Chapter 1: The Proposal
The sound of shattering glass echoed through the small bakery, sending a jolt of panic through Louise's veins. She rushed out from the kitchen, her heart racing, only to find Mia, her assistant, standing frozen in shock, a broken plate at her feet.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry, Louise! " Mia stammered, her eyes wide with fear.
"It's just a plate, Mia. Breathe," Louise replied, forcing a smile as she knelt to clean up the mess. But inside, anxiety twisted like a knot in her stomach. The bakery had been struggling for months, and the last thing they could afford was more broken dishes. Each mishap felt like a nail in the coffin of her family's legacy.
Just then, the bell above the door jingled, and in walked Davis, the last person she wanted to see. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his presence commanding and infuriating all at once. The moment their eyes met, a familiar tension crackled in the air.
"Louise," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I hope you're not planning on serving your customers with broken plates."
"What do you want, Davis?" she snapped, standing up and brushing off her hands. She wasn't in the mood for his charm or condescension.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I came to talk business. My family is pressuring me to settle down, and I have a proposition for you."
Louise rolled her eyes. "A business proposition? You must be desperate if you think I'd want anything to do with you."
"Actually, it's a marriage proposal," he said, his tone suddenly serious.
Louise blinked, momentarily taken aback. "You can't be serious. You and I? Married? That's absurd!"
"Think about it," he continued, his voice unwavering. "My family won't stop hounding me about finding a wife, and you need financial help to keep this bakery afloat. A contract marriage would benefit us both."
"Are you out of your mind?" Louise shot back, crossing her arms. "You think I'd marry you for money? You're delusional!"
Davis stepped back, his expression serious now. "I'm not joking, Louise. My family is relentless. If I don't have a fiancée by the end of the month, they'll arrange a marriage for me. I can't let that happen."
She felt a mixture of anger and intrigue. "And what happens when this 'arrangement' ends? You think I'd just walk away with nothing?"
"I'll ensure you're taken care of," he replied, his gaze steady. "I can help you get the funds you need to save your bakery. In return, you'll be my wife in name only. No strings attached."
Louise hesitated, grappling with the idea. The bakery was her lifeline, her family's legacy, and it was slipping through her fingers. But the thought of marrying Davis, the man she had always seen as an arrogant enemy, felt like a betrayal to everything she stood for.
"What's in it for you?" she asked, her voice softer now. "Why me?"
"Because you're strong, capable, and you won't let me get away with anything," he said, a hint of admiration creeping into his tone. "You're the perfect candidate for this charade."
Louise studied him, searching for any sign of insincerity. But there was none. Davis was serious, and perhaps desperate. "You really think we can pull this off without killing each other?"
"Honestly? It'll be a challenge," he admitted, a flicker of humor in his eyes. "But I believe we can manage. We're both stubborn enough to make it work."
She sighed, weighing her options. "What about love? Or, you know, actual feelings?"
"Let's be real, Louise. This is a business arrangement, not a fairy tale. We won't need feelings to make this work," he said, his arrogance creeping back into his voice.
Louise felt a mixture of frustration and intrigue. "And what happens when this contract ends? Will I be left with nothing?"
"Let's negotiate the terms," he suggested. "I'll help you get your bakery back on its feet, and in return, you'll be my wife in name only. We can part ways amicably when the time comes."
She hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. The idea was ludicrous, but the stakes were high. "I need to think about it," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Take your time," he replied, his expression softening for a moment. "But don't take too long. I have a feeling this could be the best decision we ever make."
As he turned to leave, Louise felt a whirlwind of emotions. The man she had always seen as an enemy was now offering her a lifeline, wrapped in a proposal that felt both ridiculous and strangely appealing. Could she really marry Davis and survive the chaos that would undoubtedly ensue?
She watched him walk out, her heart racing with uncertainty. The bakery was her sanctuary, her family's legacy, but it was also a sinking ship. With each day that passed, she felt the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. The thought of losing everything she had fought for was unbearable.
"Mia," she called, her voice trembling slightly. "What do you think?"
Mia looked up, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "About what?"
"About Davis's proposal. It's crazy, right? I mean, marrying him? It feels like a nightmare."
"But it could save the bakery," Mia pointed out, her tone thoughtful. "You've worked so hard to keep this place alive. Maybe this is the opportunity you need."
Louise ran a hand through her hair, frustration bubbling to the surface. "But it's Davis! He's arrogant and insufferable. How could I possibly live with him?"
"You won't have to live with him forever. It's just a contract," Mia said, trying to reassure her. "And who knows? Maybe it could turn into something more."
"More? With him?" Louise scoffed, shaking her head. "That's impossible. We can barely stand each other."
"Maybe that's how it starts," Mia said with a smile. "Sometimes the best stories come from the most unexpected places."
Louise sighed, glancing out the window at the bustling street. She could see the world moving on, while she felt stuck in place, trapped by her circumstances. The bakery had always been her dream, but now it felt like a burden.
"Okay," she said finally, her voice steadying. "I'll think about it. But if I do this, it's strictly business."
"Of course," Mia replied, her eyes brightening. "Just think about what it could mean for you and the bakery."
As Louise began to clean up the broken plate, her mind raced with possibilities. The idea of marrying Davis was ludicrous, yet the thought of saving her bakery was intoxicating. She felt the tension in her chest ease slightly, replaced by a flicker of hope.
With a heavy heart and a mind racing with possibilities, she knew one thing for certain her life was about to change forever, and perhaps, just perhaps, this could lead to something unexpected.