Arranged marriage : Married to an unknown man

Xavier Knight

The moment I saw her bright smile, I knew the Date was successful. The moment she hugged me after looking at where I brought her, I knew I had won a huge part of her heart. I knew she would definitely like this place. I grinned in triumph and looked at her.

“Would you like to dine here?” I asked her although I knew she would love to.

“Yes.” She exclaimed excitedly. I looked where I asked her to look.

Welcome to the world of Thai cuisine…

Yes, I brought her to a Thai restaurant. I had been thinking hard to plan a date for her. I didn’t want a simple dinner, I wanted to plan something unique and best for her and when I got to know that one of my business associates had recently opened a Thai restaurant, I immediately planned this Date night for her. I knew she’d love to visit this place but I had no idea she’d be this happy.

“Come,” I rested my hand on her back and walked towards the glass door. When we entered, we were welcomed by the manager, William Stones, with whom I had personally met to plan everything.

“Welcome, Mr. Knight, Welcome, Ma’am.”

“Is everything ready?” I asked him.

“Yes, Mr. Knight, please this way.” William gestured towards upstairs. He took us to the private room I had booked for dinner. Obviously, I didn’t want any disturbance while dining with her. I wanted her complete attention.

We entered the room which was a mini representation of Thai culture. Lamps were hung up the ceiling, some small bamboo plants were placed in glass vases, the walls were masterpieces of wooden artwork. A table was set in the middle of the room with two upholstered chairs. The lights were set to dim making it a perfect place for a romantic dinner.

“It’s beautiful.” I heard Ariana whisper and looked at her to see her eyes twinkling with admiration.

“I’m glad you like the place,” I whispered back.

“Sir, ma’am, please have a seat,” William said gesturing towards the seat.

I first pulled the chair for Ariana and let her sit then I sat on the opposite side of the table.

“This is Rosy, she’ll be at your service,” William said pointing at the girl who came forward and stood near the table.

“This is the buzzer, you can press it if you need any service,” William said pointing at the tiny buzzer placed on the table.

“Enjoy your meal.” Saying that William left the room.

“Let’s see what to order,” I said picking up the menu card but before I could read, it was snatched from my hand. I glanced up to see Ariana holding the card in her hand and was having the biggest smile on her face.

“Let me suggest what to eat, I’m aware of Thai cuisine and I know what’s best to order…” Her chirping stopped when she saw me staring at her.

“I…I’m sorry.. I got carried away. Here take a look and order.” She said placing the card in front of me. She looked guilty of what she was doing.

Staring at her, I picked the card and passed it to her again.

“Order for me too. I haven’t had Thai food before. So, I’ll eat whatever you’ll suggest.” I smiled.

“You sure?” She asked hesitantly.

“100%” I assured her. Her eyes lit up again and she happily picked up the menu card again.

“I’ll tell you what the dishes are and then you decide what to eat.. okay. So the first dish is Rat na. It is basically Wide rice noodles served with meat like chicken, beef, pork, or any other seafood topped with sweet soy sauce…” She enthusiastically started describing the dishes to me. She seemed happy doing so.

I knew I was the one who brought her on a date and I should be the one ordering but looking at her wide smile and enthusiasm I let her decide for us. For a man, a date is meant to make his woman satisfied and happy. And I knew I succeeded in gaining her satisfaction the moment she saw where I had brought her. Seeing her twinkling eyes and bright face I concluded that the Date night I had planned was a complete success.

Ignoring her cute babbling about the dishes, I took that chance to admire her. When I chose that dress for her I didn’t know she would look hot in this simple dress. While choosing the dress, only one thing was in my mind, her comfort. I was aware of her discomfort in wearing dresses that show her skin. It’s not the I wanted her to show her body to the world. No, Her body is for my eyes only. I just wanted to make her feel confident about her body that’s why I intentionally chose a dress that had small silt on the side.

For me, she’s the epitome of class and elegance, she can don any look with perfection. My breath was caught in my throat when I saw her standing in front of me, wearing that dress. Her leg which was coming out of the slit made my body stir in anticipation. My eyes lingered on her perfectly shaped leg and. If only the skin of her leg has the power to make my body stir in anticipation then what effect she’ll have on me when she’d lay underneath me?

In the car, I was dying to rest my hand on her knee, I wanted to touch her leg and feel her skin. But I resisted myself from doing so. I clutched the steering wheel tightly so that I don’t lose control, I even tried my best not to look at her, or I would have stopped the car in the middle of the road and kissed the hell out of her.

I was taking baby steps. First, I’d make her fully comfortable with me then only I’d proceed further. I was actually surprised that she wore the dress, I was thinking that she’d come to me saying that she can’t wear the dress because of the slit. But what can I say, she’s full of surprises. Since the day she came into my life, she had been giving me surprises in one way or the other.

“So, what would you like to eat?” Her chirping voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I cleared my throat and looked at her face.

“What were you saying?” I asked sheepishly. I didn’t hear a single word because I was busy admiring her body.

“You didn’t listen to the single word I said. Right?” She asked in disbelief.

“What were you thinking? I was explaining the dishes so that you can order them. But you didn’t pay attention to me.” She frowned.

“Ariana, I told you I’ll eat whatever you’ll suggest,” I said.

“But at least you should tell your preference.” She said to me, her eyes were searching mine.

“This night is all about you, My preference is not required here. So, if you have decided… should I call for service?” I asked her. She nodded her head then I pressed the buzzer. The waitress came with the tab to note our orders. I gestured for Ariana to order. She was hesitant at first but when I gave her assuring smile and she placed the order. The waitress noted our orders and left the room.

After the waitress left, the room fell in silence. Ariana started looking around, admiring the decoration. I decided to break the silence.

“How do you know this much about Thai cuisine?” I asked, grabbing her attention.

“Oh that, well.. when I was little, my father used to cook for me. He was a great cook. From time to time he used to cook Thai food for me and always used to talk about Thailand and its culture. He wanted me to adapt to both American and Thai culture. He even made a recipe book for me so that whenever I want I can cook Thai food.” She let out a small chuckle at the last part but her face and eyes manifested sadness. I cursed myself for starting the topic that had a soft spot in her heart. I knew it was not the right place to talk about these things but I wanted her to open up to me because I wanted to know what was inside her heart that she had been hiding.

“Have you ever been to Thailand or any other Asian country?” I asked.

“Umm.. no, I have never been to Thailand or any other country, though I want to explore different places. I have only been to… Chicago that too for studies. I…never explored that place.” She said last part hesitantly looking everywhere but me. I wondered why she sounded hesitant talking about Chicago. I let it slide for the moment, she was gradually opening up to me. I wouldn’t force her to talk against her will, at least for now. It’d be good if she tells everything by herself.

I felt as if she was hesitant, she was silent and wasn’t trying to make a conversation. I didn’t want that, I wanted her to talk to me. I wanted her to know that I was there to listen to her.

“Ariana, don’t sit silent. Say something.” I said politely.

“I don’t…know.. what to say.” She replied. I silently sighed and started thinking about the way to make her speak.

“Okay, Let’s do this. Let’s ask questions to each other, not about likes or dislikes, not even personal questions but random questions which can be funny or deep, whatever you feel like asking. Okay?” I asked her. I was literally dying to have a talk with her. Through this questioning game, I’ll know her more and it won’t be boring.

“Umm…okay, you ask first.” She said.

“Okay umm….. Who’s the most famous person you have ever met?” I asked randomly. To my surprise, she started laughing. Did I ask a funny question? But whatever it was, at least I heard her laugh. I like the way her cheeks lift when she laughs making her eyes squint in the process. She looked so carefree, her laughter is so precious to me because she barely laughs like this. Her hearty laugh portraits her jolly nature.

“I’m so sorry… it’s just that.. the most famous person I have ever met is sitting in front of me. Apart from you, only Sean and Daniel.” She said while stifling her laugh. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, she again started laughing and this time I joined her.

“Okay now, your turn.”

Plopping her arms on the table, she leaned forward and asked. “Okay, so… What’s the biggest goal in your life right now?”

“To make you mine in every sense,” I said without thinking twice. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink and she sat straight, avoiding my eyes.

The waitress chose the moment to enter the room with a trolley of food. She placed the food on the table and left. We both started eating our food. The food was really delicious. I had never tasted Thai food before but it’s always good to explore something new. We both continued asking random questions to each other while eating. After we finished with the dinner the waitress cleared our table and left the dessert menu card on the table.

“How do you like the food?” She asked excitedly.

“I should be the one asking you that. I brought you to this place. But knowing that you’re over-excited to ask about my experience of having different cuisine so yes, I like the food and it was really delicious.” I responded.

“Dessert?” I asked.

“Umm… I’m not a fan of sweet,” She said, propping her elbows on the table.

“But I want ice cream,” She mumbled.

“Okay, then I’ll order ice cream.” I was about to press the buzzer when she stopped me by placing her hand on mine.

“No, not here. I want to have ice cream from a roadside truck.” She said hastily.

“Umm.. only if it’s okay with you.” She added quickly, pulling her hand away but I stopped her action by grabbing her hand.

“Whatever you like!” I smiled at her and she responded with a shy smile.

I pressed the buzzer to ask for the bill. Ariana praised and thanked the waitress for the service and the food. After I paid the bill we left the place to have ice cream from a roadside truck. Finn’s car was following us. I pulled the car on the side when I saw the ice cream truck. I stopped my car at a notable distance from the truck.

“You stay here, I’ll bring ice cream for you,” I said. There was a long line near the ice cream truck, I didn’t want her to stand in line.

“I don’t want to sit in the car. Can I stand outside? I promise I won’t go anywhere I’ll stand by that railing.” She pleaded, pointing outside. I wanted to argue but her pleading eyes made me not to.

“Okay.” I huffed.

“Thank you, thank you.” She took me off guard by hugging me excitedly.

I made her stand near the fence on the roadside. I was thankful that the area was deserted by people. I signaled Finn to guard her. I would have asked Finn to bring ice cream but I wanted to do it for her. I wanted to enjoy and experience every little thing with her and for her.

“What flavor would you like?” I asked her.

“Vanilla with sprinkles.” She exclaimed. Nodding my head, I made my way towards the truck, one other bodyguard was following me. I hid my face with a handkerchief so that no one could recognize me. I bought the same flavors for her and me and headed back to her.

“Eating ice cream in cold weather is the best thing.” She muttered while licking her ice cream.

“Yeah and catch a cold after that,” I said sarcastically, licking my ice cream.

“Then why are you eating ice cream. Don’t eat, you’ll catch a cold.” She snatched ice cream from my hand.

“I was talking about you. I’m a strong man, I won’t catch a cold. Now give back my ice cream.” I tried to snatch it from her hand but she hid it behind her back.

“Strong man? You were the one who caught a fever and cold just by getting wet in rain. Remember?” She mocked. Did She seriously mock me?

“That was rain and it’s just small ice cream.” I again tried to grab the cone from behind her back but she raised her hand in the air.

“Nope, you’re not getting it. You made a joke about it, now pay for it.” She giggled, licking her own ice cream, and started walking away.

“Ariana, I’m warning you last time.”

“Whatever, you’re not getting it.” She exclaimed, looking over her shoulder.

“Okay then.. you asked for it.” Saying that I ran towards her which made her squeak, and she started running but I caught her in two long strides. I hoisted her up circling her waist and started twirling her around which made her laugh loudly.

“Xavier stop, Ice cream will drop from my hand.” She said, laughing hard. Her laughter sounded so carefree. I was enjoying the moment. I stopped twirling and placed her back on the ground.

“Now give it back to me,” I said. She again denied but this time I tickled her which made her give my ice cream back to me. I smirked in victory to which she stuck out her tongue at me. I laughed at her childishness.

“Let’s have a stroll,” Ariana said after finishing her ice cream.

“No, Ari.. there are many people around here, what if anyone recognizes us and …” I abruptly stopped talking when I glanced at her. She was looking at me with the cutest pout forming on her lips. Fuck!! So Damn Cute.

Can I compliment her pouting face by calling her a cute piglet? No Xavier are you fucking crazy? Innocent or not if I dare compare her with even a baby pig she’ll scratch my face with her claws.

Well.. I won’t mind if she scratches my back in pleasure.

But It’s official now, she’s the cutest woman on the planet.

And I’m glad that this cutest woman is mine. This cute piglet is mine. Piglet…It’ll be my secret endearment for her.

“We’ll stroll, only when you’ll kiss me,” I said playfully.

“That’s not fair.” She frowned.

“Either kiss me or…” I didn’t even complete my sentence when she kissed me on my cheek. When will she learn that kiss me means kiss on lips? I couldn’t even argue with her because she’d say -you didn’t mention anything-. I sighed. I had to wait a little longer, she still had to learn many things.

I sighed and ignoring the desire that developed in my body because of her simple kiss, I pulled her closer to me by wrapping my arm around her shoulder. We then walked on a pathway like that. I knew guards were following us from the distance.

“What’s your biggest addiction?” She asked out of nowhere. I first frowned and soon I realized it, she was continuing the questioning game. I smiled and looked at her adoringly. I felt contended that she’s feeling comfortable around me. Just a few hours ago she wasn’t even trying to make conversation and now she was opening up, just the way I wanted her to be.

“My work.” (And you) I said the last part in my head.

“My turn. So tell me, What’s one thing that you’re proud of right now?” I asked. She stopped walking, making me stop too, and glanced at me.

“You.” She whispered.

“Me? Why? What did I do?” I frowned.

“Yes, you. The way you work with determination because of which your business is booming, making you the most inspirational man for budding businessmen and even women. And the way you care for every employee and boost their self-esteem by praising their work. The way you care and always spare time for your family and friends. All these things make me proud of you. You’ve conquered the world but still, you are so down to earth. You inspire me, Xavier.” She said with pride lingering in her eyes.

I embraced her in my arms and kissed the side of her head. She took my heart away with her revelation about me. Listening to her, for the first time I felt like I had achieved something more remarkable than money and fame in my life.

“What’s one thing that made you smile today? And why did it made you smile?” She asked as we resumed walking.

“You. You made me smile today. The thought of going out with you on a date was enough for me to smile.” I said truthfully. She didn’t look at me, I knew she was blushing.

“For you, what is the meaning of life?” I asked.

“Living with happiness. That’s what I think life is all about. I know money plays an important role, but still, many have money but lack happiness. For them, luxury is everything and that too is less for them, they only live for money, not caring about their families. And many are there who don’t have money but still are happy. They find happiness in small things, like in their partner’s smile, children’s giggles, parents’ well-being. These people live for their loved ones and not for money.” She said, looking ahead of her, but my eyes were on her. I was admiring her opinion about life.

“In one word, What do you live for?” This question slipped off my tongue involuntarily.

“Hope”

Hope.. This one word has the deepest meaning.

Her opinion about life was so deep. I never thought about life that deeply. I was always carefree and used to think- if I have earned money I have earned everything in my life including happiness-. It doesn’t mean I became conceited or arrogant and didn’t value the money or feelings of people. But her opinion about living life is completely different. For her, money is a mere source to stay alive and she doesn’t put happiness and money in one frame.

This woman in my arms is full of surprises, she’s selfless, caring and so down to earth. I feel lucky to have her in my life. She’s not aware of it but her simple theory about life gave me an important life lesson that I’m not gonna forget in my life. She inspires me to be better.

It’s only Ariana, my Ari…my wife.

I’m attracted towards her like a magnet, I admire her, she inspires me and I’m so proud of her.

I couldn’t let this wonderful woman slip away from me. And now, I no longer hide my feelings from her. It’s the right time for her to know that I liked her. I couldn’t keep her in dark anymore.

But I was scared, what if she didn’t have feelings for me as I had for her? After all, I had been a total jerk to her and I had hurt her with my words many times. Even on the wedding day, I accused her of things she’s not. I even asked her to stay away from me. And here I was now, who couldn’t think of being away from her.

But I had to take a step, I had to tell her. Whether she rejects me or tries to run away from me, whether she reciprocate the same feelings or not, I would confess my feelings to her tonight.

I was ready for the consequences, If she rejects me, I’d do anything to make her accept me. Because I was not going to leave her at any cost. I was not letting her go away from me.