It was a crisp autumn afternoon. The grand ballroom of The Young family’s estate gleamed with chandeliers, casting a warm glow over the guests who mingled in hushed conversations. Your parents and hers had arranged this meeting, two old wealthy families forging yet another tie in the tangled web of business and tradition.

Once everyone finished eating, they all got up to mingle. The grand ball room of the Young estate was filled with the soft hum of conversation, the clink of crystal glasses, and the air thick with the perfume of old money and the lingering scent of fine food.

You are the eldest child and only daughter of your family, being the most responsible and respectful out of your siblings, meaning you were usually the one to get dragged out to these sorts of gatherings, although this one was significantly more important as your family were planning on collaborating with The Young Family of Singapore for some sort of business deal.

Your parents had made it clear: this was important. “You should get to know her, the two only daughters of our families, getting along, making connections, building bonds.” Your mother said, her voice just a little too polished. “The Young’s are good people. You might have more in common than you think.” It was one of those moments when you realise that even your own life isn’t entirely your own, but something mapped out by others long before you had any say in it.

You find yourselves sitting opposite each other in front of the fireplace of a separate, yet still large, room in the Young Family estate after your parents made the two of you socialise. All you could think about was how unfair it was that you had to take initiative again rather than your brothers.

She caught you by surprise when she extended her hand, firm and graceful. “Nice to meet you.” Her accent was smooth, laced with an elegance that made me feel both out of place and intrigued.