Chapter 420

Party A is responsible for Party B’s meals and household chores , must arrange at least one date a week , spend at least four hours together per meeting , activities decided together .
Outside of work hours , Party A must keep Party B company , provide emotional support , and fulfill the duties of a lover .
Party B’s obligations : None .
If Party A breaks any terms – like hiding things , skipping dates , or not providing company – Party B decides the penalty and compensation .
Term : three years , with renewal at Party B’s discretion .
Aria sat there a long , long time , processing . This wasn’t her selling herself ; it was Owen offering himself up .
He really had lost his mind .
Slowly , she looked up at him and asked , one word at a time , “ You’re trying to sell yourself to me ? ”
Owen met her eyes , earnest as ever , and nodded . “ You have to take responsibility for me . ”
Aria stared at him , almost out of words . “ Are you … seriously okay in the head ? ”
Owen’s tone was dead serious . “ I mean it . This is better than dating or marriage – just you and me , no one else , no need to go public , no marriage required . ”
Aria honestly had no words . In her mind , if you were going to date , you dated to get married . No marriage , no point in dating .
She’d never expected Owen to pull something like this . Be her lover ? What was he thinking ?
Owen reached out , gently grasping her wrist . “ I never planned on dating or getting married … I was just going to live alone . Let’s just give it a shot , okay ? If you’re not happy after three years , we walk away . At any point , you can break it off . If you fall for someone else , same thing . I’ll do the same . Totally fair . ”
As long as this was official , he planned to cling to her – no matter what .
Aria wanted to refuse , but when she saw the careful , almost anxious , look in his eyes , she couldn’t bring herself to say it .
She found herself asking instead , “ Aren’t your parents going to pressure you about this? ”
Owen just smiled . “ Not a chance . They’re so open – minded they’d be fine even if I came home with a boyfriend . ”
Aria was floored . He added , “ If you don’t believe me , I’ll call them right now and tell them I’m dating a man . ”
She hurried to stop him . “ No , I believe you ! ”
“ So … do you still want to tear up the contract ? ”
That was his way of asking if she agreed .
Owen’s eyes were filled with nerves and hope as he watched her , like he was waiting for her verdict .
A thousand images of him flickered through Aria’s mind , each one making her heart beat a little faster . After a long silence , she finally said , “ I need some time to think . I’ll give you an answer in three days . ”
Owen shook his head , firm but gentle . “ That’s too long . ”
“ One day , then ? ”
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He still refused , “ Not enough . ”
Aria hesitated , “ Tomorrow morning ? ”
Owen sat there , looking for all the world like he just wanted her to feel comfortable . “ I can wait here while you figure it out . ”
He knew that if they let the night pass and the alcohol wore off , she’d probably come to her senses and this contract would end up in the trash .
This had to be decided now .
Aria glanced at him , torn .
He sensed her hesitation and softened his voice . “ It’s okay . Take your time . There’s no rush .”
He was exactly her type – flawless , easygoing , a great cook , totally separate from his family business , barely any social baggage . Being with him wouldn’t come with a ton of drama .
That only made her thoughts even more of a mess .
She looked down at his hand wrapped around hers , her gaze following the lines of his wrist , forearm , shoulder , the curve of his throat , his jaw , his mouth …
Her heart gave a tiny skip . “ Can I end it whenever I want ? ”
Owen nodded , serious as ever . “ Whenever you want . ”
Aria said , “ Alright . I’ll take responsibility for you . ”
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