chapter 5

Emily's POV:

I felt indifferent towards the dinner date. I just wanted the whole thing to be over with.

Not that I didn't care about the sanctity of marriage; I knew it was a lifelong commitment.

However, I couldn't help but feel that what I was doing was foolish.

Despite knowing the consequences of my actions, I felt that marriage was my only option. After all, being single was not all it was cracked up to be when nobody showed any interest in me.

As I thought about Ethan's willingness to marry someone he had never met, I wondered if there was something wrong with him.

What kind of person would agree to such an arrangement? Was he desperate for a wife, or was he just trying to fulfill his family's expectations? And if that was the case, why didn't he just marry someone from his social circle? Was he perhaps trying to make some kind of statement? Or was there something else I didn't know about him? I became more and more curious about this man I was supposed to marry.

I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that Ethan, one of the wealthiest men in the city, was willing to marry someone he had never met before. It just didn't make sense to me. Why would someone who had everything going for him choose to take such a risk?

As I stood in front of the mirror, I reached up to tie my hair back into a loose ponytail. As I did, I couldn't help but notice how messy and unkempt it looked. But strangely, I didn't feel the urge to fix it. I suppose it was because I knew the upcoming date meant little to me. It was just something to do to pass the time.

Even if Ethan Smith says he is no longer interested in marrying me, I wouldn't be bothered by it. After all, he wasn't the one I had always envisioned myself spending the rest of my life with.

I slipped into a long black dress and a matching jacket, the fabric rustling against my skin. I buttoned the jacket slowly, my fingers moving with a sense of detachment.

I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling as though I was looking at a stranger. I didn't recognize the woman staring back at me; her face empty of emotion.

***********

The restaurant where the date was to be held was stunning, with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city skyline. The music was playing at a low volume, creating a soothing ambiance, and only a few people were seated at the tables.

The soft lighting and plush furniture gave the place a romantic ambiance. It felt like the perfect place for a romantic date, but my heart wasn't in it.

The soft, slow tunes only served to heighten my sense of detachment. I couldn't bring myself to care. It all seemed so superficial, so meaningless. I felt like an observer, watching the scene unfold before me without being truly present.

9:45 pm...

I had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, my eyes constantly scanning the restaurant. The minutes ticked by slowly, and with each passing second, my patience began to wear thin.

I fidgeted in my seat, tapping my foot anxiously as I watched couples come and go, lost in their world of laughter and love. Just as I was about to give up, my attention was drawn to a commotion behind me. I turned my head slightly, curious to see what was happening.

In the corner of the room, a man was down on one knee, his hand outstretched, a small box clutched tightly in his palm. His girlfriend stood beside him, her hands clasped over her mouth in disbelief.

Her eyes were filled with tears of joy, and her cheeks were flushed with excitement. As I watched, the man opened the box, revealing a sparkling diamond ring.

The woman let out a gasp of surprise, her hands flying to her face. The man spoke softly, his voice filled with emotion. The woman nodded her head vigorously, tears streaming down her face.

The couple embraced tightly, their laughter ringing out through the restaurant, filling the air with joy and happiness. I couldn't help but smile at the happy couple, but the smile felt forced and empty.

My mind was filled with thoughts of my own life, my troubles. It was like the joyous scene was mocking my sorrows.

Just then, I saw a man approaching me. He was tall, about six feet two.

His eyes were a piercing blue, and his nose was straight and defined. His lips were full and slightly upturned in a slight smile.

The man's hair was dark and glossy, with just a hint of gray at the temples. He was wearing a white shirt and a black jeans that fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and trim waist. He looked like he had just stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine.

I couldn't tell if the man I saw approaching me was Ethan Smith. I'd never seen any pictures of him, and my search online had come up empty.

As he got closer to me, I could detect a distinctly masculine scent emanating from him. It was a combination of musky cologne, a faint hint of sweat, and a subtle whiff of leather that lingered in the air. The aroma was strong yet alluring.

I watched as the man came and sat down at the Same table as me. He didn't say a word. I couldn't help but wonder if he had seen my picture and knew we were supposed to meet. Or maybe it was obvious I was waiting for someone and I was alone.

He just pulled out his phone and started using it. I sat there, feeling a mix of emotions. I was confused, irritated, and a little curious. The thought crossed my mind that maybe this man had been expecting me to recognize him. He just kept looking at his phone, completely ignoring me. I tried to get his attention, but he didn't even look up.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. "Are you Ethan Smith?" I asked, trying to sound calm and collected. He nodded, still not taking his eyes off his phone. I felt a surge of frustration, but I tried to keep my cool.

The man's expressionless face only made me more irritated. He couldn't even apologize for being late. My frustration was building up inside of me, and I was struggling to keep it under control.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm." You must be Olivia Johnson," his face was still on his screen.

"Olivia?" I wondered. What is he saying? Is he saying that he's supposed to meet with Olivia? I was so confused.

He finally looked up from his phone, glancing at me with disinterest. 'Aren't you Olivia?' his tone made it clear he couldn't care less about the date.

"Yes, I answered, my voice was low as I lied." Had I just made a mistake by lying? I was so confused.