Bella followed Davos into his private room — a space unlike any other in the mansion. The air inside was cooler, quieter, and carried the scent of cedarwood and expensive books. One half of the room was a sleek office setup, the other a lounge draped in shadow, rich velvet, and silence.
She stepped in cautiously, her shoes barely making a sound on the polished black floor. The door clicked shut behind her, and that soft, final sound made her chest tighten.
Why am I here?
Her mind spiraled. Oh God… is it about his car? Am I about to get fired? What did I do wrong now?
Behind her, she felt him — his presence, dense and unmistakable. Davos didn't walk. He moved like a storm, quiet until it was too late.
"Calm down," his voice was low, silk brushing against steel.
Bella's breath hitched. Did he just—? It was like he could hear her panic. Her heart pounded so loudly she swore it echoed in the room.
He sat slowly in the chair behind his desk, elbows resting lightly, fingers laced. Then his eyes found hers, sharp and deep — like he was reading her soul.
> "So… you want to pay for my car?"
Bella swallowed. Hard.
"I… I—" The words tangled in her throat.
"I'm sorry," she finally managed. "It's all my fault. I wish I could pay, I really do, but I don't have the money. And if there's anything I could do to make up for it— I would. But… there's nothing I can give that's worth a car like that."
Davos smiled slightly — not with warmth, but with interest.
Good, he thought. She's honest. Scared, but brave.
He leaned back, eyes still locked on her. "I have an offer for you."
Bella's brow furrowed. "What?"
"Yes. An offer. I'm trying to make things easy for you. You were very firm about wanting to take responsibility — and I respect people who stand by their word."
Bella's stomach tightened. "What kind of offer?"
Davos stood, slowly walking around the desk. Each step made her heartbeat stumble faster.
He stopped in front of her, leaving a breath of space between them — and looked directly into her eyes.
> "Be my wife. For one month."
Bella stared at him, stunned. Her mind went white.
"…What?"
"Marry me, Bella. Pretend to be my wife. For exactly thirty days. In return, the car debt is forgotten. You'll live here, with me. Nothing romantic is required — just… presence."
He stepped back just slightly, as if giving her space to breathe again.
"Or," he added smoothly, "you work for me, in this house, unpaid… for one year. That wouldn't cover the full cost of the car, but at least it's fair."
Bella's lips parted. Her mouth was dry. This—this was insane.
She shook her head, almost laughing. "Be your wife? What do you take me for? Some woman you can wave a check at and expect to say yes?"
His eyes flickered — not with offense, but with intrigue. Like she'd just thrown him a curveball he didn't mind catching.
> "No," he said. "I don't expect you to say yes. That's why it's a choice."
Bella's chest tightened. Her legs felt weak.
A month… married to this man? He was arrogant, cold, unreadable — and yet… there was something in his gaze. Something terrifying and magnetic all at once.
She turned her head away, trying to steady her thoughts. No. No. He's not my type. I don't want this attention. I don't want him.
> "The second option, then?" he asked quietly.
That stopped her cold.
A full year. No pay. How would she tell her mother? Her rent? Her food? Her dreams?
She bit her lip, hard. "This… this isn't fair."
"No," he said. "But neither is life."
Silence fell like a curtain between them.
He could see her battling herself. And Davos — whose life had been filled with bored power plays and hollow relationships — felt something real for the first time in years.
> She wasn't easy to own. That's exactly why he wanted her.
Bella lifted her chin. "Why marriage, Davos? You could've offered anything else. Why that?"
He paused… then said, "Let's just say I need someone — for an image. A deal. A little… illusion. And I chose you."
"You chose me?" she echoed. "Why?"
His eyes narrowed — intense, unreadable.
> "Because, Bella… you look like someone who doesn't know how powerful she is yet. That makes you dangerous — and useful."
Her lips parted slightly, shocked by his brutal honesty. But before she could reply, he turned away.
"You don't have to answer now. Think it over. Tonight."
And then, just like that — Davos opened the door.
"Either way, I expect you at work by 8 a.m. sharp."
Bella walked out slowly, feeling like she was being pulled into something… much bigger than her.
As the door shut behind her, she felt the heat of his gaze on her back — and knew that nothing in her life would ever be the same again.
---
Later That Night...
Bella sat on the edge of her bed in her small apartment, legs tucked under her as the night buzzed faintly outside her window. The city never really slept, but tonight, Bella felt like she was the only one wide awake.
She replayed Davos' words over and over again.
> "Be my wife for a month… or work a year without pay."
The offer was absurd. Outrageous. Degrading, even. And yet—he hadn't forced her. He didn't touch her. He didn't even raise his voice.
But something about the way he looked at her… like he knew she'd say yes. Like he was ten steps ahead of her. That was what made her blood run cold.
She needed someone to talk to.
Luisa.
Bella grabbed her phone and called. The phone rang twice before Luisa picked up.
> "Girl! I've been waiting for you to gist me. You went back to the mansion today, right? How did it go?! What did that fine annoying man say this time?"
Bella hesitated.
Luisa could hear it. "Bells? You good?"
Bella inhaled deeply. "Luisa, he asked me to marry him."
Dead silence.
Then—
> "HOLD UP. MARRY him? Like—ring and vows and wedding pictures? Is this a joke?!"
Bella flopped back onto her pillow, staring at the ceiling.
"Not real marriage. He wants me to pretend to be his wife. For a month. As payment for damaging his car."
Luisa exploded. "This man is insane! Bella, what kind of nonsense is that?! What are you, a bargaining chip? A pawn in some billionaire fantasy game?!"
"I know, Lu," Bella whispered. "But… the other option is working a year. No pay. I don't even have savings. If I say no, I lose everything."
Luisa was quiet for a beat, then said softly, "Is he threatening you, Bella?"
"No," Bella whispered. "That's the scary part. He isn't. He's calm. Like he knows something I don't. Like... like he's already playing a bigger game and I just walked into it."
Luisa's voice dropped. "Babe. I don't trust that man. He might be sexy, but something about him feels… dangerous."
Bella bit her lip. "I know. But when he talks to me… it's like he's protecting me and using me at the same time. I don't know what's real."
Luisa said quietly, "You need to decide before it's too late. Whatever you choose, I'll stand with you. But be smart, Bells. Don't lose yourself."
---
The Next Morning...
Bella barely slept. By 6 a.m., she was up. Dressed in black jeans, a tucked-in white blouse, and flat shoes. Simple, clean, unreadable — just like she wanted to be.
She stared at herself in the mirror and whispered, "I'm not going to be his toy. If I say yes, I set the rules."
She left her apartment with her heart pounding so hard it felt like a countdown to something dangerous.
---
Davos Mansion – 7:45 a.m.
Mama Kate opened the door with her usual warm smile. "Good morning, Bella. You're early."
Bella smiled faintly. "Good morning, ma."
She stepped in, her eyes already searching for him. She didn't have to wait long.
Davos appeared at the top of the stairs, dressed in a black shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing strong forearms, and a sharp gaze that locked onto her like a hawk.
> "Come upstairs. We need to talk."
Bella followed, her steps steady, but her nerves trembling beneath her skin.
---
Davos' Study...
He stood by the large window, looking out. She could only see the back of him — and yet, she could feel his pull.
He turned slowly. "What's your decision?"
Bella took a breath. "I'll do it."
Davos didn't smile. Not at first. But the spark in his eyes was unmistakable.
> "Good," he said simply. "There will be a wedding this weekend. Nothing public. Just documentation, a quiet ceremony. My lawyer will draw up the agreement — one month, no intimacy, complete discretion. You'll live here. Attend every public event I require. In return, the car debt is gone. And you walk away with your head high."
Bella nodded slowly. "Fine. But I want one thing."
His brow arched. "Which is?"
"I won't be disrespected. Not by your staff, not by your friends, not by you. I might be faking this marriage, but I'm still a woman with pride."
For the first time, a slow, amused smile curved his lips.
> "Fair enough. You've got backbone, Bella. I like that."
He extended a hand. "To our agreement."
She hesitated, then took it. His palm was warm. Firm. The touch sent an electric chill through her entire body — one she couldn't explain.
As their hands parted, Davos leaned slightly closer and whispered:
> "One more thing... don't fall in love."
Bella blinked.
Before she could respond, he turned away and walked to his desk, already dialing his assistant.
Bella stood there, stunned.
Her chest was rising and falling too fast.
She had just made a deal with a man who didn't play fair… and now, the game had officially begun.