Samuel Lucas, with his striking looks, sharp intellect, and wealthy family background, was often the object of admiration and envy.
During his college days, he received countless gifts and love confessions from girls, earning him the title of campus heartthrob.
Despite all this, Samuel preferred a peaceful school life and was indifferent to the attention.
Love was a concept he couldn't grasp; every time someone professed their feelings to him, he felt nothing. He had never experienced what they called love.
As much as he tried to avoid the spotlight, it seemed his very existence attracted it. To protect himself from unwanted attention, he exuded an intimidating and aloof vibe that kept most people at a distance.
So, when he heard Zinnia speaking as if she was about to turn him down without even bothering to look at him, Samuel was intrigued. It was unusual for someone to be so disinterested in him, and that piqued his curiosity.
But when she finally looked up and their eyes met, Samuel felt a wave of disappointment. Her expression was one of awe, and it seemed as though she was reconsidering her decision to turn him down.
"So, she's like everyone else," he thought, feeling a twinge of irritation.
Yet, there was something different about the way she looked at him. Her gaze wasn't filled with the usual admiration or envy he was accustomed to. Instead, he saw a mix of sadness, longing, and loneliness in her eyes. He couldn't quite understand it, but one thing was certain—her gaze didn't irritate him.
Samuel was used to the calculating and envious stares from others, but Zinnia's eyes held none of that. Instead, her gaze made him feel warm and at peace, as if her presence was somehow disarming his usual defenses. It was a feeling he wasn't familiar with, something he couldn't fully grasp.
He made a decision then and there. "I'll eventually be forced to marry someone. It might as well be her," he thought, convincing himself that it was a logical choice.
Without hesitation, Samuel proposed, "It's good that you're straightforward. As you said, let's be honest. I'm fine with being in a relationship with you. After all, even if it weren't you, my parents would still set up countless blind dates until I agreed to marry."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Samuel felt his heart skip a beat. "Wait! Am I really considering a relationship? Especially marriage? What am I saying?" he thought, stunned by his own words.
His surprise deepened when he saw tears welling up in Zinnia's eyes. She was trying to hold them back, and it was a stark contrast to the smile he had seen in the picture that had initially drawn him to her. Seeing her on the verge of tears tugged at something deep within him, stirring emotions he wasn't used to feeling.
'Why are you about to cry? What's wrong?' Samuel wanted to ask but chose not to.
Before he could process his thoughts further, he heard her say, "I agree."
Her words were simple, but the shift in her expression was profound. The tears that had threatened to fall were replaced by a look of determination and hope, as if she was now looking forward to whatever lay ahead.
Samuel found himself even more curious about her, convinced that his decision to keep her as his wife was the right one. After all, this blind date had been set up with marriage in mind.
"Then it's settled. Don't go back on your word. I'll tell my parents about our marriage when I return home," he told her, and she nodded in agreement.
As they began eating, Samuel couldn't help but notice her occasional glances in his direction. Every time he looked up to meet her gaze, she would quickly look away. He found himself smirking at her shyness, amused by her behavior. He pretended to wipe his mouth with a tissue, but in reality, he was hiding the smile that was forming on his lips.
"How can she be so cute?" he wondered, surprised by the warmth he felt toward her.
For the first time, Samuel enjoyed the feeling of sharing a meal with someone. In his home, he was always alone at the dining table, and with his friends, he never felt completely at ease. But with Zinnia, he felt good, relaxed, and at peace.
He wanted the moment to last, but when his phone beeped with a message, reality intruded on his thoughts.
"Oh, my life's reality is calling out to me," he thought with a sigh.
He bid Zinnia goodbye, and as they shook hands, he was struck by how soft and delicate her hand felt in his. It was warm, a stark contrast to his own cold hand, and for a moment, he didn't want to let go. But he knew he had to.
"I'll call you to discuss the details of the marriage," he said, reminding her of their agreement.
Zinnia seemed surprised again, but this time, Samuel found it amusing. As he walked out of the restaurant, he chuckled to himself, thinking about how awestruck she had been.
Deciding it was time to inform his father, Samuel headed home with a sense of purpose. He knew his father would be pleased with the news.
As he walked through the hallway, his eyes fell on the family photos displayed on the walls. They were all happy moments of his parents, their faces full of joy.
Images of Zinnia looking at him and smiling flashed in his mind, and for the first time, Samuel felt a glimmer of hope. He had long accepted that he wouldn't experience the kind of happiness his parents had, but now, he started to believe that maybe he could.
"Maybe I can be happy too," he mumbled to himself, a small smile appearing on his lips.
"Yeah, we can be like them too," he thought, as his mind filled with thoughts of Zinnia. She was so beautiful, her voice so soothing and pleasant. He felt good around her, calm and relaxed.
"I've found myself a good wife," he concluded, satisfied with his decision.
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Samuel made his way to his father's study to inform him of his plans. He told him about his intention to get engaged and marry Zinnia Lopez, confident that his father would approve.
Afterward, Samuel hurried to his room, excitement bubbling up inside him. He quickly dialed Zinnia's number, which he had saved after seeing it on the back of her picture. His heart pounded in his chest as he waited for her to answer.
When he finally heard her say "hello," he immediately responded, "Zinnia, this is Samuel Lucas."
He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing, "I know this wasn't how either of us planned our lives, but I promise I'll do my best to make this work, Zinnia. My parents had an arranged marriage, and they turned out happy. Maybe we can too."
As he spoke, Samuel realized just how much he meant those words. For the first time, the idea of marriage didn't seem like a burden. Instead, it felt like a possibility—a chance for happiness. And with Zinnia, he felt that maybe, just maybe, it could work out.