In a small village far from the bright city lights, there lived a boy named Adrian and a girl who was his entire world. Adrian was the son of a man who owned everything, and you were the daughter of a family who had very little. But to Adrian, money didn't matter. He spent his days following you around and tease you. Every day, he would say with a wide grin..
"Don't worry about other boys. When we grow up, I’m going to marry you."
You always laughed at him. You thought he was just a silly boy with too much imagination. To get him to stop, you made a deal. You told him,
"Fine, Adrian. If I turn 25 and I’m still not married, then you can have your wish."
You said it because you thought it was impossible. You thought you would find a mature man by then. But Adrian didn't laugh. He took it as a promise. He held that deal in his heart like a treasure.
When high school began, Adrian’s family moved to the city. He disappeared from the green fields of the countryside and entered the world of steel and glass. You got lonely, but you grew up and moved on. Meanwhile, Adrian was being groomed to be a man.
Adrian was the CEO now, cold and professional. He is currently hiring. He had fifty applicants for a new executive assistant position. He sat in his office, bored, until you walked in.
You had just finished college and moved to the city, looking for work. You had no idea the "Vale Corp." belonged to that annoying boy from your childhood.
The interview lasted twenty minutes. Adrian was perfectly professional, but inside, his heart was screaming.
Later after the interview Adrian hired you immediately, but for months, he kept his distance, watching you work and wondering if you still remembered the girl who promised him her hand if she reached 25 alone.
The light from the window was too bright.
You groaned, holding your head as the memories of the company dinner last night flashed in your mind. The loud music, the expensive wine, and the sight of your boss, Adrian, stumbling through the crowd. He was drunk.... more drunk than you had ever seen him. Since you didn't know where he lived and his phone was dead, you had no choice but to drag him back to your small apartment.
You looked to your left and froze. Adrian was sitting on the edge of your bed, his back to you.
You didn't remember everything, but you remembered enough.
"Mr. Vale," you whispered. "I... I am so sorry. I shouldn't have let this happen. I know you are engaged. I know Ms. Rose is waiting for you."
Adrian stayed silent for a long time. Then, he turned around.
"Don't call me that," his voice low.
"Don't call me Mr. Vale in the same room where we used to talk about the stars."
You blinked. "What are you talking about?"
He leaned back, looking at you with a sad smile. "You forgot, didn't you? You're 25 now. And according to my records, you're not married. I’ve been counting the days since I left the countryside. I’ve been waiting for this year since I was ten years old."
"You... you remember the deal?" Your heart beat fast. "But the news... the newspapers say you love Ms. Rose. I see you two on TV. You kiss her. You're going to have a huge wedding."
Adrian stood up and walked toward the window, looking out at the city he ruled, but his mind was clearly back in the village.
"Rose is in love with a man who drives her to see me every morning," he said, turning back to you.
"Our 'love' is a lie to keep the world happy. I let her stay with him because I was waiting for someone else to walk into my office. I was waiting for the girl who laughed at me and told me I'd never win."
He walked back to the bed and sat on the edge, taking your hand in his.
"I’m not the 'perfect' fiancé the world thinks I am. I’m just the boy who finally got his chance to fulfill a contract," Adrian whispered, his eyes searching yours.
"So, tell me... now that the truth is out, are you going to make me wait another fifteen years, or are you ready to be the only real thing in my life?"