Forced To Be His: An Arranged Marriage

HAZEL’S POV Rain swept across Manhattan, blurring the city lights against the café windows. Outside, taxis crawled through the traffic, their headlights shining over the wet pavement. Behind the counter, I wiped the same spot for the third time, my mind occupied by one terrible thought. Rent. Two days to pay rent. $127 in my account. And Maya was staring at me like I was about to cry into the espresso machine. “You're doing it again,” Maya said beside the espresso machine. I looked up. “Doing what?” “Staring into space like the world has offended you.” A tired laugh escaped me. “Maybe it has.” She took the cloth from my hand. “What's wrong, Hazel?” “Nothing.” “That's your ‘something is definitely wrong’ voice.” I sighed. “It's just rent. My hours were cut last week, and the electricity bill was higher than I expected.” Maya's expression softened. “I'm sorry. Do you want me to lend you something?” “No, thank you. I'll figure it out. I always do.” “You shouldn't have to figure out everything alone.” I looked away, pretending to straighten the takeaway cups. “I'm okay, Maya. Really.” She pointed towards the staff room. “Your shift is over. Go home before the weather gets worse. I'll finish up here.” “Are you sure?” “Yes. And please eat something. You look exhausted.” I smiled. “Thank you.” I collected my bag and stepped into the cold evening air, pulling my coat closer around myself. Sometimes, I wondered how my life had become so difficult. I wasn't asking for much. I wanted a comfortable home, a job that paid my bills, and people who genuinely cared about me. Perhaps, someday, I would find someone who loved me simply because he wanted to. Love sounded beautiful in stories. Real life was different. My father had died of cancer when I was a teenager. Three years ago, I lost my mother in a car accident. She had been my comfort, the person I turned to whenever life became unbearable. Since her death, I had learned to depend on myself. Some days, I managed. Other days, I simply pretended. By the time I reached my apartment, I was exhausted. I dropped my bag onto the sofa and sank into the cushions. “Home, sweet home,” I whispered. My little apartment wasn't much, but it was mine. The furniture was old, and the heating system made strange noises whenever the weather turned cold, but it gave me somewhere to breathe. I reached for my phone and messaged my best friend. HAZEL: Are you busy? LENA: Depends. Are you bringing food? I laughed. HAZEL: You're unbelievable. LENA: And yet, you love me. What's wrong? I hesitated before replying. HAZEL: Rent. I don't know how I'm going to pay it. Her response came quickly. LENA: Oh, Hazel. We'll figure something out. You don't have to handle everything alone. I called her, and we talked for a while. As usual, Lena managed to make me laugh, even when I didn't feel like smiling. After the call, I prepared a simple dinner and settled on the sofa with a blanket, hoping a movie would distract me from my worries. Tomorrow, I would return to work, smile at customers, and find a way to keep going. I always did. I had no idea that tomorrow would bring a decision capable of changing my entire life. I certainly didn't know that the man at the centre of it would be someone I had never imagined marrying. Someone who would turn my ordinary world upside down. DAMIEN’S POV “Your mother called again.” I didn't look up from the documents on my desk. “Tell her I'm busy.” Rohan, my assistant and oldest friend, sighed. “I already did. Twice. She said she'll come here herself if you keep ignoring her.” “She wouldn't dare.” Rohan gave me a knowing look before leaving my office. I returned to my work. As CEO of Thompson & Co., I had little patience for distractions. Building the company had taken years of dedication, and I wasn't about to let anything interfere with its success. Business was simple. Numbers made sense. People didn't. They lied, broke promises, and expected forgiveness when their choices hurt others. I had learned long ago that trusting people too easily was a mistake. That evening, I drove to my parents' home for dinner. My younger sister, Bella, greeted me at the staircase. “Look who finally decided to visit!” “I was invited.” “That doesn't mean you had to come.” I gave her a flat look. She laughed. “Missed you too, big brother.” I walked into the dining room, where my father, Richard Thompson, and my mother, Eleanor, were waiting. Dinner began with the usual conversations about business and family. I answered their questions while concentrating on my meal. Then my mother placed her cutlery down. “Damien, we need to discuss something.” I sighed. “What is it this time?” “Your future.” “My future is perfectly fine.” “Your company is doing well,” my father said calmly. “But there is more to life than work.” “If you're about to tell me to find a hobby, save your breath.” My mother ignored my remark. “It's time you considered marriage.” I stared at her. “You cannot be serious.” “We are,” my father replied. “I'm not getting married simply because you think it's time.” “No one is asking you to marry just anyone,” Mother said. “We've thought about someone suitable.” That caught my attention. “You've thought about someone?” My father nodded. “Her name is Hazel Rossi, the daughter of our late friend, Mr Rossi. Our families have known each other for years.” I remembered hearing about the Rossi family, but I had never considered marrying their daughter. “What does she have to do with this?” “She's a good young woman,” Mother explained. “She's been making her own way since losing her parents. We believe you could build a stable future together.” I set my glass down. “You've decided that a woman I've never met should become my wife?” “We haven't forced anything on her,” Father answered. “We've discussed the possibility, and she's willing to meet you.” “And if we don't like each other?” “Then you'll have your answer.” I glanced at my mother. Her expression was far too hopeful. I had built my life around my own decisions. I chose my business partners, my investments, and the people I allowed close to me. Marriage had never been part of my plans. I didn't believe in marrying someone simply because our families approved of the arrangement. Sharing a house and a surname couldn't manufacture love. “Why are you so determined about this?” I asked. Mother reached for my hand. “Because we want you to be happy, Damien. And one day, we'd love to have grandchildren.” I withdrew my hand gently. “Grandchildren? You're planning my life around children who don't even exist.” My father chuckled. “We're only asking you to meet her.” I remained silent for a moment. They weren't going to let this go, and arguing would only prolong the evening. “Fine. I'll meet her.” Mother's face brightened. “You will?” “One meeting. That's all I'm agreeing to.” “That's a start,” she replied. I returned to my dinner, already regretting the decision. A meeting was harmless. I would meet Hazel Rossi, make my position clear, and return to the life I had built. Simple. At least, that was what I believed. I had no idea that agreeing to one meeting would be the first step toward a marriage neither of us truly understood. And I certainly didn't know that the woman my parents had chosen would become the one person capable of challenging everything I believed about love. End of chapter*