HALLOWED LOVE

CHAPTER 2:THE DEAL

Adrian's pov

I wasn’t a man who believed in distractions. At Marc Corp, every decision, every action, had to serve a purpose. Emotions were liabilities. Relationships? Even worse. Yet here I was, sitting across from my father, listening to him pitch the idea of an arranged marriage like it was another business merger.

“Adrian, you need stability,” he said, leaning back in his chair. His voice carried the authority of a man who built an empire from nothing. “This marriage will ensure that.”

I sipped my espresso, my expression carefully neutral. “Stability? Or control?”

He didn’t flinch, which annoyed me. My father rarely reacted to my barbs, and it only served to remind me of how little power I truly had in his eyes.

“The Carter family has an impeccable reputation,” he continued, ignoring my comment. “Jasmine is intelligent, poised, and capable. She’ll be an asset to you both personally and professionally.”

I leaned forward, placing the tiny cup on the polished surface of his desk. “What’s the real reason, Father? What do you stand to gain from this?”

His lips curved into a faint smile. “Sometimes, Adrian, it’s not about what I gain. It’s about what you need.”

I laughed humorlessly, standing up. “I don’t need anyone.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

His words followed me out of his office, but I refused to let them sink in. I didn’t need a wife. I didn’t need the baggage of another person in my carefully controlled life.

That evening, I stood on the balcony of my penthouse apartment, staring at the city skyline. The offer or rather, the demand lingered in my mind. Jasmine Carter. I knew of her, of course. A lawyer from a prominent family, respected for her intellect and grace.

She wasn’t the problem. The problem was the idea of letting someone into my life, trusting someone.

My phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. It was my sister, Sofia. Estranged sister, I reminded myself. It had been years since we’d spoken properly, but every so often, she’d send a text or leave a voicemail. I never responded.

Tonight was no different, I deleted the message without a glance at it.

Agreeing to the meet at least couldn't be worse than letting my sister back into my life, besides having a partner could help with my public image and finally keep the board and my parents from being nose deep in my business all the time. I guess this was killing two birds with one stone.

A few days later, I met Jasmine for the first time.

The restaurant my father chose was all chrome and glass, designed to intimidate rather than comfort. When I arrived, Jasmine was already seated, her posture perfect, her expression calm. She was beautiful in a quiet, understated way nothing like the flashy women who often sought my attention.

“Adrian Marco, ” I said, extending a hand as I sat down.

“Jasmine Carter ” she replied, her voice steady.

We studied each other for a moment, both sizing up the person we were being forced to marry.

“I take it this arrangement wasn't your idea either,” she said finally, a hint of amusement in her tone.

“ No " I admitted.

" Well that's one thing we have in common ", she replied.

Leaning back in my chair, I smiled inwardly at the situation while still keeping my expression unreasonable. This would be an interesting night after all.

Jasmine's pov

The restaurant was as cold and impersonal as the man seated across from me. Adrian Marco the infamous CEO of Marc Corp. He sat with perfect posture, his dark suit tailored to perfection, and his sharp eyes fixed on me like I was the next negotiation he needed to win.

I clasped my hands under the table, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I take it this arrangement wasn’t your idea either.”

“No,” he said simply, his tone cool.

“Well, that’s one thing we have in common,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Then let’s get to the point. If this is going to happen, we need terms. Something clear. No confusion, no emotion, just practicality.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You make it sound like a business deal.”

“Isn’t it?” he countered.

The waiter arrived, interrupting our conversation as we ordered. Once he left, Adrian turned back to me, his gaze sharp.

“Let’s be honest, Jasmine. You and I are strangers. There’s no foundation for this relationship. If we’re going to move forward, we need to set boundaries.”

I folded my hands on the table, choosing my words carefully. “I agree that boundaries are important. But I don’t view marriage as a transaction. It’s a covenant a sacred commitment. Even in these unusual circumstances, I can’t ignore my faith.”

His jaw tightened slightly, but he nodded. “Fair enough. What does that mean in practical terms?”

“It means I won’t take this lightly,” I said firmly. “If I commit to this marriage, I’ll honor it. But I also have expectations. Respect, honesty, and no manipulation. If either of us wants out, we say so directly.”

Adrian studied me for a moment, his expression softening ever so slightly. “You’re straightforward. I respect that.”

“And you’re direct to the point of bluntness,” I replied, unable to hide a small smile. “I can work with that.”

“Then let’s add one more term,” he said. “We keep our personal lives separate as much as possible. This isn’t about love or emotional dependence. It’s about stability.”

I hesitated, weighing his words. “I understand what you’re saying, but marriage is more than just convenience. It’s about partnership, even if it’s not romantic.”

“Partnership,” he repeated, almost testing the word.

“Yes,” I said. “We may not have chosen this, but we’re in it together. That means supporting each other, at least in public.”

A flicker of something, surprise, maybe crossed his face before he nodded. “Agreed.”

The waiter returned with our drinks, and we paused, sipping in silence. Finally, Adrian set his glass down and looked at me again.

“One last thing,” he said. “If we’re doing this, I want complete honesty. No games, no secrets.”

I met his gaze, unwavering. “That’s something I can agree to. But honesty works both ways, Adrian. If you’re hiding anything, it will come out eventually.”

His eyes darkened slightly, but he gave a small nod. “Fair enough.”

The conversation shifted to logistics, timing, the wedding arrangements, and our families’ expectations. By the end of the evening, I felt a strange sense of relief. Adrian was blunt and guarded, but he wasn’t unreasonable.

As we stood to leave, he offered his hand. “I suppose this is the beginning of...whatever this is.”

I hesitated for a moment before shaking it. “I suppose it is.”

Walking out of the restaurant, I couldn’t help but wonder if this arrangement would work, or if it would be the biggest challenge of my life.