Noah Cartel, a once-wealthy young man who enjoyed the status of being the sole heir to the vast empire of Cartel Enterprises, now finds himself in the depths of ruin. Betrayed by those he once trusted, he has seen his wealth and influence vanish int...
I stepped out of my office building, leaving earlier than usual today because I have a date scheduled for this evening with my fiancé, Noah. Interestingly, I hardly know anything about him. It's somewhat surprising that my father arranged this marriage, especially given his company's financial troubles. Nevertheless, the identity of my future husband isn't a major concern for me; this union is just a business arrangement, and my main priority remains the growth of my own company.
Meeting him beforehand would be a good idea, just so I don't end up marrying someone I know nothing about. I've always wanted to launch my own fashion company, but my father wasn't accepting my decision. Eventually, he agreed, but with a single condition - to marry the person he's chosen. I let out a sigh as I thought about it.
As I contemplated the situation, I couldn't help but feel conflicted. The prospect of tying the knot with someone selected by my father still weighed heavily on my mind. Starting my own fashion company had been a lifelong dream, and I had fought hard for my father's acceptance. Yet, the conditions for his approval raised uncertainty about the path I was about to embark upon.
I made my way home to prepare for the evening, as I currently lived alone due to my busy work schedule over the past year, primarily because of the launch of my company. My apartment building was conveniently located near my workplace, and I arrived there in just five minutes. Upon entering my home, I immediately headed for the shower to freshen up.
The soothing rush of warm water from the shower helped ease the tension that had built up throughout the day. As I stood under the cascading water, my thoughts kept drifting back my date with Noah.
After my refreshing shower, I went to my bedroom to choose an outfit that struck the right balance between casual and elegant, suitable for a date that was more like a business arrangement. As I carefully selected my attire, I couldn't help but wonder how the evening would unfold and what kind of person Noah truly was.
I chose a simple white dress with white heels to go with it.
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With the clock nearing 4:40 pm, I rushed out of my apartment, realizing that I might be running late for my first date. I quickly hopped into my car and headed towards the café where we were supposed to meet.
At 5:05 pm, I reached the Stardust Café, feeling relieved that I wasn't excessively late. Stepping inside, I scanned the café's interior in search of Noah. I found him seated at a table near the window, his gaze fixed on the view outside.
I took a deep breath and made my way towards him.
Noah's Pov
I gazed out of the window, observing the bustling street beyond. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries wafted through the air, creating a serene atmosphere. Arriving a bit ahead of time has given me the opportunity to reflect on the situation and gather my thoughts.
Marrying Scarlett was of utmost significance to me, as Mr. Jules had pledged to invest in my company under this condition. My company held the highest priority in my life, and I wouldn't be able to fully commit to this marriage. I just want to make it clear to Scarlett that our union was purely a business arrangement.
As I peered inside, I noticed Scarlett approaching, she is looking beautiful? What am I thinking, I took a deep breath and stood up to pull her chair, she looked at me surprised and uttered a soft "thank you" and then I settled back into my own chair.
Silence settled between us and eventually, she broke it by asking, "Have you placed an order yet?" I replied, "No, not yet."
"Well, in that case, let me recommend the cheesecake here; it's absolutely delightful," she suggested, accompanied by a gentle smile. I replied, "I don't really like sweets but thank you".
The waiter came to take our orders, I ordered a americano and Scarlett a latte. It was time for the talk for which we came here. "Why did you agree to marry me?" I asked her looking straight in her eyes. Although it was not my choice, but she could have refused but she did not, why? I was curious.
The waiter approached to take our orders, and I opted for an Americano while Scarlett requested a latte. Now, it was time to talk about the main reason we are meeting today.
I looked at her and inquired, "Why did you agree to this marriage?" While it hadn't been my choice, she certainly could have declined, but she didn't. I was curious about her reasons.
Scarlett looked pensive for a moment; her gaze focused on the table before she finally spoke. "Well, it wasn't an easy decision for me either," she began. "But I have my reasons". She was about to say something when our orders arrived.
Scarlett raised a point, her gaze directed at me with a discerning, almost clinical expression. "I could pose the same question to you," she remarked, "although I suspect I have an inkling as to why you agreed." It was no secret that my company's financial situation was dire, and she was correct in her assessment that I was entering this marriage primarily for financial investment from her father. Yet, despite the truth, it remained a difficult answer to verbalize.
I let out a small chuckle and replied, "I do have my own motivations." Scarlett, her gaze steady over her coffee cup, countered, "Well, I trust it's understood that love isn't the foundation of this marriage."
"Absolutely," I affirmed. "And I hope you won't have any expectations from this marriage in the future".
Amused by my question, she suggested, "Perhaps we should draft a contract outlining the guidelines for this contractual marriage."
I nodded, a faint smile gracing my lips. This meeting had turned out better than I had anticipated.
