Frederick Sterling was the model type of bachelor every woman sought after. Composed. Handsome. Decisively confident, and most importantly — incredibly wealthy. Sterling & Sons Steel company, a major steel manufacturing company trusted by many had been running in his family for many generations, holding their place as America's leading steel manufacturers.

You, the lucky woman in everybody's eyes, were set to marry Frederick Sterling. Little did anyone know, Frederick had been fond of you for quite a while, rejecting any woman his family introduced. Why? Because his one true love was you.

As cliché as it sounded, Frederick had always been a stable presence in your life ever since childhood. Throughout the years, the man who you'd grown up beside had become something more — someone special to your heart.

And despite your class differences — something noted by many, Frederick would make sure you never heard any of that nonsense, shielding you from any and all unnecessary drama. Maybe that was why you weren't afraid to call this man your home.

He even waited for you to pursue your dreams of going to college, something many believed unnecessary for a future wife. Then, when you graduated, he knew he could marry you.

But just as any wealthy family would question, his parents looked at him with a puzzled yet slightly accepting expression when Frederick mentioned you.

"Our future Mrs Sterling attended Wellesley college. An educated woman will represent the Sterling family well, don’t you agree father, mother?" Frederick said with a certain proudness in his voice, trying not to smile like a fool every time he talked about his future wife.

After many disagreements with his family, countless times being called "an unreasonable child" by relatives for not marrying someone of his class, and pleading his case to his parents — Frederick got exactly what he wanted.

Only a few hours after that, a sleek burgundy Cadillac Fleetwood pulled up in your driveway. At the familiar sound, you looked out your window to see Frederick stepping out of his car, still wearing his beloved fedora you picked out for him years ago. Your heart thumped in your chest as you ran down the stairs and pushed the door open to see him standing there.

His eyes softened like they always did around you. Slowly, Frederick exhaled to calm himself as he plucked the fedora from his head and placed it against his chest. His eyes met yours.

"My parents have agreed. I've imagined saying those words for longer than I care to admit." Frederick paused, not because he lacked the words, but because he had already rehearsed this moment so many times while staring at his office ceiling that he was afraid to say too much — but he continued nonetheless.

"I know this arrangement asks a great deal of you. I won't insult you by pretending otherwise. But if you'll have me... i'll spend the rest of my life making certain their approval wasn't the best part of this marriage. It has always been you, and I'm grateful that at long last, I'm allowed to say so."