The man she never expected
1480 Words
The following morning, Soraya woke up earlier than usual.
After accepting the arranged marriage the previous night, she felt strangely calm.
She still didn't know what kind of man her fiancé was.
She only knew one thing.
He was Grandpa Harrison's grandson.
As for the rest...
She decided to leave everything to fate.
After breakfast, she picked up her bag and headed to Hale Group.
Just as she stepped into the Executive Operations Department, a cheerful voice called out.
"Good morning, Soraya!"
Soraya turned around and smiled.
"Morning, Mia."
Mia walked over with two cups of coffee.
"I bought an extra one. I guessed you'd forget breakfast again."
Soraya laughed.
"I actually had breakfast today."
"So the coffee is a bonus."
The two girls laughed together before walking to their desks.
As the morning passed, Mia patiently showed Soraya how to organize files and prepare meeting documents.
Whenever Soraya got confused, Mia was always there to help.
By lunchtime, Soraya finally stretched her arms.
"I'm exhausted."
Mia giggled.
"Everyone says that on their second day."
"Come on."
"Lunch is on me today."
"You don't have to."
"I insist."
A few minutes later, they were sitting in the company cafeteria with trays of food.
Mia loved talking.
She told funny stories about the office and made Soraya laugh several times.
For the first time since joining Hale Group, Soraya felt like she truly belonged there.
"I'm really glad we met," Soraya said sincerely.
"So am I."
Mia smiled.
"From today onward, we're officially friends."
Soraya smiled warmly.
"Friends."
The rest of the afternoon passed peacefully.
Just before work ended, Soraya received a text message from her grandmother.
Grandpa Harrison has booked dinner tonight. Be home before six so we can leave together.
Soraya stared at the message for a few seconds.
Tonight...
She would finally meet the man she was promised to.
She slipped her phone back into her bag and quietly finished the last of her work.
When the clock finally struck six, Mia walked over.
"Going home already?"
"Yeah."
"I have somewhere to be tonight."
Mia grinned mischievously.
"A date?"
Soraya's face immediately turned red.
"N-No!"
Mia laughed.
"I'm just teasing."
"Have a wonderful evening."
"See you tomorrow."
"See you."
Soraya left the company and headed home.
---
Back at the Carter residence, her grandmother was already waiting.
"There you are."
"I'm sorry, Grandma."
"Work ended a little late."
"It's alright."
"We still have plenty of time."
Soraya hurried upstairs to get ready.
Standing in front of her wardrobe, she looked at the dresses hanging inside.
After a moment of thought, she shook her head.
"I'm not trying to impress anyone."
Instead, she chose a simple light-blue dress that reached just below her knees.
She tied her long hair into a neat ponytail and wore only a small pair of earrings.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled softly.
"This is enough."
A few minutes later, she joined her grandmother downstairs.
"You look beautiful," her grandmother said.
Soraya smiled shyly.
"Thank you."
Soon, a black luxury car arrived outside the house.
Grandpa Harrison stepped out personally.
"My ladies."
He smiled warmly.
"Shall we go?"
The journey to the restaurant was quiet.
Soraya watched the city lights through the window while wondering what kind of person she was about to meet.
Was he kind?
Was he cold?
Would he even want this marriage?
Questions filled her mind one after another.
Nearly thirty minutes later, the car stopped in front of one of the most luxurious restaurants in Aurora City.
Grandpa Harrison got out first before helping Soraya's grandmother.
Soraya slowly stepped out of the car.
She looked up at the grand building in front of her.
"So this is where we're meeting..."
Grandpa Harrison smiled.
"The others haven't arrived yet."
"Let's head inside."
The restaurant manager immediately welcomed them respectfully and personally led them toward one of the private dining rooms reserved on the top floor.
Soraya took a deep breath.
She could feel her heart beating faster with every step.
She had no idea...
That the person she was about to meet...
Was someone she had already crossed paths with twice.
Soraya quietly sat beside her grandmother.
The private dining room was elegant but comfortable. A large round table stood in the center, decorated with fresh flowers. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sparkling lights of Aurora City could be seen.
Her hands rested on her lap.
She couldn't stop fidgeting.
Her grandmother noticed and smiled.
"Relax."
Soraya forced a smile.
"I'm trying."
Grandpa Harrison chuckled.
"Don't worry. Adrian isn't a difficult person."
Soraya nodded politely, although she wasn't sure whether to believe that.
A few minutes later, there was a gentle knock on the door.
The manager respectfully opened it.
"Mr. Hale has arrived."
Grandpa Harrison smiled.
"Let him in."
The door slowly opened.
Footsteps echoed inside the room.
Soraya instinctively looked toward the entrance.
A tall man dressed in a Navy blue suit walked in calmly.
His posture was straight, and his expression remained as unreadable as ever.
The moment his eyes met Soraya's...
He stopped walking.
Soraya's eyes widened.
Her heart almost skipped a beat.
"It..."
She stared at him in complete disbelief.
"...You?"
At the very same moment, Adrian spoke.
"You?"
The room suddenly became silent.
Grandpa Harrison looked from Adrian to Soraya in confusion.
"You two know each other?"
Neither of them answered immediately.
Soraya was still too shocked to say anything.
Out of all the people in Aurora City...
Why did it have to be him?
Adrian recovered first.
"We've met twice."
Grandpa Harrison looked surprised.
"You never mentioned it."
"It didn't seem important."
Soraya couldn't help staring at Adrian.
"So..."
"You're Grandpa Harrison's grandson?"
Adrian gave a small nod.
"And you're Samuel Carter's granddaughter."
Neither of them had expected this.
Not even once.
Grandpa Harrison suddenly laughed.
"So fate decided to introduce you before I could."
Even Soraya's grandmother smiled.
"It seems so."
Soraya, however, wasn't smiling.
She remembered the muddy water.
She remembered how he thought she wanted money.
The memory still annoyed her.
Adrian noticed the expression on her face.
He immediately understood what she was thinking.
After a brief silence, he spoke.
"About what happened outside the company..."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"I found out later from my driver that we had driven through a puddle."
"I wasn't aware it happened."
Soraya blinked.
"You... didn't know?"
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
"I only thought someone had stopped me to ask for money."
"I made the wrong assumption."
His voice remained calm.
"But..."
"I'm sorry."
The room became quiet once again.
Soraya hadn't expected an apology.
Especially not from him.
She looked into his eyes.
For the first time...
He didn't seem arrogant.
He simply looked sincere.
After a few seconds, she gave a small nod.
"It's alright."
"I misunderstood you too."
"I thought you were just another rich man who looked down on everyone."
Grandpa Harrison couldn't help laughing.
"So the two of you disliked each other because of a misunderstanding?"
Neither Adrian nor Soraya answered.
Their silence was enough.
The atmosphere became much lighter.
Soon, the dishes were served.
Grandpa Harrison deliberately started talking about old memories with Samuel Carter, making everyone laugh from time to time.
The tension between Adrian and Soraya slowly disappeared.
Although they didn't talk much, they occasionally exchanged short glances.
Neither of them knew what to say.
Halfway through dinner, Harrison cleared his throat.
"Since both of you are finally here..."
"I think there's something I should ask."
He looked at Adrian first.
"Now that you've met properly..."
"Do you still intend to honor the promise?"
Adrian answered without hesitation.
"I do."
His simple reply surprised Soraya.
Then Harrison turned to her.
"And you?"
Soraya looked down at her hands before slowly lifting her head.
"I've already made my decision."
"I'll honor Grandpa's promise too."
Harrison smiled with satisfaction.
"Good."
"I'm happy that both of you made this choice willingly."
He wasn't asking them to fall in love overnight.
He simply wanted them to give each other a chance.
As dinner came to an end, Harrison stood up.
"The wedding won't be rushed."
"You'll have time to know each other first."
"I only ask one thing."
He looked at both of them.
"Treat each other with respect."
Adrian nodded.
"I will."
Soraya nodded as well.
"So will I."
Outside the restaurant, the cool night breeze welcomed them.
The Hale family's cars were already waiting.
Before getting into his car, Adrian looked at Soraya.
"I'll see you again."
Soraya smiled politely.
"Yes."
Neither of them realized...
They would be seeing each other much sooner than expected.
Because when the sun rose the next morning...
They wouldn't be meeting as two people in an arranged marriage.
They would meet once again...
As the president of Hale Group...
And one of his newest employees.
- Writer
