Arranged marriage

Chapter Three: First impressions

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing. Mom’s text read: “Breakfast with him today. Be ready.” My stomach sank. How was I supposed to act normal around someone I barely knew?

By the time I reached the dining room, Rayan was already there, reading the newspaper like he owned the place. He looked up as I walked in, and for a moment, our eyes met. I swear my heart skipped.

“Good morning,” he said, his voice calm but with that same edge that made me want to hide behind the table.

“Morning,” I mumbled, pulling out a chair.

Breakfast was silent at first. The clinking of spoons and the occasional cough from Dad filled the room. I tried not to stare at Rayan, but it was impossible. He had this… aura. Confident, calm, a little intimidating, but strangely magnetic.

“So, Zara,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “Do you like reading?”

I blinked. Why does he want to know about reading? “Uh… yeah. I like novels. Romance, mostly,” I admitted, a little embarrassed.

He raised an eyebrow. “Romance, huh? Interesting choice.”

I laughed nervously. “What about you? You read?”

Rayan leaned back and smiled faintly. “Sometimes. History, politics… things that actually matter.”

I rolled my eyes playfully, though only in my head. He noticed. I think. His faint smile grew slightly, and I felt this weird flutter in my chest.

We talked a little more. Small things. Favorite foods, childhood memories, silly habits. And the more we talked, the more I realized… maybe he’s not just a stranger. Maybe he’s… human.

But then he said something that made me pause. “I don’t do drama,” he said softly, looking straight at me. “Not from anyone. And I expect the same.”

I nodded, feeling a little wary. Drama? Me? I guess he has no idea who he’s dealing with.

The morning ended too soon. He left politely, with that same calm confidence that made my head spin. I went back to my room, heart racing.

I didn’t know him yet. But I couldn’t deny it—something about him had already started to pull me in. And for the first time since this whole nightmare began, I wondered… maybe meeting him isn’t going to be that bad.