WHEN THEY FALL IN LOVE

chapter:4

LUCAS:

I met David La Viz, the major shareholder and CEO of Levonis Tech, the top tech company in D.C. The anticipation in the air was palpable as we prepared for the business event that evening, where we would officially announce the cooperation between Levonis Tech and Culinexa.

David exuded confidence, his presence commanding attention as he spoke about the future of our collaboration. I admired his vision and expertise, knowing that this partnership could elevate both companies to new heights. The event was not just a formality; it was a significant milestone for us, and I felt a mix of excitement and responsibility.

As we made our way to the venue, I couldn't shake the thought of Annabeth being there. Her dad's involvement added another layer of complexity to the night. I had to stay focused on the business at hand, but the idea of seeing her again kept swirling in my mind. Would I be able to balance the professional atmosphere with my personal feelings?

I excused myself from the venue, my heart racing as I received a text from Annabeth saying she was ready. Taking a deep breath, I drove toward her house, anticipation building with every passing moment. When I arrived, I was completely taken aback. Annabeth stood before me in a stunning black gown, off-the-shoulder, accentuating her graceful silhouette. Her hair was elegantly styled in a bun, with bangs framing her face beautifully. The earrings she wore sparkled like stars, catching the light with every movement. As she tilted her head and offered a polite smile, I felt myself melt.I couldn't help but stare as she made her way to the car, my heart racing with admiration. She looked absolutely radiant, and I felt a mix of pride and anxiety knowing I would be accompanying her to such an important event.As I drove, my mind swirled with thoughts about our parents' potential reactions to us being together. What would they think of us arriving in the same car? Would they see it as just a friendly arrangement or something more? The idea of navigating our families' expectations added a layer of complexity to the evening.Trying to stay focused on the road, I glanced at her, stealing little moments to admire her. I was grateful for the chance to share this experience with her, even as my mind raced with uncertainties.

ANNABETH:

As we arrived at the event, I spotted our dads standing outside, clearly too early for the gathering. There were only the four of us, and I felt the tension in the air as both men exchanged knowing smiles. I half-expected my dad to freak out at the sight of me with a guy, but to my surprise, he remained calm.Lucas went off to park his car, leaving me in a somewhat awkward standoff with our dads. They started questioning me about my relationship with Lucas, and I felt my heart race. I admitted that I had feelings for him, but we weren't officially together. The moment hung heavy as both dads began discussing something between themselves, walking away from me. I called out to my dad, confused and frustrated, asking why he hadn't freaked out. He turned to me with a serious look and revealed that he and Lucas's dad had already planned to get us married, which was why he hadn't let me date anyone else.A surge of anger bubbled within me. I couldn't believe it. Even though I liked Lucas, the idea of my dad controlling my love life felt suffocating. I was angry that my feelings were being dismissed in favor of some preordained plan. As I stood there, the reality of the situation sank in—my emotions were tangled, and I had to figure out how to navigate this unexpected twist while still wanting to explore my feelings for him.