The Arrangement

2

Maya Bishop adjusted her blazer as she entered the elegant lounge of a high-end restaurant in downtown Seattle. Her legal mind was accustomed to dealing with uncertainty, but this situation was unlike anything she had ever faced. She was here to meet Carina DeLuca, the woman her family expected her to marry. Despite her reservations, Maya was determined to approach this meeting with an open mind.

Carina DeLuca was already seated, her posture poised and her expression composed. As Maya approached, Carina stood and extended her hand, offering a polite smile.

"Maya Bishop, I presume?" Carina's voice was warm, yet there was an underlying tension that mirrored Maya's own feelings.

"Yes, and you must be Carina DeLuca. It's a pleasure to meet you," Maya replied, shaking Carina's hand.

They sat down, the silence between them thick with unspoken questions. Both women were acutely aware of the expectations placed upon them, yet neither was entirely on board with the idea of an arranged marriage.

Maya decided to break the ice. "Carina, I think we should be honest with each other. This situation isn't ideal for either of us, but we might be able to find a way to make it work."

Carina nodded, her gaze steady. "I agree. I've been thinking a lot about this, and I can't seem to wrap my head around the idea of an arranged marriage. When I imagined my life, I always dreamed of marrying someone I was in love with."

"I have been trying to sort these thoughts out as well. To be honest when I thought about my future it wouldn't include marriage at all." Maya said as she raised her hand for the waitress.

The waitress appeared and took their drink orders. Maya ordering whiskey, neat and Carina their finest red wine.

"So not the marriage type" Carina smiled as she sipped her wine.

"No, I never saw that for myself." Maya replied while glancing at the menu.

"You always had someone new on your arm at the events I saw you at. I assumed you were looking to settle down and start a family." Carina questioned looking up from her menu across at Maya.

"Well you were correct, I did have a few different dates to those events. You know how they can be if you don't have someone to share in the misery. But nope family was never on that list. I am very dedicated to my job and take work seriously. I have learned over the years that's usually a turn off for women." Maya sipped her whiskey.

Maya smirked as she stated, "As I recall I remember seeing you on the arms of multiple different people throughout those events."

"Yes, it is always good to have someone sharing in the misery as you say." Carina quipped back. "Have you eaten here before? I am at a loss as to what to order?"

Maya put her menu down "I've eaten here once right after it opened. I know the head chef, we have been friends for a few years. Trust me when I say everything on the menu is excellent."

"I'm going with their chargrilled T-bone with house potatoes and truffle Mac and cheese." Maya said placing her menu at the end of the table.

"Carb loading are we?" Carina smiled "I think the grilled salmon and veggies sounds great"

"Well with all the added stress lately my workouts have been a bit more intense so I can definitely spare the calories tonight" Maya lifted her glass, "We should toast to this ridiculous notion that we are in olden times and the idea of this arranged marriage" she stated with a sarcastic tone.

Carina raised her glass, "Yes, really arranged marriage in this age." Carina shook her head as she replied.

"Well I guess we better discuss some details. I know this is awkward but I did promise my father I would give this decision the time and research necessary to make." Maya sipped her whiskey.