You Are My Perfect Stranger

2. THE AGREEMENT

Jack and Sarah met for the first time before the engagement party. It is for them to get to know a bit about each other. It is her first time seeing this tall, fair and handsome man. He’s dashing in his royal blue suit. The rumor is true about his appearance, he is indeed a man every woman would fall for. And he’s really an intimidating one. But Sarah didn’t want to be intimidated.

“Good evening, Sarah, Hija,” Grandpa Roger greeted her. The old man is wearing white suit and pants. He also has his good looks present even if he’s old.

“Good evening, Grandpa,” she replied.

“Hija, this is Jack my grandson,” he introduced the man who’s not even paying attention.

“Good evening, Mr. Ford,” she said formally. The man can’t be disturbed in his thoughts. The old man elbowed his grandson on the side.

“Good evening, Miss,”he said in a monotonous tone.

“I’ll let you talk with each other, I’ll be waiting for you downstairs,” the old man said. He then leaves the two to talk.

“I just want to get this thing done already. I’m sorry if grandpa had put you up with this,” he said with an honest tone.

“It’s really okay. No need to apologize, I willingly accept Grandpa’s deal,” she said while trying to avoid his deep gaze. His eyes were captivating.

“I know you’re in need of a house to stay. So, right after the party you’re going to come home with me. I have my own house in the corner of Lindon. That’s a 20 minute drive to your current work. Don’t worry we’re not going to sleep together, I have two bedrooms there. Do you know how to drive? If you need a car, you can just tell me about it, I might be of help,” he said without letting Sarah interrupt. It’s as if he had already prepared a speech for this meeting.

“Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Ford. This is a bit too much though. I have a license but I prefer riding the bus or just walking from home to work. That way I could get some exercise and fresh air too. I don’t have anything to offer, except for my skills in the household,” she said sincerely.

“It’s good to know you’re good inside the house. I’m a busy person, I don’t have enough time to prepare things for me, like food, before going to work. I would be very grateful if you could prepare something for me before I go to work. You don’t need to worry about the dinner and some other stuff. I am mostly staying in the office or attending some business trips in and out of the country. So, most of the time you’re alone in the house,” he said.

It is indeed true that this man is a workaholic. He even didn’t bother to let Sarah speak for a second.

“And also, please call me Jack, no need to be formal, and you’re also gonna be my wife, the day after tomorrow,” he added. Sarah just nodded.

“Mr. Fo—, I mean can I just call you Reese? I have a nephew whose name is Jackie so it’s a bit awkward for me. I’m sorry,” she said. He nodded as a reply. Jackie is Julius’ eldest son.

While thinking about his nephew, an attendant knocks on the door and informs her that her brother is waiting for her.

“Please, let him come in. Thank you,” she said to the attendant.

“I’m going first, I'll let you two talk,” Jack said. He turned his back and greeted Julius with a nod and left the room.

“Hey, Sarah, are you okay?” he asked his sister.

“Of course, I'm just a bit nervous,” she said.

“Don’t be, it’s just a small gathering. No need to feel pressure,” her brother assured her.

“Have you seen Gally in the lobby? I haven’t heard if she’s already here,” she said as she worried about her best friend.

“I think I saw her outside the hotel. She’s talking to someone over the phone, that’s why I didn’t have the time to even say hello,” her brother explained.

“That’s a relief. I thought she wouldn't make it,” she replied.

“Relax. Take a deep breath. Now, we need to go there.”

The attendant had called them to proceed to the event hall for the party to begin. They arrived at the hall after a few minutes. She then noticed that it was really a small gathering with only the family, relatives and some of their closest friends. However, she didn’t invite many from her side. She only has her brother, her parents died when she was 18 years old. She only had her best friend, Gally, in her circle of friends. Her other so-called friends were living out of their town now.

“Good Evening, Mr. & Mrs. Ford,” Sarah greeted Jack’s parents. She didn’t want to cause trouble for the family so he really did play her part. She asked Grandpa Roger to let her atleast meet the parents beforehand. They also know that the two of them didn’t have any romantic connection to begin with. But little did Sarah know that the elders are hopeful for their fruitful romantic relationship while living together.

“Sarah, you’re really beautiful. I bet someone’s jaw dropped earlier,” Jack’s mother, Maureen, praised her while sending hints for Jack.

“Thank you, Mrs. Ford.”

“Oh, no. You need to start calling me mom. And please tell me everything that this guy here would be doing. Most especially if it’s him being a nuisance.”

“I will, mom. By the way, this is my older brother, Julius.”

“Good evening, Mrs. Ford. It’s nice meeting your family. Thank you for accepting Sarah in your family as well.”

“We should be the one expressing gratitude. We are thankful that fate has brought them together,” Jack’s father, Jacques, told his brother.

“Let’s continue talking over dinner. We might starve here while talking,” the old man said to them.

The butler showed them the way to their table. The music started to play some jazzy songs. The host already informed everyone to enjoy the food and wine. Since they planned to have an intimate wedding, their families’ gifts are piling up the stage right now.

“Hija, you should eat, don’t hesitate to ask the butler if you need anything. Also you, Hijo, don’t be shy. You’re also a family now.”

“Thank you, grandpa, I will. There’s just a lot to choose from,” Sarah said with a smile.

They then continue to talk about Jack and Sarah’s life before meeting each other. The Fords find it amusing that both siblings survived living without their parents and other relatives. Sarah’s relatives are living in the countryside and cannot travel far due to their health conditions.

Since almost all the guests arrived, the host then started to introduce the newly engaged couple to the crowd.

“We are all gathered here to congratulate the newly engaged couple. Our dear Jack Reese Ford and the future Mrs. Ford, Miss Sarah Marie Oliver. Everyone, let’s give them a round of applause.”

The two go up the stage to greet the guests and deliver their gratuity message.

“Thank you, everyone for celebrating with us. We are really lucky to have a supportive family like yours. Sarah and I would like to stay longer with you here but we no longer cannot do that because we need to attend to some important matter early in the morning. So, please just enjoy the rest of the night. And we’ll see some of you on our wedding day. Thank you.”

After that, the two bid goodbye to everyone. Jack is not a party person, that's why he delivered such a message to everyone. While Sarah isn’t really fond of being in a crowded place especially if it’s a new environment and people. So they decided to keep the introduction short and take some rest.

Some of Jack’s relatives didn’t really care about the engagement, they were just attending it for the sake of a good family relationship. They are one of the wealthiest clans in the country and any undesirable issue amongst them will bring a great disaster to the whole clan. Sarah on the other hand, didn’t know about this richest and all. She only knows that this family is a wealthy one.

One of the family drivers accompanied Sarah’s brother and best friend to their respective home. While she rode the car driven by her future husband. She was dumbfounded when she saw the top of the line Mustang she’s going to ride. And now she’s speechless knowing that this is just an ordinary go-to service car of this wealthy man.

They hardly spoke to each other throughout the ride. They arrived home and Jack went to his room afterwards. While Sarah is still in the living room familiarizing herself with the house.

“He didn’t even say good night. What kind of man is that? Can I really live with him for long? I need to keep my mind busy doing important things while I’m here. His presence is not so important. I will just keep this in mind,” Sarah keeps on chanting this ‘til she reaches her room.

The room was as big as the workshop stall they have. It was also already furnished with all the good furniture a woman needed in her room. A walk-in closet was also built inside the room full of new and seasoned clothes for her. While lying on the bed she noticed a note on her bedside table.

“I hope you can enjoy and relax in your new room. If you need anything that’s lacking in your room, don’t hesitate to tell. — Jack”

“Wow. I really don’t know what kind of man he is. One second he’s a worrier, then a silent type. Now he’s a concerned gentleman.”

She then decided to cook something for breakfast tomorrow, she then took a shower and went to sleep so she could wake up early in the morning knowing that Jack might have gone to work early.