(Sergio Echeverría’s Point-of-View)

I'd already been in love once, but the possibility of falling in love again terrified me. One family asked for a betrothal favor, and I agreed to arrange marriage with their daughter since the couple said that I will be an asset to their business. My parents were happy with whatever decision I made, hence I had been prepared for this since a very young age because I always knew that betrothal may happen at any time. Especially considering I am the CEO of the company and my younger siblings were not as strained as I am. Betrothal was practiced in our family for many years until it was passed down to our parents. However, our parents chose to cut that costume since they recognized how stressful it could be, leading to undesired emotions like grief. Entering the arrangement was my unequivocal choice and nobody pressured me into this.

“Sergio, how was la casa? Did you finish everything?” My mom, Lucia, asked about the house that I bought five months ago in preparation for the stay of my fiancée after the betrothal was offered earlier than that.

Before the betrothal was offered to my fiancée, her parents planned to let us reside in one house to see if things would work out between us, and I considered investing in a house where my fiancée and I could live together for the time being if she was comfortable with the idea. Her parents had recently informed me that she was fine with staying with me for several months.

I nodded. “Si, madre. I completed everything. The papers, the furniture… Now I'm simply waiting to find out who my fiancée is.”

I flew to America two months ago from Spain where I was born and raised, and my parents accompanied me to support their encouragement. They claimed that they were good friends with my fiancée's family and that one of the reasons they traveled with me was to possibly see them again while my younger siblings were left in Spain. For the short while, I'm staying in a condo with my parents until I meet my fiancée later tonight.

“How do you feel about tonight’s meeting, mi hijo?” my mom asked as she took a sip on her breakfast tea.

At the same time, I was terrified and delighted. Being in a relationship was hard, and because I will be her future husband, I am responsible for her, her needs, and her safety and security. It may be a loveless relationship, but I want to be the one she turns to when she needs emotional support, the person she feels at ease with and the person who can be her other half. Even if there was no love, I wanted to devote my loyalty and faithfulness. These matters were taken seriously by me.

“I am both thrilled and nervous. I don’t know if she will like me or perhaps what if our personality would not align?” I asked with a crease formed on my forehead.

Her mother smiled politely. “It is quite normal to feel that way, but the woman you will marry comes from a wonderful family. You know how good Amelia and Edward are, right?”

Of course, I was aware of the St. Clairs'. I had previously seen my fiancée's parents, but they were unable to bring their daughter with them. I searched her up on the internet to see what she looked like, but there were no results. According to my mother, she was an introverted nature who would rarely leave the house to be photographed by paparazzi. The images of my fiancée that Amelia and Edward sent me were taken when she was a child. They claimed that my fiancée insisted on not sending current photos as a surprise.

The passage of time was so rapid that the day was quickly replaced by the night. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my suit. I was dressed in a navy blue jacket and trousers, a light blue tie, and black shoes. Because the condo is already so nearby, it only took me twenty minutes to get to the St. Clairs' company. Our family driver drove me there, and when I stepped out of the car, I was greeted by my fiancée's parents who had been waiting for me.

Amelia eleganlty approached me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Good evening, Sergio.”

I assumed that my fiancée was as stunning as her mother, filled with delicate and elegance. Edward walked towards me and stretched out his hand as I gladly shook it.

“Good evening, mister and misses St. Clair,” I greeted with a polite smile.

Afterwards we headed inside their building. Amelia and Edward told me to wait for my fiancée, Rosiean, inside her office as they went to inform her. They brought me inside of her office and they went out to tell her that I was awaiting for her presence. Her office had a feminine interior with a pleasing aroma. The walls were painted with a soft color plus the furniture and a hanged painted portrait were pretty classy. The marbled floor was covered with a pastel gray carpet. I walked towards the glassed window, staring outside. Especially at night, the city was still very busy.

My heart began to pound rapidly, and I shoved my icy hands into my pockets as a result of my worry. I was drawn to the busy street beneath the building with cars honking, when the sound of the door opening drew my attention. When I turned around, our gazes locked with no other than Rosie, whom I had a one night stand two months ago, was standing right in front of me.

A wave of shock was evident to Rosie’s face when she realized who her fiancé was. “Sergio?”

“You are… Roseian St. Clair?” My mouth went agape, I felt like I was frozen in place.

I had only known her as Rosie, since that how Elvira introduced her friend to me. Rosie’s friend was the one who approached me and told me that Rosie wanted me to invite her to a private place but she was too shy to ask that. I was as shock as Rosie, because we had a one night stand that evening and unaware that we were actually betrothed to one another.

“Roseian… Rosie… Now it makes sense.” I murmured underneath my breath.

There was a lot of awkwardness in the room. Rosie averted her gaze, her cheeks blushing, as my gaze was fixed on her. My eyes explored her figure, she was dressed elegantly in a scarlet dress that reached over her knees and had sleeves that reached her wrists. Her golden belt accentuated her curvaceous waist and she wore golden stilettos.

“You look stunning,” I complimented with a smile, hoping to break the awkwardness between us.

She shyly bit her lower lip and tried to stare in my green orbs. “Thank you, Sergio. You look incredible as well.”

“Can I call you Rosie, if you do not mind?” I asked.

“Of course! I would not mind being called Rosie,” she replied with a beam on her face.

“Okay, Rosie. I know both of us were surprised tonight because we are unaware that we our engagement are arranged with one another, after that night we have slept together,” I explained, “But I don’t want to make things hard between us. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable when you are with me. How about we pretend that night did not exist and shall we start things over?”

That night was so special to me. I was devastated the morning after that night when I discovered the room was empty after I got out of the shower, she left with no notice or anything. Rosie was different from the women I had a one night stand with. Her pureness and innocence wanted me to keep her safe in my arms. I started liking her after that night but I tried getting rid of that feeling since I knew that it wasn’t supposed to have an intimacy in a one night stand. Too bad, I catch feelings for her that night, but I was willing to let go that special night if it was going to make her feel uncomfortable.

I caught a glimpse of her frown but her face quickly morphed into a smile. “I am perfectly okay with it. So that we can enjoy each other's company without feeling uncomfortable with one another.”

“They've met, at last!” A squeal of delight could be heard from inside the office when Amelia and her husband entered while linking arms.

In the distance, I saw my parents trailing after Amelia and Edward, arms linked. In their semi-formal attire, the four of them were present. My fiancée matched her mother's impeccable style in her evening dress. Rosie’s hair was permed with an S-curl, which creates tighter and more spread-out curls, resulting in volume and natural wavy hair and she looked lovely tonight.

“Sergio and I have actually met already, mother.” She replied with a smile.

Amelia's face was plastered with a mixture of awe and astonishment by her words. “You did? But how did you two meet?”

We stared into each other's eyes when my gaze shifted to hers. Instead of trying to take control of the situation, I waited for her to finish her thoughts.

With a pleasant beaming smile, she responded. “Sergio is very close to Elvira's fiancé. We met at a high class club when Elvira hosted a party. Remember that night when I came home late, mother?”

“That is correct, Amelia. Elvira introduced Rosie and I together. That night, it seemed like our chemistry ignited. I apologized for keeping her late that night, it is because we had a lot of... fun.” The last word I said sounded like it was muttered and I saw Rosie's face turn red as she looked away from me.

“What a small world we live in! After attending a party, these two came across each other.” My mother made a remark and then walked over to Rosie and tightly hugged her. “The thought of having a beautiful future in-law like you makes me ecstatic. At the same time, you appear angelic and ethereal.”

Rosie blushed as she giggled. “Thank you, missis Echeverría. Not to mention, you're looking simply gorgeous.”

“Dear, please address me as Lucia. This is Mario, my husband and Sergio’s father.” With a beaming smile, my father extended his hand to Rosie, who gladly shook it.

“I am delighted to have you both here today.” Rosie exclaimed with pleasure.

Rosie’s father, Edward, joined the conversation. “Now, shall we head to dinner? Mario has a reservation at a nearby Spanish restaurant, according to what I've heard. He wanted my wife and Rosie to eat some Spanish food as a treat from all of you. There's plenty of room for discussion there.”

As we stepped down and headed out, I felt the cold air hitting my skin. Our parents went their separate ways, while Rosie and I will be riding in the same car. When a black car halted in front of us, I went to open the door for her. She thanked me as I followed her into the car and got into my seat. I observed the St. Clairs’ driver was wearing a black uniform with white gloves, with his eyes fixated on the road and his hands were gripping on the steering wheel. When I saw Rosie staring at me, my gaze shifted from the driver to her.

“Sergio… I have a lot of questions in my mind. And what made you agree to this betrothal?” She asked with a curiosity plastered on her face.

I replied and crossed my arms on my chest. “I gave it a lot of thought, honestly. I realized that merging two big companies will turn into a powerful empire. Thus, I want my children to have a secure future.”

“In addition, what sort of business do you run?” she questioned. “Your children's future will be secured by a powerful empire, but how? Especially when a large industry will just put them under so much pressure.”

“Fragrances and aroma chemicals are among the products we make and sell.” I shifted my position and I leaned into her, my lips were hovering over hers as if I was about to kiss her. “So vanilla.”

Her mouth dropped open as her eyes widened. “Are you vanilla shaming me—

“Penhaligon's Artemisia Eau de Parfum. Like the vanilla perfume that you are wearing now for example. I'm able to tell the difference between various kinds of scents.” A husky chuckle escaped from my mouth and my eyes fell on her sultry lips. “Our children will be able to get what they need and deserve as a result of our powerful industries. I'm willing to help you make children if you'd like to, mi amor. I am happy to do it whenever you'd like to.”

Rosie was about to say something, when the driver came to a halt. “We have arrived, miss St. Clair and mister Echeverría.”

As soon as the driver opened the car door, Rosie hurriedly exited the vehicle, prompting myself to return to my previous position. I hopped out of the car and followed closely behind her, as we entered a fancy Spanish restaurant.