the door shut, pressing her back against it as she took a steadying breath.

Her hands shook as she moved to her closet, yanking a small bag off the shelf.

She didn't need much.

Just enough to get away.

Jeans. A sweater. Some shirts.

Underwear. Toothbrush.

Her hands moved on autopilot, stuffing the bag with necessities as her mind raced.

She needed out. Even if it was just for the weekend.

Her gaze flicked to her phone, hesitation creeping up her spine, but after a minute, she typed out a quick message.

'Can I come over?'

She hit send before she could second guess herself.

Vincent.

Her secretary, her voice of reason... Her only friend. The only person who kept her sane in this twisted, suffocating world.

Seconds ticked by but no reply.

Her fingers tapped against the dresser, her frustration simmering beneath the surface.

One... two... three... four... five...

Still nothing.

She exhaled sharply and hit the call button.

Two rings.

Then, his clipped, professional tone. "Good afternoon, Miss Everly. How can I assist you?"

Aurora's jaw tightened.

"Vincent, did you not see my text? Can I come over for the weekend?"

"No."

Her breath caught. "Wait!...No?"

"No," Vincent repeated, his tone unfazed, as if she had just asked him to commit a crime.

"Vincent, come on." She exhaled, forcing her voice into a calm she did not feel. "It's just for two days. I'll be back to work on Monday."

Silence.

She tried again, this time, her voice pleading. "I just... I need a break, okay? I might actually lose my mind."

"Fine," Vincent said, sounding thoroughly unamused. "The door's open. Don't make me regret this."

A Vincent ious smirk tugged at her lips.

"Trust me," she murmured, grabbing her car keys. "You won't."

The moment she stepped out of her room, she heard her father's call.

"Aurora."

His voice so commanding, and she hated it, hated when he used that voice on her.

The voice of a man who had spent all his life winning battles in boardrooms.

Her heart pounded as she descended the stair, If she hesitated-even for a second-he would see it.

The doubt. The hesitation, and he would use it.

"Aurora," her father called again, his voice sharp now. "Don't walk away from this conversation."

Conversation?...really?

Well that was a generous way to put it.

She reached the grand entrance, her fingers curling around the door handle.

"Aurora, listen to me," he said, voice edged with a warning.

She turned her body a little just enough to glance over her shoulder.

"I am listening, father, I just don't like what I'm hearing."

And without another word, she stepped out of the house.

The city blurred past as Aurora gripped the steering wheel of her car, her knuckles turning white against the leather as her father's words played in her head.

A business proposal, a marriage deal, all for the sake of the company.

She was angry even though she was used to it-her father's ruthless negotiations, the way he moved people around like chess pieces in a never ending game of power-but this was different.

This wasn't just another business transaction. This was her life. Her future.

Her jaw clenched, the weight of exhaustion settling into her bones, as she drove deeper into the neighborhood.

The smooth roads turned rougher, 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's number again.

"My car can't make it through the 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 before shaking her head. She grabbed her bag, locked her car and started walking towards the store, 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 hard force that sent her stumbling backward. Her feet lost their balance, and she hit the ground with a graceless thud.

Pain flared at her temple as she winced.

"Hey, you okay?" A deep voice asked 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 damn...

Tall. Broad shouldered. Dark hair that's 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 dark yet filled with 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, his grip steady as he helped her to her feet. But the moment she straightened, dizziness hit her like a freight train, and 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, her subconscious asking weird questions. What will swell? My head? My heart?

Still, 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 watching her.

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."

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 with my bag."

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.

Vincent stood near the kitchen with his hoodie sleeves rolled up and a glass of water in hand, the light from his ceiling casting shadows that highlighted the sharp curve of his nose and mouth, looking almost amused at her arrival.

He barely spared her a glance before taking a slow sip.

"You look like hell," he remarked, his tone light but observant, as if he was taking in every detail-her slightly disheveled hair, the tension in her shoulders, the fire still burning in her eyes.

Aurora threw her bag onto the couch with more force than necessary, the leather hitting the cushions with a dull thud. "Fantastic. Just what I needed to hear," she muttered, her voice filled with exhaustion and frustration.

Vincent leaned against the counter, his eyes on her. "Let me guess...your father proposed another ridiculous deal, and you stormed out in dramatic fashion?"

She shot him a glare, chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. "You could at least pretend to be surprised."

His smirk deepened. "This is, like what, the third time he's tried to sell you off?"

"Fourth," she muttered, running a hand through her hair before collapsing onto the couch. Her body ached with exhaustion but adrenaline kept her upright.

Her mind was still spinning from the conversation-her father's cold and detached tone, the way he had spoken about her future as if she weren't even in the room. "But this time, he's serious, he wants me to marry a Carlos Romano."

The smirk vanished from Vincent's face and his grip tightened around the glass, his once lazy amused eyes changing into seriousness as he set the glass down on the counter.

"Carlos Romano?"

Aurora frowned at his reaction. "Why do you sound so serious?"

Vincent exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Carlos Romano isn't just some businessman. He is a problem."

She sat up straighter, her pulse quickening. "Meaning?"

"Meaning he doesn't take no for an answer. And he doesn't like losing."

The weight that had been pressing against her back all morning solidifies because Aurora knew exactly what that meant.

Men like Carlos Romano-men in her father's world-saw everything as a transaction. And transactions had to be completed, one way or another.

If she said no, it wouldn't just be a rejection. It would be a challenge. A battle she isn't prepared to fight.

"Great," she muttered. "So my father's basically throwing me to a wolf."

Vincent scoffed, pushing the glass aside with a quiet clink. "More like a viper. One that enjoys playing with his prey first."

Aurora clenched her jaw. It shouldn't have surprised her. Her father had always treated her like an asset-something he made from scratch.

But this was different, this was dangerous.

Her fingers curled into the couch's armrest. "I won't marry him."

Vincent studied her for a moment, then put his hands into his trouser pocket, a slow smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. "Then you need to play smarter than him."

Aurora let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "Like what? Marry someone out of spite?"

Vincent arched a brow, his lips twitching into amusement. "It wouldn't be the worst idea."

She blinked at him. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," he said smoothly, without hesitation. "Carlos is calculating. If he thinks you're already 'claimed,' he'll hesitate to make a move. And if your father believes you're already with someone, he loses his leverage."

Aurora stared at him, trying to ignore the way her pulse kicked up at the suggestion.

It was reckless...It was insane...It was perfect.

Neither her father nor Carlos would expect her to make the first move.

A slow thrill ran through her veins as she smirks. "Fine," she murmured, tilting her head slightly. "Then I need to find me a boyfriend... I can't get married now."

Vincent exhaled, shaking his head with an amused smirk. "And here I thought my weekend would be boring."

-

Hours later, Aurora stumbled into the bright convenience store, the hum of several bottles of vodka and a thirty minutes call from her father still burning in her veins.

The cool air bit at her skin as she scanned the aisles, rows of instant noodles and cheap snacks blurring slightly in her vision.

Her reflection flickered on the fridge doors-makeup slightly smudged, lips parted in quiet contemplation. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, the only sound besides the hum of the store's refrigerator units.

Then she saw him.

Theo.

He was standing by the counter, scanning the shelves with a furrowed brow, one hand casually stuffed into the pocket of his sweater.

Her lips curled into a slow, mischievous smile.

"Be my contracted boyfriend for two years," she said, stepping toward him. "And I'll grant you three wishes."

Theo turned, his brow furrowing as he took her in. His dark eyes flickered with confusion, scanning her face, taking in the slight sway of her stance and the determination in her alcohol-induced haze.

"What?"

Aurora tilted her head, her expression unwavering. "Three wishes. Anything you want."

"You're drunk," he muttered, turning away.

Aurora grabbed his wrist, her fingers tightening around his skin, her grip surprisingly steady. "I'm serious."

Theo studied her, his eyes searching her's, like he was waiting for her to start laughing saying it was a joke.

"You're serious? We just met like a few hours ago. Why the sudden proposal?" he asked, his voice confused.

Aurora's smirk deepened. "I've never been more serious, and I think you would be perfect by my side."

"Sounds more like you're looking for a weapon, not a man," he said.

She shrugged, her grip still firm. "Can't I want both."

He scoffed and ran a hand through his hair, his frustration obvious. "You're insane."

Aurora took a step closer, the distance between them shrinking. "You're the only person I know who doesn't play by my father's rules and that makes you valuable."

Theo let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You have no idea what you're asking for, Princess."

Aurora lifted her chin, meeting his gaze without hesitation. "Try me."

For a long minute or two, neither of them moved. The air between them pulsed, pressing down like a loaded gun.

Theo exhaled, muttering under his breath, "This is a terrible idea."