Chapter 1: A Proposal from Nowhere
Jack Carter had always envisioned a life filled with adventure. As a recent college graduate, he was ready to embark on a career as a software engineer at a top tech company in Silicon Valley. But life had other plans. One evening, as Jack sat in his cozy San Francisco apartment, the phone rang.
"Hello, Jack speaking."
"Jack, it's your father." The voice was familiar, stern yet warm. "We need to talk."
Jack's heart sank. His father, Michael Carter, was not a man to be taken lightly. He was a successful businessman with traditional values, and Jack had a feeling that this conversation would be anything but ordinary.
"Sure, Dad. What's up?"
"I've arranged a marriage for you," Michael said bluntly. "It's time you settle down."
Jack's eyes widened in shock. "Dad, you can't be serious. I'm not even dating anyone!"
Michael's voice softened slightly. "I know this is sudden, but I've made an agreement with a friend of mine. His son, Alex, is a wonderful young man. You two will be perfect for each other."
Jack's mind raced. Arranged marriage? In modern-day America? This was unheard of. "Dad, I don't even know Alex. How can you expect me to marry someone I've never met?"
"Trust me, son. You'll thank me later," Michael insisted. "You're meeting him tomorrow for dinner. Be polite and keep an open mind."
With a heavy heart, Jack agreed. Little did he know, this arranged meeting would change his life forever.
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Chapter 2: The Unwilling Groom
Alex Mitchell sat nervously at the upscale restaurant, fidgeting with his tie. Unlike Jack, Alex was fully aware of the arrangement. His father, Richard Mitchell, had informed him months ago, and Alex had tried to come to terms with it. Yet, the idea of marrying a stranger still felt daunting.
The Mitchells were a close-knit family, and Alex was a dutiful son. He worked as a graphic designer and enjoyed a quiet, creative life. The thought of disrupting his routine with an unknown partner was unsettling.
As he glanced at his watch, the door to the restaurant opened, and Jack walked in. Alex's breath caught in his throat. Jack was handsome, with sandy blond hair and piercing blue eyes. He looked every bit the confident tech professional, and Alex felt a pang of insecurity.
Jack approached the table, extending a hand. "You must be Alex."
Alex stood, shaking his hand. "Yes, nice to meet you, Jack."
They sat down, and an awkward silence followed. Both men avoided eye contact, focusing on the menus.
"So," Jack began, breaking the silence. "This is... unexpected."
Alex nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, it is. I wasn't sure how to prepare for this."
Jack sighed. "Neither was I. Look, Alex, I don't want to be here any more than you do. But our fathers seem to think this is a good idea."
Alex's eyes softened. "Maybe we should give it a chance. We might find common ground."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "You really think so?"
Alex shrugged. "It's worth a try, isn't it?"
Jack hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Let's see where this goes."
