You Are My Perfect Stranger

“Sarah, are you really going to be okay in that family?” Sarah’s brother, Julius, has been repeatedly asking her about his marriage decision with the Fords. He knows all the bad rumors about the family, especially the one and only son of the Fords, Jack Reese. “Hon, don’t worry that much about your sister. She’s a grown up now. She knows what a good decision it is to be with the Fords,” Sarah’s sister-in-law, Elizabeth, was the most happy person in the decision making process. Because in the very beginning she’s not fond of having Sarah in their household. She keeps on pestering the woman without his husband knowing. “Yes, Juls. I will be fine. And also I have known them for a long time too. It’s not as if I would enter into a contracted marriage at this age and time,” Sarah lied. She won’t let her brother know what really happened behind the marriage thing. She doesn’t really have a single idea who Jack Reese Ford is. Except for rumors going around the town. That he is a strict boss who hardly gives a smile to his subordinates, a workaholic businessman without any sense of love to mankind. But these things doesn’t stop Sarah from saying yes to Mr. Roger Smith’s offer to marry his one and only grandson. She wants to escape her sister-in-law’s grasp. She’s been keeping her life under the orders of Elizabeth for almost three years now. She’s been paying monthly rent and shares in the utility bills and food she had consumed. Even if her brother has been telling Elizabeth that Sarah didn’t need to share in the household because she’s the one who is babysitting their two kids. While babysitting the kids she’s also busy with the small workshop that her best friend, Gally had opened. That’s why she’s able to keep up with the monthly dues that Elizabeth has been collecting from her. And in the same workshop, there she met Grandfather Roger. The old man has been having trouble with his breathing during that day. And luckily, Sarah learnt of first aid and offered to help him. After recovering from his breathing, he then offered Sarah to have dinner with him for being grateful. But Sarah didn’t want to trouble the old man and for him to take a rest with strenuous activities that might result in another respiratory problem for the old man. She just told Grandfather Roger that they will proceed with the dinner for some other time without her knowing that this could really happen the next morning. The next morning she was about to have her lunch out because it’s a Saturday, she doesn’t have her nephews with her. She then saw a familiar old man outside the workshop. “Hello, Hija. Grandpa Roger, remember?” he asked politely. “Yes. Of Course. Grandpa, how are you feeling today? Are you still having troubles with your breathing?” she asked with a concerned tone. “Yes of course, Hija. I’m so grateful that you’ve been there or else I might be somewhere now,” he said with a laughing manner. “Don’t joke about it, Grandpa. By the way, why are you here?” she asked. “Because you said we’ll be having our dinner today, and it’s already lunch time now.” “Oh, shoot. You really came for that? Grandpa, you really don’t need to treat me because of that. I’ll do the same to anyone who is in need of my help.” “I insist, Hija. Please,” he said with a persuasive tone. “Okay, Grandpa. But where are we going to eat? Everything here might not suit your taste,” she said while worrying that the old man might be not into normal people’s food taste. “Don’t worry, Hija. I love every food in this town. You’re mistaken if you think I only have the taste buds of a rich old man,” he laughed as he said this. “Sorry about that Grandpa. So, let’s go. You can choose anywhere you want,” she said as if submitting to the old man’s plans for the day. During the dinner, she had learnt a lot from the old man’s life, including his only grandson, Jack Reese. That Jack has been a lonely man who’s in need of a wife and can’t get one because of his super high standard and he’s been trying to help his grandson find one. The old man is really desperate to find a woman whom he thinks is the best fit for his grandson. He even told Sarah that he is also fine even if it’s a contract marriage or a marriage of convenience. As long as he knows that the woman will not be a nuisance in the end. And now he has a candidate in mind but he’s not gonna tell her right now. He wants to be sure of one thing, that’s why he’s planning to visit the girl often and observe her a little more. “Hija, is it fine if I visit more often. I think I might find the woman within this town. I’m hopeful,” the old man said with a heartwarming tone. “It’s alright with me, Grandpa. At least I can be of help to you,” she said while having a suggestion in mind. She’s been thinking if she can be the woman instead. So that she can escape her sister-in-law. But she just keeps it to herself instead. Day after day the old man began to visit the workshop. He stops by for an hour or two then bids goodbye to Sarah saying he’s going to visit another place too. Sarah has no idea that the old man has been keeping an eye on her through his trusted bodyguards. He keeps the woman guarded with different male and female guards he has in the mansion. Then, one day, when the old man visits the shop, he notices that Sarah isn’t herself today. So, he told her to share what’s been bugging her. “I no longer want to stay in my brother’s house. I can’t tolerate his wife any more. I just want peace in my life.” “Hija, I might sound rude, but I know this could be of great help for you, too. Please, marry my grandson.” She’s shocked. She thought that the old man wasn’t interested in her as a candidate for his grandson. Because a few days earlier, he hasn’t been visiting her. So he thought that maybe he had found the one. “Grandpa, I appreciate your kindness. But may I ask why you offer it to me. I don’t have anything with me, except for this small business.” “Hija, I just know that it has to be you. You don’t need to worry about having nothing or whatsoever, it doesn’t really matter.” “Grandpa, do you think I can survive your hot-tempered grandson?” She blurted out of the blue. She wanted to just keep it in mind but it slipped her tongue. “Haha. Hija, that’s just a bad rumor you’ve heard. He’s not really hot-tempered. He’s just not used to smiling a lot.” he said but it sounds the same to Sarah. But she agreed, willingly. “Okay, Grandpa. Just give me a week, I just need to tell my brother properly.” “You don’t need to worry, Hija. I already have the engagement party ready, so that you can still have that meeting with the family before marrying, Jack.” “Already? You amazed me, Grandpa. You’re really into marrying him off.” “The clock is ticking, Hija. That’s why.” “Okay, Sarah. If you really insist. I know you’re not gonna be doing this just out of impulse. We may see something off about him, but maybe you see something good from him. I trust you with this,” her brother surrendered and gave his blessings. “Thank you. I’m expecting you on the day of the engagement. Please be there.” “I will.” “You take care. Call me if you need anything.” her brother assures her of his presence whenever she needed him. “Yes, I will. I’ll see you tomorrow evening.” “Don’t count me in, Sarah. You know I need to get things done as early as I can. The kids need me here,” her sister-in-law said with a strong tone. She knows that she won’t be there for sure. “It’s okay, Elizabeth. I understand.” She told her and then she bid goodbye. She’s been staying in the hotel for the preparation of the engagement party and the marriage. Everything is indeed already planned by Grandpa Roger.