1) “What do you think of this marriage?”

Marie Jane Genovian, a young woman from a middle class family, is the 2nd child after her brother Ryan, of the Genovian Family. They own a small and humble company called B.T. Angency. She lives in a mansion located in a nowhere to be known. Ever since she was 10 years old, her father Joe, the president and founder of the company, would teach her business matters and by her 15th birthday, was given her very own first project.

Marie Jane, in short MJ, wanted to be independent, she wanted to be succesful in her own ways and not only with the influential of her family. She finished her college with a degree in Business Management and wanted to pursue her dreams in the near future however the young lady grew up very timid during her childhood until now, she was very intovert and wasn’t able to stand up for herself which was the opposite of her family. The family of MJ was not like the other normal families, they really value their traditions and their company. One of the traditions of their family was, women members would get into an arranged marriage when the right time comes, mostly it is for the betterment of the company. MJ was already part of an arranged marriage. She was against this tradition however was not able to stand up against her family. She believed in love and destiny, she was very romantic however she never had a boyfriend nor experienced anything concerning romantic situations. She wanted to wait for her first love and not some stranger that links them through forced marriage.

On her 22nd birthday, her mother Anne informed her about the person she was about to marry and the grand wedding.

Anne - “Marie Jane, my daughter, come sit here next to me, I want to tell you something.”

MJ - “What is it mom? Is there a problem?”

Anne - “The time has finally come for you to be a real woman, and to build your own family. Tomorrow night, your fiancé and his family will be joining us in a dinner, you can finally get to know him.”

MJ - “Mom, you know I want to marry the person I love and not a stranger. I really don’t get this tradition, why would women need to marry forcedly because of business interactions.”

Anne - “MJ, you know that we have been carrying this tradition from generations to generations. This is not only because of the company but also for your future, we want you to have a bright future my dear.”

Her family wasn’t very supportive of her becoming a businesswoman despite her excellence. They doubted women from becoming succesful specially in business industry.

MJ - “Mom, I am capable enough to pursue my dreams and become succesful! I don’t need no man to support me!”

Anne - “MJ! We are not discussing this right now! You are going to meet and marry your fiancé and that’s all! End of discussion!”

The night after

The Reynolds Family, mostly known as one of the wealthiest and influential family in America, has finally arrived in the residence of the Genovian Family.

Robert II Reynolds, founder and chairman of the most succesful company in America, the Reynolds Corporation. His wife Sophia Reynolds, mother of two beautiful sons, Joseph Reynolds, the 19 year old 2nd son, mostly known as the playboy of the city and easily found in clubs, and finally Mark Reynolds, recently promoted as the CEO of the company, is a 24 year old neat freak and the most successful businessman in his age. He is also known as the most terrifying CEO of the year, however, made the company the fastest ad most succesful growing company.

Mark Reynolds is the fiancé of Marie Jane, they have 2 years of gap. And tonight they will be able to get to know each other.

Anne - “Welcome to our humble home! Please make yourself feel at home since we are going to be a family sooner or later.”

Robert - “Thank you Mrs. Genovian for your hospitality. It is our pleasure to finally meet you. I have been hearing good things about your family for a longtime and ever since I wanted to get to know more about your family. Let me introduce you my family, this is my beautiful wife, Sophia and of course my eldest son, Mark, the fiancé of your daughter.”

Sophia - “Hi Mrs. Genovian, it’s great to finally meet you in person.”

Anne - “Ohhh, please call me Anne. Here is my daughter Marie Jane, the fiancée of your son. My husband will be coming soon, please sit down.”

MJ - “Good evening sir, ma’am.”

Sophia - “Wow, you have a beautiful young lady here Anne. Hi, this is my son Mark, I hope you two will get along well with each other.”

Anne - “MJ, my daughter, go and talk with Mark in the garden.”

MJ - shyly approached. “H-hello, it’s finally great to meet you...”

As they walked towards the garden alone, the atmosphere seemed to change into an awkward situation.

MJ - “Uhmmm, sooo, how old are you?”

Mark - “23...”

MJ - “Did you know about this marriage?”

Mark - “Yeah...”

But as they kept watching the sky, suddenly, when MJ stopped asking questions, Mark took a slight peek at MJ’s face, and was mesmerized by her cute and innocent look.

Mark - “What do you think of this marriage?”

MJ - “Well... I don’t have much choice right?” she answered with sad eyes.

Mark - “Don’t you feel any anger towards your parents, that they are forcing you to marry a stranger?” he asked curiously.

She suddenly looked at Mark with eyes that are barely struggling to hold the tears.

MJ - “My feelings doesn’t really matter that much. And they’re my parents, I can’t say no to them.”

Shocked by this sudden confession, Mark wanted to hold her into his arms, he knew already that this woman was innocent and pure. But he suddenly change the topic.

Mark -“I think the dinner is ready...”

As they finished dining, they finally talked about the marriage. The mothers already

planned the wedding location and the invitation cards and the fathers already payed for all the expenses, all that is left to do is search for the wedding gown.

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