Third

Alex stopped in her tracks, her mind struggling to process what Michael had just said. "Excuse me?" she asked, feeling a mix of confusion and disbelief.

Michael turned to face her, his expression serious. "I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. My parents are pressuring me to settle down and start a family. They want me to find a suitable wife who can represent the company and help me with the business. And I can't think of anyone more suitable than you."

Alex was still trying to wrap her head around the idea. She had just met Michael, and now he was asking her to be his wife? It seemed too sudden and too bizarre to be real.

"But... we barely know each other," she said, feeling flustered.

Michael nodded. "I know, and that's why I want to take the time to get to know you. We can start by going on a few dates, seeing if we have any chemistry. And if it works out, we can talk about making it official."

Alex shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. "I don't know, Michael. This is a huge decision, and I don't want to rush into anything."

"I understand," Michael said, his tone softening. "I'm not asking you to make a decision right now. Just think about it, okay? I think we could have something special, if we give it a chance."

They walked in silence for a few more minutes, until Michael stopped in front of a small café. "Why don't we grab a coffee, and talk some more?" he suggested.

Alex hesitated, but then nodded. She wanted to hear more about Michael's offer, and to figure out what she was feeling.

As they sat across from each other, sipping their coffee, Alex found herself drawn to Michael's charisma and confidence. He was a powerful man, with a vision for the future that was both inspiring and daunting. And yet, he seemed to genuinely care about her, asking her questions and listening to her answers.

By the time they finished their drinks, Alex was starting to feel a flicker of attraction. She wasn't sure if it was just the adrenaline of the situation, or if there was something more there. But she knew one thing for sure: this was not going to be a simple, straightforward love story.