business proposal

chapter 2

The grand entrance hall was a sight to behold, its high ceilings adorned with frescoes and gold leaf, its marble floors gleaming in the light of a thousand candles. At the far end of the hall, a staircase twisted upward, disappearing into the shadows above. To my left, a massive chandelier hung suspended in the air, its crystals sparkling like diamonds. And there, at the center of it all, stood Jack. He was even more handsome than his father had led me to believe, with piercing green eyes and dark curls that framed his face. His suit fit him perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean build. For a moment, we simply stood there, taking each other in, our hearts pounding in our chests.

"Hello, Lily," he finally said, his voice deep and rich. "You look lovelier than any photograph could have captured." My cheeks flushed at his words, and I forced myself to meet his gaze. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "You look quite dashing yourself." He smiled, and it transformed his face, making him seem even more approachable, more real. "Shall we?" he asked, offering me his arm. "The ceremony is about to begin."

As we walked side by side toward the grand ballroom where our wedding would take place, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of calm wash over me. Despite the fact that we were about to enter into a marriage neither of us had truly chosen, there was something undeniably right about being by Jack's side. The air between us crackled with an electricity that I had never felt with anyone else, and I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us.

The ceremony itself was a blur of beautiful music, lavish flowers, and heartfelt vows. As we exchanged rings and shared our first kiss as husband and wife, I felt a connection to Jack that went far deeper than any arrangement our fathers had made. Despite our best efforts to maintain a sense of distance and propriety, our eyes would meet throughout the ceremony, and in those moments, I could feel the heat of his gaze burning through me. It was as if we were the only two people in the world, and nothing else mattered.