Ned was surprisingly quite romantic and needy. He had some form of childishness in him that Ari found admirable, yet simultaneously presented itself with many doubts. It was as if he was trying to overcompensate for something, and after a few weeks of being together, Ari confronted him about it. He had a fully booked schedule ahead of him and was doing his best to leave parts of himself with Ari. From gifts to dinner outs and mini road trips from time to time. There was no doubt he was making an admirable effort.

After repetitive cycles of the same, Ari warned him of having burnout, but as always, Ned would laugh it off and go about making plans as if it were second nature to him.

"Just weeks ago, I couldn't decide where to travel to upon my resignation, but here you are, one plan after another. Where do you get the time and energy?"

"Well, my secretaries do all the planning on work-related appointments, and since that part of me is the most strenuous one, I have spare time to scan activities for couples. If you'd like, we can go to any you recommend now that you are harbouring thoughts of joining the employment industry despite my reservations against the matter." 

"I'm not going to be dependent on you. I've never had to depend on anyone except Mun."

"What about your parents or siblings?"

"I'm a foster child. I'm not close to my foster family either. On my eighteenth birthday, I left and never looked back. It wouldn't be wise either to return considering my rebelling period and puberty. I wasn't exactly an easy child to raise."

"Your reputation precedes you, though it' clear as rumors have it that you are a changed person from your former self. And speaking of your family, didn't they look for you upon your departure?"

"I heard word from mutual relations that they've been asking about my whereabouts, but they only did that to ensure I was far away. Please don't pity me though. On the contrary, I'm grateful they allowed me to realize families are as divided and broken as can be. It's only relevant when they want something from you, and if that is not the case, they find you a bother."

"Well, I beg to differ. It requires intrinsic commitment for a family to stick together. Without that effort and a sense of responsibility in fostering love, I'd say any crisis will break even the strongest of families. Perhaps that is why I've never heard any slur against me from my family despite their knowledge fo my peculiar hobbies. Well, until recently from your former secretary."

"Rey?" Ari's eyes grew wide in shock. Somehow, to hear Ned say that hurt him a little. She could take insults hurled at her, for she'd lived a life being considered a mistake, but Ned wasn't familiar with such an experience. "What did he say?"

"I become uncomfortable when his name brings some light into your eyes. I understand you may harbour feelings for him, but I'm the one in front of you right now."

"Understand me. I was shocked because I'm well conversant with his temper, and sometimes, he can say things he doesn't mean. I apologize on his behalf since I'm the one who brought him as my assistant on the trip."

"You don't have to take responsibility for his actions, neither should you make excuses for him. He is an adult, an educated one at that. I've conversed with him during our stay together, and yes, I did notice him first giving me the cold shoulder until I witnessed the one he was giving you. Perhaps I shouldn't have meddled, but he refused to utter a single word despite my efforts to coax him into telling me whatever transpired between you two."

"Well, that's a relief."

"Relief...?" Ned squinted his eyes. "I wonder why you would say that."

"You are overly sensitive these days." Ari tried to brush off the topic. "Is there anything bothering you at work? I have a lot of time to spare so if you need my help, let me know."

"The only thing that can make me very happy and forget about this discussion is if I were to dominate you at least once."

"You know that is not going to happen."

"Why?"

"Just because..." Ari stopped midway, remembering her witty talk with Mun. "It hasn't occurred to me to be dominated by anyone."

"I don't mind either position, but the infamous Ari is someone I've wished to pin down for years." 

Ari seemed amused, laying her head leisurely on Ned's lap. "You've been enjoying being dominated from where I stand. If anything, I'd say you make a great beta."

"It hurts my pride one way or another. Do you have any idea how famous a player you were back then? Though admittedly, my previous lovers would think otherwise, I enjoy the passionate loving you give daily. Still, I wonder how your face would look if the tables were turned. How about we equalize everything? You were my first dominant, and I'd like to be yours too. If you accept, I will even give you a big token."

"I'm not taking money from you."

"It has nothing to do with monetary value but information."

"What information?"

"Nah-ah." Ned shook his finger just inches away from Ari's face, his expression amused. "You need to agree first."

"I've had lovers too, and they loved when I was in control."

"I couldn't agree more. Nonetheless, I wish you'd compromise a little. You never know what you are missing." 

'Perhaps it's time I reciprocate and grant you your wish. After all, of the two of us, you are the one who seems to be compromising the most. What do I have to lose anyway if I try something new? It's just sex.' Ari thought to herself, following a brief silence. He watched Ned's nonchalant expression turn into anticipation as if he were looking forward to her response. "I have but one question. There was a time I picked up a call from one of your family members. She was quite lovely and lively. I could tell from how fondly she'd refer to you as Neddy."

"That has to be my mother. She'd love you when you meet her in person."

"I have a feeling I'd like her a lot. We chatted for some time, and then she mentioned an upcoming engagement."

"Oh..." Ned's head fell back, his gesture sending Ari to sit up. 

"She wanted to know if you'd already ordered a presumed tuxedo for a wedding."

"About that... Well... That is the information I wanted to share with you." Ned hesitated for a moment before adding. "I'm supposed to have a political wedding, a temporary one on a contract basis and once a mutual goal has been achieved, it shall be called off." 

"What are you talking about?" Ari asked, seeming confused yet unable to shake off the uneasy feeling of not wanting to learn more about the matter.

"It's purely and exclusively a political union to strengthen business relations. My presumed partner knows I have no desire in beta women, and she equally has her love interest in waiting until our contract marriage is called off."

"I... I thought it was our wedding..."

Ned immediately faced Ari, his heart sinking at the sudden realization of the misunderstanding. They were not on the same page about the matter. "Ari, my dear... I apologize for the misunderstanding, and yes, I intend to make you mine no matter what, but this is a duty I must fulfill. I have tried to delay it as much as possible and made it a last resort, but everything else failed. Unfortunately, some contracts have to be done this way."

"Are you seriously considering asking me to accept this?"

"Ari..."

"Darn! I'm so embarrassed!" Ari exclaimed, pushing Ned's attempt to soothe her. Finally, she stood up and covered her face briefly and mumbled under her breath, words which Ned concluded were curses against her.

"I'm genuinely sorry, but this was planned for me long before I began working with your former company. Unfortunately, it's a part I have to act in on behalf of my family."

"I'm not okay with this." Ari shook her head after dropping her hands from her face. 

"I suspected you wouldn't and that's why I felt apprehensive about breaking the news to you."

"So that means I should thank your mother."

"I'm deeply sorry." Ned stood up, feeling defeated. "If it makes you uncomfortable, at least come meet my family. I'd like to formally introduce you to them as the love of my life, and while at it, I will make it clear to them that you are the one I want to be with.

I will do anything for you, Ari."