Alex couldn't shake off the feeling of unease after her encounter with Rian. She had never seen him so vulnerable before, and it had caught her off guard.
As she walked back to her office, she couldn't help but wonder what had driven Rian to ask her that question. Was he really unsure about the marriage, or was he just trying to manipulate her?
She pushed the thoughts aside and focused on her work, but her mind kept wandering back to Rian.
Later that day, Alex received A message from Rian, asking her to meet him at a nearby café. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should go, but her curiosity got the better of her.
When she arrived at the café, Rian was already there, sipping on a cup of coffee. He looked up as she approached, and their eyes met for a moment.
"Thanks for coming," Rian said, as Alex sat down across from him.
Alex nodded, wondering what this meeting was about.
Rian took a deep breath before speaking. "I wanted to apologize for earlier," he said, his voice sincere. "I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "It's okay," she said. "I can handle it."
Rian smiled slightly. "I know you can," he said. "But I still shouldn't have done it."
They sat in silence for a moment, sipping their coffee.
Then, Rian spoke up again. "Can I ask you something?" he said, his voice hesitant.
Miss Alex nodded, curious. "What is it?"
Rian's eyes locked onto hers. "Do you ever feel trapped?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Alex's heart skipped a beat. How did he know?
She nodded slowly, feeling a sense of solidarity with Rian. "Yes," she said. "I do."
Rian's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if he was searching for something. "I know how that feels," he said, his voice low. "Trapped, I mean."
Alex felt a pang of recognition. She knew exactly what Rian was talking about.
"I know what you mean," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "My parents are always pushing me to do what they want. To marry well, to take over the family business...it's suffocating sometimes."
Rian nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know exactly what you mean," he said. "My family's always pushed me to be perfect. To take over the company, to marry the right person...it's like I'm living in a constant state of expectation."
Alex felt a surge of anger on Rian's behalf. How could his family do that to him?
But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that gave her pause. She saw a glimmer of sadness, a hint of desperation.
And in that moment, Alex realized that Rian wasn't just a arrogant rich boy. He was a complex, multifaceted person, with his own set of struggles and fears.
As they sat there, sipping their coffee, Alex felt a sense of connection with Rian that she had never felt before. It was as if they had finally found a common ground, a shared understanding that transcended their differences.
And as they parted ways, Alex couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them. Would they be able to find a way to make this marriage work, despite their initial reservations?
Or would they remain trapped in their respective roles, forever bound by the expectations of their families?
Only time would tell.