Young God [FLAUREL AU]

CHAPTER 1

"You'll love him, Laurel. He's handsome, extremely sweet, and has a great job. I know you'll love him. Just come and try to get to know him."
She remembers her mother telling her about this "family friend's son" that she just has to meet. Never would she have thought that meant this man would be trying to marry her. You see, he is a great guy, just as her mother said, but she had no intentions of coming to this party to meet a man she's supposed to marry.
Both of her siblings got married long ago. Her older brother and sister both had arranged spouses. And her parents had warned her that they were going to be looking to arrange her with a suitor, but she didn't think they were serious. Her mother hadn't even informed her that the guy at the party is her suitor. All she said is that he's a family friend and is a nice guy. Maybe she should have seen it coming, though. Her parents wanted her to start a family and get married.
"Isn't he wonderful?" her mother gushes at the party. "My darling, he's perfect for you! He's into law, just like you. Legal aid, if I remember correctly."
"I'm sure he's great, mamá, but I don't think I should marry a man I don't know-" Laurel begins.
"Then know him. It isn't that difficult, mija," her mother says, raising her eyebrows. "His family is very interested in you, and so is he. He would like to marry you."
"Marriage isn't really for me. I just don't think I'm ready to get married," she says.
Her mother shakes her head,
"Both your brother and your sister are married, Laurel," her mother says. "You are twenty-five years old. Stop pretending like you are a little baby. Kan Singh is a fantastic man. Your father loves him, too. And so should you."
Laurel rolls her eyes.
"I'm going to use the restroom," she announces, although she doesn't even have to go. She just needs to get away from this.
"Laurel!"
She rolls her eyes again.
"I'm so happy I found you alone," Kan says, reaching over to take her hand. "All this talk about us getting married, huh?"
"Yes..." she mumbles.
She doesn't want to talk to him. She's going to have to marry this guy even though she just met him tonight!
"Truth is, I'm fascinated with you," Kan tells her with a smile. "I hope you're interested in the arrangements as well. Both our families are very interested, and so am I."
"I need to go," she says. "I'm sorry, Kan."
"No worries," he smiled. "I hope we'll be speaking again. I'll be sure to have my family contact you again soon. It was a pleasure meeting you, Laurel."
She doesn't know how she's going to marry this man. He's obviously a great guy- sweet, decent looking, has a good job. There's no doubt he can find a woman to love him. She's just not sure that woman can be her! Yet, her family is pushing her to be that woman.
She steps outside of the party for a breath of fresh air. When she turns to her right, she goes wide-eyed.
"Frank!" she cries. "What are you doing here? My parents are going to kill you if they see you here-"
"Relax, princess," he chuckles. "Your bestie Michaela informed me that you were going to this party to meet with your lame-ass suitor man. I thought I'd be the hero and save you."
She rolls her eyes.
"I don't need you to save me, Delfino," she tells him.
"Oh, so you wanna be stuck at this crappy party with a man you don't even wanna marry?" Frank asks, wiggling his keys in the air. "Let's get out of here and do somethin' fun."
"My parents are never going to let me leave. I'm supposed to be getting to know the guy I'm going to marry," she sighs. "Worst part is, they didn't even tell me they were arranging for him to marry me until tonight!"
"Rough," he comments, opening the door for her. "You've never been a rule-follower. Ditch this crap. They don't tell you what you're doin' at this party? You don't have to tell them shit about where you're going."
"It doesn't work like that," she says.
"Yes it does," he grins and opens the door wider.
She smiles at him and gets in his car, despite the fact that her parents are going to be furious that she left during the middle of the party.
"Thank you," she says, "for getting me out of this horrible party."
"Of course," he smiles.