First meeting

Daniel was the first to arrive at the apartment. He had been there a few times over the years, but this time Laura's presence was noticeable in small details throughout the house. It was clear they had been sharing the place for quite some time.

For some reason, he felt nervous. This situation was very similar to when his mother set him up on dates with the daughters of her friends; only this time, he had come of his own free will. Perhaps because this was the first time he was the one seeking approval.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. It was Deanna. As soon as he saw her cross the threshold, he knew that this would be harder than he had thought. She entered with a huge smile, and in a few seconds, the place was filled with her energy, radiating a kind of warm light. Her hair was down, and her abundant caramel-colored mane covered her shoulders.

Daniel's first reaction was to stand up immediately, as if pushed by an invisible force. Seeing him, Deanna didn't hesitate to approach him and stand in front of the tall man with black hair.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Deanna. Are you Daniel?" she extended her hand with another smile.

"Nice to meet you, Deanna. I'm Daniel, Harry's brother, it's a pleasure," he responded, shaking her hand and feeling the warmth she radiated.

Laura entered with some drinks and snacks, and the two women greeted each other. The atmosphere felt a bit awkward, but Harry, with his usual chattiness, began to set the stage to ease the tension. This meeting had to be a success if they wanted the plan to work. And it was, just not as they had thought.

"So, you study with Harry and Laura," Daniel probed.

"Yes, we know each other from college."

"And what do you study?"

"Opera singing."

"Mmm..." Daniel responded with a hint of... disapproval?

Harry had warned him. He had warned him.

"Mmm, what?"

"Nothing."

"You must have something to say besides 'mmm'."

"Nothing... I have a lot of respect for artists."

"Maybe we should eat now," Laura intervened, trying to change the subject.

They had to contain Daniel before he showed his special character. They knew Deanna wouldn't stay quiet either. The best thing was to try to stretch and delay the imminent clash.

The dinner went on with pleasant conversation; it seemed that Daniel and Deanna had found a turning point. Until the "topic" came up.

"We need to do this as quickly as possible. You have no idea how grateful we are that you can help us," said Harry.

"That's right, thank you from the bottom of my heart," added Laura.

"I'll cover your college expenses for the year we're married, in compensation for having to pause your career," Daniel shot out bluntly.

"What do you mean, pause my career? I'm not going to pause my career."

"You'll definitely have to. I can't be married to a college student. It wouldn't look good."

"I don't want your money."

"It's not about that. You're about to make a sacrifice, and it should be compensated."

"Good to know it will be a 'sacrifice'."

Harry and Laura exchanged glances; the delicate line had been broken.

"I have three kids, you know that, right?"

"Of course, I know."

"Good, because we need to establish rules for how you'll interact with them."

Deanna looked at Harry, who responded resignedly. Inside, he was praying that his friend would endure the rest of the night and not regret it. Daniel seemed to be trying to close a business deal and not a marriage.

"Another thing you need to respect is that we have rules at home that work wonderfully, and we can't... change them."

"Where do you live? On a military base?"

"I hope you won't have trouble adapting, despite your obvious disinterest in everything I'm saying."

"It's not disinterest, but I can hardly adapt to anything with that 'military' attitude."

"Military? It's just a bit of discipline... And you can't keep dressing like that," he said, pointing at her bare knees.

"Oh! This is a convent, not a military base."

"Guys, please..." Harry intervened.

But from that point on, everything went downhill. The conditions Daniel was trying to impose were met with resistance from Deanna. He wasn't being kind at all; it was strange. He was usually polite even when he was upset about something.

"These are minimal aspects that I need you to comply with if we want this facade to avoid suspicion. You're not exactly the type of woman I would date."

"Well, thanks? I understand what you're saying, but not the way you're saying it, like you're trying to close a deal."

"I'll discuss that with my lawyer tomorrow: the prenuptial agreement. It will be a fake wedding, but legitimate, and we need to cover that too."

"Then let me summarize: I have to follow rules and leave the university. I suppose you must have a manual on how I should interact with your kids, and I have to change the way I dress. I understand the prenuptial agreement perfectly."

"Good, I'm glad we reached an agreement."

"What agreement? That's just what you want, but I have my conditions too."

"What would those be?"

"Since I can't continue at the university, I'll take one day a week at my discretion to attend private singing lessons."

"Fine, I'll cover that expense."

"I don't need you to. I have a job."

"Which you'll have to quit, so I'll cover the expense."

Deanna was about to explode. She was only holding back because Laura was watching her with wide, worried eyes. It seemed like she was begging her to be patient. Deanna took a deep breath.

"Alright... since you're a walking ATM, I also want a room in your house, just for me, that will function as a music room."

"I can do that... is that all?"

"For now, I suppose it is."

They fell silent, avoiding each other's gaze. Harry and Laura had been holding their breath without realizing it while watching them argue.

"Tomorrow, I'll speak with our parents to arrange a family meeting and introduce her. I trust Laura can help her adjust to the situation," he spoke about her as if she wasn't in the same room.

"Fine," said Harry, casting a furtive glance at Deanna, as if trying to apologize. He could already hear her complaining incessantly in his head about Daniel's attitudes.

This guy was incredible. He showed no hesitation in speaking his mind, as if everyone were his employees and had to follow his orders.

"I'm leaving then," said Deanna; she couldn't stand it any longer.

"Let me call you a taxi," Harry said.

"None of that. I'll take her home myself."

"I don't think that's a good idea, Daniel."

"Why not? In a few weeks, she'll be my wife. It's the most normal thing in the world, Laura... Let's go."

He simply stood up and positioned himself by the door, waiting for her. She resigned herself, said goodbye to her friends, and they left. They didn't exchange a single word the whole way until they reached her building.

"Do you live here?"

"Yes... Well, thanks for bringing me. Goodnight," and that was it. She got out of the car and disappeared into the building.

Daniel stayed a few more minutes watching her and then thinking. If he couldn't shape her a bit to his standards, no one would believe the story. She was a combative woman, who didn't stay silent, with that curly caramel hair, big expressive eyes, a warm smile... What was he thinking?