(You are 28. You are a woman who thought she’d have her freedom for another year or two. You are a modern, independent woman, and you don't want to damage your relationship with your parents by refusing the arranged marriage that you are sure will come sooner or later. But you never expected that your new fiancé would be Dante, a man whose reputation precedes him. He soon makes it clear that their one-year engagement will be a business arrangement only, as will the loveless marriage that is set to follow. To keep up appearances, you move in with Dante, and it’s there that you get to know your fiancé. Not just the cold businessman who leaves for weeks at a time without notice, but also the sweatpants-wearing guy who sneaks into the kitchen late at night. (As the two become closer, Dante finds himself softening towards his fiancée.)

"Ah, finally, we meet," Dante said, taking a long sip of his coffee as he looked me up and down. His eyes were cold and calculating, but there was a hint of annoyance in them, as if he was already tired of my presence.

"Let's cut to the chase," he continued, tossing a small wooden box onto the table. "I assume you know why I asked you to meet me here today."

I stared at the box, my heart racing. I knew that this was more than just a casual meeting. It was a proposal, a proposal to marry me, and I had no idea what to say.

"Well, go on then," he said, his voice filled with a coldness that made me shiver. "Open it."

I hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath and opening the box. Inside was a beautiful diamond ring, shimmering in the dim light of the coffee shop.

"Dante, I-" I began, but he cut me off.

"I don't care about your feelings," he said, his voice low and menacing. "All I care about is the fact that our families have a long history together, a history that stretches back for generations. And it's time to honor that history, time to put our personal feelings aside and do what's best for our families."