Chapter 1
Freya's POV
"Finally, I'll get to meet your fiancée," I teased, tugging my brother playfully as we strolled to our garage.
Mateo rolled his eyes, though his shoulders relaxed a bit. "I don’t know her well... but I have a feeling you guys will get along."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why is that? Do you have a crush on her already?"
"No!"
"Hey... Why did you disagree that fast?" I said, nudging him. He tried to look away, but I caught his arm, stopping him. "You know, you can still turn down this marriage if you want to. Mom and Dad would understand. It’s your life."
Mateo’s eyes grew distant, and he let out a long sigh. "You don’t get it, sis. I can’t. I have to go through with it. This isn’t just about me. It's what the family needs. We need an alliance with the Sergals to keep our business stable, maybe even grow it." He glanced away, lost in thought. "Maybe... maybe things will work out with her."
I could see the weight he was carrying in his eyes, and it made my heart ache. Mateo deserved to marry someone he truly loved, not to feel chained by family obligations and expectations. But he had always been the responsible one, shouldering burdens without complaint. It hurt to see him struggle to keep those emotions in check.
"Freya." Mateo snapped his fingers in front of my face, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Let’s go before Mom starts calling every five minutes. I’m sure they’re already there by now."
I shook off the lingering sadness in my chest and forced a smile. "Alright. Besides, I’m really curious to meet this mystery fiancée of yours."
We walked side by side, a hint of nervousness settling over us both as we neared our car. It wasn’t every day anyone gets to meet their big brother's bride-to-be. And though I didn’t know her yet, I hoped she’d be someone kind and genuine.
When we stepped out of the car, my mother’s glare could have melted ice. "Where have you two been? That’s why I didn’t want to leave you behind!" Her voice was sharp but not unkind, and I could tell she’d been waiting for us to arrive.
Mateo raised his hands in surrender. "I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll apologize, okay?" He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Nothing’s going to go wrong. Let’s get inside."
Mom sighed, clearly appeased, and led the way while Mateo and I followed a few steps behind. As soon as we entered the grand hall, I was greeted by the lively hum of conversation and laughter, the sound carrying through the high, chandelier-lit ceilings. The atmosphere was rich, almost intimidating, and it felt surreal knowing that we were here to officially meet my brother’s fiancée.
Mom directed us toward the high table, where both the groom's and bride's families were seated, and that’s when I saw her. I didn’t know how I knew, maybe it was the way she held herself, or the elegance of her dress, an emerald off-the-shoulder gown that caught the light. But my eyes immediately found hers, a striking shade of blue that seemed almost out of place, too vivid for reality. Her hair was held up in a sleek ponytail, and the diamond earrings she wore sparkled with every small movement. Everything about her screamed elegance and sophistication.
"Alyssa, the groom is finally here," my mother announced, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“We’ve been waiting for you. Please, sit down. I’ll have the butler attend to you,” a warm, smiling woman replied. I could tell this was Mrs. Sergal, the bride's mother. I noticed her resemblance to the young woman seated beside her, the same poised demeanor, the same eyes, softened only by kindness.
Mom introduced me as her second child and only daughter, but she didn't mention my name. As soon as I took my seat, I realized I’d been staring at Mateo's fiancée without even noticing. Mom noticed, too, and smirked. "It looks like Freya already likes her sister-in-law."
Blushing, I quickly looked away, though I couldn’t stop smiling. There was something so genuine about her presence, something that felt like it clicked instantly. "We haven't been properly introduced,” I said, glancing back at her. "I’m Freya."
She smiled softly, her eyes meeting mine. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Freya. I’m Kayla."
"Oh! I’m glad to finally know your name. My family only ever referred to you as ‘Miss Sergal,’ so I never had the chance to know you," I explained, feeling a bit awkward but eager to make her feel at ease.
“It’s okay.” She laughed, her smile lighting up her face. "I like your dress, by the way."
I glanced down at my simple blue dress, feeling a little self-conscious next to her flawless attire. "Thank you. But I have to say, you look... absolutely stunning."
Her cheeks tinted with a slight blush. "Thank you, Freya."
I could sense the attention from everyone at the table, and Mateo, always the protective brother, cleared his throat. "Kayla, don’t mind Freya. Sometimes she just talks too much."
I shot him a glare, playfully flipping my hair over my shoulder. "Well, no one was going to introduce us, so I took matters into my own hands."
At that moment, the waiters arrived, and the air filled with the mouthwatering aroma of the dishes. My stomach growled audibly, and I suddenly remembered I hadn’t eaten all day, thanks to Mateo and his last-minute outfit requests. Finally, he’d have someone else to rely on for these "emergencies," and I’d be free of his endless favors.
Mateo's POV
As Kayla and I stepped outside, the noise of the party faded into the background. I took a deep breath, my eyes wandering to the moonlight spilling over the garden. Everything about tonight was surreal, almost dreamlike.
"I apologize for showing up late," I said, feeling a strange mix of nerves and excitement. "I had trouble picking what to wear. My sister had to step in and help."
She laughed softly. "No problem." Her voice was calm, soothing, almost like a gentle melody. I couldn’t help but smile back, feeling a strange warmth settle in my chest.
"You're always smiling," I noted, trying to ease the tension that had built up over the evening. Truthfully, I didn’t know her well, but over the past few months, I'd found myself drawn to her, if only for her quiet elegance and genuine smile. Six months of occasional dates, conversations that never went too deep... and yet, I felt a subtle spark around her.
Tonight, seeing her in that emerald dress, the way it clung to her figure and the way the slit exposed just enough of her thigh, I couldn’t help but feel a little breathless. She was beautiful, undeniably so, and though it didn’t feel like love, I couldn’t deny the attraction.
"You look gorgeous," I murmured, almost unconsciously. She merely smiled, those same soft lips curving upwards.
Her smile faded a little as she glanced at the hall behind us. "I don’t want to go back inside. This was supposed to be a bridal shower. I thought I’d have a night with my girls... and you’d have your guys. Instead, it’s turned into a formal dinner, and most of the people here are just business associates."
Her honesty took me by surprise. She was so composed around others that I hadn’t expected to see this side of her, a woman who wanted something simple, real. I felt a pang of sympathy, realizing how much she was sacrificing for the sake of her family’s business, just like I was.
"You have me," I said, my voice soft. "We’re not lovers... but I can be your friend. Maybe that’s how our story begins." I took a step closer, lowering my voice as I leaned in. "I'm actually more than a friend, because no friend of yours gets to marry you. Except me."
I lifted her chin gently, drawing her gaze to mine. The world around us seemed to melt away as I took in the warmth in her eyes, a mix of curiosity and vulnerability. I couldn’t stop myself—I leaned down, pressing my lips to hers. It was a gentle, tentative kiss, and for a moment, I feared she’d push me away. But then, she leaned in, her lips moving softly against mine, and all doubts vanished.
As we pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining with a hint of excitement I hadn’t seen before. For the first time since our engagement, I felt hope, hope that maybe, just maybe, we could make this work.
Back inside, I could sense the eyes on us, the subtle whispers of people speculating about our moment together. But I didn’t care. I kept my hand on Kayla’s lower back, guiding her gently. It wasn’t an overt gesture, but the way she glanced up at me told me she noticed. Her cheeks were still flushed, and I could sense the subtle warmth in her gaze. Part of me felt proud, like I was taking the first step toward making this engagement feel real, for both of us.
Mom noticed us first, her eyes flicking down to where my hand rested on Kayla’s back, then back up to my face with a barely restrained look of approval. She didn’t say anything but gave me a nod, her eyes shining with something like satisfaction. No doubt she was already seeing this marriage as a success.
“Ah, here’s the couple of the night!” One of my uncles announced from the next table over, raising his glass. “Give us a smile, you two!”
I glanced at Kayla, catching her eye. She raised her brow in a silent question, as if asking if this was going to be our life now, on display for everyone’s approval. I gave her a reassuring smile and leaned in slightly.
“Just bear with it for a while longer,” I murmured, and she nodded, her own smile returning as she straightened up, leaning into the moment.
We lifted our glasses, and a smattering of applause broke out around us. For a second, I felt like an actor on stage, performing the role of a devoted fiancé. But it was a strange kind of relief, too, like if I played my part well enough, maybe it would start to feel real.
As the evening continued, I kept noticing little things about her. How she always seemed to notice when someone was left out of a conversation, and would include them with a well-placed comment or question. How her laugh had this light, effortless sound, like she wasn’t laughing for anyone but herself. I felt myself relaxing around her in a way I hadn’t expected.
At one point, we found ourselves alone at the side of the room, watching Freya entertain a group of kids near the dessert table. Kayla was smiling, a soft look of amusement on her face.
"Your sister’s amazing with children," she murmured. "I can tell she has a good heart."
I smiled, nodding. “Freya’s always had a way with people. She’s fierce, but kind. She actually talked to me a lot before tonight, asking if this was really what I wanted… She wanted to make sure I wasn’t sacrificing too much."
Kayla turned to look at me, her gaze thoughtful. “And what did you tell her?”
I hesitated, feeling the weight of her question. “I told her the truth. That this marriage is important for both our families. But…” I paused, gathering my thoughts. “I also told her that I hoped it could be more than just a business arrangement. I hoped we’d get along. Maybe even… become something real.”
Her eyes softened, and she reached out, placing her hand gently over mine. "Thank you for being honest with me, Mateo. I… I'm not sure what to expect from this, either. Our dates and meetings are always about planning and agreements. But tonight… tonight felt different."
There was a vulnerability in her gaze that caught me off guard, a rare moment when she let her guard down. I squeezed her hand lightly. “You’re right. Tonight does feel different.” I paused, wanting to voice the thought that had been lingering in the back of my mind. “Maybe we can take this one step at a time, Kayla. Forget about all the expectations, the business. Just… get to know each other. Like we would if we met by chance.”
A flicker of relief passed over her face, and she nodded. “I’d like that, Mateo.”
Just as I opened my mouth to reply, Freya darted over, excitement lighting up her face. “Mateo, Kayla! You have to come with me!”
“Freya,” I began, a bit amused by her sudden enthusiasm, "What is it?”
“Just come on!” She grabbed Kayla’s hand with one of her own and latched onto my arm with the other, practically dragging us toward the dessert table.
I exchanged a look with Kayla, who laughed softly. “I think we’d better see what she’s up to.”
When we arrived, Freya unveiled a small chocolate cake, lit with a single candle. She gave us an impish grin. “I figured since this is your first night officially together, you should have a little celebration. Go on, make a wish!”
Kayla looked at me, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “What should we wish for?”
I thought about it for a moment, and then leaned close, so only she could hear. “A fresh start,” I said softly. “And maybe… a chance to surprise each other.”
She nodded, and together, we blew out the candle, our breaths mingling for a moment in the soft light. Freya clapped, clearly pleased with herself, and I felt a surge of gratitude for my little sister. She always had a way of making things lighter, bringing warmth and humor even in serious moments.
As the evening wound down my family gathered around us, exchanging final words, and I noticed my parents’ proud expressions. They were watching us closely, their faces filled with approval.
When the guests finally started to disperse, Kayla and I found ourselves alone on the balcony overlooking the garden. The moon was high in the sky, casting a soft glow over everything. I turned to her, my heart unexpectedly full.
"Thank you for tonight, Kayla. I know it wasn’t easy, but you handled everything so gracefully. Tomorrow is a big day. I'm very eager to see you walk down the aisle," I smiled.
She smiled back, her face glowing in the moonlight. “Yeah.” I took her hand and squeezed it gently.
We stood there in silence for a while, simply enjoying the quiet. And for the first time, I realized I wasn’t just going through the motions. I was genuinely looking forward to whatever came next with Kayla.
“Goodnight, Kayla,” I murmured finally, feeling a reluctance to leave.
She nodded, her gaze lingering on me. “Goodnight, Mateo.” I kissed her and then walked away.
