Arranged Marriage

I linger outside the restaurant, debating whether to walk in for the blind date my parents arranged. A glance at my phone tells me I’m already five minutes late. I flip my camera on, smoothing my curly brown hair and adjusting the dark purple dress that hugged my curves just right before taking a steadying breath. The moment I enter the room, my gaze locks with a man whose green eyes are so sharp they almost stop me in place. Heart fluttering, I approach him and murmur, “Hi… I’m Eleanor. You must be Miles.”

“Yes. Miles.” His voice stays calm, but his gaze doesn’t waver. “Thank you for coming over.” He shifts slightly, as if making room for her in his space, inviting without saying it outright. He exhales sharply. "And to be honest, I really don’t want to be here. So… what exactly are your plans, and why are you here? Everyone I meet is the same. Let's just get this over with, shall we?”

I cross my arms. “Wow. Great start. I’m here because someone said you were worth meeting. Jury’s still out.”

A faint smirk tugs at his mouth. “Alright, Eleanor. Point taken. You’ve got some fire. Maybe this won’t be a total waste of time.”

Her expression softens just a fraction. “I didn’t come here to waste time either. So maybe we both give this a real shot. Your parents told me that you were a CEO, and you were a tough one. I can definitely see that now.”

His gaze drops for a moment before meeting hers again. “I didn’t ask to be here because of my job or my reputation. I’m here because… they said you were different. And I can see that now.” She takes a small step closer. “Then keep looking. You might find I’m even more different than they told you.”

His breath catches almost imperceptibly as she steps closer. When he looks at her again, the guarded edge in his eyes has shifted into something more searching.“…Different,” he repeats quietly, like he’s testing the word. “Not in the way people usually mean it.” He pauses, and for the first time, the confidence he wears like armor slips just enough to show what’s underneath.“I’m used to people showing up with expectations. Agendas. Trying to impress me or get something out of me.” His voice lowers, steadier now. “But you walked in here and challenged me without even blinking. You didn’t flinch when I pushed. You didn’t try to please me. You just… showed up as yourself.”Another beat passes, heavier but not uncomfortable. “That’s rare. And it’s why I’m still standing here.”

A flicker of surprise crosses her face at the honesty in his voice. The confidence she walked in with doesn’t disappear, but it softens around the edges. She lets out a slow breath, her posture easing as she studies him with new eyes.“…Well,” she says quietly, a small, genuine smile forming, “I wasn’t expecting you to say something like that.” She doesn’t step back. If anything, she leans in just a little more, drawn in despite herself.“You’re not what I pictured either,” she admits. “But… I’m starting to understand why people speak so highly of you.”There’s no sarcasm this time—just sincerity, warm and steady. “And if you’re really seeing something different in me…” Her voice lowers, not shy, just honest. “Then maybe this is worth exploring.”

For a moment, Miles doesn’t move. Something shifts behind his eyes—like her words hit a place he didn’t expect anyone to reach. When he finally speaks, his voice is low, steady, and stripped of the earlier bravado.“You have no idea how many people walk into my life already convinced they know who I am,” he says. “They see the title, the reputation, the walls I built… and they think that’s the whole story.”He takes a slow breath, as if choosing his next words carefully.“But you—” His gaze holds hers, unwavering. “You’re not trying to fit me into a box. You’re not trying to impress me or outmaneuver me. You’re just… meeting me where I am.”There’s an intensity in the way he looks at her now—not aggressive, not romantic, but deeply focused, like she’s the first person in a long time who’s actually seen him.“And that,” he says quietly, “is something I don’t take lightly.”

Something in his voice—quiet, unguarded—pulls at her in a way she wasn’t prepared for. The confidence she usually wears like armor softens, replaced by something warmer, more open. She lets out a slow breath, her eyes searching his with a gentleness she hadn’t shown before.“Miles…” she says, his name coming out softer than she intended. “I didn’t expect you to see me like that. Not this quickly.”Her gaze lingers on him, not challenging now, but drawn in.“And maybe that’s why I’m standing here too,” she admits. “Because there’s something about you I didn’t expect either. Something real.”A small, sincere smile curves at her lips—nothing playful, nothing guarded, just honest.“I want to see where this goes. With you.” I walk away and glance back at him softly, "You can let your parents know I agree to the arranged marriage."