A jungle. A rifle. And her future husband flirting with mosquitoes instead of her.
Yep. Her first date was going great.
In the heart of a dense jungle, birds chirped.
Until they didn't.
A loud gunshot cracked through the trees.
Another bird dropped.
Somewhere out there, a guy was gleefully showing off his aim—like he was the last man alive who knew how to pull a trigger.
And her?
She sat near a tree, on damp soil, being eaten alive by mosquitoes and bugs the size of unpaid debts.
That woman was Kiri Morozov.
This was her first date.
Romantic, right?
Daughter of Igor Morozov, a mafia boss with a heart made of glacier and zero respect for personal choice.
A few weeks ago, he decided to "secure the future"—his words, not hers—by arranging her marriage.
To whom?
To the son of his manipulative business ally, Jae Kwan Virell.
And that man currently playing sniper in the trees?
Damon Virell. Her future husband.
A notorious playboy with a revolving door of women and the emotional availability of a potato. A man who was losing his freedom—just like her.
Looking around at the jungle, the sweat, and the bugs... Kiri could confidently say he hated this plan. And probably... hated her too.
> "You should've stayed in the car," Damon muttered without looking back. "This place doesn't suit someone like you."
Kiri narrowed her eyes and smacked a mosquito on her arm.
Were you planning to marry mosquitoes? Because honestly, they're the only ones flirting with you.
Damon lowered his rifle, leaned against a tree, and dabbed sweat from his brow with a silk handkerchief—of course it was silk.
> "But no, you had to come. What did you think you'd find out here? A magical bonding moment?"
His laugh was low, sarcastic.
> "You're way too naive for this setup."
Kiri crossed her legs and swatted another bug.
Nope. Just found a grown man trying to impress insects. Not a bonding moment—more like National Geographic with extra attitude.
Damon's gaze suddenly snapped to her—cold, unreadable, sharp.
She said nothing. She didn't have the energy to waste on him.
> "Are you always this stubborn," he asked, "or is it just around me?"
Kiri raised a brow, unimpressed.
Are you always this emotionally constipated, or is it just Tuesdays?
Watching her annoyed face, Damon smirked. He clearly found joy in poking hornets.
> "You look like you're having the time of your life, princess."
He sauntered closer, squatted beside her—too close for comfort.
> "No spa out here? No champagne and scented towels?"
Kiri's jaw tensed.
Oh yes. Jungle. Gunshots. Giant bugs. This is my dream honeymoon. If I'm lucky, maybe a jaguar will take me out of this misery.
She muttered under her breath, "Your thoughts are wild. Try applying logic next time."
He chuckled. But there was venom in it.
> "Remind me again why you followed me?" he drawled. "Wait—don't tell me. You're trying to bond."
He said bond like it burned his tongue.
> "Let me spare you the fantasy. I didn't pick this engagement. I don't care what our families want. And I sure as hell don't do the fake couple thing."
He stood, brushing dirt off his pants like she was the one who made him dirty.
> "You're just the unlucky one who got picked."
Then, over his shoulder, he grinned.
> "But hey… maybe you'll grow on me. Like fungus."
Kiri slowly stood, brushing off her jeans.
> "I didn't come here for fun. My father told me to come. Told me to 'talk to you, get to know you.' So here I am."
Great. I sound like a mosquito-bitten robot. Where's my factory reset?
Damon raised a brow.
> "Ah, so Daddy gave you a script?"
His laughter was sharp now.
> "Let me guess. Next line is 'we should try to make this work'?"
He stepped closer. Right in front of her now.
> "You really don't know what you've been dragged into, do you?"
His voice softened. Not warmer. Just less cruel.
> "This isn't a love story. It's a chessboard. You're just a pawn. So am I."
He crouched again, looking her in the eye.
> "You think one awkward jungle stroll is gonna change anything? Make me some doting fiancé?"
Another bitter laugh.
> "You're not my type. Not just looks. The whole act. The quiet, polite daughter trying to understand me."
> "If you're going to survive this, princess, you better grow a spine. Because I'm not playing nice just because you showed up with bug bites and Daddy's words in your mouth."
He brushed a leaf from her hair—too gently.
> "You talk a lot."
Kiri slapped a bug off her leg.
> "Still can't decide if you or mosquitoes are more irritating."
Though at least mosquitoes don't have commitment issues.
> "I don't care who you like," she said coldly. "Women, bugs, ghosts—none of my business."
> "But since I know you're capable of speaking in full sentences, maybe you can go tell your father to cancel this circus of a wedding."
Damon blinked, then grinned.
> "Well, damn. Feisty."
He flicked invisible dust from his shirt.
> "Most girls either swoon or sulk. You throw insults like throwing knives. Kinda impressive."
> "Still don't wanna be here with you. But hey—at least now I'm entertained while I shoot things."
> "Try not to get eaten alive, princess. I'm not exactly in a rescuing mood."
> "Yeah, whatever."
Kiri rolled her eyes.
This guy can't save himself from loneliness, and he's talking about saving me.
At this rate, he'll be crowned the Mosquito King's personal jester.
> "Yeah, whatever," he mimicked in a high-pitched voice. "You've got attitude. Dangerous thing to have around me."
They walked a bit in silence.
> "Step there, you'll twist your ankle," he said suddenly.
A pause.
> "Unless you want me to carry you back. Which, honestly… wouldn't be the worst thing."
She skipped the spot, unimpressed.
> "Tch. No signal," he muttered, tapping his phone.
> "Looks like I won't get my daily fix of actual conversation."
Then he looked at her and smirked.
> "Not that I expected it from you."
> "Wow. Did you dress up just for me?" he teased. "You look like a lost squirrel in cargo pants."
> "One of my girls from last summer followed me on hunts too. Wore heels. Now that was commitment."
He leaned closer to her ear.
> "Maybe I'll invite her next time. Bet she wouldn't whine about bugs."
> "I didn't ask," Kiri replied coolly. "Why are you even telling me this?"
> "Trying to impress me, or compete with the insects for attention?"
She tilted her head.
> "If that's the case, congrats. You're winning. Barely."
> "Oof. Cold," he said, clutching his chest like wounded prey.
> "You wound me, princess."
He began circling her slowly.
> "The way you keep snapping at me? Kinda hot."
He leaned in again.
> "But don't get confused. I flirt when I'm bored."
Then stepped back.
> "If I actually wanted you… trust me. You'd know."
> "Let me know when you stop pretending you're above me. Could be fun."
> "Not pretending," she said, smirking. "Just facts. Try looking up once in a while. Perspective helps."
> "Ice queen, huh?" he murmured, walking back toward her slowly.
> "So it's not an act. You really think you're too good for me?"
He leaned in, lips inches from hers.
> "Or are you scared you're not?"
Her pulse skipped. But she didn't step back.
> "Keep pretending you're immune, Kiri. It's fun watching you try."
He turned and strolled ahead again.
> "Besides… the ones who say 'I'm not interested' are always the ones who fall hardest."
He stopped.
> "Let's see how long you last, princess."