When Zane’s rich parents tell him he has to marry to get the family business, he picks a “plain girl” to annoy them. But soon he finds out that she has a big secret.
To be honest, I’m not proud of how this all began. I wasn’t seeking for love at all. I just wanted to make my folks mad.
I have always lived my life the way I want to, without rules. Parties, fast automobiles, and vacations that are out of this world. Why not? My family was rich, and I assumed I would one day head my dad’s business.
But then my parents pulled me in for a “serious talk.”
“Zane,” my dad began, leaning in like he was making a deal, “your mom and I think it’s time for you to grow up.”
“Grow up?” I laughed and leaned back. “You mean to get married?” “Exactly,” he responded, nodding firmly. “You’re almost 30.” We need to demonstrate true accountability if you want the firm. That involves having a wife and a home. “You can’t run a business by yourself like this.”
My mom shook her head and said something. Zane, your dad started this business from scratch. We can’t give it to someone who thinks life is a party.
I was very mad. What did they want? I would give them one. I would show them they were incorrect if they thought they could control me. I’d bring someone into their world that would make them wish they hadn’t.
I met Nila then.
Nila wasn’t someone I usually hung around with. I saw her helping out at a low-key charity event. In a plain outfit with her hair tied back, she seemed simple and maybe shy. No pretentious labeling, just quiet and real.
She nodded and said, “Nice to meet you, Zane,” as I said hi. She hardly looked at me, as if she didn’t care who I was.
“So, Nila, where do you come from?” I asked.
“Just a little town,” she remarked with a smile. “Nothing interesting.” Her speech was sweet, and her eyes were careful.
That’s great.
“So, Nila,” I came right to the topic, “what do you think about getting married?”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
I answered with a smile, “I know it sounds strange.” “But I want to marry someone.” I have my reasons. “You’d have to pass a few ‘tests’ first.”
Nila stared at me and then chuckled. Her eyes sparkled in a way I didn’t quite understand when she said, “That’s funny.” “I was just thinking about trying marriage myself.”
“Really?” I asked. “So… deal?”
She looked at me for a moment, then shrugged. “Okay, Zane. But with one condition.
“What is that?”
“Don’t ask me about my past.” Let’s not make it too complicated. They only need to know that she’s a girl from a tiny town. Are you okay with that?
I smiled. “Perfect.”
My parents were shocked when I brought Nila over to meet them. My mom’s eyebrows went up when she saw Nila’s basic clothes and quiet manner.
“Oh… Is it Nila? She asked, making herself smile.
Dad frowned. “Zane, this isn’t what we thought it would be.”
I answered with a sneer, “Well, you wanted me to settle down.” “Nila is perfect for me. She is calm, honest, and doesn’t care about all this rich-people stuff.
Nila did her part perfectly. My parents couldn’t stand it when I was polite and looked shy during fancy talk.
But there was something wrong with her. She was exactly what I needed, but sometimes I’d see a strange spark in her eyes, like she was having fun.
“Are you sure about this, Zane?” she said one night after dinner with my folks.
“Of course,” I said with a laugh. “Nila, they’re losing it.” It’s working.
“Well,” she murmured, her voice quiet, perhaps too soft. “Glad to help.”
I was so interested in how my parents were reacting that I didn’t pay enough attention to how Nila was reacting.
Then there was the ball for charity. My parents went all out with the chandeliers, clean tablecloths, and shiny cutlery.
Nila stepped in next to me, and her plain clothes stood out among all the sparkle and dresses. Exactly what I desired.
I murmured, “Don’t forget, tonight is the last test.”
She nodded her head. “I know what to do.”
I stayed close while she spoke softly, smiled, and kept her cool. My folks looked at her but didn’t say much.
Then the mayor came over, smiling. “Nila! He shook her hand and exclaimed, “I didn’t expect to see you here!”
My parents’ mouths dropped open. I couldn’t move. The mayor knew Nila?
Nila smiled pleasantly, but she seemed anxious. “Nice to see you too, Mayor.”
“People still talk about the children’s hospital your family helped pay for,” he remarked. “Your help made a big difference.”
Nila nodded. “I’m glad to hear that.” We only want to be of assistance.
He left us alone and moved on. My mother eventually said something. “Zane, what was that?”
Tom, a family friend, came up and was surprised before I could answer. “Nila!” I didn’t know you were back!
Nila laughed for a short time. “Didn’t tell a lot of people.” She said, “I’m here for my wedding.”
Tom laughed and looked at me. “Zane, you’re going to marry Nila, the “Charity Star”? Her family is one of the greatest donors in the whole state!
My throat got dry. I’d heard the name before, and so had everyone else. I just never put the pieces together.
Later, I took Nila aside. “So… ‘Charity Star’?”
She let out a sigh. “Yes. The biggest charity in the state is administered by my family. But I stay away from all of that.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“That’s the same reason you didn’t tell me your idea. “I have my own reasons.”
“You knew this was a lie?” I asked.
She agreed. “My parents keep telling me to marry for status.” I wanted to pick my own way. “I thought we could help each other when I met you.”
I looked at her. She wasn’t just a quiet girl from a tiny town. She was tough, smart, and self-sufficient.
She had left her family’s name behind to live free while I was playing games. She became involved in this effort to get out of her own cage.
I watched her silently one night while we were planning an event.
“What?” she said.
I said, “I didn’t know how strong you are.” “You’ve done a better job of this than I have.”
She grinned a little. “I’m not doing it for them.” I’m doing it for me.
Everything changed in that instant. It seemed like a joke at first. I thought she was great. I wanted to be with her.
I said, “Nila, maybe we should be honest.”
She agreed. We weren’t acting anymore.
The next day, we requested our parents to get together. It was strange how calm I felt as we got ready to tell the truth. I wasn’t afraid. I was ready to be honest and go on with Nila by my side.
