Chapter 1 - See the Girl

Marilyn stares at the man sitting in front of her in a daze as the words her grandfather just said echo in her mind. 'Mari, I want you to marry him.'

She looks at him, her lips parting slightly. He looks absolutely stunning. His soft black hair caresses his forehead, swept lightly to the side. His deep black eyes seem to pierce through her soul and yet she is inevitably drawn to them like a moth to a flame. His sharp nose and chin are lifted slightly with confidence. There is a small smile playing on his soft, kissable lips. His fair skin and striking features make her think of a fallen angel. And just look at those muscles! She almost drools at the sight of his black shirt hugging his body.

'~Aah!~ So handsome...'

"Ahem." Her grandfather coughs, interrupting her thoughts.

"Ah." Marilyn snaps out of her daze and puts on a business smile, extending her hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Mr.Smith."

He raises his eyebrows for a bit before letting them drop. "Nice to meet you too, Ms.McGrath. You can call me Michael."

"Then you must call me Marilyn."

"Of course." He flashes a smile, throwing her into a daze once again.

Her grandfather, Mr.McGrath, silently sneaks away, leaving them to chat.

The two stay seated and familiarize with each other for a while, talking about likes, dislikes and hobbies.

....

(Michael's POV)

I sit there, bored, listening to Mr.McGrath blabber on and on about his granddaughter.

'Hey, old man. It's nice and all that your granddaughter has single-handedly managed to grow your company from a no-name to one of the top companies in the city, I commend her for that, but what has that got to do with me? I only came because my mother threw a fit and forced me to come see the girl. Now, stop bothering me!!!'

I force a smile as I listen to the man talk.

'If only I could voice my thoughts.... the results would be disastrous.'

"There she is." The old man leans a bit to the side to look at the girl entering the room from behind me. She walks up to us, still standing behind me. "Grandfather, you called..?"

"Yes, come sit." He says.

The girl walks around me and sits on the sofa, opposite to me.

'Hmm... she is pretty, but if that was all it took to impress me, I'd be married already.'

The girl smiles politely, still not seeing me, as she listens to her grandfather speak.

"This gentleman, here, is Mr.Michael Smith, the CEO of ET technologies. You should know him. After all, our Heathrow Tech is rivals with them. Of course, we have a long way to go to reach their level... His mother asked for your hand in marriage. You are old enough and he is an outstanding man." Her grandfather pauses. "Mari, I want you to marry him."

"If grandfather wishes so, why not." She says, still having not seen my face.

'Hmm... Interesting. You haven't even looked towards me, what if I'm really ugly, a lecherous old man or am physically handicapped? Ah, maybe she only needs me to be rich.'

The girl then turns to look at me. Her polite smile vanishes and in it's place is a dazed expression. She looks like a little bunny stumbling upon lush green grass. I almost chuckle in amusement.

'Well, you're in luck. I'm good looking.'

"Ahem." Her grandfather coughs, interrupting her thoughts.

"Ah." the girl snaps out of her daze and puts back on her polite smile, extending her hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Mr.Smith."

'Oh?.. I'm amused for once...'

"Nice to meet you too, Ms.McGrath. You can call me Michael."

"Then you must call me Marilyn."

"Of course." I say, and she falls into a daze once again.

Her grandfather silently sneaks out of the room, leaving us alone.

We talk for a while but I have work to do so I take my leave.

"I have a business meeting in a while, I'm going to have to leave. Sorry."

"No, it's fine. I understand. It is a weekday, after all." She smiles.

"I will come pick you up on Sunday and take you to meet my family. Is that fine with you?" I ask.

"Yes, sure."

'Interesting woman.....'