Chapter 1: Feigned Feelings
Leon sat in his parents' luxurious living room, surrounded by an elegance he had never truly liked. Family business. Marriage. Duty. Three pillars that had been mapped out for him without anyone asking whether he wanted them at all. Leon was a twenty-five-year-old young man who valued a calm and peaceful life. His father, Frank, was a wealthy entrepreneur, well-known in the food industry, owning several grocery stores across America under the name Milky Store.
His father, a serious man with a stern expression, crossed his arms. “Leon, you know it's time to settle down. Stability is important, and your marriage is part of the plan.”
Yes. His father planned to secure a business partnership with another major entrepreneur. He knew that if he finalized this deal, it would lead to greater profits and an even stronger financial empire. However, the man would only proceed with the partnership if his only daughter married Leon.
Leon sighed. He knew this conversation would come. Every word had been predetermined long before.
His mother smiled, her gaze sweeping over the table as if she could already see his future laid out before him. “Emily is perfect. She has the right values, beauty, intelligence. You will be happy with her, Leon.”
His mother, Jennifer, loved her son more than anything in the world. She was an elegant woman with high social standing, always impeccably dressed and polished. She cared deeply about Leon’s happiness, believing that a relationship with Emily would bring him joy, a perfect life, and a secure future.
Happy? Leon laughed silently—only in his mind. This marriage wasn’t about happiness. It was about business deals, reputation, and ensuring perfection. His happiness seemed irrelevant. He saw no joy in a marriage that wasn’t founded on love. He knew he had to find a way to escape this catastrophe that had been forced upon him.
“Emily is great,” he finally replied. “But I think… we have different visions of life.” His voice was quiet, careful not to sound too harsh.
His father raised an eyebrow. “Different visions? Your vision of life should include responsibility and family. When I am gone, you must stand strong.”
“I’ll talk to Emily,” Leon said reluctantly. “But I’m not saying I agree with this. I believe that a relationship—especially marriage—should be based on love, not business affairs.”
Leon’s father, Frank, watched as his only son stepped out of the grand villa and disappeared into the night. He knew his son needed time, but there wasn’t much to spare—his business partner wanted everything settled as soon as possible.
Blue Café
Golden rays streamed through the large windows as the café pulsed with the quiet hum of the evening rush. The aroma of freshly ground coffee blended with the murmur of conversations, while Leon sat at a table, contemplating the best way to tell Emily the truth—that he had absolutely no interest in marriage. He observed the café, taking in the details as he waited. He had never been here before; he had never needed to visit cafés. At home, his maid always prepared the perfect coffee within minutes.
The café was beautifully lit. Delicate string lights adorned the walls, which were painted a royal blue, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It felt almost like home—a place where one could sit and sip coffee all day long.
When Emily finally entered, she looked flawless. Elegant, confident—the perfect image of a wife his parents would approve of. She wore a stunning red dress that matched her lipstick, and her blue eyes served as the perfect accent to her porcelain skin. Her high heels clicked lightly against the floor as she approached.
She sat down across from him with a smile. “It’s been a while,” she said pleasantly.
Leon smiled briefly. “Yes. And I think it’s time for an important conversation.”
Emily crossed her arms. “Of course, that’s why we’re here, isn’t it?”
Leon sighed. “Our parents… they think they can decide everything for us just because we’re their children. But that’s not how it works. Marriage for material gain isn’t for me, Emily. You’re an amazing and beautiful woman, but I just can’t.”
Her eyes widened with a mix of sorrow and frustration. “Our parents believe we would make the perfect couple—so why ruin that?”
“I already have… someone,” Leon replied instantly, his voice serious, attempting to sound convincing.
Emily froze for a moment. “Someone else?”
Leon nodded, watching her reaction. He wasn’t sure if she would be furious or slap him. Instead, she slowly placed her hands on the table. “I see… Well, that changes things. But who is this other woman who has won your heart?”
“Uh… well…” Leon hesitated. And so began the greatest farce of his life.
At that moment, a waiter approached—he looked about twenty to twenty-two years old. A Korean man who had lived in America for quite some time. With a polite smile, he placed two cups of coffee on the table for Leon and Emily.
Leon did the craziest thing anyone could do. He stood up, grasped the waiter’s wrist, and declared, “Here is my love.”
Emily’s eyes widened in shock. “What?!”
The waiter looked utterly confused, glancing around. “Excuse me?”
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To be continued…
