Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Proposal That Wasn’t Hers
Sea never thought he’d end up here.
The heavy doors of the hotel conference room shut behind him with a dull thud, trapping him between the pressure of two powerful families… and a man he had never met in person.
Jimmy Jitaraphol sat casually at the far end of the table. He wore a flawless black suit, his gold watch glinting under the crystal chandelier. He looked nothing like the “old and boring heir” Acare had described. In fact, he was far too handsome for his own good.
Too late to back out now.
Sea cleared his throat and gave a slight bow.
—“I’m Sea Tawinan. Acare’s older brother. She asked me to come in her place.”
Jimmy didn’t move. Leaning back in his chair with crossed arms, he scanned Sea from head to toe. A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes… then something else. Was that interest?
—“She sent you to cancel?” Jimmy asked, his voice calm and confident.
—“Yes,” Sea replied firmly. “She doesn’t want this marriage. She thinks it’s outdated and—”
—“—and I’m probably too old or unattractive for her,” Jimmy cut in with a sideways smile.
Sea blinked.
—“I didn’t say that.”
—“You didn’t have to.”
A pause stretched between them. Sea suddenly felt very aware of how fitted his shirt was, how extravagant the room looked… and how intense Jimmy’s stare felt.
Then Jimmy stood.
He walked over slowly, hands in his pockets, and stopped right in front of Sea.
—“How old are you?” he asked.
—“Twenty-six,” Sea answered, unsure.
—“Perfect,” Jimmy said, holding out his hand.
Sea stared at it, confused.
—“Perfect for what?”
—“For marrying me instead.”
—“What?”
Jimmy’s grin widened.
—“Your sister doesn’t want to do it. But someone has to. Our families want this union—they want signatures, photos, headlines. Does it really matter who wears the suit and who wears the dress?”
Sea took a step back.
—“I came here to stop this, not to—”
—“Then walk away,” Jimmy interrupted with a shrug. “But you know what happens next. Your parents will be disappointed. Mine will think I’ve been humiliated. And Acare… well, she gets what she wants. But what about you?”
Sea pressed his lips together. He hated being manipulated, and Jimmy’s confidence was infuriating. But… he wasn’t wrong. The Tawinan family had spent months arranging this union. Breaking it off now would be more than a scandal.
—“I’m not her,” Sea said, softer now. “I’m not delicate or easy to deal with.”
—“I’m not looking for delicate,” Jimmy replied, eyes fixed on him. “I want someone who won’t faint at a boardroom table. And you look like you can hold your ground.”
Silence.
Sea looked again at Jimmy’s outstretched hand. He didn’t know this man. And yet… there was something about him. Something daring, provocative… intriguing.
Without thinking too much, Sea took his hand.
---
Thirty minutes later, they walked out of the room: legally married.
Sea could barely process what he’d just done. His phone wouldn’t stop buzzing in his pocket. Acare. Most likely furious.
He didn’t dare pick up.
—“Welcome to married life, husband,” Jimmy murmured with a teasing smile as they walked toward the elevator.
Sea rolled his eyes.
—“Don’t talk to me.”
Jimmy chuckled.
And for the first time in a long time, Sea felt like something dangerous had just begun.