Lucie.

I took a deep breath as I opened my phone to a message from Chad. We had agreed to meet today to discuss the request, especially because I refused to take his hand without a proper conversation.

Let me know when you're ready to talk.

I placed the phone down and started picking at the skin around my fingernails. I had the afternoon free and I needed to get this over with. I picked my car keys and my purse.

Meet me at the Albert's coffee shop outside your office. Let's talk.

I went to my car and started it, driving off the mansion. As I drove, I thought about what I'm going to say. I don't want to suddenly announce the marriage, but rather I want to have us date for a while, if for nothing else, just to get to know each other.

The coffee shop is owned by Albert Quinn, one of my friends from college. Mia also works there part time and I usually go there when I want to enjoy the city ambiance.

Today, the shop was open and the barista present was Lily, a college student. She smiled at me as I walked towards the counter. "Hello, Lucie, the usual?"

"Yes. And someone's coming here to see me so keep an eye out and take his order." Lily lit up "Oh, a date?"

I bristled. "Something like that."

Lily smiled at me while handing me my coffee and then said, "Whatever it is, I hope you have fun." I smiled back, thanking her for the coffee before settling in on my usual seat at the corner.

I took my coffee slowly, mindlessly scrolling on Instagram before my friends group chat started buzzing.

Mia: Lily says you're in the coffee shop for a date @Lucie?

Ash: Really? 😃

Me: I want to meet up with Chad to talk about his proposal.

Ollie: i thought u wanted to refuse😐

Me: its not likeni can refuse, he gave my father an offer he can't deny😭

Before Oliver could respond, I felt a tap on my shoulder and I looked up to see Chad. His blonde hair was slicked back and he was wearing a crisp grey suit.

"Hi, Lucie," he said, smiling.

"Hi, Chad." He sat on the other side of the booth and then Lily came towards us. "What will you have, sir?"

"Just a latte, thank you," he said. Lily went back to the counter and Chad turned to me.

"You wanted to talk?" I started feeling nervous. "Yes, about the request you made to my dad."

"Lucie, I know it's weird and all that I asked for your hand in marriage-"

"It is weird."

"And I know that we barely interact let alone know each other." Lily brought the coffee and then said, "Enjoy your coffee." Chad thanked her and she went back to the counter to take orders from other customers.

"I honestly dont know why I asked to marry you," Chad chuckled nervously. "All I knew was that I had a deal for your father, and it was a good deal, he would make an investment that benefitted him, and then I went into his office, and I saw a picture of you and I short circuited."

"That's not enough explanation," I laughed. "Though, you have been obsessed with me since high school," I add thoughtfully.

"I wouldn't call having a crush on one of the hottest girls in class at that time an obsession , besides, your father wants to go into politics, and my family is willing to help with everything surrounding it too."

I had always known that my father had political ambitions. I just didn't think that he'd act on them now.

"I am still rather weirded out with getting married to someone I barely know." Chad smiled wide.

"That's no problem. We can get to know each other for a while before we get married," he said, withholding his excitement. I tried to mask my surprise. "You agree? You're okay with that?"

"Lucie, who do you take me for? Of course." I smiled at him. "Thank you."

And I was indeed grateful. Chad had agreed to let us date for a while before we got married. That's all that mattered to me right now, and hopefully I get to know Chad more.

"So, we start dating now?"
"Yes." I took out my phone. I opened my Instagram. "What's your username?"

"Oh, it's giles_chad." Simple username and I search him. He already followed me so I followed back.

"That's the first step. Let's talk on phone about anything else. I have to go back to the office," Chad said, already rising up to leave. He went to the counter and paid for his drink and left, dropping me a wink.

Besties gc

Me: He's agreed to have us date for a while before getting married.

Ash: OMGGGGG THAT'S SO GREAT.

Yeah, it was in its own way. When I went to pay for my coffee, Lily told me that Chad had already paid for it. I couldn't stop being pleasantly surprised even as I left the coffee shop.

🧡🧡🧡

I arrived at our house when I saw Ashley's ans Oliver's cars on the driveway. Of course they were dropping by. When I walked into the house I could hear voices.

"Bro, how's Oxford." Bro? Who is bro?

"Ah, you know, it's okay so far, but the weather is the same old." I stopped. That voice sounded familiar in some way, I couldn't remember how. There was also some laughter where I could hear Ashley's giggles.

"Does Lucie know you were coming?"

"We haven't spoken in a while so no."

"Don't worry, Axel, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you." Axel? I couldn't withhold my excitement. I ran up the flight of stairs towards where I knew the voices came from. I hadn't seen Axel in years since he went to Oxford for college. There was a time where we were inseparable friends, maybe not exactly now but he's always my first best friend.

His father and my father had been friends in college and basically raised us together. His father entered Wall Street as an amateur banker and went up the ranks until he became a top level businessman competing with the likes of JP Morgan. His mother started a real estate empire in the Midwest and the South.

Axel always wanted to pursue literature. His parents were hesitant, but th Battenberg Foundation was his brainchild and it was one of the most successful literary foundations after Axel fought long and hard to ensure that the foundation led projects all over the world.

I got to the lounge and saw him seated between Oliver and Ashley, with Mia at the end, reading a book from the shelf, like she always does. The four of them looked up and saw me.

"Lucie," Axel said, smiling.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back, idiot?" I ran to hug him.

"We haven't talked in a while and I wanted to surprise you." His arms wrapped around me as we embraced in the lounge. I let go of him and I look at him.

"Well, I'm pleasantly surprised."

"Axel, you're the luckiest man alive, we need get hugs like those," Oliver pouted.

"Well, maybe you need to go to grad school then come back a few years later?"

"No." His smile was a bit forced.

"Now, Lucie, what's this I'm hearing about you getting married?" Axel asked.

"You told him?" I scolded Oliver. He raised his hands in surrender. "I mean, he literally asks how you are doing why couldn't I?" Axel sent a glare in his direction.

His hair that's always been dark and short had been grown out, he grew into his body with some muscle, and his brilliant blue eyes always shone.

"I am getting married to Chad. And we met today and he agreed that before we get married, we should date for a while, maybe get to know each other," I said, looking around. "That's great," Ashley said. Axel had settled back into the chair and he looked at me again.

"It's great that he agreed to that. As long as you're happy," he said, smiling.  For some strange reason I felt happy hearing that from him.

"Thank you, Axel."