Chapter 1 ~ An Agreement

"Why do I have to be here? Should I have just refused Uncle’s suggestion?" Sirena thought uneasily. 

She looked around the restaurant, but there was still no sign of the man’s arrival. Patiently, Sirena waited, tapping her nails on the table. "So slow," she muttered in frustration. 

"Goodness, how much longer do I have to wait?" she murmured. 

It had already been an hour of waiting. If she could, she would escape this situation. But unfortunately, she couldn’t. She needed James's help with her family's company issues. It all began when her father was massively swindled by a trusted associate at the office. This caused the company’s stock value to plunge, halting production. On top of that, her father’s bank loans had left their grand home repossessed. Sirena's father, desperate, ended his life by jumping from the RV Group building's rooftop, and her mother was hospitalized due to a heart attack. After asking friends and relatives for help, no one was willing to aid Sirena—except for the man she was meeting today. A man who, two years ago, was supposed to be her arranged fiancé but whom she had adamantly rejected.

"Welcome, Sir. Do you have a reservation?" asked the waiter, greeting a remarkably handsome man with a muscular frame clothed in a tailored black suit that emphasized his athletic build. 

"I have an appointment with Miss Sirena Reverie."

Sirena’s daydream shattered when she heard that statement, and as the footsteps approached, her heart raced wildly. After two years, she wasn’t sure how he would look now. She didn’t even dare turn to look.

"Sirena Reverie?" A deep voice made Sirena glance toward the man standing near her table. 

Her gaze met his intense, piercing gray eyes. It wasn’t just his striking appearance that left her frozen, but his charming and handsome face made her forget to blink. He hadn’t changed—still as captivating as he was two years ago.

The man in front of her gave a mocking smile, used to receiving admiring stares from women he met. 

"James Andreas Scout?" Sirena murmured. 

He was James Andreas Scout, the first son of the AS Partners family and the CEO of that giant company. Thirty-five years old, James specialized in investments and had gained a reputation as a playboy, known for his love of sports and women. 

Rumors claimed James was a cold-hearted man, infamous for his string of affairs. 

"Long time no see," James greeted her, extending his hand. 

"Yes, long time no see," replied Sirena, startled when James kissed the back of her hand. But then, she remembered he was James—the notorious playboy. 

James took the seat across from her. Their dinner orders arrived, along with two glasses set on the table. 

"I was quite surprised when Mr. Harry contacted me a while back," James said, opening the conversation. Harry was Sirena's uncle, the one who had arranged her engagement to James two years prior. 

"By the way, I’m sorry for Mr. Mattes Reverie’s passing," James offered. 

"Thank you," Sirena replied with her usual poised elegance. 

"You haven’t changed at all; you're still as beautiful and captivating," James complimented. 

"Thank you for the compliment, and you also look great," Sirena replied, taking a sip of her drink. 

"So, do you like it?" James asked, his gaze fixed on Sirena, who was merely staring at her drink. 

"I don’t judge people solely based on appearances," Sirena replied, taking a bite of her steak. 

James chuckled. "You really haven’t changed, Siren. Still proud and cold, but I like that," he said. 

"We’re here not to discuss unnecessary matters or reminisce about the past. Uncle Luke probably already explained the situation to you," Sirena said, looking at James with a cold stare. 

"Yes, he did. So, you want me to invest in a company on the brink of failure?" James asked. 

"Yes," Sirena answered. 

"Hmm... but that won’t be easy, considering how much I stand to lose," James said with a sly grin. 

"Sirena Reverie, I’m a businessman, and I don’t like losses or setbacks. I conduct transactions and business that benefit me. So, Miss Reverie, what do you offer in return for our deal this time?" James looked at her with a charming smile.

Sirena wasn’t foolish; she knew his intentions well, even if just from rumors. The man was not one to be trusted. 

"I don’t know what would benefit you, but if the company returns to prosperity, I’ll give you 50% of RV Company's net profits," Sirena replied. 

James laughed. "Who knows how long it will be until that ‘prosperity’ arrives? Do you really enjoy wishful thinking?" he asked, leaving Sirena speechless. 

Sirena sighed. "Whatever you want, I will agree to in exchange for this help," she replied, lowering her pride. 

"Anything?" James asked, ensuring her promise. 

"Yes, anything." 

"Then be my bed partner." 

Duh! 

"W-what do you mean?" Sirena gasped, her eyes wide in shock. 

"Isn’t this mutually beneficial?" James asked. "I’ll pay off all your family’s debts and invest in that near-bankrupt company. In return, sleep with me," James said casually. 

Sirena rose from her seat, glaring angrily. "Do you think I’ll agree to your terms? Don’t be foolish! I can find help elsewhere," Sirena fumed as she stormed out. 

"Damn! I always knew James was a jerk; how foolish of me to think we could do business together," she thought in frustration. 

"What a terrible person he is!" she cursed inwardly.

As she exited the restaurant, she was met with heavy rain. 

"So, are you against it?" The question startled Sirena, and she turned to find James standing beside her. 

"I already gave you my answer," she replied angrily. 

"I heard your mother is hospitalized due to a heart attack. She requires treatment and surgery. Not to mention the employees who are demanding severance pay that hasn’t been provided for two months." 

Sirena was silent, knowing James was right. 

"Think carefully. Do you really think there’s anyone else who can help you out of this besides me? Haven’t your family’s friends and acquaintances already distanced themselves rather than help you?" James said, leaving Sirena speechless.

"Think of your mother’s future. Don’t you need money for her care and treatment?" James added.

One of James's assistants approached with a black umbrella, and they headed toward the parked car. 

"Damn!" Sirena cursed inwardly, rushing through the rain to catch up with James. 

"Wait!" Sirena grabbed James’s arm, causing him to stop and turn toward her as she stood soaked in the rain. 

"Fine, I agree to your terms." 

"If I reject him again now, he may never agree to help me," Sirena thought. 

James smiled and leaned close to her face. "Don’t bite your lip. You might hurt it," he whispered, touching her lip teasingly, and Sirena turned her face away. 

"Vaul," James called. 

"Yes, Sir." 

"Please prepare a room." 

***