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Meanwhile, Dante sat at his desk, his face a mask of tension. He had just finished a long day at work when Eric, one of his oldest friends, walked into his office. Eric had been with Dante since college, and now as a trusted member of his team, he handled many of Dante’s personal affairs.
Eric placed a letter on Dante’s desk and then handed him another paper. “Here,” he said, his voice casual, “this was left by Anya.”
Dante’s eyes rose as the resignation letter fluttered to the table. His face tightened, his jaw clenching. “Did she say anything else?” he asked, his voice low, almost menacing.
“No, she didn’t,” Eric replied, then paused, watching his friend’s troubled expression. Lately, there had been whispers around the office—rumors that Dante was going out of his way to help Anya, that he favored her more than anyone else. And now, looking at him, Eric could see it clearly: her leaving had definitely affected him.
Eric, sensing the growing tension, leaned in slightly. “Aren’t you engaged to that Carter girl? Why bother with someone like Anya? You shouldn’t get involved with two women. You’ve never even dated one, let alone deal with both.”
Without warning, Dante picked up a file from his desk and threw it at Eric, hitting him in the stomach. Eric winced, stumbling back, and looked at him with a pained expression.
Dante stood up, his anger rising. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not marrying her! If you want her, then go ahead and marry her yourself.” His words came out like a growl, filled with frustration.
Eric gave him a sour look before walking out of the office, still wincing from the pain.
Dante stood there, staring at the resignation letter in front of him. His fingers clenched around the paper, his anger rising. He looked at the name “Anya” scribbled across the letter and gritted his teeth.
‘Heartless little thing,’ he thought, crumpling the paper in his fist. ‘Dashing and disappearing at the first chance she gets. Didn’t even talk to me!’
He stood up, his hands shaking with frustration, trying to hide his irritation, but it only grew more intense. ‘I won’t let you go so easily.’
“Where the hell is she even staying right now?” Dante’s jaw tightened as he paced, the frustration building in his chest. “She doesn’t even have a home to go to—where could she be roaming, wandering these streets?” His thoughts grew darker with every passing minute, the tension visibly tightening around his features.
The sound of his phone ringing broke through his thoughts. He glanced at it on the desk before taking a deep breath and walking over to pick it up. Janet’s name flashed on the screen. He rubbed his forehead in irritation before answering.
“Yes, Mom?” he said, his tone betraying the weariness building inside him.
“I’ve got good news,” Janet’s voice chimed through the line. “I just spoke to Charles Carter. His daughter has been found. I spoke to him earlier to congratulate him, and I’ve convinced him to let the girl come for an arranged date with you. Her name is Anya, and she’ll meet you this weekend. Make sure you’re there on time.”
Dante frowned, his fingers tightening around the phone.
Janet chuckled. “I heard she’s as beautiful as her mother. I remember how stunning her mom was, she had this incredible presence—everyone in a room would turn and look. If Annie’s anything like her, she’ll turn heads everywhere she goes.”
Dante’s tension only grew. “Alright.” He murmured and hung up the phone. His eyes flickered to the crumpled resignation letter lying on his desk, and then to his phone again.
‘It’s no use convincing Mom to drop this ridiculous idea,’ he thought. ‘I’ll meet this girl, cancel this arrangement, and get it over with.’
***
A sleek BMW glided to a stop in front of a lavish restaurant. The doors were opened for Anya as she stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement. The weekend crowd was thicker than usual.
Anya took a deep breath before heading up the stairs to the entrance. But the moment her foot landed on the top step, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned quickly, only to see two bodyguards following closely.
“No, you stay here,” she said, her voice soft but firm, an undercurrent of nervousness evident in her tone. “I’ll talk to him alone.”
The bodyguards exchanged a glance but nodded and waited at the bottom of the stairs. Anya steadied herself and walked towards the restaurant. She was wearing a light purple dress that reached her knees, paired with pearl earrings and bracelets. Her hair was styled in a middle part, tucked behind her ears, and her eyes were focused straight ahead. The jewelry she wore sparkled, more expensive than anything she had ever owned.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was Charles on the other end, his voice filled with warmth.
“Annie, if you don’t like him, you don’t have to stay. Just let me know, and we’ll refuse the marriage arrangement. You don’t need to worry about anything. We’ve never lacked anything. Don’t feel obligated to like him or worry about anything.”
Anya smiled softly, her voice soothing as she responded, “Thanks, Dad. I understand. Don’t worry.”
***
Dante sat in the backseat of his car, staring out the window as the city lights passed by in a blur. His phone buzzed in his hand.
“Don’t mess up this date, Dante,” Janet said sharply on the call. “She’ll be wearing a purple dress. You’ll spot her easily.”