-Challenge Accepted-

As Verena settled into the plush seat of the car, a sense of déjà vu washed over her. This was the same vehicle she had ridden in just a few days ago.

The driver held the door open courteously for her and Louis, who followed suit. They exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them.

Turning around, Joshua who was sitting on the passenger seat, addressed Louis with a tone of reminder: "Young Master Louis, don't forget, you have that dinner meeting with Ariana tonight."

Louis's face contorted in realisation: "Oh, darn it. I completely spaced on that."

Verena suppressed a smile, well aware that this forgetfulness was part of her grand plan.

Louis took a glance at Verena and turned to Joshua and gestured, "Tell her there's no need for the meeting. Something came up."

Joshua nodded and sent a quick text to Ariana before casually turning off his phone. He knew she would likely try to call.

Verena glanced at Louis, her smile soft and innocent, though inside, she was bubbling with satisfaction. This was all unfolding exactly as she had orchestrated.

When they arrived at the restaurant, an air of opulence greeted them. The staff led them to a private room, shielding them from prying eyes.

Louis and Verena took their seats, the anticipation palpable in the air. As the door swung nearly shut, a furious voice reverberated down the hallway. Ariana had arrived, her frustration evident in her tone.

"Just hold on a minute!" she exclaimed, her voice cutting through the elegant ambiance as she ran towards the door that closing.

Louis's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and Verena turned slightly, her curiosity piqued though she knew who it must be.

Ariana stormed forward, her gaze locking onto Louis, and her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her—a girl seated beside him, wearing a headscarf.

Before she entered through the door, the guards pushed her tho four steps behind. Her shock was evident as she addressed Joshua, who stood guarded.

"I had a meeting scheduled with him! I need to talk to Louis right now!" Ariana demanded, her voice carrying a mixture of anger and confusion.

She came closer still seeing the head of the girl moved in slightly mocking way though, she couldn't see the girls face but her head scarf was what reminded Ariana of her enemy.

Joshua maintained his professional demeanour, calmly responding, "I apologise, but Young Master Louis is currently occupied. He won't be able to meet you."

Ariana's eyes narrowed, her frustration mounting. "Occupied? With her?" She mentioned Verena, her tone incredulous.

Joshua stood his ground and said, "I'm sorry, Ms. If you would like, I can convey a message."

Ariana's anger flared as she realised she was being denied entry by the guards. "This is ridiculous! Why is she even here?"

Louis leaned back in his chair, attempting to remain composed. Verena's smile had faded, replaced by a carefully neutral expression.

Joshua maintained his composure; his voice measured, "I apologise, but I can't discuss that. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

Frustration contorted her features as she reluctantly stepped back, her mind racing with questions and emotions.

The scene had played out exactly as Verena had intended.

Louis's eyes locked onto Verena's, a mixture of realization and amusement playing across his features.

His curiosity got the best of him as he asked, his tone laced with intrigue, "So, you knew about the meeting with Ariana?"

Verena's smile widened, a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes, "Of course I knew. I have my ways of staying informed."

Louis chuckled softly, genuinely amused by her cunning. She had managed to outmaneuver Ariana without breaking a sweat.

He leaned back in his chair, a newfound appreciation for Verena taking root within him. "You're something else, you know that?"

Her gaze met his, a blend of playfulness and sincerity in her expression. "I do my best," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of pride.

In that moment, Louis grasped the depth of Verena's acceptance. She hadn't backed down from Ariana, nor had she let her insecurities dictate her actions.

She had stood her ground, secure in her connection with him. And that realization filled him with a sense of pride.

As he leaned back, he ran a hand through his hair, his eyes tracing the contours of Verena's face. The bun in her hair accentuated her features, making her look even more captivating.

A sense of contentment settled over him, knowing that he had found someone who wasn't afraid to challenge the forces that sought to divide them.

Verena's soft and warm voice broke through his reverie: "You know, Young Master Louis, it's not about destroying anyone. It's about being secure in what we have."

He met her gaze, a mixture of gratitude and admiration in his eyes. "I'm starting to see that now."

Their unspoken understanding hung in the air, a silent affirmation of the bond they shared. The playful banter, the strategic moves—they were all part of a dance that had brought them closer together.

Louis leaned forward slightly, his voice low and sincere. "Thank you, Verena."

She smiled, a genuine and heartfelt expression for the first time after she was released. "For what?" Verena asked.

"For being you," he replied, a genuine smile gracing his lips as well. Verena just smiled at him and heard him say,

"It's Louis from now on." Verena's heart skipped a beat at his words. She couldn't help but blush, feeling a warmth spread through her entire being.

With a shy nod, she whispered, "Okay, Louis."

As the air in the private room settled, a waiter entered with a courteous smile, bringing with him an air of normalcy amidst the charged atmosphere.

With practiced grace, he took their orders, and soon enough, a spread of delectable Western dishes graced the table.

Fragrances of seasoned meats, fresh vegetables, and warm bread filled the air, temporarily soothing the undercurrents of tension that had woven their way through the room.

Louis speared a piece of tender chicken, his gaze warm as he looked at Verena. Between bites, he broached a topic that held a significant weight, "Verena, my family wants to meet you."

Her fork paused mid-air, a flutter of nerves teasing at her stomach. She offered a faint smile, her uncertainty evident in her eyes, "Isn't it a bit soon?"

Louis shook his head, his expression gentle yet resolute, "I don't think so. Besides, we're heading in that direction, aren't we? Marriage is on the horizon, after all. Why rush?"

Verena's lips curved in a hesitant nod, her mind grappling with the idea. This was a step she hadn't anticipated taking so quickly, and the thought of meeting his family sent a mixture of excitement and apprehension coursing through her.

She dipped her fork into a creamy pasta dish, her gaze thoughtful, "I suppose you're right."

Louis leaned forward slightly, his earnestness evident in his eyes, "Verena, my family is important to me, even though our relationship is based on an arrangement. you need to know them." He informed her.

Her nerves tempered by his sincerity, she met his gaze, a soft smile tugging at her lips, "I appreciate that. It's just… a bit overwhelming."

Louis's smile mirrored hers, understanding coloring his features, "I promise, they're great people. My parents are supportive, and my siblings are a handful, but they mean well."

As they continued to eat, the conversation flowed with an ease that belied the weight of the decisions they were discussing.

The table was adorned not just with sumptuous food, but with the goals and aspirations they were weaving together with this contract marriage.

Louis's voice held a touch of mischief as he teased, "You'll have to endure a barrage of questions, though. My younger sister is like a detective."

Verena nodded, a lightness creeping into her demeanour. "I'll keep that in mind."

With the final bites of their meal, the waiter discreetly cleared the unwanted dishes on the table, leaving behind a space ripe for contemplation.

Louis's attention remained on Verena as she continued to eat alone, unconcerned with how she would appear to him while doing so.

Louis frowned and finally spoke, "Eat slowly; it's all yours." Louis remarked and added, "even if it's not yours, I can buy you more."

Verena paused, her fork hovering in mid-air. She looked up at Louis, a mixture of surprise and amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Are you done now?" Louis asked when he noticed Verena had put down the fork and cleaned her lips with a napkin.

Verena nodded with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "For now," she replied, wiping her mouth elegantly.