CHAPTER THREE
1030 Words
Luxury cars pulled into the driveway of the Vander family villa.
The Silverstone family had arrived.
Mr. Vander stood at the entrance, a wide, welcoming smile on his face as he stepped forward.
“Old friend,” he greeted warmly, shaking hands with Mr. Silverstone. “It’s been too long.”
Pleasantries were exchanged before his gaze shifted.
“And this must be Elena.”
Elena Silverstone stepped forward gracefully, composed and elegant.
“A pleasure, sir.”
Inside the villa, the atmosphere was rich with quiet power.
Ryan stood near the window, hands in his pockets, his expression distant.
“Ryan,” his father called.
Ryan turned.
“This is Elena Silverstone.”
A pause.
Then, with a smile that carried intention—
“We’re hoping the two of you will get along… and perhaps, in time, get married.”
Ryan’s expression darkened instantly.
His gaze shifted to Elena—cold, sharp, assessing.
Elena met his eyes, unfazed.
Moments later, the elders excused themselves, leaving the two alone.
Silence settled between them.
Elena broke it first.
“So… I guess we’re being forced into something neither of us asked for.”
Ryan didn’t respond immediately. His gaze remained steady, uninterested.
That alone told her enough.
She sighed lightly.
“Good. That makes this easier.”
That got his attention.
Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Elena crossed her arms, calm and unapologetic.
“I’m not interested in marrying you.”
A pause.
“I’m not interested in men.”
Ryan blinked once.
For the first time, his expression shifted—from cold indifference to curiosity.
“…Really?”
His tone was quieter now, intrigued.
“Elena Silverstone… not interested in men?”
A faint smirk formed on his lips.
“That’s unexpected.”
He stepped closer, studying her.
“So you prefer women.”
Elena held his gaze. “Yes.”
Ryan chuckled softly.
“I see. That explains why you’re playing along with this family arrangement.”
His eyes sharpened.
“So tell me… what do you actually want?”
Elena hesitated for a second, then answered honestly.
“My parents found out. They caught me with my ex.”
Her jaw tightened slightly.
“Since then, they’ve been trying to ‘fix’ me. Setting me up with men. Pushing this… marriage idea.”
Ryan watched her carefully.
“Why not just go along with it?” he asked. “Why choose women?”
Elena’s voice softened—but remained firm.
“I’ve tried dating men.”
A pause.
“It never felt right.”
She looked straight at him.
“But with women… it’s real.”
Silence.
Then—
Ryan smiled.
Not warm.
Strategic.
“Interesting.”
He slipped his hands into his pockets again.
“Then I’ll help you.”
Elena frowned slightly. “Help me?”
“You stay close to me,” Ryan said calmly. “We play along.”
His gaze locked onto hers.
“In return… you help me too.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed.
“You want something.”
Ryan’s smirk deepened.
“Smart.”
A beat.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Just then, the doors opened.
Mr. Vander and Mr. Silverstone walked back in, smiling as they looked at the two.
“Oh?” Mr. Silverstone said, amused. “You’re already getting along.”
Ryan let out a soft chuckle.
Mr. Vander’s gaze shifted between Ryan and Elena the moment he and Mr. Silverstone returned.
“Well?” he asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice. “Have you both given the marriage some thought?”
Ryan didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he turned his head slowly and looked straight at his father.
“Father,” he said calmly, “I’m still thinking about it… but is there a possibility I’ll accept it?”
A pause.
Elena nodded slightly. “Same here.”
Mr. Silverstone’s face lit up with satisfaction.
“Good. Very good.”
He turned to Mr. Vander with a pleased smile. “We’ll leave you to it. Something urgent just came up—we have to head back.”
After brief farewells, the Silverstone family left the villa.
The moment the doors closed—
The air changed.
Mr. Vander’s expression hardened as he fixed his gaze on Ryan.
“You’re considering it?” he asked slowly. “Since when?”
Ryan let out a soft laugh.
Then he looked at his father, eyes sharp.
“You’ve been trying to get me married for years,” he said. “Now that I’m actually thinking about it… you’re questioning me?”
Mr. Vander didn’t smile.
“Ryan,” he said quietly, “you never make decisions without a reason.”
A pause.
“So what is it?”
Ryan stood up.
For a brief moment, his expression turned unreadable.
“I have things to handle,” he said coolly. “We’ll talk later.”
And just like that—
He walked out.
Cut to:
A high-end restaurant.
Soft music. Low chatter. Polished elegance.
Ryan sat alone at a table, a document open before him. His focus was absolute.
Until—
A sudden slip.
A body collided with his.
Ryan instinctively pushed the person away slightly.
Annoyance flickered across his face—
Then he looked up.
And froze.
Rosette Monroe.
Rosette straightened quickly, irritation rising as she turned to confront whoever pushed her.
But the moment her eyes met his—
She paused.
Ryan Vander.
The man who had been on her mind for days.
For a split second, something dangerous flickered in her gaze.
Like she wanted to see straight through him.
To tear past whatever walls he had built.
Then—
She smiled.
Soft. Polite. Controlled.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Ryan didn’t respond immediately.
He just watched her.
Carefully.
Before he could say a word, Rosette turned and walked away.
Calm on the outside.
Unreadable.
Ryan leaned back slightly, a slow smirk forming on his lips.
“Rosette Monroe…” he murmured.
“Interesting.”
Outside the restaurant
Rosette walked away, her expression composed.
But her thoughts weren’t.
Ryan Vander.
Her eyes darkened slightly.
I’m never going to fall for you.
- Writer
