Ethan D'Angelo's life had officially spiraled into a series of events he could never have predicted. After months of disastrous blind dates—each one more absurd than the last—his parents finally found the perfect match for him.
Her name was Isabella Collins, a poised, composed woman with impeccable posture and a business mind so sharp it could cut glass. She was everything his parents had dreamed of for their only son—polished, elegant, and, most importantly, a match made in business heaven.
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The Perfect Match?
Isabella walked into Ethan's life like a pristine, perfectly tailored suit. She was too composed—like someone who had spent an inordinate amount of time perfecting the art of grace. She didn't laugh too loudly, smile too brightly, or show any signs of genuine excitement—except for when they discussed business.
"We both agree on the same market trends," she'd said with a serene smile after their first dinner meeting. "And I'm also looking into expanding into international markets. We'd make a great team."
Ethan blinked. Was this what he had been waiting for? A woman who could discuss mergers, acquisitions, and stock portfolios with the same intensity he reserved for his morning coffee?
"Wow, that's... impressive," he said, genuinely stunned by her business savvy.
She smiled politely, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. It was more like an automated response. The perfect match, the perfect match, Ethan kept repeating to himself as if trying to convince his brain this was the best choice.
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Two Months Later…
After a whirlwind courtship—if you could call it that—Ethan's parents decided it was time to seal the deal.
"You know, darling, we think it's about time you make your life official," Martha D'Angelo cooed, stroking his arm as she perched beside him on the couch. "Isabella is perfect. She's poised, well-mannered, and, of course, she's a woman of substance. We simply couldn't have asked for a better match."
Ethan nodded absently, already thinking about his next business deal. "Yeah, Mom. Sure. Let's move forward."
Martha beamed. "That's the spirit! We'll set up the engagement ceremony next week. It'll be perfect."
Perfect. Everything was perfect.
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The Engagement Party
Fast forward to the day of the engagement. Ethan stood in front of a mirror in his penthouse, adjusting his tuxedo, the sleek black fabric hugging his muscular frame. He was, without a doubt, stinking rich, and the luxury of it all felt as suffocating as the pressure to pretend that this engagement was what he really wanted.
The ballroom was pristine. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling like diamonds, and the guest list was full of the city's elite—everyone from CEOs to the real socialites, the ones who didn't even bother with Instagram.
And then… Sophie walked in.
Ethan's jaw dropped.
She looked like she'd just stepped out of a dream—or rather, a very chaotic, whirlwind dream. Sophie was there, wearing a bold, slightly offbeat red dress that screamed "I'm here to break all the rules!" Her hair was a little messier than he remembered, but somehow it was exactly the kind of mess that made her even more irresistible.
"What the hell is she doing here?" Ethan muttered under his breath, his hand instinctively tightening around his champagne flute.
"Oh, don't be such a grump," Zoe whispered, appearing by his side like a hawk ready to pounce. "It's not every day you get an audience of ex-girlfriends, is it?"
Ethan shot her a glare but didn't respond. Instead, his gaze was locked on Sophie, who was chatting with some of his more eccentric relatives, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.
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The Confrontation (With a Side of Insanity)
Sophie, of course, had no idea why she was invited to Ethan's engagement party—especially since they hadn't spoken in what felt like centuries. But there she was, enjoying herself and making the most of the free hors d'oeuvres and sparkling wine.
Meanwhile, Ethan was pacing back and forth, trying to maintain some semblance of composure. Isabella had taken the opportunity to engage in a very business-like conversation with some of Ethan's closest associates, making it abundantly clear that this wasn't just an engagement—this was a strategic partnership.
"Ethan, darling," Isabella's cool voice cut through the chaos. "Would you like to join us in the garden? The lighting is simply divine, and I've been dying to show you these investment brochures. You'll love them."
Ethan grinned tightly. "I think I'll pass. I've got something to... take care of."
Without waiting for her to respond, Ethan marched across the room toward Sophie.
She didn't notice him at first—too busy swapping gossip with Aunt Vivian about who had the best cocktail dress. But when she finally turned around, her eyes locked with his, and the entire world seemed to stop.
"Ethan," Sophie said softly, almost cautiously. "You look... well, I mean, you look like you're about to marry your business partner."
He couldn't help but chuckle, despite the irritation gnawing at him. "Yeah, well, that's kind of the point."
Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Right. And I'm just here to watch the show, I guess."
The awkward tension between them was palpable, but before either of them could say anything else, Ethan's mother appeared like a tempest.
"There you are! Ethan, darling, come meet the perfect crowd!"
Sophie rolled her eyes dramatically. "I see how it is," she whispered, stepping aside.
But not before she gave Ethan a look that made his heart race—one part nostalgic, one part regret.
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The Evening Unfolds
By the end of the night, Ethan was drunk—not on alcohol, but on the chaos of the entire situation. He couldn't stop thinking about Sophie, about their history, and how, even in this ridiculous setup, she was the one thing that felt real.
As he stood beside Isabella, trying to focus on what she was saying about corporate strategy, his mind kept drifting to Sophie's smile, her wild, unfiltered laugh. Isabella was composed, yes, but Sophie was alive—so incredibly alive, even in the chaos of this ridiculous engagement.
Finally, Ethan sighed.
"What's wrong, darling?" Isabella asked, her cool voice snapping him back to reality.
"I think I've made a huge mistake," Ethan muttered.
But the night went on, the engagement proceeding smoothly, and Ethan D'Angelo stood at the center of it all, wondering if he was really ready to settle for the "perfect match" when the one he truly wanted was standing right in front of him—just a few feet away, but always out of reach.