Our Second Beginning
The Engagement
[Beaumont-Sinclair Charity Gala | 8:15 PM]
The ballroom buzzes with conversation. Crystal chandeliers shine overhead while reporters crowd near the entrance.
Emma Hart
You've been staring at that drink for five minutes.
Emma Hart
It's sparkling water.
Rowan Sinclair
Your point?
Emma Hart
It's not going to suddenly become interesting.
Rowan Sinclair
Neither is this gala.
Emma Hart
You say that every year.
Rowan Sinclair
Because every year it's true.
Emma laughs and takes a sip of her drink.
Rowan Sinclair
Especially not for you.
Suddenly, whispers spread through the ballroom
Emma Hart
The Ice Prince arrived.
Rowan's eyebrows furrow slightly.
Rowan Sinclair
Don't call him that.
Rowan Sinclair
It's stupid.
Emma Hart
You know exactly who I mean though.
Kai Beaumont walks inside wearing a perfectly tailored black suit.
His expression is calm. Cold. Unreadable.
Guest 1
That's Kai Beaumont?
A businessman accidentally bumps into Kai.
Businessman
Mr. Beaumont! I'm sorry!
Kai Beaumont
Watch where you're going.
The businessman practically runs away.
Rowan Sinclair
He's always been like that.
The words leave Rowan's mouth before he realizes it
Across the ballroom, Kai is looking directly at him.
Rowan freezes for a second.
Rowan immediately looks away.
Emma Hart
You don't look fine.
Rowan Sinclair
I said I'm fine.
Across the room, Kai watches Rowan for another moment before looking away.
Victor Sinclair
Ladies and gentlemen.
Emma Hart
Your father has his announcement face.
Rowan Sinclair
That's not a thing.
Emma Hart
It absolutely is.
Victor Sinclair
Thank you all for attending tonight.
Victor Sinclair
As many of you know, our families have been discussing the future.
Emma Hart
I really don't like where this is going.
Victor Sinclair
We're proud to announce a partnership that will unite our families.
Rowan Sinclair
Rowan slowly lowers his drink.
Edward Beaumont
And with that—
Victor Sinclair
We are pleased to announce the engagement of Rowan Sinclair and Kai Beaumont.
The ballroom erupts into applause.
Emma Hart
YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED?!
Rowan Sinclair
NO I'M NOT!
Emma Hart
YOUR DAD JUST ANNOUNCED IT TO TWO HUNDRED PEOPLE!
Rowan Sinclair
HE CAN UNANNOUNCE IT!
Rowan immediately looks across the room.
Rowan Sinclair
Say something.
Kai stands perfectly still.
Rowan Sinclair
Tell them no.
Rowan Sinclair
You don't care.
Across the room, Kai is still looking at him.
His grip tightens around the champagne glass.
Kai Beaumont
You're angry.
Kai Beaumont
You should be.
Edward Beaumont
Come to the stage.
He passes close to Rowan.
For the first time in years, they're only a few feet apart.
Kai Beaumont
Hello, Rowan.
Rowan's eyes widen for half a second.
Then his expression hardens.
Rowan Sinclair
Don't talk to me.
Kai is silent for a moment.
Family Dinner From Hell
Rowan wakes up.
His phone is exploding with notifications.
Theo Morgan
TELL ME YOU DIDN'T GET ENGAGED.
Theo Morgan
I'M LOSING MY MIND.
Emma Hart
Good morning fiancé 😊
Rowan Sinclair
Leave me alone.
Rowan Sinclair
I'm blocking you.
Then Rowan opens social media.
Every headline is about him and Kai.
HEIRS OF TWO EMPIRES ENGAGED
POWER COUPLE OF THE CENTURY
BUSINESS ROYALTY TO MARRY
Rowan Sinclair
I'm going back to sleep.
Unfortunately...
His father calls him downstairs.
That evening.
Both families gather at a private restaurant.
A long table.
Too many people.
Not enough exits.
Kai arrives first.
He's already seated.
Reading emails on his phone.
Expression:
😐
As always.
Rowan arrives.
Immediately sees Kai.
Immediately regrets coming.
Rowan Sinclair
I'd rather not.
Rowan sits directly across from Kai.
Neither speaks.
Awkward silence.
Sophia Beaumont
You two look lovely together.
Rowan Sinclair
We haven't said a single word.
Emma Hart
What does that even mean?
The parents continue discussing wedding plans.
Venues.
Guest lists.
Flowers.
Business partnerships.
Everything except the feelings of the people actually getting married.
A waiter accidentally spills water near Rowan.
Victor immediately looks annoyed.
Victor is about to blame him.
Before he can—
Kai Beaumont
It wasn't Rowan.
Kai doesn't even look up from his drink.
Kai Beaumont
The waiter slipped.
The conversation moves on.
Rowan notices.
For the first time.
Rowan Sinclair
Why would he do that
Dessert arrives.
Everyone seems suspiciously cheerful.
That's when Edward Beaumont drops another bomb.
Edward Beaumont
Since the engagement has been announced—
Victor Sinclair
We've made additional arrangements.
Edward Beaumont
You'll both be moving into Beaumont Tower next week.
Victor Sinclair
You'll live together before the wedding.
Emma nearly chokes on her drink.
Theo Morgan
THIS JUST GOT SO MUCH BETTER.
Rowan Sinclair
NO IT DIDN'T.
Across the table...
Kai remains calm.
But for the first time all night...
He finally looks directly at Rowan.
Welcome Home
[One Week Later | Outside Beaumont Tower | 6:42 PM]
A black luxury car stops in front of the tallest building in the city. Glass walls. Private security. Valets waiting outside. The giant silver letters at the entrance read: BEAUMONT TOWER.
Theo Morgan
I still can’t believe this is happening.
Rowan Sinclair
Neither can I.
Theo Morgan
No seriously.
This is amazing.
Rowan Sinclair
How exactly is this amazing?
Theo Morgan
Mr. “I hate rich people pretending they control my life”
Theo Morgan
Are about to live with Kai Beaumont.
Rowan Sinclair
I can still get out of the car and walk away.
Theo Morgan
And your father will drag you back.
Rowan Sinclair
Good point.
Theo grins while unlocking the trunk.
Theo Morgan
I’m just saying.
Maybe proximity breeds romance.
Rowan Sinclair
It also breeds murder.
Theo Morgan
Call me if you accidentally kiss him.
Rowan Sinclair
Leave.
Now.
Theo laughs and drives away, leaving Rowan standing alone with two suitcases.
Rowan Sinclair
I hate everyone.
He slowly turns toward the building entrance.
Rowan Sinclair
Three months.
Just survive three months.
Ignore Kai.
Avoid Kai.
Don’t kill Kai.
Easy.
[Inside Beaumont Tower Lobby]
The lobby is massive. Marble floors. Modern chandeliers. Employees rushing everywhere carrying files and tablets.
Receptionist
Mr. Sinclair?
Receptionist
Mr. Beaumont asked me to escort you upstairs.
Rowan Sinclair
Of course he did.
Private elevator doors slide shut.
Rowan Sinclair
He probably picked the penthouse because normal people scare him.
The elevator doors open directly into a massive luxury penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the city skyline. Everything is minimalist, expensive, painfully neat.
Rowan Sinclair
I hate rich people.
A familiar voice cuts through the silence.
Kai sits at the dining table. Laptop open. Multiple company files scattered around him. Sleeves rolled to his elbows. His tie loosened slightly.
He doesn’t look up immediately. Still typing.
Kai Beaumont
You were supposed to arrive fifteen minutes ago.
Rowan Sinclair
I didn’t realize you were tracking my schedule.
Kai signs a document without looking up.
Kai Beaumont
I was informed when you’d arrive.
Rowan Sinclair
You sound insufferable.
Kai Beaumont
I’ve heard worse.
Rowan drags his suitcase further inside
Rowan Sinclair
I’m only here because our parents forced me.
Rowan Sinclair
You could try sounding less annoying.
Cold blue eyes.
Sharp expression.
The exact same unreadable face from the gala.
Kai Beaumont
You could try being quieter.
Rowan Sinclair
Wow.
Still arrogant.
Kai Beaumont
And you’re still dramatic.
Rowan Sinclair
You have some nerve.
Click.
The entire room feels quieter somehow.
Kai Beaumont
Your room is upstairs.
Second door on the left.
Rowan Sinclair
That’s all?
Kai Beaumont
What else would there be?
Rowan Sinclair
I don’t know.
Maybe “Welcome.”
Kai stares at him for a second.
Kai Beaumont
You know I don’t do that.
Rowan Sinclair
Exactly.
You never do anything.
Rowan Sinclair
Still can’t answer?
Figures.
Rowan grabs his suitcase and starts walking toward the stairs.
Kai Beaumont
Dinner’s in an hour.
Rowan Sinclair
I’m not eating with you.
Kai Beaumont
You should eat.
Kai Beaumont
You skipped lunch.
Rowan slowly turns around.
Rowan Sinclair
…How do you know that?
Kai immediately looks back at his laptop.
Kai Beaumont
Emma told my assistant.
Rowan Sinclair
Why would you even care?
The question hangs in the room.
Heavy.
Awkward.
Dangerous.
Kai doesn’t answer.
Rowan laughs bitterly.
Rowan Sinclair
Right.
Should’ve known better.
SLAM.
Bedroom door shuts violently.
Silence fills the penthouse.
Kai remains sitting at the table.
Still staring at the staircase.
The laptop screen dims from inactivity.
He hasn’t moved.
After a long moment—
Kai quietly exhales.
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