Sarah stared at her reflection and barely recognized herself. Her lips were smeared with dark brown lipstick, her cheeks were far too pink, and the oversized orange glasses covered half her face. The messy bun on top of her head looked like it had been done by a hurricane in a hurry. “Helina, this is social suicide,” she said.
“I’m going to get arrested for crimes against common sense. ”
On the bed, Helena was trying not to laugh as she applied crooked eyeliner. “You look amazing. Just the way my mom would never imagine.
”
“Remind me again why I’m going on a blind date with a billionaire CEO in your place? ”
“Because I love my boyfriend and I’m too much of a coward to tell my parents. So you’re going to scare the guy off for me and get a fancy dinner out of it. Win-win.
”
“You bribed me with ninety dollars,” Sarah replied, crossing her arms. “That’s emotional blackmail. ”
“Oh, come on. You said yourself you needed the cash.
All you have to do is show up, say a few weird things, and you’re done. A guy like that will run the second you say your first awkward hello. ”
Sarah sighed. For months she had been juggling culinary school, working part-time at bakeries, pulling night shifts at a café, and selling sweets on the street.
On top of that, she was taking care of her sick mom and trying to pretend life was under control. A little extra money and a free five-star dinner didn’t sound too bad. Minutes later, Sarah got out of the taxi in front of a five-star restaurant on the Upper East Side. She was wearing a puffy-sleeve dress that looked like it came from a costume thrift store, low shoes with colorful socks, and the same messy bun on her head.
When she walked in, a waiter hesitated slightly. “Name? ”
“Helena Darte,” she answered automatically. She blinked.
She almost forgot the act. In a quiet corner of the dining room, a man was waiting. Dark, spotless suit, hands folded on the table, an expression that looked both bored and completely in control. He stood up as soon as he saw her.
Tall, elegant, with a face that looked like it had been sculpted by a Renaissance artist. Sarah swallowed hard. Of course he has to look like a cursed prince from a TV show. “Miss Helena?
” he asked, reaching out his hand. “That depends. Are you selling encyclopedias? I’m her twin sister.
”
William raised an eyebrow and gave a small smile. “William Scott. I don’t sell encyclopedias, just companies. ”
Sarah shook his hand and sat down, cringing at the loud sound her dress made against the leather chair.
“And I just sell desserts in little jars. I guess we’re even. ”
He looked at her with curiosity. “So you sell desserts, and you’re Ambassador Dwart’s daughter?
”
Sarah froze for a second. “Uh, yes, but I was raised by very free-spirited nannies. I grew up learning the value of a good chocolate truffle. ”
The waiter arrived with the menu.
Sarah scanned it and whispered, “Is there anything that comes in a jar? ”
“I recommend the salmon with passion fruit reduction,” the waiter offered. “Reduction? I like my passion fruit in full force.
If you’ve got something that explodes with passion fruit, let me know. ”
William laughed for the first time. “I think I’ll have the same as her. ”
She glanced at him suspiciously.
“You like passion fruit explosions? ”
“I like women who are real, even when they look like they walked out of a psychedelic musical. ”
Sarah decided to step up her game. “I snore.
I talk in my sleep. I have existential crises about ants. ”
“Fascinating. I love eccentric people,” he said seriously.
She leaned forward. “I’m way too ugly for you. You should go out with someone prettier. ”
“I’ve dated pretty women.
I’m tired of them. I want someone truly ugly. ”
She froze. That made no sense.
“Why are you doing this? Are you messing with me? ”
William set the menu down and looked straight at her. “On the contrary, I’m enjoying this.
It’s rare to meet someone who actually surprises me. ”
Dinner moved along at an unusual pace. Sarah made up stories about her rebellious childhood in the Patagonian desert, said she was an expert at recognizing pigeons by their accents, and that her greatest talent was whistling songs from the 1930s. Instead of pulling away, William seemed more and more intrigued.
“You are one of a kind,” he said as he tasted dessert. “I like that. I’m a rare piece, undervalued in the market of normal people,” she said, resting her chin on her hand. “But you seem like an executive who knows exactly what he’ll be doing ten years from now.
”
“Is that a bad thing? ”
“It’s boring. You strike me as the type who even schedules your dreams. ”
“Maybe that’s why I’m here.
Someone told me you were surprising. ”
Sarah choked on her water. “Who told you that? ”
“Your mother.
Or rather, Helena’s mother,” he said with a slight smile. Her eyes widened. He knew. Impossible.
“Oh, she talks too much,” she said, trying to keep her cool. “But I’m just a simple girl with big ambitions and questionable taste in clothes. ”
William looked at her for a few seconds. “I like you like this.
”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Like what? ”
“Strange, unexpected, completely different from the norm. ”
She laughed.
“Good to know I’m standing out. ”
He leaned in a little. “Would you have dinner with me again? ”
Sarah nearly choked again.
She had spent the entire evening trying to be as strange as possible, and he still wanted to see her again. “Are you serious? ” she asked, adjusting her orange glasses that kept slipping. “Completely serious.
In fact, I have a proposal for you. ”
Sarah frowned, suspicious. “What kind of proposal? ”
William leaned back in his chair, studying her with eyes that seemed to see more than she wanted him to.
“You’re trying to look unattractive on purpose, aren’t you? ”
Sarah froze. She tried to keep a straight face, but her cheeks were getting warm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.
I always dress like this,” she lied, nervously fiddling with her messy bun. “Sarah,” he said gently, for the first time using her real name instead of Helena. “I built an empire by observing people. I know when someone’s putting on an act.
”
Her eyes widened. How did he know her real name? “The smudged lipstick done on purpose. The glasses that clearly aren’t your prescription.
The dress you chose specifically to look tacky,” he listed calmly. “All very carefully designed to scare people off. ”
Sarah felt like she’d been caught red-handed. Her first instinct was to run, but something in his voice made her stay.
“And if it’s true? ” she asked defiantly. “You going to turn me into the fashion police? ”
William laughed.
A real laugh that made something shift in her stomach. “On the contrary, I thought it was brilliant and fun. ”
“Fun? ”
“Very.
It’s been a long time since someone surprised me like this. ” He leaned forward. “That’s why I want to make you a bet. ”
“What kind of bet?
”
“Three dates. You can show up however you want. Do whatever you want to scare me off. If you manage to make me give up, I’ll pay you five thousand dollars.
”
Sarah nearly fell off her chair. “That’s right. But if I don’t give up by the end of the third date, you tell me the truth about who you really are. ”
Sarah was quiet for a few seconds, processing the offer.
Five thousand dollars would solve a lot of problems. It could cover her mom’s doctor visits, the overdue bills, maybe even let her cut back on work to focus on her studies. But at the same time, something about this man made her uneasy, like he could see through every one of her masks. “Why would you do this?
” she asked. “Because you intrigued me. And because it’s been a long time since I met someone who didn’t want something from me. ”
“How do you know I don’t want anything?
”
“Because you’re doing everything you can to push me away,” he said simply. “Most women do the opposite. ”
Sarah bit her lip, thinking. It was a tempting offer, but also a risky one.
“Can I set a few rules? ” she asked finally. “Of course. ”
“First, you can’t look into my personal life.
Second, the dates have to be in public places. Third, if I say I want to leave, you let me go. No questions asked. ”
“Agreed,” he said right away.
“Anything else? ”
Sarah thought for a moment. “One more thing. You have to promise you won’t try to kiss me or do anything romantic.
This is just a social experiment. ”
William smiled, and this time the smile reached his eyes. “I promise I won’t do anything you’re not comfortable with. ”
She held out her hand.
“Then we have a deal, Mr. Scott. ”
He shook her hand, and Sarah felt a jolt of electricity shoot up her arm. She quickly pulled her hand back.
“So, when’s the second date? ” she asked, trying to sound professional. “Tomorrow night. There’s a street food festival in Central Park.
Seems like the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable being weird. ”
In the cab ride home, Sarah took off her orange glasses and rubbed her eyes. What on earth had just happened? She had gone on the date planning to be rejected and somehow ended up with a five-thousand-dollar deal to keep being rejected.
And worst of all, for one brief moment when William had smiled for real, she had completely forgotten she was acting. When she got home, Helina was waiting anxiously in the living room. “Well, how did it go? Did he run off after ten minutes?
”
Sarah flopped down on the couch, still trying to process everything. “Not exactly. ”
“What do you mean, not exactly? ”
“He liked it.
And he asked for two more dates. ”
Helina’s eyes widened. “He liked it? What kind of person likes someone dressed like a psychedelic scarecrow?
”
“Apparently, William Scott. Helina, I think I got myself into something way bigger than I expected. ”
Sarah told her about the three-date proposal and the five thousand dollars. Helina’s jaw dropped.
“Five thousand dollars? Sarah, that’s a fortune. You have to say yes. ”
“I already did.
But there’s something strange about him. It’s like he knew exactly what I was doing from the start. ”
That night, Sarah stayed up late planning her strategy for the second date. She needed to be even weirder, even more unbearable, because the more she thought about William Scott and his mysterious smile, the more she realized she was in dangerous territory.
Five thousand dollars was a lot of money, but she was starting to suspect she might end up paying a much higher price than she expected. Sarah spent the whole afternoon getting ready for the second date. This time, she went all in: a pink and purple striped jumpsuit from a thrift store, bright yellow rain boots, three beaded necklaces in wild colors, and a straw hat with fake flowers glued on. “Oh my god, Sarah, you look like a rainbow exploded,” Helina said, watching her friend apply green eyeshadow and blue lipstick.
“Perfect. If this doesn’t make him give up, nothing will,” Sarah replied. The street food festival in Central Park was packed. Sarah found William near a Mexican taco stand, wearing a light blue dress shirt and dark jeans.
When he saw her approaching, his face lit up with an amused smile. “Wow,” he said, looking her up and down. “You’ve really outdone yourself. You look like a flamingo that decided to go hippie.
”
Sarah crossed her arms, pretending to be offended. “It’s European street fashion. You clearly don’t understand artistic innovation. ”
They walked through the stalls, and Sarah kept up her quirky comments, but she started noticing that William didn’t just laugh.
He also came up with clever and funny remarks of his own. “Look at those ducks,” he said, pointing toward the lake. “They look like stressed-out executives rushing to important meetings. ”
Sarah laughed.
“You’re right. That one’s definitely late for a big presentation on breadcrumbs. ”
For a moment, Sarah forgot she was acting. Talking to him was easy, even natural.
He had a dry sense of humor that matched hers perfectly, even when she wasn’t trying to be funny on purpose. “Can I ask you something? ” William said suddenly. Sarah became alert.
“Depends on the question. ”
“Why did you really agree to do this? Don’t give me the money excuse. There are easier ways to earn five thousand dollars.
”
Sarah chewed her crepe slowly, thinking. Part of her wanted to tell the truth, that she needed the money to help her mother, that she was juggling three jobs, that she sometimes woke up at night worried about the bills. But that would break the act. “Maybe I like a challenge,” she said finally.
“And maybe I’m curious to see how much you can handle. ”
“What if I said I’m enjoying this more with each minute? ”
She almost choked on the crepe. “Then I’d say you have very strange taste.
”
“I do,” he agreed, looking directly into her eyes. “I’ve always liked things that are unique, unexpected, things that make me question what I thought I knew. ”
Sarah felt her face get warm. There was something about the way he spoke that made her stomach do flips.
“You’re trying to throw me off,” she said, trying to stay in control. “I’m trying to get to know you,” he corrected. They walked over to a group of musicians playing jazz, and Sarah started swaying to the rhythm. To her surprise, William joined in.
“You dance worse than I do,” Sarah said, watching William try a fancier step. “Impossible. You said you’re from the people who can’t dance. ”
“At least I have a cultural excuse.
”
As they walked back through the park, Sarah realized something had changed. What had started as a game, a way to make easy money, was turning into something else. She was actually enjoying herself. And worse, she was starting to like William’s company.
“About the third date,” he said as they neared the park exit. “You choose the place. Anywhere you want, anytime you want. The only condition is that it’s tomorrow night.
”
Sarah looked at him suspiciously. “Why the rush? ”
“Because I’m curious to see what else you’ve got up your sleeve. And because…” He stopped walking and looked her straight in the eye.
“Because I’m enjoying this game a lot more than I should. ”
Sarah’s heart beat faster. There was something in his voice, in the way he looked at her, that made her forget all about the money, the bet, everything. In the taxi ride home, Sarah took off her straw hat and leaned her head against the window.
Her plan to be unbearable was failing miserably. Worse than that, she was starting to care what William thought of her. The real her, not the character she was pretending to be. Sarah had chosen a small café in Greenwich Village for the third date.
She arrived ten minutes early, wearing an orange vintage dress with blue polka dots, striped socks, and two mismatched shoes. William arrived promptly at seven, as elegant as ever, in a white shirt and navy blazer. “You managed to look even more colorful,” he said, kissing her hand theatrically. “You look like a Picasso painting come to life.
”
“Picasso painted weird cubes. I prefer to think of myself as a drunk Monet,” Sarah replied with mock seriousness. That’s when Sarah noticed a woman approaching their table. Tall, blonde, dressed in a designer outfit that probably cost more than Sarah’s rent for three months.
“William,” the woman said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “What a surprise to see you here. ”
“Victoria,” he said calmly. “Sarah, this is Victoria Ashworth.
Victoria, Sarah. ”
Victoria held out her hand to Sarah with a smile that was anything but friendly. “So, you’re the artist everyone’s been talking about,” she said, stressing the word artist like it was something unpleasant. Sarah shook her hand immediately, sensing the tension in the air.
“Artist is a generous word. I think of myself more as a public disturbance. ”
Victoria gave a cold laugh. “How interesting.
And how long have you two known each other? ”
“A few days,” William answered before Sarah could speak. “Oh, a few days,” Victoria repeated as if that explained something. “William has always had peculiar tastes.
I remember when he went through a phase of collecting street art. It lasted about a month. ”
Sarah felt a flash of irritation. She didn’t like being compared to a phase.
“And you? ” Sarah asked, deciding to push back. “What kind of art do you enjoy? ”
“Real art,” Victoria replied, smiling sweetly, but with venom.
“Paintings that actually have value, not those youthful expressions by people who sell candy on the street. ”
Sarah’s blood ran cold. How did Victoria know about the candy? “Excuse me,” Sarah said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Victoria replied, feigning innocence. “I thought you knew. People talk. New York may feel like a big city, but social circles are small, especially when someone different shows up on the radar.
”
“Victoria,” William said at last, his voice carrying a warning tone. “What? I’m just making conversation. It’s so rare to see William with someone so authentic, someone who actually has to work for a living.
”
Sarah felt her face grow hot. The implication was clear. Victoria knew exactly who she was and was trying to expose her in front of William. “Well,” Sarah said, forcing a smile.
“At least my job helps make people’s day a little sweeter. Literally. ”
“How noble,” Victoria answered. “And creative, too.
The disguise, I mean. Very theatrical. ”
This time it was Sarah who was left speechless. Victoria clearly knew about the disguise as well.
But how? “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Sarah,” Victoria said, picking up her designer purse. “William, we’ll talk later. I’m sure we have plenty to catch up on.
”
She walked away, leaving behind a trail of expensive perfume and tension. Sarah stayed quiet for a few seconds, trying to process what had just happened. Then she turned to William. “Did you know she was going to be here?
”
“No,” he replied calmly. “But I’m not surprised. ”
“How does she know about me? About the sweets, the disguise?
”
William sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Victoria has resources. When she wants to know something about someone, she usually finds out. ”
“And you?
” Sarah asked, her voice colder now. “What do you know about me? ”
“I know you work three different jobs. I know you sell handmade sweets on weekends near Washington Square Park.
I know you study culinary arts at night and that your mother is sick. ”
Sarah felt like she had been punched in the stomach. “You investigated me,” she said, not as a question, but as a statement. “Not exactly,” William replied.
“But when someone catches my interest, I tend to look into them. ”
Sarah stood up abruptly, knocking over her coffee cup. “This is a violation of my privacy and of the rules we agreed on. ”
“Sarah, wait.
”
“No,” she said, grabbing her bag. “This has gone too far. You knew who I was from the beginning, didn’t you? You’ve been playing with me this whole time.
”
“That’s not how it is. ”
“Then how is it? ” she demanded, crossing her arms. “Do you get a kick out of mocking poor people?
Is that what rich people do when they’re bored? ”
For the first time since they met, William looked genuinely shaken. “No, Sarah, you don’t understand. ”
“Oh, I understand perfectly,” she said, her eyes burning with angry tears.
“You and your rich, snobby ex-girlfriend decided to have some fun with the poor girl who sells candy. What a funny story to tell at your fancy dinners. ”
“Sarah, that’s not true. ”
But she was already walking out of the café, hearing him call her name, but never looking back.
Out on the sidewalk, Sarah paused for a moment, trying to catch her breath. Her heart was racing and she felt exposed, like all her masks had been torn off at once. The worst part was that for a few moments over the last few days, she had started to believe William might actually be interested in her. But now she saw it for what it really was, just a cruel game played by bored rich people.
As she walked toward the subway, Sarah took off her mismatched shoes and threw them in a trash can. She was tired of pretending to be someone she wasn’t, and she was tired of believing in fairy tales. What she didn’t see was William stepping out of the café just behind her, stopping on the sidewalk, and watching her walk away with a look on his face that mixed frustration, regret, and something that looked very much like pain. Sarah spent the next three days avoiding any place where she might run into William.
She cancelled her candy stand schedule at Washington Square Park, changed her route to school, and even avoided some of her favorite work spots. But on Thursday morning, she found an envelope under her apartment door. Inside was an elegant invitation to a charity auction at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, along with a handwritten note:
“Sarah, I know you have every reason to be upset with me, but this event supports a cause I think you’d care about. Free medical treatment for low-income families.
If you want to go, I’ll be there. If you don’t want to see me, at least consider going for the cause. W. ”
On the back, he had added, “PS, no need to dress weirdly unless you want to.
”
Sarah read the note several times, sitting in the small kitchen of the apartment she shared with two other girls. Her first instinct was to tear up the invitation and throw it away, but the words free medical treatment made her stop. Her mother had cancelled three doctor’s appointments last month because of money. She called Helina, who showed up an hour later with three borrowed dresses and a determined look on her face.
“You’re finally going to dress like a normal person,” Helina said, holding up a simple but elegant navy blue dress. “This one’s perfect. ”
“I don’t know if this is a good idea,” Sarah said, eyeing the dress. “What if he thinks I’m going because of him?
”
“And what if you are? ”
“I’m not,” Sarah replied a little too quickly. “Sarah, you’ve been grumpy for three days straight like a wet cat. Either you’re going because you want to see him, or because you’re in love with the idea of free healthcare.
And considering you faint at the sight of blood, I think we both know the answer. ”
Sarah sighed. Helina was right as usual. “He looked into my life.
Helina, he knew who I was the whole time. I felt like an idiot. ”
“Or maybe he cared enough to want to know more about you,” Helina suggested. “Look, I get that it feels intrusive, but think about it.
How often does a millionaire CEO bother to look into someone’s life? This isn’t just a game to him. ”
The Metropolitan Museum had been transformed for the event. Sarah immediately felt out of place, but tried to keep a confident posture.
She spent about twenty minutes looking at the auction pieces when she sensed a familiar presence behind her. “You came,” William said, his voice a mix of surprise and relief. Sarah turned slowly. He wore a flawless tuxedo and had a cautious expression, like someone approaching a wounded animal.
“I came for the cause,” she said, keeping her tone neutral. “Not for you. ”
“I understand,” he said. But a small smile formed at the corners of his mouth.
“You look beautiful. ”
Sarah felt her face grow warm. “Thank you. ”
They walked through the exhibits, and Sarah was surprised to find that William had genuine and thoughtful things to say about the art.
He wasn’t pretentious or condescending. He seemed truly interested in hearing what she thought about each piece. “This one reminds me of you,” he said, stopping in front of a colorful and slightly chaotic painting. “Why?
Because it’s weird and makes no sense? ”
“Because it’s vibrant, unexpected, and makes people stop and look twice,” he said, looking at her. “And because it has layers you only notice if you really pay attention. ”
Sarah felt something shift in her chest.
“William, I need to know,” she said suddenly. “Why did you make that bet with me? What was the real reason? ”
He sighed.
“Honestly, because you were the first person in years who didn’t want anything from me. You were literally trying to get rid of me, and that was refreshing. ”
“So that was it? I was just an interesting pastime?
”
“At first, maybe,” he admitted. “But it didn’t take long for it to become something more. ”
Before Sarah could answer, music started playing and William held out his hand. “Will you dance with me?
”
“I don’t really know how to dance. ”
“Neither do I,” he confessed. “But we can pretend we know how. ”
Sarah looked at his outstretched hand for a few seconds.
She knew saying yes would be risky, that it meant letting her guard down even more. But there was something in his expression that made her want to try. “One dance,” she said, taking his hand. “Just one.
”
They moved to the small area that had been set up as a dance floor. Sarah found herself relaxing in his arms. “Sarah,” William said softly, his voice close to her ear. “About Victoria.
She was trying to get under your skin because she knows you mean something to me. ”
Sarah looked up to meet his eyes. “How could she know that when I don’t even know? ”
“Because she’s known me a long time, and she knows I’ve never brought anyone I really cared about to places where she might show up.
”
Sarah’s heart sped up. That’s when she tripped. Her low heel caught on the hem of her dress and she lost her balance. William caught her immediately, pulling her against his chest to keep her from falling.
For a moment, they stayed like that, her leaning into him, their faces just inches apart. Sarah could feel his breath, could see little golden flecks in his dark eyes. “Are you okay? ” he asked, his voice soft.
Sarah nodded but didn’t move away. There was something about the moment, about being so close, that made everything else disappear. “Sarah,” he murmured, and she realized he was leaning slightly closer. For a second, she thought he was going to kiss her.
And for a second, she wanted him to. But then she remembered where they were, who they were, and she gently stepped back. “I should go,” she said, trying to pull herself together. In the taxi ride home, Sarah rested her head against the cold window and closed her eyes.
Something was happening between her and William, something far beyond the original bet. And that scared her more than any costume she had ever worn. When she got home, she found a message on her phone: “Thank you for coming. You looked beautiful without any disguise.
W. ”
Sarah stared at the message for a long time before deleting it, but not before smiling. Sarah woke up Friday morning to her phone ringing non-stop. It was six in the morning, and only one person would call at that hour.
“Mom,” she answered quickly, her chest tightening. “Sarah, honey, I need to go to the hospital today,” said Diane, her mother, trying to keep her voice calm. “The pain came back during the night. ”
At the public hospital, they waited four hours before being seen.
When they were finally called in, the doctor got straight to the point. “We need to run some additional tests. The basic plan doesn’t cover everything, so it would be about eight hundred dollars out of pocket. ”
Sarah felt her stomach drop.
Eight hundred dollars was nearly two months of savings. “We’ll go private,” Sarah decided. “I’ll find a way to get the money. ”
After scheduling the tests for the following Monday, Sarah took her mother home and then headed straight to Washington Square Park.
She needed to sell as many sweets as she could in the next few days. It was a sunny Saturday, so foot traffic was good. She had sold about half her stock when she noticed someone taking pictures of her from a distance. A well-dressed woman with a professional camera was clearly photographing Sarah and her stand.
When she realized she’d been spotted, the woman quickly walked away. By around four in the afternoon, she had made nearly two hundred dollars. A good day, but still far from what she needed. That’s when she saw William walking toward her.
He was wearing jeans and a simple t-shirt, but even dressed casually, he was hard to miss. “Hi,” he said, stopping in front of her stand. “Can I buy some sweets? ”
“Of course,” Sarah replied, trying to keep her voice professional.
“What would you like? ”
“A bit of everything,” he said, handing her a fifty-dollar bill. “And keep the change. ”
“William, no.
”
“Sarah, please let me help. ”
She looked at him for a few seconds. There was honesty in his eyes, but also something else, a sense of urgency. “Why are you here?
” she asked. “Because I got something I think you should see. ”
He showed her his phone. On the screen was a photo of her selling sweets with a nasty caption: “The CEO William Scott’s latest flame.
Does he know his girlfriend sells candy on the street? ”
Sarah felt her face flush with anger and shame. “Victoria,” she muttered. “She sent this to half of New York’s high society,” William said, putting the phone away.
“Sarah, I’m sorry. ”
“For what? ” she asked, crossing her arms. “You didn’t do anything.
And besides, it’s true. I do sell candy on the street. ”
“But it’s not about that, is it? ”
“Then what is it about, William?
The fact that you’re being seen with someone from the wrong class? ”
“You know that’s not it. ”
Sarah let out a bitter laugh. “Do I?
Because every time we’re together, I feel like I’m being tested. First, you make a bet with me like I’m some kind of project. Then I find out you looked into my life, and now your ex is spreading pictures of me like I’m some kind of scandal. ”
“Sarah, you don’t understand.
”
“I understand perfectly,” she said, starting to pack up her goods. “I understand that people like you and Victoria see people like me as entertainment. A little story to tell at your fancy dinners. ”
William was quiet for a few moments, watching her pack.
“Is your mom okay? ” he asked suddenly. Sarah stopped what she was doing and looked at him. “How did you know?
”
“Because I recognize that look. It’s the same one I had when my grandmother was sick, and I didn’t know how I’d pay for her treatments. ”
Something in his voice made Sarah pause. “You’ve been through that?
”
“My family didn’t always have money, Sarah. I built this company from nothing because I knew what it was like not to have choices. ”
Sarah studied him for a few seconds. There was something different in his tone, a vulnerability she hadn’t seen before.
“She needs some tests,” she said at last. “Eight hundred dollars I don’t have. ”
William pulled out his wallet, but Sarah shook her head. “No.
I won’t take charity. ”
“It’s not charity. It’s a loan. Or we could call it advanced payment for the next six months of sweets.
”
“William, I…”
“Sarah, please let me help. Not out of pity, not out of guilt, but because I care. ”
She looked at him, trying to read his intentions. There was sincerity in his eyes, but the image on his phone reminded her just how different their worlds were.
“I need to think,” she said, finishing packing her products. “Of course. But Sarah? Don’t worry about what Victoria or anyone else thinks.
You have nothing to be ashamed of. ”
“Easy for you to say when you have a bank account with a bunch of zeros. ”
“It wasn’t always like that,” he said gently. “And I never forgot what it feels like to be on the other side.
”
As she turned to leave, William gently held her arm. “Sarah, there’s something I need to tell you. ”
“What is it? ”
“I knew who you were from our very first meeting.
Not because I looked into you, but because… I had seen you before. ”
Sarah’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean? ”
“About two months ago, I was walking through the park after a frustrating meeting.
I saw you selling sweets and laughing with a little girl who didn’t have money to buy anything. You gave her a chocolate treat for free and made up a story about how it had magical powers. ”
Sarah remembered the day. A little girl had stopped by her stand with only half a dollar.
“I watched for about ten minutes,” William continued. “You made every single customer smile. There was something about you. An energy, a light.
I’d never seen anything like it. ”
“Why didn’t you say anything? ”
“Because I was just a guy in a suit in the park. And you looked free, happy.
I didn’t want to interrupt that. ”
Sarah felt tears sting her eyes. “So when Helena sent me in her place, I recognized you right away. But you were hiding behind that disguise.
So I figured maybe you had your reasons. ”
“William,” she whispered, unsure what to say. “I fell in love with you that day in the park, Sarah. With the real you.
Everything else was just a way to get to know you better. ”
The tears finally fell down Sarah’s face. She felt exposed, vulnerable, but also relieved to finally hear the truth. “I don’t know what to say,” she admitted.
“You don’t have to say anything right now,” he said, gently wiping a tear from her cheek. “But think about what I said regarding the loan. Your mom is more important than our pride. ”
Sarah spent the entire weekend thinking about her conversation with William.
His words kept echoing in her mind: I fell in love with you that day in the park. On Monday morning, she decided to accept the loan for her mother’s medical exams. She called William, and he answered on the first ring. “Sarah, how are you?
”
“I’ll accept your help,” she said, swallowing her pride. “But it’s a loan. I’ll pay it back with interest if necessary. ”
“No interest needed.
”
“Yes, it is. I want this to be a real transaction. ”
There was a pause on the other end. “All right, whatever you prefer.
I can transfer the money right away. ”
The exams went well, and the doctor said it was just an inflammation that could be treated with medication. Sarah felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. In the days that followed, she and William exchanged a few messages about her mother’s health, but they didn’t see each other.
Then Thursday came, and everything turned upside down again. Sarah was in the college library when she received a call from an unknown number. “Sarah Martinez? ” a formal male voice asked.
“Yes, that’s me. ”
“My name is James Parker. I’m Mr. William Scott’s personal assistant.
He’d like to know if you’re available for a meeting this afternoon. ”
Sarah frowned. Why was William having his assistant call her instead of calling himself? “What kind of meeting?
”
“Mr. Scott prefers to explain in person. Would five o’clock at his office work for you? ”
Curiosity won over caution.
“All right, five o’clock. ”
William’s company building was impressive. All glass and steel, with a lobby that looked like it came straight out of an architecture magazine. His assistant led her to a meeting room with a panoramic view of Manhattan.
When he entered the room, he was back to being formal. Dark suit, business posture. But there was something different in his eyes, a kind of hesitation she wasn’t used to seeing. “Sarah, thank you for coming,” he said, closing the door behind him.
“Your assistant said it was important. ”
“It is. ” He sat down across the table, putting a formal distance between them. “I have a proposal for you.
”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Another bet? ”
“Not exactly. ” William laced his fingers together on the table.
“It’s more like a job. ”
“What kind of job? ”
William took a deep breath, as if preparing for something difficult. “My grandmother is very sick.
The doctors say she doesn’t have much time, and she has this obsession. She wants to see me married before she dies. ”
Sarah felt her stomach sink. “William, what are you suggesting?
”
“She’s coming to stay with me for a week. I need someone to pretend to be my fiancée. ”
The silence in the room was deafening. “You want me to pretend to be your fiancée?
” Sarah looked at him like he had lost his mind. “For one week. You’d be well paid, of course. Fifty thousand dollars.
”
Sarah almost choked on her water. “It’s a fair amount for what I’m asking. You’d have to stay at my place, attend a few social events, and convince my grandmother that we’re a happy couple. ”
Sarah stood up suddenly and began pacing the room.
“This is crazy, William. You’re talking about faking an engagement. ”
“I know how it sounds. ”
“It sounds like you’re hiring me to be an actress in your personal life,” she turned to face him.
“That’s exactly what you’re doing, isn’t it? ”
William stood up too, looking frustrated. “Sarah, my grandmother is dying. She raised me after my parents died in an accident.
She’s the only family I have left. If pretending to be engaged for a week can give her peace, I’d do anything. ”
Sarah’s anger softened a little when she heard the pain in his voice. “Why me?
Why not ask Victoria or someone else from your social circle? ”
“Because she wouldn’t approve of them,” William said simply. “My grandmother has an incredible sense for knowing when people are being fake. She’d see right through anyone I brought just for convenience.
”
“And with me, it would be different? ”
“Yes. Because with you, I don’t have to pretend I enjoy your company. ”
Sarah felt her face grow warm.
“William, this is all way too complicated. We barely know each other. ”
“I know, but you’re the only person who can help me with this. ”
Sarah sat back down, trying to process the proposal.
Fifty thousand dollars would solve all her financial problems. She could stop working so many hours, focus on school, take better care of her mother. “Can I ask a few questions? ” she asked finally.
“Of course. ”
“First, does your grandmother know about our unusual situation? ”
“She doesn’t know anything about the bets or the strange dates. As far as she knows, we met and fell in love.
”
“Second, what if she doesn’t believe us? ”
“Then we do our best, and at least she’ll know I tried. ”
“Third, what happens after the week? ”
William hesitated for the first time.
“After the week, we go back to our normal lives. ”
There was something in the way he said that which made Sarah feel he wasn’t being entirely honest. But maybe that was just her imagination. “I need time to think.
”
“How much time? ”
“Until tomorrow. It’s a big decision. ”
That night, Sarah called Helina and told her about the proposal.
Helina was silent for a few seconds before bursting out, “Fifty thousand dollars to pretend to be a fiancée for a week? Sarah, you have to say yes. ”
“It’s not just about the money, Helina. It’s complicated.
What if I start to believe it’s real? What if I actually fall in love? ”
Helina was quiet for a moment. “Oh,” she finally said.
“You’re already falling for him, aren’t you? ”
“No, I’m not. ”
“Sarah, you’re afraid of pretending to be his fiancée because deep down, you’re afraid you won’t want to pretend anymore. ”
Sarah didn’t answer.
Helina had hit the mark. The next morning, Sarah called William. “I’ll do it,” she said. “But on one condition.
”
“What is it? ”
“No pretending between us. If we’re going to convince your grandmother we’re a real couple, we have to actually get to know each other. ”
“Deal,” he said right away.
“When can you start? ”
“This afternoon. ”
Sarah arrived at William’s house with a small suitcase and a growing sense that she’d made a huge mistake. The mansion was even more impressive than she had imagined.
Three floors of understated elegance, perfectly kept gardens, and an entrance that looked like something out of a movie. William met her at the door wearing a light blue shirt and khaki pants. He looked nervous, which was oddly reassuring. “You came,” he said like he still couldn’t believe it.
That evening, they had dinner in the formal dining room. A surreal experience for Sarah, who was used to eating at her kitchen counter. William was thoughtful, asking about her family, her education, her dreams. It felt like a real first date.
No games, no bets. “Can I ask you something personal? ” Sarah said as she cut into the salmon William’s private chef had prepared. “Of course.
”
“Why have you never actually gotten married? I mean, you’re thirty-two, successful, good-looking. ”
William laughed. “You think I’m good-looking?
”
“Don’t change the subject. ”
“All right,” he said seriously. “Honestly, I’ve never met someone who wanted me for who I really am instead of what I represent. The women in my social circle want the CEO, the status, the money.
You were the first person who actively tried to get rid of me. And that was attractive. ”
“Extremely,” he said, looking straight into her eyes. “Because it meant you didn’t want anything from me, and that gave me the freedom to be myself.
”
They were interrupted by the doorbell. A few minutes later, the housekeeper walked into the dining room with a slightly uncomfortable look. “Mr. Scott, Miss Victoria Ashworth is here.
She says it’s important. ”
Victoria entered wearing a black designer dress and a look that was a mix of curiosity and irritation. When she saw Sarah, her lips curved into a smile that was anything but friendly. “William, darling,” she said, kissing his cheek possessively.
“I need to talk to you. It’s about tomorrow. ”
“Tomorrow? ”
“The Whitmore Foundation charity event.
Did you forget you confirmed as my guest? ”
Sarah felt her stomach drop. William looked genuinely surprised. “Victoria, I didn’t confirm anything.
And besides, I can’t go. My grandmother’s arriving. ”
“Your grandmother will understand. This event is important for business.
” Victoria glanced at Sarah like she was an inconvenience. “I’m sure your friend will understand. ”
“Actually,” Sarah said, standing up. “His fiancée won’t understand.
”
Silence fell instantly. Victoria’s eyes widened. Sarah looked at William, who seemed surprised but not unhappy about the announcement. “William and I are engaged,” Sarah said, raising her left hand where she had placed a simple ring she brought from home.
“So I guess you’ll need to find someone else to go with you. ”
Victoria looked from Sarah’s hand to William and back again. “This is ridiculous. William, you can’t be serious.
”
“I’m completely serious,” William said, standing and moving beside Sarah. “Sarah and I are getting married. ”
“When? ” Victoria demanded.
“Because just last week you were single. ”
“Things changed quickly,” Sarah replied before William could speak. “Sometimes when you meet the right person, you just know. ”
Victoria laughed, but it was a cold laugh.
“The right person? Honey, you have no idea what kind of world you’re stepping into. You think you can just show up and fit into his life? Into our world?
”
“Our world? I didn’t realize there were requirements to fall in love with someone. ”
“There are,” Victoria stepped closer, her voice sharper. “There are dinners where you won’t know which fork to use.
Conversations about art, politics, and business you won’t be able to follow. There are expectations for how a CEO’s wife should act. ”
She looked at Sarah with disdain. “You may be a sweet girl and all that, but this isn’t a fairy tale.
This is real life. And in real life, people from different worlds don’t work. ”
Sarah felt like she had just been slapped. All her insecurities rose to the surface.
“Maybe you’re right,” she said quietly. “Maybe I really don’t know what kind of world I’m walking into. ”
“Sarah,” William said, realizing she was closing up. “But you know what I do know?
” Sarah continued, her voice growing stronger. “I know how to make someone smile when they’re having a bad day. I know how to work hard for what I want. And I know how to recognize someone genuine when I see them.
” She turned to Victoria. “And you, Victoria, what do you know how to do besides wear expensive dresses and put other people down to feel important? ”
Victoria was speechless for a few seconds. “You’ve got guts.
I’ll give you that. But guts won’t be enough when reality hits you. ”
She left the room, leaving behind a trail of expensive perfume and tension. Sarah dropped into the chair, feeling like she had just run a marathon.
“I’m sorry. I think I messed everything up. ”
“Are you kidding? ” William sat beside her.
“You were amazing. I’ve never seen anyone stand up to Victoria like that. ”
“She wasn’t completely wrong,” Sarah admitted. “I really don’t know how to use a fish fork or talk about French art.
”
“And I don’t know how to make brigadeiros or chat with kids in the park,” William said. “That doesn’t make either of us any less valuable. ”
Sarah looked at him and saw honesty in his eyes. “Do you think your grandmother will accept me?
”
“I think my grandmother will love you,” he said, taking her hand. “Because you’re real, and because you make me smile. ”
Eleanor Scott arrived on a sunny Saturday morning, driving herself in a black sedan that looked older than Sarah. She stepped out carrying two suitcases and refusing any help.
“Grandma, at least let me carry that,” William said, rushing to meet her. “My arms work just fine. Thank you,” Eleanor replied, though her voice held warmth. “Now, introduce me to this young woman I’ve heard so much about.
”
Sarah stepped down from the porch, wearing a simple navy blue dress and trying to steady her nerves. Eleanor Scott was exactly as she’d imagined: small but commanding, gray hair in a neat bun, and blue eyes that seemed to see straight through people. “Grandma, this is Sarah Martinez,” William said, placing his hand on Sarah’s back. Eleanor studied her for a few seconds before ignoring the handshake and pulling Sarah into a hug.
“None of this Mrs. Scott business. Call me Grandma Eleanor like the rest of the family,” she said, stepping back to get a better look at Sarah. “So, you’re the young woman who managed to tame my impossible grandson?
”
Sarah laughed nervously. “I’m not sure I tamed anyone. I think he might have tamed me. ”
“Oh, she’s clever,” Eleanor said to William.
“I like her already. ”
Over lunch, Eleanor asked about everything: Sarah’s family, her studies, how she met William, and her future plans. Sarah answered as truthfully as she could, leaving out only the details about bets and make-believe. “So, you sell sweets you make yourself?
” Eleanor asked, slicing her grilled salmon. “Yes, I learned from my mom when I was little. It’s a family tradition,” Sarah said. “It’s not very glamorous, but it helps pay for school.
”
“Glamorous? ” Eleanor laughed. “Dear, I grew up on a farm. I used to wake up at five in the morning to milk cows before school.
Honest work is never something to be ashamed of. ”
After lunch, Eleanor suggested a walk in the garden. They sat on a bench near the central fountain. Eleanor closed her eyes and turned her face toward the sun.
“You know, Sarah, I was worried William would end up single and bitter,” she said suddenly. “He’s always been so focused on work, so controlled. But ever since he started talking about you, there’s a lightness in him I haven’t seen in years. ”
Sarah felt her heart speed up.
“He’s a good man,” Sarah said, realizing she meant it. “Sometimes I think he hides behind work because he’s afraid of being let down. ”
“Very insightful,” Eleanor nodded. “And what about you?
What are you afraid of? ”
The question caught Sarah off guard. “I am afraid of not being enough,” she admitted. “Of always reaching for something just out of my grasp.
”
“Ah,” Eleanor said gently, taking Sarah’s hand. “Dear, if William chose you, it’s because you are more than enough. He may be stubborn, but he’s no fool. ”
That afternoon, William suggested they cook dinner together.
Eleanor insisted on helping despite his protests. As they prepared a simple stew, Eleanor’s choice since she said she was tired of chef food, Sarah noticed how much William relaxed in the kitchen. He laughed at Eleanor’s stories about his childhood, made fun of his own limited cooking skills, and seemed genuinely happy. “Sarah,” Eleanor said while seasoning the stew, “Can I ask you a personal question?
”
“Of course. ”
“Do you love my grandson? ”
The question dropped into the kitchen like a bomb. William stopped chopping carrots and looked at Sarah, waiting.
Sarah felt her face grow warm. How could she answer that? Technically, it was all pretend, but the feelings she had developed for William were very real. “I,” she began, then looked at William and decided to be honest.
“Yes, I do. ”
Something changed in William’s expression when she said that. A mix of surprise, relief, and something else she couldn’t quite read. “And you, William?
” Eleanor asked. “Completely,” he said without hesitation, still looking at Sarah. “I’m completely in love with her. ”
After dinner, they sat in the living room.
Eleanor finally said she was tired and stood up. She kissed William on the forehead, then walked over to Sarah. “Thank you for dinner,” she whispered in her ear. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my grandson this happy.
You’re good for him. ”
When Eleanor went upstairs, Sarah and William were left alone in the room. The silence between them was heavy with everything that had been said during dinner. “You lied to her,” William finally said.
Sarah felt her stomach sink. “About what? ”
“When you said you love me. Because if it was a lie, it was the most convincing lie I’ve ever heard,” he said, stepping closer.
“But if it was the truth? ”
Sarah looked at him, her heart pounding. “What if it was the truth? ”
“Then everything changes,” he said, now standing right in front of her.
“Because I wasn’t lying when I said I’m in love with you. ”
This time when he leaned in, Sarah didn’t pull away. The kiss was gentle at first, hesitant, as if they were exploring unknown ground. But when Sarah kissed him back, deepening the moment, William pulled her closer.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathless. “Is this real? ” Sarah whispered. “As real as anything I’ve ever felt,” William said, resting his forehead against hers.
And for the first time since it all began, Sarah wasn’t wearing any kind of mask. Sarah woke up on Sunday with a strange feeling in her chest. She went downstairs to the kitchen and found Eleanor already up, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. “Good morning, dear,” the older woman said.
“Did you sleep well? ”
“Yes, thank you,” Sarah lied, pouring herself some coffee. “Can I ask you something? ” Eleanor said suddenly.
“Of course. ”
“Are you two really engaged, or is this just an act for a sick old lady? ”
Sarah nearly dropped her coffee cup. She looked at Eleanor, who was watching her with those sharp blue eyes.
“I don’t know what you mean. ”
Eleanor chuckled softly. “Dear, I raised William. I know all his expressions, every little gesture.
And you two are trying too hard to look like a settled couple. ”
Sarah felt her face grow warm. “What do you mean? ”
“Couples who’ve been together for months don’t look at each other with that mix of longing and hesitation.
They don’t touch like they’re still discovering how. And they’re definitely not surprised when the other says, ‘I love you. ‘”
Sarah looked down at her cup, unsure what to say. “But you know what?
” Eleanor went on. “I don’t mind. You two may be pretending to be a couple, but the feelings are real. You can’t fake the way you look at each other.
”
Just then, William walked into the kitchen. “Are you two already up to something? ”
“Just talking about women,” Eleanor said innocently. “Sarah, you should tell him about that offer you got.
”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “What offer? ”
“Oh, right,” she improvised. “The offer?
”
William turned, alert. “What offer? ”
Eleanor smiled at Sarah, clearly enjoying herself. “I’ll leave you two to talk.
I’m going to walk in the garden. ”
After she left, William sat beside Sarah. “What offer? ” he repeated.
“Your grandmother was testing our dynamic,” Sarah explained. “She knows, William. She knows we’re not really engaged. ”
William sighed and ran his hands through his hair.
“I figured she’d find out. She’s always been sharp. ”
“So, what now? Will she expose us?
”
“No. If she thought this was completely fake, she would have already confronted me. The fact that she’s joking about it means she sees something real between us. ”
They sat in silence for a moment, sipping their coffee.
“William,” Sarah said finally. “About last night. The kiss. ”
“Yes?
”
“It complicates things. ”
“Why? ”
“Because now I don’t know what’s real and what’s pretend, and that scares me. ”
William turned to face her fully.
“Sarah, I’m going to be completely honest with you. Last night was real. Everything I felt, everything I said, it was real. ”
“But what about later, when your grandmother leaves and we don’t have to pretend anymore?
”
“Who said anything about pretending? ”
Before Sarah could answer, William’s phone rang. He looked at the screen and frowned. “I have to take this.
It’s my lawyer. ”
Fifteen minutes later, William returned looking troubled. “We have a problem,” he said. “What kind of problem?
”
“My family. Not grandma. The others. My uncles, cousins, the company board.
They found out about our engagement. ”
Sarah felt her stomach sink. “How? ”
“Victoria.
She told everyone she knows. And now they want to meet you officially. ”
“What does that mean? ”
William sank into the chair.
“It means they’ll want birth certificates, information about your family, your education, your financial situation. They’re going to look into everything. ”
“And when they find out I’m just a poor girl who sells sweets? ”
“They’ll push me to break off the engagement,” he said quietly.
“They’ll say you’re after my money, that you don’t fit into the family. ”
Sarah stood up abruptly. “So that’s it. The act ends here.
”
“Sarah…”
“No, William. I won’t go through the humiliation of being investigated and judged by people who don’t even know me. And I won’t cause trouble for you with your family or your company. ”
“They don’t matter to me.
”
“But they should,” she interrupted. “This is your life, your family, your business. I’m just a temporary actress in this story. ”
William stood up and gently held her arms.
“You’re not temporary. Not to me. ”
“How can you be sure? We barely even know each other, William.
Strip away all the lies and pretending. What’s left? A few awkward dates and three days of playing a couple. ”
“It’s about this,” he said, pulling her closer.
“It’s about how I feel when I’m with you. How you make me laugh, how you challenge me, how you make me want to be a better man. ”
Sarah felt tears burning in her eyes. “And what if it’s not enough?
What if your family is right and we really are from two different worlds? ”
“Then we’ll build our own world. ”
Before Sarah could respond, Eleanor appeared at the kitchen doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, but I just got an interesting call,” she said with a serious expression.
“It seems your cousin Marcus is coming over this afternoon, William. And he’s bringing a few other family members. They want to meet Sarah officially. ”
William muttered under his breath.
“Grandma, I can explain. ”
“No need to explain anything,” Eleanor said, surprising them. “But the two of you need to decide one thing. Are you going to face this together or let others decide your future for you?
”
Sarah looked between William and Eleanor, feeling the weight of the decision. “How much time do we have? ” she finally asked. “About four hours,” Eleanor replied.
“Then,” Sarah said, taking a deep breath, “we’d better start preparing our story. The real one this time. ”
William smiled for the first time since answering the phone. “Are you sure?
”
“No,” Sarah admitted. “But I’m going to try anyway, because you were right about one thing. What I feel for you is real, and that’s worth fighting for. ”
At two o’clock, three black cars pulled up in front of William’s mansion.
Sarah watched from the bedroom window as sharply dressed men and women stepped out of the vehicles with serious, determined looks. “They look like they’re coming to a funeral,” she muttered. “In a way, they are,” William said, appearing behind her. “They came to bury our relationship.
”
In the living room, five people were waiting. Marcus Scott, William’s cousin and the company’s vice president, was a man in his forties with graying hair and a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Next to him was his wife, Patricia, a thin woman wearing oversized jewelry. There were also two of William’s uncles and an older woman whom Sarah assumed was Aunt Helen.
“William,” Marcus said, standing up. “And this must be the famous Sarah. ”
“Sarah Martinez,” she said, extending her hand. Marcus shook it a little too firmly, clearly trying to intimidate her.
“So, Sarah, tell us about yourself. William has been very private with your personal details. ”
“What would you like to know? ” Sarah asked, sitting beside William on the couch.
“Well, to start, where did you study? ” Patricia asked, pulling a little notebook from her purse. “I’m studying culinary arts at Manhattan Community College,” Sarah answered honestly. “Community college?
” Marcus repeated as if the words left a bad taste. “And your parents? What do they do for a living? ”
“My mother is a widow.
She’s been a seamstress her whole life. My father died when I was sixteen. He was an electrician. ”
The silence in the room was awkward.
Sarah noticed the glances exchanged between family members. “And you work selling sweets on the street? ” asked Aunt Helen, her voice dripping with disdain. “I work three different jobs to pay for school and help my mother.
Selling sweets is just one of them,” Sarah replied, keeping her voice steady. “Three jobs? ” Patricia murmured, making a note. “And when would you have time for the responsibilities of a CEO’s wife?
”
Before Sarah could respond, William stood up. “That’s enough. I won’t let you interrogate Sarah like she’s some kind of criminal. ”
“William, dear, we’re just trying to understand,” Marcus said, feigning innocence.
“After all, this is a very unexpected match. ”
“Unexpected? ” William laughed, but it was a cold laugh. “You know what’s unexpected?
Finding out my family is even more prejudiced than I thought. ”
“We’re not prejudiced,” Patricia protested. “We’re practical. You have responsibilities, a social position to uphold.
You can’t just marry anyone. ”
“Anyone? ” Sarah’s voice rose. “Excuse me, I have a name, and I’m not just anyone.
”
“Of course not, dear,” said Aunt Helen in a condescending tone. “But you must understand our concern. William will inherit the family company. His wife will be held to the same standards.
”
“And what standards are those? ” Eleanor asked suddenly, speaking for the first time since the meeting began. “Because I remember when this family didn’t have two pennies to rub together. ”
“Grandma,” Marcus murmured.
“Don’t grandma me,” Eleanor said as she stood, leaning on her cane. “Have you all forgotten where we came from? Your grandfather was an Irish immigrant who arrived here with nothing. I grew up on a farm, working since I was five.
None of us were born into this luxury. ”
“But that was a long time ago,” Patricia argued. “Things are different now. ”
“Are they really?
” Eleanor looked at Sarah with warmth. “Because when I look at Sarah, I see the same thing I saw in myself at her age. Determination, courage, and the kind of humility that comes from knowing the value of hard work. ”
“With all due respect, Grandma Eleanor,” Marcus said, “times have changed.
The company has responsibilities to shareholders, a public image to maintain. ”
“The company is doing just fine, thank you,” William cut in. “And my personal life is not up for board discussion. ”
“Your personal life affects the company when you’re the CEO,” Marcus shot back.
“Then maybe it’s time I reconsider my role as CEO. ”
The silence that followed was deafening. Sarah looked at William in shock. “William, what are you saying?
” she whispered. “I’m saying that if my family can’t accept the woman I’ve chosen, then maybe I’ve chosen the wrong family. ”
Marcus turned pale. “You can’t be serious.
”
“I’m completely serious,” William said, taking Sarah’s hand. “Sarah makes me happy. She challenges me, makes me laugh, makes me want to be a better man. And if you can’t see that, then the problem is yours.
”
“William,” Sarah said softly. “You don’t have to do this for me. ”
“I’m not doing it for you,” he said, turning to face her. “I’m doing it for us, because I’ve finally found someone who means more to me than any company or family approval.
”
Patricia stood up abruptly. “This is ridiculous. You’re going to throw everything away over a whim? ”
“A whim?
” Sarah stood too, her patience finally gone. “You’ve spent the entire afternoon judging me without even trying to get to know me. You’ve decided I’m not good enough because I work for a living and wasn’t born into wealth. ”
“Sarah…” Marcus tried to cut in.
“No, let me finish,” she said, her voice growing stronger. “You want to know who I am? I’m someone who gets up at five in the morning to work at a bakery before school, who sells sweets on weekends to help pay my mom’s medical bills, who’s worked hard all her life knowing every opportunity had to be earned. ”
She looked each of them in the eye.
“And you know what else? I’m someone who makes William truly smile. Who knows him without the expensive suits and fancy titles? Who loves him for the man he is, not for what he owns.
”
“You love him? ” Eleanor asked, smiling. “With all my heart,” Sarah replied without hesitation, looking at William. “Even when he’s stubborn and controlling and thinks he has to fix everything on his own.
”
William smiled, that real smile that completely changed his face. “And I love you,” he said, “for your courage, your honesty, your strength, for making me feel like I can truly be myself. ”
“That’s very touching,” Marcus said dryly. “But love doesn’t pay the bills or keep a company running.
”
“Doesn’t it? ” Eleanor laughed. “Marcus, you’re a fool. Love is exactly what makes the best companies work.
Passion for what you do, care for the people involved, strong values. ” She stepped closer to William and Sarah. “And if you two really love each other, then I have just one question. ”
“What is it?
” William asked. Eleanor pulled a small velvet box from her purse. “Why haven’t you done this properly yet? ”
William looked at the box, then at Sarah, who looked completely caught off guard.
“Grandma, this was your mother’s ring,” Eleanor said, opening the box to reveal a vintage diamond ring. Simple but elegant. “She told me to give it to you when you found the right person. ”
William took the box with trembling hands and turned to Sarah, who now had tears in her eyes.
“Sarah,” he said, dropping to one knee right there in front of his shocked family. “I know we started this in a strange way. I know we still have a lot to learn about each other, but I also know that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. ” He opened the box.
“Will you marry me for real this time? ”
Sarah looked at him on one knee in front of her, then at Eleanor, who was smiling proudly, then at the rest of the family, still staring in disbelief. “William Scott,” she said, smiling through her tears. “Are you really proposing in front of the people who just spent an hour humiliating me?
”
“I am,” he said, smiling too. “Because I want everyone to know I choose you. I will always choose you. ”
Sarah held out her left hand.
“Then yes. A thousand times yes. ”
William slid the ring onto her finger and stood to kiss her. A deep, passionate kiss that made Eleanor clap and left the rest of the family even more stunned.
When they pulled apart, Sarah looked at the ring on her finger. It was perfect. Not flashy, but meaningful. “Well,” Marcus finally said, his voice stiff.
“That was unexpected. ”
“William’s whole life has been unexpected,” Eleanor said cheerfully. “And look how well he’s done. ”
Patricia closed her little notebook.
“I suppose if this is truly what you want, William…”
“It is,” he said firmly, wrapping his arm around Sarah’s waist. After the family left, promising to consider everything that was said, Sarah, William, and Eleanor sat in the living room, still taking it all in. “So,” Eleanor said, “when’s the wedding? ”
William and Sarah looked at each other.
“Well,” Sarah said, “since we just got really engaged ten minutes ago, maybe we should think about it. ”
“How about next weekend? ” William suggested. “Next weekend?
”
“Why wait? ” he took her hand. “We already know we love each other. We already know we want to be together.
So why wait? ”
One week later, on a Saturday afternoon, the garden behind William’s mansion had been transformed into a dream setting. Sarah looked out the bedroom window, wearing the wedding dress Eleanor had worn fifty years earlier, a vintage gown made of delicate lace with three-quarter sleeves and a subtle train. Helina had made small alterations to make it fit perfectly.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” said Diane Martinez, her mother, adjusting the simple veil in Sarah’s hair. William was waiting at the altar, standing next to the officiant. He wore a navy blue tuxedo and couldn’t stop smiling. When the music began, he looked toward the house and his whole face lit up.
As she walked down the petal-covered aisle Eleanor had arranged, Sarah felt like she was floating. Every eye was on her, but the only gaze that mattered was William’s. He looked at her like she was the most precious thing in the world, and Sarah felt tears of joy fill her eyes. Halfway down the aisle, her mother whispered, “Your father would be so proud.
”
When they reached the altar, Diane kissed Sarah’s forehead and placed her hand in William’s. “Take good care of her,” she said softly. “With my life,” William replied, kissing Diane’s hand. When it was time for the vows, William pulled a piece of paper from his pocket.
“Sarah,” he began, his voice slightly unsteady. “I wrote and rewrote these vows twenty times, trying to find the perfect words, but the truth is there are no perfect words to describe what you mean to me. ” He looked straight into her eyes. “You’ve taught me that being vulnerable isn’t weakness.
It’s courage. That laughing at yourself is freeing. That real love isn’t about being perfect, but about accepting and celebrating each other’s imperfections. ”
When it was Sarah’s turn, she didn’t need a piece of paper.
The words came straight from her heart. “William, when we met, I was trying to be anyone but myself. And you were the first person who made me want to take off all the masks. ” She held his hands tightly.
“You taught me I can be strong and vulnerable at the same time. That I can dream big without losing my values. That I can trust someone without losing my independence. ”
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss the bride. ”
The kiss was long, full of passion and silent promises. The guests broke into applause and joyful cheers, but Sarah and William barely noticed. They were lost in their own world.
When they finally pulled apart, William whispered in her ear, “Hello, Mrs. Scott. ”
“Hello, husband,” she whispered back, laughing. The reception was small but perfect.
Eleanor and Diane hit it off right away, sharing family recipes and telling embarrassing childhood stories about Sarah and William. Helina gave a hilarious speech about how she was sure Sarah would drive William crazy within six months. Even Marcus gave a respectful toast, admitting he might have judged Sarah too quickly. By the time the night ended and the last guests had left, Sarah and William sat together on the garden swing, still in their wedding clothes, looking up at the stars.
“So,” William said, playing with the ring on her finger. “How does it feel to be a married woman? ”
“Scary,” she admitted. “Happy, hopeful, and still a little confused about how we got here.
”
“Me too,” he laughed. “But I don’t regret a thing. ”
“Neither do I,” Sarah said, leaning against him. Months later, Sarah graduated with honors and opened her own bakery, Sarah’s Sweets, in a charming spot in Greenwich Village.
The business took off quickly, drawing loyal customers not just for the delicious treats but for the warm energy Sarah put into everything she did. William found a better balance between work and life, especially after Sarah convinced him to bring on a partner to share the company responsibilities. They traveled together, cooked together, and William even learned to make a decent brigadeiro. One spring morning, Sarah was in the bakery’s back room staring at a positive pregnancy test with her heart racing.
She and William had talked about having kids, but always as something for the future. Apparently, the future had arrived. That afternoon, she closed the bakery early and spent hours planning how to tell William. When he came home, he found the dining room lit with candles and a beautiful dinner waiting.
“What’s the occasion? ” he asked, kissing her. “I just wanted to do something special for my husband,” Sarah replied, trying to hide her nerves. During dinner, she was visibly anxious, and William noticed.
“Are you okay? You seem nervous. ”
“I am,” she admitted. “Because I have something to tell you.
”
She got up and went to the kitchen, returning with a small box wrapped in blue paper. “A gift? ” William asked, curious. “Open it.
”
Inside was a tiny blue baby shoe and a note that read: “Daddy, I can’t wait to meet you. Love, baby Scott. ”
William looked at the shoe, then the note, then at Sarah, who was smiling with tears in her eyes. “Sarah, are you pregnant?
”
She nodded. “It’s a boy. I’m eight weeks along. ”
William’s face went through a whole range of expressions: shock, joy, amazement, love, before he stood up and pulled her into a tight hug.
“We’re really having a baby? ”
She confirmed, laughing and crying at the same time. William kissed her deeply, then knelt down and kissed her still-flat belly. “Hi there, little one,” he whispered.
“It’s daddy. I can’t wait for you to show up. ”
Sarah ran her fingers through his hair, feeling a wave of love so strong it almost knocked her off her feet. “Are you happy?
” she asked. William stood and looked at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. “Happy, Sarah? I’m over the moon.
Scared, but over the moon. ”
“I’m scared, too,” she admitted. “But I know we’re going to be good parents. ”
“The best,” he agreed, placing his hand gently on her belly.
“And if this baby is even half as special as their mom, we’re the luckiest people in the world. ”
That night, lying in bed and making plans for the future, Sarah thought about how much her life had changed since that first crazy meeting. She’d started out trying to get rid of a man and ended up finding her soulmate.
