***
Logan's POV
***
I stood there, unsure of what to say.
It wasn't like my opinion really mattered anyway.
Vienna was grinning from ear to ear, basking in the approval of my parents.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" my mother asked, though her eyes warned me not to ruin the mood.
"It's nice that Vienna decided to proceed with the engagement," I said flatly.
"Good," Vienna chimed in, turning to me with a sweet smile. "Logan, we should start preparing as soon as possible."
My mother nodded in approval.
"Can you come shopping with me tomorrow?" Vienna asked, reaching across the table to hold my hand.
I almost pulled away—but one glance at my mother's cold, unyielding stare stopped me.
"Sorry," I said instead, gently slipping my hand free. "I have a meeting tomorrow."
"Can't you cancel it for me?" she pouted, trying to act cute.
She was beautiful, undeniably so—but somehow, her charm irritated me.
"You, of all people, should understand," I said, sipping my juice to mask the tension. "The client's an important one."
Vienna looked to my mother for help, and I already knew what was coming.
"Then fix another day," my mother said, her tone final.
I clenched my jaw. "Fine."
The air was thick. Stifling. I couldn't bear it anymore.
"I'm done eating. I'll take my leave now." I stood, bowing politely.
"So early?" my father asked.
"Thank you for the dinner," I said, already halfway to the door when my mother's voice stopped me.
"Logan," she said sharply. "Drop Vienna off."
"But we live in opposite directions," I protested.
"Vienna, he'll drop you off," she replied, ignoring me completely.
I sighed in frustration. Vienna picked up her purse and gracefully looped her arm around mine.
"Must you do this?" I muttered under my breath.
"Of course," she said, smiling.
"Logan," my mother added, "don't forget to arrange the conference to announce the engagement. There's no need to delay."
Vienna smiled sweetly. "Take care, Mrs. Avalon."
"You too, dear," my mother replied.
We walked hand in hand to the parking lot, though every step felt heavier than the last. I opened the door for her and got in silently.
The car was filled with tension. Still, Vienna spoke as if nothing was wrong.
"So… what do you like about me, Logan?"
"I never said I liked you," I replied, eyes fixed on the road.
She chuckled softly. "It's not like we have a choice. Our parents made the decision. All we can do is make it work."
"I have a choice to love whoever I want," I said firmly. "And I'm certain that's not you."
Kayla's face flashed in my mind. Her laughter. Her warmth. Everything I wanted but couldn't have.
"You're right," I continued bitterly. "I'm only agreeing to this because I don't have a choice."
Vienna's voice softened. "Then why fall in love with someone you can't be with?"
I stayed silent. I didn't even have an answer for myself.
"Maybe," she said after a pause, "you're just using her to fill the emptiness."
Her words hit like a punch to the gut.
"Don't you dare say I'm using her," I snapped, slamming the brakes.
Vienna blinked. "What—"
"We're here," I cut her off.
She looked out the window, realizing we'd arrived at her house.
"The drive was short," she said quietly, then smiled with that same knowing smirk. "One more thing, Logan—you can't fight this forever. You'll marry me, whether you like it or not."
She stepped out gracefully, her heels clicking against the pavement.
I gripped the steering wheel hard enough to make my knuckles pale. She wasn't lying—and that was what made it worse.
***
Kayla's POV
***
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, hardly recognizing the girl looking back.
For the first time in years, I was wearing makeup.
"Brooke," I called nervously. "How do I look?"
"You look… good," she said without even glancing up.
"Brooke!" I whined.
She turned—and her jaw dropped.
"Who are you and what did you do with my best friend?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Be serious!"
"Did you just put on makeup?" she gasped dramatically. "Are you going on a date or something?"
"Date? No!" I stammered. "I just felt like… trying it today."
Brooke snorted, crossing her arms. "Uh-huh. And where are you going again?"
"To meet Skye. For her cello lessons," I said quickly.
She gave me that look—the one that saw right through every lie.
"Sure. Just cello lessons," she teased, smirking. "Who's the guy, Kayla?"
"There's no guy!" I yelled as she walked away. "It's Skye!"
"Okay," she called back. "But if you're gonna lie, at least don't blush so hard!"
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "There's no guy," I whispered again—but my heart didn't seem to believe it.
"That's great, Skye!" I clapped excitedly. "You're getting better with your C key."
"And that's because I have the best tutor," she grinned proudly.
"That's so touching." I laughed.
"This is the first time I'm seeing you in makeup," she teased, handing me the cello.
"Just wanted to feel… girly today," I said shyly, brushing my hair behind my ear.
"Are you sure that's all?" she pressed, squinting playfully.
"Of course! Why are you guys overreacting?" I mumbled, cheeks burning.
"Oh my!" Skye gasped, staring down at her phone.
"What's wrong?" I asked, leaning closer.
"My elder sister is getting engaged."
"Wow, congratulations! I'm happy for her—"
"You don't have to be," she cut me off, frowning. "It's an arranged marriage."
"Oh… I'm sorry. But maybe it's for the best? Your family business—"
"Does that even matter?" she sighed. "I'll never support it. But there's nothing I can do."
"I'll always stand where love stands," she said softly.
"I'm on Skye's team!" I added, and we both burst out laughing.
"I've got to go, Kayla. They'll start expecting me at home soon." She slung her backpack over her shoulder.
"Bye," I whispered, hugging her tightly.
As I followed her to the door, a familiar blue Porsche pulled into the driveway. My heart skipped. Logan.
I froze, staring for a second too long before shaking myself back to reality. "What are you doing, Kayla?" I muttered and ran back inside, pretending to be busy.
I adjusted my jean jacket and peeked into the mirror. My lipstick hadn't smudged. "Perfect," I whispered — then blushed at my own reflection.
Get a grip!
I sat back down, fiddling with the cello strings, not playing anything in particular. That was when I caught the faint scent of his cologne — warm, familiar, distracting.
"There you are," came his voice from behind me.
"Oh, Logan!" I turned, feigning surprise.
***
Author's POV
***
The two of them ended up sitting cross-legged on the floor of the practice room, sharing the ice cream and cake Logan had brought earlier.
"You were really naughty in high school," Logan teased through laughter.
"I was a little tigress. Honestly, I still don't know how I even got a boyfriend back then." Kayla chuckled, taking a spoonful of ice cream.
"What happened between you two?" Logan asked, trying to hide the edge of jealousy in his voice.
"The jerk left me for some rich girl he met online," she scoffed. "I locked myself up for days. Cried until I felt empty."
Logan went quiet. Then, before he could stop himself, he leaned closer — his voice low and certain. "Promise me you'll never cry for any guy again."
Kayla blinked, her heart hammering. "I—"
"I mean it, Kayla. I don't ever want to see you cry again."
His tone carried something deeper than he intended. She only nodded, afraid her voice might shake.
The air shifted. His face was so close, his breath mingling with hers. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
"I won't—" she began, but her words melted away when their foreheads brushed, soft and trembling.
Then, it happened.
A kiss — hesitant and fragile, like the world itself had stopped to witness it. It was brief, but real enough to leave them both breathless.
When they pulled away, Kayla's eyes widened in shock. Logan's lips parted, searching for the right words.
"I—" she stammered.
"I'm sorry," Logan whispered, though deep down, he didn't mean it.
Kayla stood abruptly, her pulse loud in her chest. "It's okay," she managed, her voice small.
She turned away, hand pressed to her chest.
Her heartbeat wouldn't slow.
And behind her, Logan sat frozen — knowing something between them had just changed forever.
***
Kayla's POV
***
I couldn't stop thinking about it — our first kiss.
Does this mean we're dating now? Is Logan… my boyfriend? You don't just kiss someone you don't like, right?
I was still lost in my thoughts when Brooke's voice startled me.
"Kay!"
"Yes?"
"Pass me the scanner."
"Oh, sure." I handed it to her absentmindedly.
She studied me. "What's on your mind?"
"Brooke, I watched something in a movie," I started slowly. "The guy kissed the girl even though they weren't dating… what does that mean?"
She smirked. "It means the guy likes her. Guys don't just kiss anyone — unless he's a total playboy."
"No, he's not!" I blurted out, then quickly added, "I mean… in the movie."
Brooke folded her arms. "Kayla, this isn't about a movie, is it?"
"What? Of course, it is!" I protested, blushing furiously.
"When did you watch it?"
"Yesterday."
"Your subscription expired two weeks ago," she deadpanned. "So where exactly did you watch it?"
"At a friend's house…" I stammered.
She burst into laughter. "Kayla, you're terrible at lying. Just show me this mysterious guy!"
Caught, I shyly showed her Logan's picture.
"He's cute, right?" I said, half smiling.
Brooke's laughter stopped. She blinked, then snatched the phone. "Logan Avalon?"
"You know him?" I asked, confused.
"You don't?"
"I only know him as Logan," I said quietly.
"Kayla…" Brooke sighed, eyes wide. "He's the Logan Avalon — heir to Avalon Group."
My jaw dropped. "Wait, what?"
"Don't get involved with him," she warned gently. "You're going to get hurt."
"Why would you say that?"
She hesitated. "Because people like him… they don't get to love freely."
I looked down. "Nothing is going to happen," I muttered, but even I didn't sound convinced.
That evening, as we arranged new stock at the store, Brooke suddenly froze, eyes glued to her phone.
"Oh my God."
"What?" I asked, alarmed.
"Kayla… maybe you shouldn't see this."
"See what?"
She sighed and turned the phone toward me.
The headline read:
"Avalon Group heir, Logan Avalon, officially engaged to Vienna Marlowe, daughter of Celestia Collection."
The picture below — Logan and Vienna smiling, her hand resting on his chest — hit harder than any slap.
"He didn't even…" My voice broke. "He didn't say anything."
"Kayla…" Brooke whispered.
"I was with him yesterday, Brooke. We—" I stopped, the memory of his kiss burning through my chest. "How could he?"
"Kayla, wait—"
"I need some air."
I walked out before the tears could fall. The world outside suddenly felt colder than it had ever been