Sunday, June 10, 2018
I've just graduated and taken over the family business. We own a soft drink brand founded by my great-grandfather.
My father has all sorts of plans to expand the company. He wants to merge our business with that of an old friend who owns a major distribution company. It's a brilliant idea: combining a soft drink manufacturer with a distributor would generate huge profits and allow the business to expand rapidly.
But there's one catch.
The merger will be sealed through a marriage between our two families.
My future father-in-law has three children: Ana, Ariana, and Ariel.
And I'll have to choose which one suits me best.
We've grown up together, so I know them very well.
Ana is cold and manipulative. She'd be a headache.
Ariana has a fiery temper. She'd cause me daily stress.
And then there's him...
Ariel.
Sweet, delicate Ariel.
He's never had a mind of his own and has always done whatever he's told.
He's perfect.
Well, then...
I've already decided whom I'm going to marry.
Right now, I'm at a restaurant with Ariel.
It's nighttime.
He seems nervous.
"I still can't believe you chose me," Ariel says awkwardly before bringing his fork to his mouth.
I look up and meet his gaze coldly.
"Let me make one thing perfectly clear," I say firmly. "You can ask me for anything. Anything money can buy."
I pause briefly.
"Just don't ask me to love you. That's the one thing I'll never be able to give you."
"Jeez, Victor..." Ariel says, looking horrified.
"My priority will be work," I say, picking up my phone. "And, above all, growing the company."
"All right, then," Ariel replies, turning his attention back to his plate.
"Get ready, because our wedding will be happening soon," I say before taking a sip of wine. "I've already bought a house, too. You can go there and take care of the decorating and all that pointless stuff."
"All right," Ariel says calmly.
I can't help a faint, cold smile.
This is going to be easier than I thought.
Just as I'd expected, Ariel is an idiot who does whatever he's told.
For some reason, though, I find myself feeling unexpectedly surprised.
Suddenly...
I'm actually looking forward to this marriage.