The Brown and Bronson families gathered in the opulent living room, the air thick with anticipation. The scent of incense wafted through the space, mingling with the hum of polite conversation. Amidst the sea of expectant faces, Rowan and Carmen stood out, their mutual disdain palpable. Carmen's mind raced as she stared at Rowan across the room. Ugh, why did it have to be him? She had known this day would come, but she had hoped her parents would come to their senses. Moreover she didn't expect her future husband to be the prick from the alley. Her parents choice felt like a step to her heart. Was this what they are leaving her with, just seeing him across the room, got her fired up. Now, as the families' expectations closed in around her, Carmen felt like she was suffocating. The freedom and independence she craved more was gonna be locked away the moment she says her vows to a man she barely knows.
Rowan and Carmen's first meeting had been a disaster, but what they didn't know was that their families had been negotiating their marriage for years. And the only reason why the Brown was offering their only daughter to the Bronson family, was because their business was in debt and they needed an investor as soon as possible. Remembering the marriage placed on the kids years back, gave the Brown family a chance to move up from their status, all to give away their daughter to their son. A great deal to both families.
Rowan's eyes met Carmen's across the room, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. It was as if the entire world had melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a sea of uncertainty. And in that moment, Rowan felt something shift inside him – a glimmer of hope, perhaps, or a spark of self-awareness. What ever he felt, he didn't want to spend the rest of his life with her. As the chats got lost in thoughts and their parents were at no exception, Carmen excused herself and met a maid in her out.
"Sorry, to disturb, but where's the kitchen?" Carmen asked, smiling. The maid with her body lowered, stared up at her, looking surprised. "Why if I may ask miss?"
"I want water." Carmen replied. The maid's stand still position in a bow, made her feel uncomfortable. Did the employees in this mansion treat them like royalty?
The maid blinked, finally straightened up. "I can bring you the class of water miss," she said.
"No thank you, I can get it myself," Carmen said, but that look on the maid's face was battling, "Please."
The maid signed, and stepped aside, pointing at the path, "The kitchen is right this way miss."
"Thank you."
"Must I escort you there?"
Carmen shook her head, and held the maid's hands, catching her in surprise. "No need, you helped me enough."
The maid nodded, and Carmen bid her goodbye as she walked away. The maid's here sure are persistent, she told herself until she reached into the empty kitchen.
"What a strange miss," The maid muttered, watching Carmen disappear into the cubicle.
"How strange?"
Startled she turned, and immediately went lowering her body. "Young master."
"She went to the kitchen didn't she?"
"Yes young master, she wanted a glass of water."
Rowan mumbled over his breath, "Already acting like you live here huh?"
The kitchen was bigger than she expected. It had way more sideboards, from the bottom and top, surrounding the kitchen in every way. Everyone filled with expensive plates and clitheries. And she couldn't find the cups. At least one sideboard, either hard silver plated, gold plated, copper plate, ordinary plates, even plastic plates, all packed in their own board. At last she opened one filled with glasses, glinting as she opened it. But it was placed on top, to high for her to reach. She went on her tip toes, and stretched her hands to the board. Her fingertip touched the glass, but she was unable to wrap her hand on a glass. Slowly she regretted rejecting the maid's help, but she refused to leave without a drink. She stretched again, a little too much for her muscles to tightened. A hand grabs the glass before she could, and she gasps. She felt a breath down her neck and spawn, frowning as his imposing figure engulfed her in his shadow.
Rowan glanced at the glass as if it were a masterpiece, probably to annoy her. She huffed, crossing her arms, and extended a hand. He looked down at her, grinning. His grin, only made her angry. "What? You want this?" He asked. She reached for for glass, but he pushed his arm into the air.
"Haha, very funny, now bring the glass," she said. Her eyes burned, and Rowan found it amusing, his grin grew.
"Why?" He teased.
She scoffed, "I want to use it to smash that head of yours."
"Really? I was thinking the same."
"Rowan!"
The grin reached his eyes. He placed the glass behind her, and Caremn realized her back was touching the counter and he caged her under him. He leaned in closer, and Caremn tenses. Again? Carmen stood, frozen. Rowan leaned towards her ear, "My lips still burn."
Carmen raised a eyebrow as he leaned back and faced her, but the grin on his face, she couldn't tell if he was messing around. "Huh?"
He tilted his head, the grin vanished. "What do you mean 'huh?'"
Carmen blinked. He sighed, pulling away. "Forget it," he scratched the nape of his neck, walking away. Carmen watched him leave, confusion crossing on her face. He's weird," she muttered, reaching for the glass.
When the night ended in a haste, the Brown were escorted outside to their vehicle. Rowan leaned against the door, crossed arms as he observed his parents eagerly bidding them goodbye and giggling on tonight's meeting. He scoffed, obviously annoyed, then his eyes moved to Carmen, standing beside her parents with a bored look. He watched her closely, the powder blue dress he didn't notice that looked elegant on her and her curly hair wrapped into a bun, making strands fall on her face. He huffed. Clearly his parents have no taste, he thought, sighing and pushing his hands into his pockets. Carmen felt the eyes of a predator boring into her, and she turned, meeting his halfway. His bored face, made her scoffed and she slid inside the backseat as soon as the Bronson walked away from the car.
"Aren't they lovely people?" Mrs Bronson smiled, glancing at her son from the corner of her eye. Rowan rolled his eyes and walked into the house.
Mrs Bronson sighed, and her husband held her hand, assuring her with a smile as soon as she turned to him.
"Give him time Nana," he said, kissing her cheek before she could response, "He'll see soon enough how important this marriage is."
She nodded, smiling as she leaned for a kiss.