đź“– Novel Title: Bound by Fate, Tied by Love
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🌹 Chapter 1: The Encounter
The bell above the shop door jingled, soft and familiar, but the sound carried a different weight that evening. Isabella Reed looked up from the bouquet she was arranging, brushing petals off her apron. The air smelled of roses, lavender, and freshly watered lilies—her mother's favorite blend.
But the man who stepped inside didn't look like someone who cared for flowers.
Tall. Sharp. Dangerous. His charcoal-gray suit looked tailored in a way Isabella had only seen in glossy magazines. His shoes gleamed against the wooden floor, and his piercing gray eyes scanned the shop like he was evaluating its worth in millions.
And then his gaze landed on her.
"You're Isabella Reed?" His voice was low, smooth, commanding.
Isabella blinked, startled by his directness. "Yes. Do I know you?"
"No." He stepped forward, his presence filling the small shop. "But you will. Soon."
Her grip on the bouquet tightened. "If you're here to buy flowers, I close in ten minutes."
He ignored her attempt to dismiss him. Instead, he slipped a business card across the counter. Embossed letters spelled out Adrian Cole. Isabella's breath caught—she'd heard the name before. The ruthless billionaire who owned half the city.
She frowned. "What would a man like you need from a flower shop?"
Adrian's lips curled in a humorless smile. "Not flowers. You."
Her heartbeat stumbled. "Excuse me?"
"I need your help," he said smoothly. "And in return, I'll save your shop."
Isabella's jaw clenched. "Save my shop? You don't even know me."
"I know enough." His eyes flicked around at the nearly empty vases and the faded "For Sale" notice she thought no one had noticed. "Your mother left this place to you, didn't she? You've been struggling to keep it alive, but the rent is overdue. One more month, and you lose it."
Her lips parted in shock. "How do you know that?"
"I make it my business to know everything." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Here's my offer. You'll be my fiancée—temporarily. In exchange, I'll pay off your debts and secure this shop for the next five years."
Isabella blinked, certain she'd misheard. "Your… fiancée?"
"Yes. A fake one. I don't have time to explain everything right now, but let's just say certain business partners expect me to be settled. And I need someone who doesn't belong to my world. Someone… like you."
Her mind reeled. "You must be out of your mind. I don't even know you!"
"You don't have to know me." His tone was calm, almost amused at her outrage. "All you have to do is play your role. Smile, hold my hand, attend a few public events. Simple."
"And pretend to be in love with you?" she snapped.
Adrian leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "Exactly."
Isabella's heart hammered in her chest. It was absurd, insane. And yet, his presence was so overwhelming, so real, she found herself caught between indignation and curiosity.
She shook her head furiously. "No. I'm not some prop for your business games."
Adrian's smirk deepened. He tapped the counter twice, then slid a thick envelope toward her. "Think it over, Miss Reed. Open this when you're ready to face reality."
He turned and walked out, the bell above the door chiming once more.
Isabella stood frozen, her fingers trembling as she reached for the envelope. Inside, her eyes widened at the sight—stacks of crisp hundred-dollar bills. Enough to save the shop. Enough to buy her time. Enough to tempt her.
Her heart pounded.