Until Love Finds Us

The wedding hall was dazzling with golden chandeliers and fresh white roses decorating every corner. Guests murmured in excitement, some taking photos while others gossiped about the bride and groom. It was a grand affair one that screamed love and celebration. Except, of course, for the bride. Noelle sat stiffly on the stage, her arms crossed as she tapped her manicured nails on her lap. Her perfectly curled brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, but there was no joy in her expression. She was mad. No, furious. She didn’t want to be here. She didn’t want to be dressed in this ridiculously expensive wedding gown, wearing heels so high she could practically see her life flashing before her eyes. And she definitely didn’t want to be taking wedding photos with him. Dave, on the other hand, looked like he had stepped out of a romance novel. His crisp white tuxedo fit him perfectly, highlighting his broad shoulders. His black hair was neatly styled, and when he smiled, oh, how the guests swooned. His dimples deepened, making him look like the perfect gentleman. Perfect. Handsome. Charming. And the most annoying person Noelle had ever met. "Come on, Noelle," Dave whispered, leaning closer so only she could hear. "At least pretend to smile. You look like you're about to murder someone." Noelle shot him a glare. "Who says I'm not?" Dave chuckled, completely unbothered. "Well, if looks could kill, I’d be dead already. But since I’m still breathing, let’s take this photo before our parents throw a fit." The photographer adjusted his camera and gestured toward them. "Bride and groom, a little closer, please!" Noelle groaned under her breath but moved slightly closer to Dave. He, of course, took the opportunity to wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her even closer. "You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?" she muttered. "Immensely," he replied with a smirk. The camera clicked. Guests cheered. Noelle clenched her jaw. Flashback: A few months ago, Noelle was living her best life going parties, traveling, shopping, and doing whatever she pleased. Meanwhile, Dave was already neck-deep in his father’s business, working late hours and attending endless meetings. Their lives were completely different. Until one disastrous dinner changed everything. "You two are getting married." Noelle nearly choked on her wine. "Excuse me?!" Her father, Richard Sinclair, remained firm. "We’ve already spoken to Dave’s parents, and we’ve come to an agreement. This marriage will benefit both families." Dave, who had been casually stirring his drink, raised a brow. "So, you mean to tell me that Noelle and I, two people who have zero romantic interest in each other, are supposed to get married… to save our fathers’ company?" "That’s exactly what we’re saying," Dave’s father, Henry Carter, responded matter-of-factly. "Both of you need to grow up. Noelle, you can’t party forever. Dave, you need a stable image for the business. This marriage benefits everyone." Noelle scoffed. "Except us." Her mother sighed. "Sweetheart, I know this is sudden, but this is the best way to secure our family’s future." Noelle turned to Dave, expecting him to be just as outraged. But instead, he sat there calmly, sipping his drink. She narrowed her eyes. "You’re okay with this?" Dave set down his glass and shrugged. "I’m not thrilled, but I’m also not going to fight it. Business is business, Noelle." "Wow," she muttered. "Glad to know I’m just a business deal to you." "Would you rather be a failed business deal?" he countered. "Because if we don’t do this, both of our fathers’ companies are in trouble. I’m just being realistic here." Realistic? Realistic?! Noelle wanted to throw something at his perfectly composed face. But instead, she just folded her arms and huffed. "There’s no way I’m marrying you." Yet, here they were. Back to the Present. Noelle sighed as she endured yet another round of wedding photos. Every time Dave flashed his charming smile, she rolled her eyes. "Just so we’re clear," she muttered through her fake smile, "this marriage is nothing but a contract. I still hate you." Dave leaned in slightly, his lips close to her ear as he whispered, "Give it a few months, sweetheart. You might just fall for me." Noelle shivered. Ugh, this is going to be a disaster. The camera clicked again. Their new life had officially begun. The wedding reception had ended, and the newlyweds were finally alone in their luxurious hotel suite. It was a grand room with soft golden lighting, an enormous bed covered in rose petals, and champagne chilling in an ice bucket. Romantic. Elegant. Absolutely not the vibe Noelle wanted. She stormed into the room, her wedding dress dragging behind her. She didn’t even bother looking at Dave, who loosened his tie and smirked at her obvious frustration. "Home sweet home, Mrs. Carter," he teased, shutting the door behind him. Noelle spun around, crossing her arms. "First of all, don’t call me that. Second, you’re sleeping on the floor." Dave blinked, then grinned. "Wow. Didn’t even hesitate, huh?" "Why would I?" she shot back. "This whole marriage is fake. There’s no need for us to share a bed." Dave sighed dramatically. "Noelle, it’s a king-sized bed. We don’t even have to touch each other." "I don’t care. Floor. Now." "Wow, what a loving wife I have," he muttered sarcastically, walking toward the bed anyway. He unbuttoned his cuffs, rolling up his sleeves as he stretched. "But I hate to break it to you, princess and I’m not sleeping on the floor. This is my bed, too." Noelle narrowed her eyes. "Oh really?" "Really," he said, flopping onto the bed with a sigh. "Ahh… so soft. What a shame you’re so stubborn. We could have had a peaceful night." Noelle gritted her teeth. "Fine. Have it your way." She walked to the edge of the bed and without warning she kicked him. Hard. "Ow!" Dave yelped as he rolled off the bed, landing with a loud thud on the floor. "What the hell, Noelle?!" She smirked, climbing onto the now-empty bed. "Oops. Looks like there’s no room for you." Dave sat up, rubbing his shoulder. "Are you serious? You just assaulted your husband on our wedding night." "Call it self-defense." She pulled the blanket over herself. "Now, goodnight." Dave groaned, lying flat on the carpet. "Unbelievable. My wife just bodyslammed me off the bed, and I’m the one suffering." "Glad you understand," she mumbled sleepily. A moment of silence passed. Then.... "You could’ve at least given me a pillow," Dave grumbled. Noelle snatched a decorative pillow from behind her and tossed it at his face. "There. Happy?" Dave sighed, catching it before it smacked him. "Wow. How romantic." "Sleep tight, hubby," Noelle said sweetly, turning her back to him. Dave exhaled, staring at the ceiling. "This is going to be a long marriage." The next morning, sunlight streamed through the hotel suite’s curtains, casting a warm glow over the luxurious room. Noelle stretched lazily, feeling well-rested after a peaceful sleep in the massive, husband-free bed. Meanwhile, on the floor, Dave groaned as he sat up, rubbing his stiff neck. “Wow. What a great first night as a married man,” he muttered. “Wife kicked me off the bed, and now my back is ruined. What a dream come true.” Noelle smirked as she got up, grabbing a fresh outfit. “Maybe next time, you’ll listen to your wife.” Dave raised a brow. “So, you admit I’m your husband?” She froze for a second, then scowled. “Temporarily.” Dave just chuckled and stood up, stretching his arms. “Well, temporary wife, let’s get breakfast. Unless you plan to starve me too?” Noelle rolled her eyes. “As much as I’d love to, I need food.” The Hotel Cafeteria. The hotel’s breakfast buffet was lavish with pancakes stacked high, fresh fruit glistening under the soft morning lights, and the scent of warm pastries filling the air. Noelle, wearing a chic casual dress and oversized sunglasses, piled her plate with waffles and strawberries. Dave, looking effortlessly handsome in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, took his time choosing an omelet and coffee. They sat across from each other at a small table, but peace didn’t last long. “Seriously?” Dave raised a brow as he watched Noelle drown her waffles in an ungodly amount of syrup. “You want some waffles with that syrup?” Noelle smirked as she poured even more. “Yes. Problem?” “Yeah. Watching you eat that much sugar makes me worried for your health. If you get a sugar rush and throw another flying kick at me, I’m done for.” Noelle took a dramatic bite of her waffles and chewed slowly. “Don’t worry, Dave. I only attack annoying people.” “Great,” Dave deadpanned. “So, I’ll die young.” Noelle smirked and took a sip of her iced coffee. “At least you’ll die handsome.” Dave chuckled. “Aw, was that a compliment? On our second day of marriage? Should I be flattered?” “Don’t get used to it,” Noelle muttered. They ate in relative silence for a while, until Dave suddenly asked, “So, what’s our plan for today?” “Our?” Noelle scoffed. “I am going shopping. You can do whatever you want.” Dave leaned back, sipping his coffee. “Shopping, huh? Gonna buy more weapons to fight me with?” “Tempting, but no.” Noelle smirked. “I need clothes. I didn’t pack enough because, you know, I was forced into this trip.” Dave shook his head with an amused smile. “You act like I dragged you here myself.” “You might as well have,” Noelle muttered. Dave sighed. “Alright, fine. Go shopping. I’ll stay out of your way. But don’t max out your credit card, princess.” She rolled her eyes. “Relax. I have my own money.” Dave smirked. “Right. Daddy’s money.” Noelle narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me?” Dave grinned, leaning in slightly. “I mean, you are a spoiled little princess, aren’t you?” Noelle stabbed her fork into her waffles aggressively. “Listen, husband, if you wanna live to see day three of this marriage, I suggest you shut up and eat your eggs.” Dave chuckled. “Ah, threats before noon. What a loving wife I have.” Noelle just huffed and took another bite of her food, secretly wondering how on earth she was going to survive this ridiculous marriage without killing him first. Meanwhile, back at the Sinclair mansion, Noelle’s parents, Richard and Evelyn Sinclair, sat in their grand living room, sipping their morning coffee. The house was quiet. Too quiet. Normally, their daughter’s laughter or her dramatic complaints about something would fill the air. But now, she was married, and the silence felt… unsettling. Richard sighed heavily, setting his coffee cup down. “I’m worried.” Evelyn glanced at him. “About what?” He gave her a look. “Our daughter, obviously. You really think Noelle is treating Dave well?” Evelyn pursed her lips, stirring her tea. “Well… Noelle is a bit stubborn.” Richard scoffed. “That’s an understatement. She’s spoiled, mischievous, and has the patience of a five-year-old.” Evelyn sighed. “I know, I know. But she’s our daughter.” “That’s exactly why I’m worried!” Richard leaned back on the couch. “You saw how she acted at the wedding. She didn’t even pretend to be happy.” Evelyn chuckled. “She was scowling in every photo. Poor Dave, he was smiling so sweetly, but our daughter looked like she was at a funeral.” Richard groaned. “Exactly! And now, I can only imagine what’s happening. She’s probably bullying the poor guy.” Evelyn smirked, taking a sip of tea. “Well, it’s not entirely her fault. You did arrange her marriage without asking her.” Richard frowned. “It was necessary. The business was at stake, and Dave is a good man. He’s smart, responsible, and hardworking. Unlike Noelle, who thinks life is just about partying and shopping.” Evelyn raised a brow. “Are you saying Dave is too good for our daughter?” “No!” Richard exclaimed, then paused. “Well… maybe a little.” Evelyn laughed. “Richard, don’t worry too much. Noelle may be difficult, but she’s not heartless.” Richard sighed. “I just hope she doesn’t chase him away before the first week is over.” Evelyn smirked. “Or worse before day two.” Just then, Richard’s phone buzzed with a message. He quickly grabbed it and read the text. From Henry Carter: So… how long do you think before Dave asks for a divorce? Richard groaned. “Even Henry knows our daughter is a menace.” Evelyn giggled. “Well, let’s just hope Dave is patient. Otherwise, this marriage will be the shortest in history.” Meanwhile, miles away in a hotel cafeteria, Noelle was currently arguing with Dave over the correct way to eat waffles. Their marriage was off to a fantastic start. After breakfast, Noelle wasted no time heading to the most luxurious shopping district in the city. Dave? He simply let her be. If she wanted to spend the day swiping her black card, that was her problem not his. He went to a nearby café, had a peaceful cup of coffee, and scrolled through his emails. At least one of us is enjoying this marriage, he thought to himself. Hours later, after Noelle had thoroughly damaged her bank account, they checked out of the hotel and headed to Dave’s apartment. Dave’s Apartment Noelle stood in the doorway, frowning as she glanced around. The apartment was shockingly neat, minimalist, clean, and everything in neutral tones. It looked like a magazine spread, not a place where a real person lived. She dropped her shopping bags on the floor with a loud thud. “This is it?” she asked, crossing her arms. Dave raised a brow. “What were you expecting? A castle?” “No, but…” She wrinkled her nose. “This place has no personality. Where’s the clutter? Where’s the mess? Where’s the life?” Dave gave her a pointed look. “Unlike some people, I don’t live like a tornado hit my room every day.” Noelle ignored him and strolled inside, inspecting everything. She ran her fingers across the sleek black countertop in the kitchen, peeked into the living room, and even opened a cabinet out of pure nosiness. “What are you doing?” Dave asked, amused. “Checking for skeletons,” she replied. “You seem like the type to have weird hobbies.” Dave smirked. “Oh, trust me, princess, if I had any secrets, I wouldn’t hide them where you could find them.” Noelle rolled her eyes and moved to the bedroom. The moment she stepped inside, she froze. There was only one bed. “Absolutely not.” She turned to Dave. “Where’s my room?” Dave leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “This is your room.” Noelle gaped at him. “No, this is your room. Where am I supposed to sleep?” Dave shrugged. “The bed is big enough.” Noelle scowled. “Did you forget last night? You’re not allowed to sleep next to me.” Dave smirked. “You’re really making this hard for yourself, aren’t you?” She crossed her arms. “I want my own room.” “Not happening,” Dave said simply. “This apartment only has one bedroom. Unless you want to sleep in the bathtub?” Noelle glared. “I hate you.” Dave chuckled. “You say that now, but give it a few months. You’ll be madly in love with me.” Noelle snorted. “In your dreams.” “Speaking of dreams,” Dave said, stretching. “I’m exhausted. It’s been a long day. Well, mostly for you, considering the way you shopped like the world was ending.” Noelle rolled her eyes. “I was bored.” Dave smirked. “Bored or avoiding spending time with your loving husband?” She picked up one of her shopping bags and smacked his arm with it. “Ow! Abuse!” Dave dramatically clutched his arm. Noelle huffed. “Go take a shower and leave me alone.” Dave sighed. “Fine. But if you steal all the blankets again, I will fight back.” Noelle just smirked. “Bring it on.” As Dave walked to the bathroom, he couldn’t help but grin to himself. This marriage was already chaotic, and it had only just begun. Later that night, while Dave was at home probably annoying himself with his own existence, Noelle was out at a club, her favorite place to escape reality. Loud music pulsed through the air, neon lights flashed across the crowded dance floor, and the scent of expensive liquor filled the space. Noelle sat at the bar, lazily swirling her cocktail, enjoying the buzz from her drink. Across from her, Nelly, her best friend and partner-in-crime, sipped her martini. “So,” Nelly began, raising a brow, “how’s married life, Mrs. Carter?” Noelle groaned. “Don’t call me that.” Nelly smirked. “You are Mrs. Carter now.” Noelle downed the rest of her drink and signaled for another. “It’s temporary.” “Mm-hmm.” Nelly sipped her drink. “And does temporary husband know you’re out clubbing without him?” Noelle scoffed. “I don’t need his permission. He’s probably at home organizing his sock drawer or whatever boring men do.” Nelly laughed. “You know, you could try to get along with him.” Noelle rolled her eyes. “Pass.” Just then, a familiar voice interrupted their conversation. “Noelle’s here tonight?” Nelly froze. Oh, great. Noelle, however, hadn’t noticed. She was too busy stirring her drink. “Who’s asking?” Leo. Noelle’s ex. Leo had been the type of boyfriend that was fun but not exactly serious but at least, not for Noelle. He had a charming smile, a cocky attitude, and enough money to keep up with her expensive lifestyle. But he had never been the one. And now, he was standing in front of Nelly, looking very interested. “Where is she?” Leo pressed. “Haven’t seen her in a while.” Nelly, keeping her expression neutral, sipped her martini. “She’s around.” Leo frowned. “What’s with the vague answer?” Nelly shrugged. “Why do you suddenly care?” Leo smirked. “Come on, Nelly. We had a thing, she and I. I just want to see how she’s doing.” Oh, if only he knew. Nelly debated telling him the truth. But then she imagined the drama that would unfold. Noelle would kill her if Leo found out she was married especially if he found out from someone else. So, instead, Nelly just smirked. “She’s doing great.” Leo narrowed his eyes. “That’s it? That’s all you’re gonna tell me?” “Yep,” Nelly said casually, finishing her drink. Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. But tell her I’m looking for her.” Nelly just smiled. Oh, this is gonna be interesting. As Leo walked away, Nelly turned back to Noelle who was completely oblivious to the fact that her past was literally hunting her down. “Another round?” Noelle asked, raising her glass. Nelly chuckled. Oh, girl, you have no idea. By the time Noelle stumbled back into the apartment, the clock read 2:17 AM. Her heels clicked against the wooden floor as she tossed her purse onto the couch and let out a long sigh. The club had been fun with drinks, music, and a little bit of gossip with Nelly but now, exhaustion was kicking in. She turned toward the bedroom, expecting to see Dave already waiting to lecture her about her reckless behavior or something equally annoying. But instead…She found him already asleep. On the floor. Again. Noelle blinked, surprised. He wasn’t even trying to fight for the bed this time? He had just given up? She stepped closer, watching him. His hair was slightly messy, his white t-shirt slightly wrinkled, and his face completely relaxed in sleep. He looked tired like he had too much on his plate but didn’t complain about it. Not that she cared. She scoffed, stepping over him, making her way to the bed. Suit yourself, Dave. Enjoy the floor. She flopped onto the mattress, pulled the blankets over herself, and instantly drifted off to sleep. The Next Morning. Noelle groaned, barely waking up as sunlight peeked through the curtains. She squinted at the alarm clock. 10:42 AM. She rolled onto her side, stretching lazily. Something felt… off. Then it hit her. The apartment was quiet. Too quiet. She blinked, glancing toward the floor. Dave’s spot? Empty. Her brows furrowed. Where the hell did he go? She sat up, rubbing her eyes, before realizing there was a small sticky note on the bedside table. “Had an early meeting. Try not to burn the place down while I’m gone. —Dave” Noelle scoffed. How dare he? She crumpled the note and tossed it aside. Good. The last thing I needed was his annoying presence this morning. She flopped back onto the bed, pulling the covers over her head. If Dave was busy with his boring business meetings, then that meant one thing: She had the whole apartment to herself. And she was going to sleep in peace. Or at least, that was the plan. Because just as she was about to drift back to sleep… Her phone buzzed. A message from Nelly: “Leo’s still looking for you. I didn’t tell him you’re married. But you might wanna prepare yourself. He’s not the type to drop things easily.” Noelle groaned into her pillow. Great. Just great. This arranged marriage was already a mess, and now her ex was about to make things even worse. At Carter Enterprises Headquarters. Dave sat at the head of the long conference table, his sharp eyes scanning the slides as his team wrapped up their presentation. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, the very image of a young, competent CEO. Calm, focused, and intimidatingly professional. The boardroom was silent, everyone waiting for his response. He leaned forward slightly, adjusting his tie. “The numbers look promising,” he said, his voice firm. “But the marketing strategy needs adjustments. The target demographic isn’t just luxury buyers. We need to expand into the mid-tier market as well.” One of the executives nervously nodded. “We’ll make the changes right away, Mr. Carter.” Dave gave a small nod. “Good. I want a revised plan on my desk by Monday.” With that, the meeting was dismissed. As the room emptied, his father, Richard Carter, stayed behind, watching him with a thoughtful expression. Dave exhaled deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. It had been a long morning, and his mind was still half-distracted by the chaos of his personal life. “Impressive,” his father finally spoke, walking over. “You handled that like a true leader.” Dave smirked slightly. “You didn’t expect me to?” Richard chuckled. “I always knew you had it in you. Just like your old man.” Dave rolled his eyes at that but didn’t argue. His father sat down across from him, studying him carefully. “So… how’s the married life?” Dave paused, his expression unreadable. “…It’s okay.” Richard raised an eyebrow. “Just okay?” Dave leaned back in his chair, avoiding eye contact. “It’s what we expected, right? We got married, we live together, and that’s about it.” Richard nodded slowly but didn’t say anything. Deep down, he felt guilty. He knew his son didn’t deserve to be in an arranged marriage. He knew Dave should’ve been able to choose who he wanted to marry, to fall in love at his own pace. But the company’s survival had been at stake. And Noelle’s father had been just as desperate. “This wasn’t fair to you,” Richard admitted after a long pause. “I never wanted to force this on you, Dave.” Dave sighed. “What’s done is done.” His father gave him a long look. “I just hope that, someday, you’ll find a way to be happy in this marriage.” Dave didn’t respond. Because honestly? Right now, he wasn’t sure if that was possible. Evening – Back at the Apartment. Noelle lay sprawled across the couch, completely at ease, scrolling through her phone with one hand while munching on a bag of chips with the other. The coffee table was littered with snack wrappers, an empty soda can, and a half-eaten sandwich she had forgotten about hours ago. A pile of shopping bags sat near the door, her latest purchases from earlier that day. She had no regrets. This was her way of living, and if her temporary husband had a problem with it… well, that was his problem. Just as she was about to watch another t****k video, the front door clicked open. Dave stepped inside, looking exhausted. His tie was loose, the first few buttons of his shirt undone, and his sleeves already rolled up slightly. It was clear he had just come from a long day at work. He stopped mid-step when he saw the state of the apartment. His once spotless living space was now a battlefield of snack crumbs, shopping bags, and misplaced items. He didn’t say anything. Noelle, barely acknowledging his presence, popped another chip into her mouth and kept scrolling. Dave let out a long, deep sigh. She really doesn’t care, huh? For a split second, he considered arguing with her about it by pointing out how messy she was, how this wasn’t a hotel, how he actually liked his apartment clean but he was too tired to start another useless fight. Instead, he just rolled up his sleeves fully and started cleaning up the mess himself. Noelle finally glanced up, watching him pick up her empty soda can and toss it into the trash. “You know,” she said lazily, “you could just leave it. It’s not that bad.” Dave gave her a pointed look as he picked up a discarded shopping bag from the floor. “Not that bad? Noelle, this place looks like a hurricane just came through.” She shrugged, unbothered. “Relax, Mr. CEO. Stress causes wrinkles.” Dave exhaled sharply, shaking his head as he continued cleaning. Noelle watched him for a moment before smirking. “You do know you’re technically my husband, right?” she teased. “Cleaning up after your wife is part of the job.” Dave paused and gave her a deadpan stare. “I didn’t realize I signed up to be your housekeeper.” She grinned. “Well, now you know.” Dave muttered something under his breath but didn’t stop cleaning. Noelle just stretched lazily, enjoying the show. At least he’s useful.