Married At First Glance: I Am Not Ugly

As they got out of the hotel to get to the same restaurant they had dinner with those potential clients, they hailed a cab and entered.

On their way, there was silence between the two of them as no one knew what to say.

Marissa was deep in thought as she thought about the whole idea of fake marriage and how complicated it’s getting too since she realized that she was beginning to develop feelings for Alexander.

She spoke to herself to snap out of it for Alexander was never gonna fall in love with a pauper like her and leave Jessie who is rich, successful and beautiful. She was the perfect lady for Alexander and she was….

She looked at herself and sighed.

“There’s no way Alexander can fall in love with me.” she told herself.

Marissa’s thoughts continued as they rode in the taxi towards the restaurant.

“It’s just the contract, Marissa. Remember why you started this in the first place.”

She sighed and leaned against the window, stealing glances at Alexander, who seemed lost in thought himself.

“He’s probably not thinking about me at all. I should focus on our mission.”

As they arrived at the restaurant and got out of the cab, Marissa hoped that her feelings would not complicate their already complex situation. She was determined to keep things professional, reminding herself that this was all part of the plan to help her brother.

But deep down, she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for her and Alexander beyond this fake marriage.

Meanwhile, Alexander was also conflicted as he thought about Marissa and his growing feelings for her.

He realized that part of him wants to be with her and the other part is fighting against his feelings as he knows it would affect his relationship with Jessie.

“What am I gonna do about Jessie and Marissa? I think I’m beginning to develop feelings for Marissa and I don’t want to hurt Jessie. What should I do?” he asked himself as they rode to the restaurant.

He stole glances at Marissa who as well was deep in thought.

“She obviously doesn’t like me, because she says i’m arrogant, self seeking and a jerk.

There’s no way she would be in love with someone like me.”

As they headed to the restaurant, Alexander’s thoughts were like a rollercoaster ride he couldn’t control. He couldn’t help but wonder about the complex web of emotions that had entangled him.

“Feelings for Marissa? What’s happening to me? I used to be Mr. Ice, and now I’m all mixed up. I’m not a love guru, but am I… in love?

Wait, no, I can’t be. I have Jessie. And she’s practically perfect in every way. But there’s something about Marissa… her smile, the way she talks. Nah, this is ridiculous.”

He attempted to shake off these unsettling feelings and decided to lighten the mood with humor.

“Maybe it’s just indigestion from all that Swiss food. Or perhaps I’m coming down with a rare Swiss ailment – The Marissa Fever.’ Yes, that’s it! A fever that makes you want to stroll around the city with your business partner and share deep conversations about life and Swiss cheese.”

Despite his humorous attempts to mask his inner turmoil, there was no denying that his heart was a battleground of emotions.

“But what if it’s more than indigestion or ‘The Marissa Fever’?

What if it’s… oh no, I can’t even say it! Love?

Impossible!

I need to snap out of it. Tonight, it’s back to business. We have a contract to secure, and I can’t let my feelings get in the way.”

Alexander stepped out of the cab with Marissa and entered the restaurant with a smile on his face, he wasn’t ready to show his emotions and make it obvious to her or anyone that he was developing feelings for Marissa.

At the restaurant, Marissa and Alexander greeted the clients who seemed eager to sign the contract. Marissa was impressed by Alexander’s professionalism.

“We’re excited to move forward. Can you address our concerns about the contract?” Sarah asked, looking at Alexander to get an answer.

“Of course, we’ve prepared for this. Let’s go through your questions.” Alexander said.

Sarah, one of the clients, leaned forward, her brows furrowed with concern.

“We want to ensure that the terms of the contract are clear and fair to both parties. How will disputes be resolved?”

“Great question. We’ve included a dispute resolution clause in the contract that outlines a mediation process. Uh…This ensures both parties have a say in resolving any issues before legal action is considered. We aim for fairness and open communication.”

Tom chimed in.

“What about confidentiality? Our business data is sensitive.”

“Absolutely, Tom. We’ve incorporated stringent confidentiality clauses to protect your data. Unauthorized sharing of sensitive information will have legal consequences.”

Marissa was pleased with how confidently Alexander addressed the concerns.

“What’s the timeline for this project? We need to have clear deadlines.” another client asked, curious.

“We’ve established a detailed project schedule in the contract, including milestones and delivery dates. We understand the importance of timeliness in your industry.”

As they discussed each concern, Marissa couldn’t help but admire Alexander’s professionalism and their thorough preparation. It was evident that their hard work had paid off, and the clients seemed satisfied with the answers.

The meeting continued with a review of the contract terms and a discussion of future plans.

Marissa observed Alexander, proud of how far he had come since the beginning of their fake marriage.

They expertly addressed the clients’ concerns, showcasing their expertise.

“We’re satisfied with the terms. We’re ready to sign.” Sarah said, bringing her pen out of her purse.

Alexander sighed and a look of relief on his face. He was worried at first that they might have had a change of heart about signing the contract.

Marissa couldn’t help but admire Alexander’s transformation from an arrogant man to a capable partner.

“He’s changed for the better.” she told herself, smiling at Alexander who was signing the contract with the client.

Alexander exchanged a meaningful glance with her.

With the contract secured, they raised their glasses for a toast.

“To a successful partnership!”

The atmosphere lightened, and they discussed project plans.

Marissa smiled, proud of their achievement.

The evening continued with laughter and fun, and Marissa and Alexander celebrated their successful teamwork in securing the contract. Just then an unexpected visitor walked to their table to greet them….