A week after the gallery showing, Aiden called a meeting. Not at his penthouse, not at the office, but at a private room in an exclusive restaurant—neutral territory where everyone could feel comfortable.
He'd invited Sophia, Isabella, Victoria, Maya, and Jade. Rachel wasn't on the list yet—their relationship was still professional, though the attraction was obvious. And several other women in his orbit remained undefined.
They arrived separately, each looking uncertain about why they'd been summoned. When they were all seated—the five of them around a circular table with him—the weight of the moment settled over the room.
"Thank you for coming," Aiden began. "I know this is unusual."
"That's one word for it," Sophia muttered.
"I've been thinking a lot since the gallery. About what we're all doing here. About honesty and respect and what I actually want." He took a breath. "I'm not good at traditional relationships. Obviously. But I also don't want to keep navigating this blindly."
"What are you saying?" Isabella asked gently.
"I'm saying I want to be honest about what this is. About what I'm proposing." He looked at each woman in turn. "I care about all of you. In different ways, for different reasons, but genuinely. And I know society says I should choose one person, commit traditionally. But that feels dishonest to who I am and what I feel."
"So you're proposing polyamory," Victoria stated calmly. "Officially."
"Yes. But only if everyone consents. Only if we can do this with respect and communication."
Sophia leaned back. "You're asking us to be your... what? Your harem?"
"I'm asking if we can build something different. A family structure that doesn't follow traditional rules but is based on honesty and mutual care."
"That's idealistic," Maya said. "Emotions don't work on logic."
"No," Aiden agreed. "Which is why I'm not demanding anything. I'm asking. Anyone who can't do this—who wants traditional monogamy—I completely understand. We can part as friends. But for those who are willing to try..."
"What exactly are you offering?" Sophia challenged. "What does this arrangement look like practically?"
Aiden pulled out documents—he'd actually had Victoria help him draft them. "Each person has their own space if wanted. Complete independence financially unless you choose otherwise. Regular communication meetings where anyone can raise concerns. Complete transparency about new relationships. And most importantly—any one of you can leave at any time, no questions asked."
"You've actually thought this through," Victoria said, impressed despite herself.
"I had help." He nodded to Victoria, who smiled slightly.
Isabella reached for the document, reading carefully. "This is... thorough. It addresses jealousy management, time allocation, even protocols for if children become involved."
"Children?" Sophia's eyes widened.
"Eventually, maybe. For those who want that." Aiden knew he was asking a lot. "Look, I know this is unconventional. Some people will judge us. My enemies will use it against me. But I'd rather be honest and criticized than traditional and miserable."
Silence stretched across the table.
Finally, Isabella spoke. "I accept."
Everyone turned to her.
"My family already sees me as rebellious. My culture has a history of complex family structures, even if modern Italy pretends otherwise. And more importantly—" she took Aiden's hand, "—I'd rather have this openly than pretend I'm okay with traditional boundaries I'm not."
"You're serious?" Sophia asked.
"Completely. I love him. I can share that love with others who also care for him. It's not weakness—it's choosing authenticity."
Victoria was next. "I'm in. With conditions, which are already in this document." She tapped the papers. "I keep my professional independence, I'm treated with respect, and we communicate honestly. As long as those hold, I'm willing to try this."
Maya shifted uncomfortably. "I haven't even officially been romantic with Aiden. This seems premature for me."
"No pressure," Aiden assured her. "This is for those who are ready."
"I'll think about it," Maya said. "But I respect what you're all trying."
Jade laughed. "I'm just here for moral support and to watch the most interesting relationship experiment of the decade. Also, someone needs to handle security for this unconventional family."
All eyes turned to Sophia.
She stared at the document, emotions warring across her face. "You're really asking me to formalize being one of multiple partners. To agree to share you with others. To be part of some non-traditional family structure."
"I'm asking if you want to be part of something honest," Aiden corrected. "But Sophia, if you can't—if this isn't right for you—I understand completely. You deserve whatever relationship structure makes you happy."
"That's the problem," she said softly. "What makes me happy is you. Even knowing I can't have you exclusively. Even knowing this goes against everything I thought I wanted." She looked at Isabella and Victoria. "Can we really do this? Can we really make this work?"
"I don't know," Victoria admitted. "But I'd rather try something authentic than succeed at something hollow."
Sophia picked up a pen, hand trembling. "I must be insane."
"Join the club," Isabella smiled.
Sophia signed her name on the document, then immediately dropped the pen like it burned. "I signed it. God help me, I actually signed it."
Aiden felt something vast and terrifying and exhilarating open up before him. These women—brilliant, strong, complicated—had chosen to try something radical with him.
"So what now?" Maya asked.
"Now we figure it out as we go," Victoria said. "With rules, communication, and hopefully wisdom."
"And good lawyers," Jade added. "Because this arrangement is definitely going to attract legal and social complications."
They talked for hours—about practicalities, fears, hopes. About how to handle public perception and private jealousies. About what happened when things went wrong.
It wasn't romantic or simple. It was complex and uncertain and would require constant work.
But as Aiden looked around the table at these extraordinary women who'd chosen authenticity over convention, he felt something profound.
Not the system's rewards, not enhanced abilities—just pure human gratitude.
"Thank you," he said simply. "For being brave enough to try this."
"Thank us if it works," Sophia said. "Right now, reserve judgment."
The system interface flickered:
POLYAMOROUS ARRANGEMENT FORMALIZEDParticipants: 3 Primary, 1 Considering, 1 SupportLong-term Success Probability: UNKNOWNThis is Uncharted TerritoryGood Luck
Even the system was uncertain.
Outside the restaurant, paparazzi had gathered—someone had tipped them off. As the group emerged together, cameras flashed, questions shouted.
"Aiden! Are you dating all these women?"
"Ladies, how does this arrangement work?"
"Is this some kind of publicity stunt?"
Victoria straightened her shoulders, transformed into her confident professor persona. "We're adults in a consensual, honest arrangement. Next question."
The reporters were stunned into momentary silence.
Isabella linked her arm through Aiden's on one side. Sophia, after a moment's hesitation, took the other.
They walked to the cars together, presenting a united front to the world.
It wasn't perfect. It wouldn't be easy.
But it was real.
And sometimes, real was enough.