Addicted To The Arranged Bride

***

~~ZARA~~

***

The aroma of sizzling butter and grilled fish filled the entire hall, mixing with the chatter and cheers of students.

The university's annual cooking competition was always loud, messy, and fun. This year, I'm right in the middle of it.

I stood behind my counter, fixing the straps of my apron and focusing on the pan in front of me.

My spotless station had neatly arranged ingredients-just the way I liked it. If I pulled off my dish perfectly, it would stand out.

Raven strutted over in her usual "I own this place" attitude. She flipped her hair like she was walking on a runway, not into a cooking battle.

"Well, well, look who's trying to play chef today," she said, loud enough for people around to hear. "Don't burn the building down, Zara."

Typical Raven, the queen bee of college, notorious bully extraordinaire. She'd loved picking on me since freshman year. I gave her a tight smile. "Focus on your dish, Raven. I'll handle mine."

Her smirk widened. "We'll see."

The whistle blew, and the competition officially started. I grabbed my salmon and seasoned it with lemon zest, garlic, and herbs.

Around me, other students were rushing, pans were sizzling, and aromas were filling the hall.

My best friend Dahlia was in the front row, waving at me like an excited mom, shouting, "Go Zaraaa!"

I couldn't help but grin and flash her a thumbs-up.

And then my heart did that annoying flutter thing when my gaze shifted to Adrian Wright.

My crush.

He was beside Dahlia, cheering too.

He gave me that easy smile that always made me shiver inside.

I turned back to the pan, trying not to blush and act cool, even though I felt like screaming inside.

"Zara! Eyes on the salmon!" Dahlia yelled. My hands moved fast, flipping the fish just in time.

The judges walked around watching us closely as the timer ticked down. The room was hot, intense, and filled with the sounds of chopping, sizzling, and clanging.

By the time the timer buzzed, my dish was ready-grilled salmon with lemon herb glaze, plated clean and simple.

"Hands up!" one of the judges shouted.

I stepped away from my table. My heart was racing, but I looked at my dish with pride.

My salmon looked perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and soft inside. The lemon-herb sauce gives it a shiny, delicious finish.

The hall erupted in loud cheers and applause as students rooted for their favourite contestants.

The judges started tasting from each station. I felt nervous with every step they took closer.

Then it happened. The hall's atmosphere changed. The crowd erupted in excited gasps and whispers. One by one, heads turned as the door opened, and I looked up.

Dante Wright walked in-Adrian's elder brother.

His presence alone grabbed the whole room's attention like he was the main event.

He stepped through the doorway like someone had cued him in slow motion. Tall, broad shoulders, neat black hair, sharp brown eyes that looked around the hall like he owned it.

The murmurs started immediately from the crowd.

"Is that Dante?"

"He's back?"

"He looks way hotter now."

I froze.

There was no way I'd ever forget that handsome face-defined jawline, intense brown eyes with that melt-you-on-the-spot look, and lips that were annoyingly perfect.

Back in his senior year, he was popular before he went overseas to further his studies, and clearly, nothing had changed.

My chest tightened as I remembered how he used to call me "Chef girl" every time he caught me following Adrian around with snacks.

He teased me every single time like it was his full-time job. Damn, I hated him for that.

Dante stayed at the back of the hall, leaning casually against the wall. His gaze occasionally met mine, and each time it did, I felt annoyed... and strangely unsettled.

He was probably here for Adrian. Or something else. I really didn't fucking care.

The judges finished, and the winner was announced.

Not me.

But I knew what I brought to the table. My dish was worth it. Next time, I'll do better.

After the event, Dahlia and I walked outside toward the parking lot.

Adrian walked up to us smiling. "You did great there," he said, looking right at me.

My cheeks warmed up. I opened my mouth to respond, then I heard my name.

"Zazzz."

It was Dante.

There was something about the way he had always pronounced my name. Like he had his own private rhythm, making my heart skip a beat.

I scoffed, rolled my eyes and faced Adrian, forcing a smile.

Adrian glanced between us, clearly confused.

I thought he'd wait by the car for Adrian, but he came straight to me instead.

I wanted to tell Dahlia and Adrian we should leave, but that would've looked weird.

So I stood there, pretending nothing was wrong.

Dahlia's eyes widened in surprise as Dante stopped right in front of me and leaned down slightly, whispering against my ear, "Chef girl."

His mocking tone stung. Of course, he'd say that.

My body went stiff. I pretended to smile, but I seriously wanted to dump him in the nearest trash bin.

I could feel people's eyes on us, whispering as they passed.

Then, just as he stepped back, I stepped hard on his foot.

"Ow-"

Except my balance betrayed me, and I tripped. The second my foot slipped, I knew I was going down.

Before I could fall, Dante grabbed my waist and yanked me toward him, my chest pressed firmly against his.

My breath suddenly caught for a moment, and I inhaled sharply.

His scent-one of those smells that stubbornly clings to your clothing even after he's gone-lingered in my nostrils, fresh, inviting, with subtle vanilla and lavender.

He lowered his head near my ear again and spoke in a low, teasing tone. "You still trip like a kid," he whispered.

His arm locked around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

I tried not to notice how ticklish his breath was along my neck.

I looked up and met his eyes. Dante's lips curved into that same infuriating half-smirk he always wore when he was about to mess with me.

"Chef girl, you keep falling into trouble... Maybe you like being caught."

"L-Let me go," I stammered, though my voice sounded weaker than I wanted.

He chuckled against my ear, a vibration that sent shivers down my spine. "Why would I? You look way too good like this... all flustered and helpless. Makes it hard to think straight."

He bit his lip, then glanced at Adrian before looking at me again. "Relax. You're shaking like you just saw your crush."

I swallowed hard as heat rushed to my cheeks. "You're so full of yourself," I snapped.

He tilted his head. "Maybe. But tell me why your heartbeat's giving you away?"

And damn it, he wasn't lying. My pulse was all over the place. My mind screamed move, but my body didn't respond.

I hated the warmth spreading through me and the way he was looking at me like he already knew.

Over his shoulder, I saw Dahlia's jaw literally hanging, and Adrian's expression shifted from confusion to tight annoyance.

Everyone passing by slowed down, whispering. Dante Wright is holding me like this-total gossip bait.

"Hey bro," Adrian finally cut in, stepping closer. "Nice catch. Let her go now."

Dante's gaze didn't leave mine, a smug little smile tugging at his lips. He loosened his grip slowly, like he was enjoying every second of control, before finally letting me stand on my own.

"See you around... chef girl," he murmured, straightening up and walking off like he didn't just short-circuit my brain.

The fuck!!!

***

~~DANTE~~

***

Zara's name has been stuck in my head since I saw her inside that hall.

I didn't even plan to walk up to her. I swear. I was going to wait for Adrian by the car and mind my business.

But then she rolled her eyes at me like I was some random extra in her life, and my ego said, "Nah, bro, we're not letting that slide."

So yeah, I went over there.

I didn't even know why. Maybe it was her charming face. Or perhaps I just wanted to mess with her before heading back to my boring CEO life.

But when she tripped and fell into me, that moment hit me differently.

Her body pressed against mine, and her strawberry shampoo scent lingered in my nose. It smelt so damn good.

She looked up at me like she hated me, but her eyes said something else. And those lips looked like they were made to ruin me.

Now I'm behind the wheel, driving Adrian home, pretending I'm not replaying that moment in my head.

"Bro, are you good? You've been quiet," Adrian asked.

"Yeah, just thinking about work stuff," I lied, keeping my eyes on the road.

He gave me that side-eye. "Are you sure? You were acting weird at the competition. People even filmed that scene with you and Zara. It's kind of blowing up."

I sighed, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "Great. Viral for what, catching a girl mid-fall?"

He laughed. "Nah, it looked like a movie scene. The way you held her, bro, it was intense."

I ignored him. The last thing I needed was my little brother teasing me about that.

"Why haven't Mom and Dad gotten you a new car yet?" I changed the topic immediately.

He groaned. "Man, they're being extra about my grades. I'm passing; isn't that enough?"

"Barely passing still sucks," I said. "But I'll get you something for your twenty-third. You need an upgrade anyway."

"Brooo!" He grinned like a kid. "You're actually the best. No cap."

I shook my head, almost smiling. "Just focus on your studies. Mom and Dad aren't wrong about that."

***

When we got home, I pulled into the driveway and noticed Zara's mom's car leaving the mansion gate.

I glanced at Adrian. "Was that Mrs Williams?"

"Yeah," he muttered, watching her drive off.

We got down and walked inside.

As we headed toward the living room, my parents were already there, standing like they'd been waiting for us.

"Adrian, go upstairs," my dad said.

Adrian looked confused but didn't argue. "Uh, alright."

Once he was gone, I crossed my arms. "You guys want to pull a welcome home prank or something?"

They didn't laugh.

My mom sat down, gesturing for me to do the same.

"We've arranged something important for you," my dad started.

I raised an eyebrow. "Okay?"

Dad continued, "The Wright and Williams companies will merge soon. To make it official, you'll marry Zara Williams."

For a second, I thought I had heard wrong. Then I laughed. "Wait, hold up... Zara?

My dad's face stayed serious, then I froze. "You're serious?"

Dad nodded. "The Williams family's company has gone bankrupt. This marriage will save them and protect their legacy."

"So, it's a business deal," I mumbled sadly. "You do realise she's in love with Adrian, right?"

My mom waved it off. "She'll adjust. Once she's your wife, she'll understand what's best for her."

"What's best for her?" I repeated it like she didn't have a say in her own life.

"And what does Zara think about this?" I asked.

"She doesn't have a choice," my dad said. "Neither do you. This is about our legacy, Dante. It's your duty as the first son of the family to sacrifice for us. This marriage saves them and benefits us."

My mom leaned forward. "Dante, you've known her since she was a child. It's not entirely like you are getting married to a stranger. She's a good girl."

I chuckled. "Yeah. A good girl who hates my guts."

"Three weeks," my dad said. "Start preparing."

"Three weeks?" I repeated. "You can't be serious."

He walked away without answering. Mom gave me that soft smile she uses when she knows I'm mad but can't do anything about it. Then she followed him.

There it was. The weight I'd carried my entire life-duty, obligation, being the perfect son who never questioned anything.

I should've fought back and told them it was insane. But I didn't. Deep down, I knew I'll do it anyway. That's who I am-the one who sacrifices everything for the family's name.

And Zara? She's trapped too. Forced to marry a man she probably hates and give up the guy she actually wants, all because her family is desperate.

I sat there thinking.

Will Zara Williams agree to marry me? The girl who can't stand me. She looks at me like I'm the problem with the planet.

I rubbed my face and laughed quietly.

"Yo bro, what's going on?"

I turned and saw Adrian coming down from the stairs, his hair still looking wet from his shower.

"Uh, just business stuff." I replied.

"Business stuff? Are you sure?"

"Nothing to worry your small head about," I said, forcing a grin.

He frowned. "Stop saying that. I'm not a kid anymore."

I laughed, ruffling his hair. "Yeah, yeah. Big boy now."

"Dude! Stop!" he said, pushing me away. "You're annoying."

He looked at me closely. "You look stressed."

"I'm fine." I grabbed my keys. "Got a late meeting."

"Alright, don't work yourself to death, old man."

"Thirty isn't old."

"Sure, gramps." He grinned, and we did our handshake before I headed out.

But I wanted to tell him. I wanted to say, "That girl you're into? She's about to be my wife." But I couldn't. That would blow up everything.

Let Mom and Dad break the news. They made this mess.

***

Work was exhausting. I sat through long board meetings, approved new deals, and signed new contracts. Being CEO of Wright Holdings wasn't as glamorous as it sounded.

By the time I left the office, it was past nine. My eyes burnt from staring at screens all day.

My drive home was quiet. Just me and my thoughts. And they kept circling back to Zara.

The way her lips parted when she tripped. God.

I'd been close enough to taste them. Close enough to feel her breath on my skin. And part of me wanted to close that distance, just to see what she'd do if I kissed her in front of everyone.

Most girls melt when I talk to them. Zara looks at me like she's seconds away from hitting me with a frying pan. And somehow, that turns me on.

I hate that it does.

When I parked in front of the mansion, I didn't go in right away. I just sat there, staring at the steering wheel, thinking about Zara.

She hates me. But what she doesn't know is that under all that teasing and sarcasm, I actually liked her. I always did.

When we were younger, I teased her because I couldn't say it. Now, I can't say it because I'm supposed to marry her for business.

I murmured, "Life's funny as hell."

I leaned back, closing my eyes.

Adrian is very much aware that Zara loves him. But he once told me he just wanted to have a one-night stand with her to see what she tastes like.

I didn't say anything then, but right now, the thought of him touching her makes me see red.

I'm not supposed to care. But I do.

I finally dragged myself inside and headed straight to my room.

I showered, changed into sweats, and collapsed onto the bed.

My eyes were heavy, but my brain wouldn't stop thinking about Zara.

I groaned, dragging my hand over my face. "She's going to drive me insane."

I know she doesn't like me. She wants Adrian-my reckless little brother who saw her as a game.

How am I supposed to make this work when the girl I'm marrying is in love with someone else?

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

Then sleep finally took over.

***

~~ZARA~~

***

It was past 10 p.m. I was still up, folding clothes and fixing my bed like some busy bee even though my body begged for sleep.

I tried not to overthink, but my brain refused to shut up.

It drifted back to what happened earlier at school-that stupid moment when I tripped and fell into Dante Wright's arms.

Just remembering it made my skin heat up. Ugh. I could still smell his stupidly expensive cologne like it was haunting me.

God, why did I have to fall? Why did he have to catch me? And why did my heart have to act so stupid about it?

I shook my head, climbing into bed.

It didn't matter. Dante is irrelevant. He's just Adrian's annoying older brother who loved to mess with me. That's it. Nothing more.

I pulled the covers over me, staring at the ceiling.

Mom had been acting weird since she got back from the Wrights' mansion earlier. She hadn't said a word to me. Just walked in, went straight to her room, and stayed there.

Something was off. I could feel it.

But I'm too tired to deal with whatever drama was brewing.

I closed my eyes and let sleep take over.

***

The next morning, I woke up to my alarm blaring in my ear.

I groaned, slapped it off, and dragged myself out of bed.

My body felt heavy, like I hadn't slept at all. But I had classes, so I couldn't stay in bed no matter how much I wanted to.

I showered, threw on my uniform, and tied my hair into a high ponytail.

I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.

Mom was sitting at the dining table, staring at her coffee like it held the answers to all problems. She didn't even look up when I walked in.

"Morning," I said, dropping my bag on the chair.

She glanced at me, and her face looked... sad.

"Mom?" I said, walking closer. "What's wrong?"

She didn't answer right away. She just kept staring at her cup.

"Mom?"

She sighed, finally looking at me. "Zara, we need to talk."

Oh no. Nothing good ever started with "We need to talk."

I sat down slowly, my heart already starting to race. "What happened?"

She took a deep breath. "I went to see the Wrights yesterday. I asked them to help us with the company."

I nodded. "Okay? And?"

"They agreed."

My eyes widened. "Wait, seriously? That's amazing! Mom, that's-"

"But there's a condition."

I froze. "What condition?"

"They'll only help us if you marry Dante," she revealed.

For a second, I didn't process it. I just stared at her, waiting for her to laugh and say she was joking.

But she didn't laugh.

"What the hell? That's so outrageous!" I shouted, standing up. "They agreed to help us only if I get married to their eldest son, Dante?"

She nodded, her eyes filled with tears.

I felt like someone had just punched me in the stomach. "Mom, everyone knows I have feelings for Adrian! His parents literally know that! So why would they want me to marry Dante? I hadn't even seen him in years until yesterday!"

"I know, baby. I know."

"No, you don't!" I snapped. "I love Adrian! Not Dante! Why can't I marry Adrian instead?"

She stood up, walking over to me. "Zara, please. I didn't want this either. But we don't have a choice."

"Yes, we do! We can figure something else out!"

"There's nothing else!" she said, her voice breaking. "The bank is coming for everything, Zara. The house, the company-everything your father built. This is the only way."

I shook my head. "So that's it? You're just throwing me into a loveless arranged marriage because of money?"

"Love will come with time," she said.

"Love will come with time?" I repeated. "That's your answer? What about my dreams?"

She reached out, but I stepped back. "Mom, what about my goals? I wanted to open my own restaurant, travel, and build something that's mine. Do those matter anymore?"

"Of course they matter-"

"Then why are you doing this?" I wiped my tears angrily. "I don't have a problem marrying into the Wright family. But why does it have to be Dante? He bullied me when we were kids! And now you expect me to marry him? Why not, Adrian? Everyone can see I love him."

Mom looked at me with that knowing look she always gave when she was about to say something I didn't want to hear. "Zara, if Adrian loved you, he would've asked you out by now. You've been giving him signs for years."

And she was right. I hated that she was right.

Adrian flirted with me, smiled at me, and hung out with me-but he never asked me to be his girlfriend. Never made it official.

Why?

"I need time to think," I said, grabbing my bag. "Where are my car keys?"

"The bank came this morning. They took all the cars," she replied.

"What?!"

"They're coming for the house next," she informed.

I stood there, staring at her, so confused.

This is really happening.

"I have to go," I muttered, heading for the door.

"Zara-"

"I'll think about it, okay? Just... give me time."

I walked out before she could say anything else.

Luckily, I caught the school bus just in time.

I sat in the back, staring out the window. My mind kept replaying everything Mom said.

Marriage. To Dante Wright.

The same guy who teased me with every chance he got.

How am I supposed to marry him?

When the bus pulled up to campus, I got off and immediately spotted Dahlia getting out of her car.

She waved at me, then frowned. "Why are you on the bus?"

"Long story," I muttered, walking over to her.

Before she could respond, the sound of an engine revving made us both turn.

A white Bugatti Chiron rolled up in front of us. Everyone nearby stopped to stare.

The window rolled down, and Adrian popped his head out, grinning like he'd just won the lottery.

My mouth literally fell open.

"No way," Dahlia said with wide eyes.

Adrian got out, looking way too happy for this early in the morning. His black hair was perfectly styled, and his smile was enough to make any girl lose her mind.

But all I could think about was what my mom said. "If he loved you, he would've asked you out by now."

"Cool, you got a new car?" I asked, forcing a smile.

"Advantage of having an elder brother back in town," he said, grinning. "Dante got it for me this morning. My brother and I might've had grudges back then, but he still loves me."

Of course. Dante.

Everything always came back to Dante.

Dahlia rolled her eyes. "Rich people problems."

He's out here bragging about a gift from the same brother I'm being forced to marry.

The school bell rang, and we headed inside.

During the first period, I couldn't focus. The professor's voice was just background noise while my thoughts ran in circles.

All I could think about was the marriage arrangement. The fact that my entire life was about to change because of money and business deals.

I didn't have a choice. Not really.

If I don't marry Dante, my mom and I would lose everything.

But if I marry him, I'd lose Adrian.

What was I supposed to do?

"Zara."

I blinked, feeling someone tap my shoulder.

I turned. Dahlia was on my left, Adrian on my right-both looking at me with concern.

"The professor's talking to you," Dahlia mouthed.

I turned to the front, and my art professor was staring right at me.

"Miss Williams," he said. "The bursar wants to see you in her office. Now."

I stood up slowly, every eye in the room following me as I walked out.

This won't be good. I felt nervous.