Amaira had decided to finally write down the amount of money she needed to pay off her uncle. The numbers danced in her mind, but she needed to be exact. She took a deep breath and started scribbling down the amount.

The task felt monumental. This wasn’t just a number; it was a lifeline. It represented freedom and the chance to start over. With each stroke of the pen, she felt a wave of determination washing over her.

“I wrote down the amount I need,” she said, handing him the piece of paper.

Theodore took it and glanced at the figure, nodding in approval. “Good. We can sort that out after we finalize everything.” He then reached into his briefcase and pulled out another sheet of paper, handing it over to her.

Amaira looked at the new paper with confusion. “What’s this?” she asked, furrowing her brow.

“The first one is about the contract marriage,” he explained, his tone serious. “The second one contains the rules we need to follow while we’re living together.”

She glanced down at the paper. It was neatly organized, with bullet points already written. “Rules?” she echoed, her brow arching.

“

Yes,” Theodore replied, leaning against his desk. “Take your time with this. We can finalize it after we get married.”

Amaira took the paper, feeling a mix of anxiety and curiosity. The rules ranged from the mundane to the slightly absurd. “No loud music after 10 PM?” she read aloud, her lips quirking up in amusement.

“Very important,” Theodore said, his eyes twinkling with humor. “I have a reputation to maintain.”

She scanned the next point. “Shared grocery expenses?” Amaira looked up at him, her mouth hanging open. “We’re not actually living together yet, and you’re already asking for half?”

“Just planning ahead,” he said with a smirk. “You’re going to be my ‘wife’ after all.”

“Right,” she mumbled, her cheeks flushing at the word “wife.” “And you have all these rules already?”

“Just the essentials,” he replied, feigning nonchalance. “Now, do you have any questions?”

Amaira hesitated for a moment, her fingers tapping nervously against the paper. “When are we actually getting married?”

Theodore let out a hearty laugh that filled his office. “Sorry to disappoint you, Amaira, but we need to come up with a story for our relationship first. You know, to sell the whole thing. After that, we can meet my mother, and only then will we get married.”

Her face blushed even deeper at the thought. “Right, of course. Can’t just jump into it without a plan,” she said, trying to sound casual.

He grinned at her flustered expression. “You’d be surprised how many people take this sort of thing seriously. We can’t just waltz in with a half-baked story.”

Amaira rolled her eyes, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration. “What kind of story are we supposed to come up with?”

Theodore crossed his arms, leaning back against the counter as if pondering her question. “Well, we could say we met at a coffee shop, fell in love at first sight, and decided to get married on a whim. Or maybe we’ve been dating for a year and just kept it under wraps?”

She giggled, shaking her head. “Dating for a year? Theodore, we barely know each other!”

“Exactly!” he exclaimed, a playful glint in his eyes. “That’s why it’ll work. People love a good love story. We can embellish it a little, make it sound more romantic.”

Amaira took a step back, her arms crossing over her chest as she regarded him with a mix of skepticism and intrigue. “And what about your mother? What does she think about this whole arrangement?”

Theodore’s expression grew serious, and he pushed off the counter, standing upright. “My mother is... traditional. She’s going to want to meet you, ask a million questions, and expect me to present you as the perfect bride.”

The thought sent a shiver down Amaira’s spine. “And what if she doesn’t like me?”

“Trust me, she’ll love you,” Theodore replied confidently. “Just follow the rules, and we’ll be fine.”

Amaira raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. “So, what’s next on the agenda? More rules?”

“Actually,” Theodore said, a mischievous smile spreading across his face, “I was thinking we could go out for lunch. You know, to make it seem like a regular couple’s outing.”

“Lunch?” she repeated, feeling a flutter of excitement at the idea. “You want to pretend we’re already a couple?”

“Exactly. And I know just the place.” Theodore grabbed her arm gently, leading her toward the door.

“You’ll love it. It’s very... authentic.”

“Authentic?” she echoed as they stepped out of her apartment. “What do you mean by that?”

He opened the door and ushered her outside. “Just trust me. It’s perfect for setting the mood.”

They walked down the street, and Amaira felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation. She had never been one for spontaneous adventures, but something about Theodore made her want to dive into the chaos of it all.

As they approached a small, cozy restaurant, Amaira eyed the exterior, a quaint little place with a rustic charm. “This looks nice,” she admitted, a smile creeping onto her face.

“I knew you’d like it,” Theodore said, holding the door open for her. “After you.”

As they stepped inside, the warm aroma of freshly baked bread enveloped them, and Amaira’s stomach rumbled in response. The restaurant was filled with couples chatting over candlelit tables, the atmosphere buzzing with laughter and conversation.

They were seated at a table in a corner, and Theodore wasted no time in ordering for them. Amaira sat back, watching him as he engaged with the waiter, his confidence radiating in a way that was both impressive and intimidating.

When the food arrived, Theodore wasted no time in diving into their ‘couple’ narrative. “So, Amaira,” he began, leaning forward with an amused smile. “How did we meet again?”

Amaira chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully. “At a coffee shop, remember? You were too busy trying to impress me with your coffee order.”

Theodore feigned shock, his eyes wide. “Impress you? I was merely trying to keep up with your sophisticated palate!”

They both laughed, the ease of the moment washing over them. For a brief second, Amaira almost forgot the absurdity of their situation. This felt…normal.

But then she remembered the contract, the rules, and the looming presence of her uncle’s demands. Her stomach tightened, and she took a sip of her water to wash down the sudden unease.

“Hey,” Theodore said, his voice softening as he noticed her sudden change in demeanor. “What’s on your mind?”

Amaira took a deep breath, forcing herself to shake off the negative thoughts. “I’m just thinking about how crazy this all is.”

“It is,” he admitted, a hint of seriousness in his tone. “But sometimes, crazy is the best way to go.”

She looked into his eyes, searching for sincerity, and found it there, glowing under the restaurant’s warm lighting. “You really think this can work?” she asked, a little breathless.

“I don’t just think it, Amaira. I know it,” he replied, reaching across the table to take her hand in his.

“We’ve got each other’s backs, and that’s what counts.”

She nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle over her like a warm blanket. Maybe this was crazy, but it was also the first time in a long while that she felt like she had some control over her life.