Chapter 3 The Meeting

Trey's POV

"It's been five minutes already. Being late upsets me so much that I truly can't take it. If she's not here in five minutes, I would take my leave. With the time I've wasted waiting here, I could have accomplished a great deal of work back at the office.

After nearly ten minutes of waiting, I take one last glance at the restaurant door and sigh deeply. I started to think about the big changes that will be happening in the next months."

I initially wasn't happy about the whole arrangement, but then I had to embrace it at some point.

When I got to know about the betrothal and the fact that I have to be married soon to inherit my grandfather's construction company, I was shocked because I had felt that my hard work would be just enough to inherit the company.

That old man knew I was never going to get married and he did this on purpose. Also, my father didn't inform me all this while and that's one of the reasons why I am infuriated.

"I wasn't forced to come here. I just thought it would be a good idea to meet the person I'm going to marry in the next few months. Even though I don't like the idea of an arranged marriage when I'm old enough to choose my own partner, I still feel like I should give it a try and se how it goes."

"She's my grandfather's choice. Obviously, my Mom likes her, judging by the way she gushed about what a good girl she is. Marrying her shouldn't be a big deal then. We don't necessarily need to be in love with each other. My parents didn't consider this before arranging our engagement, so getting married out of love shouldn't be a problem. I am doing this because I want to inherit the company, and I am sure she also has her reasons for getting in to this marriage as well"

The longer I sit alone in this empty space, the deeper my frustration grows, and the less interested I feel to endure this arrangement.

I am cool with the idea of Betrothal and all that but If she thinks for a second that I am desperate and can not find a partner on my own terms, then she is messing up big time. I have no desire for a self-absorbed individual who lacks punctuality whenever we need to go out or attend an event.

I am beginning to rethink my decision about this whole betrothal nonsense.

There are a lot of beautiful and respectful women around me, I just need to find one of them to be married to.

Honestly, this is bullshit!

I rise abruptly and pick up my phone, turning to go when the guard at the door throws open the transparent door and a lady steps in.

Her appearance was far from what I w expecting.

This is not the person I was anticipating, my mother portrayed her as a sophisticated and beautiful lady, so I had assumed she would appear all glammed up.

Is that a tracksuit I see? I stare at her as she gets closer, furrowing my brow in doubt.

Who wears a tracksuit on a date with a man they're about to marry?

Something about this lady just seems weird.

She doesn't look lovely, most likely because her outfit is inappropriate for this outing, and on top of that, her makeup isn't done properly.

She somewhat looks like a clown. I am not impressed at all.

If I wasn't already irritable, this would be enough to make me so.

"Hey," she says sheepishly when she gets close, jolting me out of my reverie and intensifying my rage.

I can't seem to construct a word, which is probably due to my rage. The expression on my face said it all.

She ignores it, and then it dawned on me that are actions are deliberate. The emotion on my face is not something she should ignore. She should come here to impress me, not the other way around, which she isn't doing.

Obviously, my dissatisfaction with this arranged marriage is not pertinent to me alone, she feels the same way as well. so I guess she coming on a first date, dressed like a crown is her own way of expressing her displeasure and anger.

Following several blinks and a puzzled stare to check her out, I regain my voice and let out a harsh roar. "What in the world is this?"

The grin on her face fades and is replaced by a scowl. She is no longer shy; she exudes confidence in both her unorthodox behavior and the outfit she has chosen.

" Excuse me, What are you talking about?" She asks back innocently but her looks say otherwise.

She isn't innocent. She knows what I am talking about and she knows what she is doing.

Choosing not to unleash my pent-up anger through barking at her, I eased myself into the seat, determined to rein in my nerves and maintain composure. I crave her presence-Mother holds her in high regard, and Father, bound by Grandfather's enduring wish, won't oppose it, despite the old man being long departed. They all insist on my marriage, and I find myself utterly powerless to alter their stance.

"This engagement holds immense significance for them, particularly Grandfather. If it weren't crucial, Father wouldn't broach the topic at this moment. He would have simply advised me to seek out a suitable match on my own.

There's no benefit in losing my temper with this foolish girl and reporting to my father. None whatsoever. I shake my head once more; my frustration is difficult to contain. I'm on the verge of shouting aloud. Firstly, for her tardiness, making it an unproductive wait, and secondly, for arriving in such a foolish attire."

"Is she without shame? Before I can ponder that, she takes a seat across from me, sporting yet another fake smile.

"Hi, I'm Kendal Doyle," she introduces herself, extending her right hand for a handshake after placing her small purse on the table between us. My gaze stays fixed on her face. She appears amusing, and I'm certain I would burst into laughter if this were my sister doing it, and not the girl I recently discovered I'm about to marry."

She's intentionally doing this, and knowing it is unsettling. Without grasping her hand, I lean back with folded arms. She lets her hand fall with a disappointed expression on her face, which is also feigned.