My wealthy parents told me that I had to get married in order to inherit the family business, so I chose a ‘normal girl’ to annoy them. But soon I found out that she had a huge secret.
To be honest, I’m not proud of how it all started. I didn’t even think about a real relationship; it didn’t matter. I just wanted to tease my parents.
Here’s the thing: I always did what I wanted without thinking about anything. Parties, fast cars, expensive trips. Why not? After all, my family was wealthy, and I knew that one day I would take over my father’s business.
Then my parents called me in for a ‘serious talk.’
‘Listen, Arlo,’ my father said, leaning towards me as if making a deal. ” Your mother and I think it’s time you grew up.”
‘Grew up?’ I laughed, leaning back. ‘You mean get married?’
‘Exactly,’ he nodded affirmatively, his eyes fixed on mine. “You’re almost thirty. If you want company, we need to see real maturity. That means a wife, a home. You can’t run a business living like this.”
My mother nodded in agreement. ‘Your father built this from nothing, Arlo. We can’t entrust the future to someone who treats life like a joke.’
I was furious. They wanted a wife? Well, I’d get them one. If they thought they could control me, I’d prove them wrong. I’d bring someone into their world who would make them regret ever asking me.
That’s how I met Ved.
Ved was unlike the girls I usually met in those places. I noticed her when she was helping out at a small charity event. She looked simple, perhaps even reserved, in a plain dress with her hair tied back. No designer clothes, just calmness and… sincerity.
When I said hello, she just nodded and said, ‘Nice to meet you, Arlo.’ She barely looked at me, as if she wasn’t impressed at all.
‘So, where are you from, Ved?’ I asked.
‘Oh, just a small town,’ she replied with a slight smile. ‘Nothing special.’ Her voice was quiet, and her eyes remained wary.
Great.
‘So, Ved,’ I continued, getting down to business. ‘What do you think about marriage?’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘Excuse me?’
‘I know it sounds strange,’ I said, smiling feebly. ‘But I’m looking for someone to marry. I have my reasons. But you’ll have to pass a few “tests” first.’
Ved looked at me and then laughed. ‘Well, that’s funny,’ she said, her eyes sparkling in a way I couldn’t quite decipher. ‘I was just thinking I might try “marriage” myself.’
‘Really?’ I asked. ‘So… how about a deal?’
Ved studied me, then shrugged. ‘Okay, Arlo. But promise me one thing.’
‘What’s that?’
‘No questions about my past. Let’s keep it simple. Just a girl from a small town, that’s all they need to know. Do you agree?’
I smiled. ‘Great.’
When I brought Ved to meet my parents, they looked shocked. My mother’s eyebrows shot up when she saw Ved’s simple dress and her calm demeanour.
‘Oh… Ved, is it?’ she asked, forcing a smile.
My father frowned. ‘Arlo, this… isn’t quite what we had in mind.’
‘Well, you wanted me to settle down,’ I said with a broad smile. ‘And Ved is perfect for me. She’s calm, honest, and not interested in all this glamour.’
Ved played her part perfectly. Every polite reply, every sceptical glance during small talk. My parents couldn’t stand it.
But still… something about her seemed strange. She fit my plan perfectly, but sometimes I caught a strange expression in her eyes — something like… pleasure.
‘Are you sure you want this, Arlo?’ she asked one night after dinner with my parents.
‘More than ever,’ I laughed. ‘They’re losing patience, Ved. Everything’s working out.’
‘Well,’ she said, her voice soft, almost too soft. ‘I’m glad I could help.’
I was so caught up in my parents’ reaction that I didn’t notice how Ved was reacting.
Then came the charity ball. My parents had gone all out—chandeliers, white tablecloths, sparkling cutlery.
Ved walked in beside me, her modest outfit standing out among the glitz and evening gowns. That was exactly what I wanted.
‘Just remember,’ I whispered. ‘Today is the final test.’
She looked up. ‘I know the plan.’
I stood nearby while she spoke quietly, smiled gently, and remained silent. My parents glanced at her several times but said almost nothing.
Then, suddenly, the mayor approached us, smiling broadly.
‘Ved! What a surprise!’ he said, shaking her hand.
My parents’ jaws dropped. I froze. Did the mayor know Ved?
Ved smiled politely but looked a little tense. ‘Good to see you, Mayor.’
‘You know, people still talk about that children’s home your family helped build,’ he said. ‘Your support meant a lot.’
Ved nodded. ‘I’m glad to hear that. We just want to help.’
He left, leaving us in silence. My mother finally asked, ‘Arlo… what was that?’
Before I could speak, our family friend Boden approached us, looking shocked. ‘Ved! I didn’t know you were back!’
Ved laughed briefly. ‘I haven’t told many people. I came for… my wedding,’ she said.