The car pulled up to the restaurant, and I took a deep breath as I checked my watch. It was a little past seven, and Mia should be arriving any moment now. I had sent a car to pick her up, ensuring she wouldn’t have to worry about transportation. La Belle Époque was one of the finest restaurants in the city, known for its exquisite cuisine and impeccable service. I wanted everything about this evening to go smoothly.
I stepped out of the car, straightening my jacket. The charcoal-gray suit I had chosen was tailored to perfection, and my white dress shirt added a crisp contrast. I adjusted my tie, a deep burgundy that added a touch of color without being too flashy. Appearances mattered, especially in a place like this, and I wanted to set the right tone for the evening.
A sleek black car pulled up to the entrance, and I knew it was Mia. I watched as she stepped out, her movements graceful and poised. She wore a navy-blue dress that was simple yet elegant, hugging her figure in all the right places. Her hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and her makeup was understated but beautiful. Despite the modesty of her outfit, she looked stunning.
I walked over to greet her, offering my hand. “Mia, you look lovely.”
“Thank you,” she replied, her voice steady but with a hint of nervousness. She took my hand, and I led her into the restaurant.
The maître d’ greeted us warmly and escorted us to a private table near the back of the dining room. The ambiance was perfect—soft lighting, elegant décor, and the faint sound of classical music playing in the background. We took our seats, and I watched as Mia took in her surroundings. It was clear she was a little overwhelmed by the opulence of the place, but she composed herself quickly.
The waiter handed us the menus, and I glanced over mine briefly before setting it aside. “Order whatever you like,” I told Mia. “The food here is exceptional.”
She nodded, scanning the menu carefully. “This place is incredible,” she said, her eyes wide with appreciation.
“It’s one of my favorites,” I admitted. “I wanted to make sure tonight was special.”
After we placed our orders, I leaned back in my chair, studying Mia. “How have you been? Since our last conversation, I mean.”
She took a sip of her water, her eyes meeting mine. “It’s been… a lot to think about,” she admitted. “This whole situation is so unexpected.”
“I understand,” I said. “And I appreciate you considering my proposal. I know it’s not an easy decision.”
Mia nodded. “It’s definitely not. But I’ve thought about it, and I believe it could work. For both of us.”
Our appetizers arrived, and we began eating, the conversation flowing more easily now. We talked about mundane things at first—our favorite foods, hobbies, and places we’d visited. I could see Mia starting to relax, her initial nervousness fading away.
As the main course was served, I decided it was time to discuss the details of our arrangement. “So, about the marriage,” I began, watching her carefully for any reaction.
She looked up from her plate, her expression serious. “Yes. I’ve been thinking about what it would entail.”
“I’ve asked my lawyer to draft a contract,” I said, making a mental note to call him first thing in the morning. “It will outline the terms of our agreement. The plan is to stay married for two years. After that, we can amicably divorce and go our separate ways.”
Mia took a deep breath. “Two years is a long time. What happens during that period? What are the expectations?”
“We would need to present ourselves as a genuine couple,” I explained. “To my family, to the public. It will require a certain level of commitment and cooperation from both of us. We’ll live together, attend events together, and basically play the role of a married couple.”
She nodded slowly. “And your family? How do you plan to introduce me to them?”
I smiled. “That’s the next step. I want you to meet my family. We’ll tell them that we recently met and that things have progressed quickly. They’re used to my private nature, so it won’t be too much of a stretch.”
Mia looked thoughtful, considering the implications. “It sounds… manageable. But there are still so many details to work out.”
“Of course,” I agreed. “We can take it step by step. The most important thing is that we communicate openly and support each other throughout this process.”
She set her fork down, her eyes meeting mine with determination. “I can do that. But I need to know that I can trust you, Lucas.”
“You can,” I assured her. “I want this to work for both of us. And I’ll do everything I can to make sure it does.”
The waiter brought our dessert, and we continued to discuss the finer points of our arrangement. By the end of the meal, I felt confident that we were on the same page. Mia was intelligent, pragmatic, and, most importantly, willing to take on this challenge.
As we finished our dessert, I looked at her, feeling a sense of resolve. “There’s one more thing,” I said. “For this to work, we need to establish a sense of familiarity. I want you to meet my family in two weeks and also get to meet yours. It will give us some time to prepare.”
Mia looked surprised but nodded. The idea of introducing Lucas to her family made her skin crawl. “I suppose that makes sense. When were you thinking?”
“Next two weeks weekend, if you’re available,” I suggested. “It will give us some time to prepare.”
“Okay,” she agreed. “Next two weeks it is.”
I smiled, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “Thank you, Mia. I believe this will work out well for both of us.”
As the evening came to an end, I walked Mia out to the waiting car. “I’ll see you soon,” I said, holding the door open for her.
“Yes,” she replied, stepping into the car. “See you soon, Lucas.”
As the car drove away, I stood there for a moment, watching until it disappeared into the night.
---
The next morning, I woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. There was a lot to do to ensure that our arrangement went off without a hitch. The first thing I did was call my lawyer to discuss drafting the contract.
“Good morning, Mr. Sterling,” David answered, his voice crisp and professional.
“Good morning, David. I need you to draft a contract for me. It’s regarding an arrangement with Mia.”
“Of course, Mr. Sterling. I’ll need some specifics.”
I spent the next half-hour outlining the terms of the agreement. We discussed the length of the marriage, the financial arrangements, and the conditions under which we would part ways. David assured me he would have a draft ready within a few days.
Once that was settled, I turned my attention to Mia. I needed to make sure she felt comfortable and supported throughout this process. One way to do that was to help her transition into the role she would be playing.
I picked up my phone and called her. “Hi, Mia. It’s Lucas.”
“Hi, Lucas. How are you?”
“I’m good. I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“I was thinking that, to make this transition smoother, we should take some time to get to know each other better. Maybe do some things together.”
“That makes sense. What did you have in mind?”
“Well, for starters, I’d like to take you shopping. We need to make sure you’re comfortable and confident in the role you’ll be playing. It’s not just about appearances, but I want you to feel prepared.”
Mia hesitated for a moment. “Shopping? I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that.”
“I understand. But it’s important for both of us. Think of it as an investment in our arrangement.”
“Okay,” she agreed reluctantly. “When were you thinking?”
“Are you free this Saturday? We can spend the day shopping and getting to know each other better.”
“Saturday works. Thank you, Lucas. I appreciate your help.”
“It’s my pleasure, Mia. I’ll send a car to pick you up at ten.”
After our call, I felt a sense of relief. It was a small step, but an important one. I wanted Mia to feel confident and comfortable in her new role. It was essential for the success of our arrangement.
---
Saturday arrived quickly, and I found myself looking forward to spending the day with Mia. I wanted to make sure she felt supported and valued. The car arrived at her apartment at ten sharp, and I watched as she stepped out, looking both excited and nervous.
“Good morning, Mia,” I greeted her with a smile. “Ready for our day?”
“Do I have any other choice?,” she replied with a shy laugh.