20/08/2026
Chapter 3 — One Month
The two families finally arrived at the meeting place.
Andrea and Alfred already knew why they were there.
They sat across from each other while Ben stayed beside Andrea and Akira sat beside Alfred.
Mrs. Santos looked at her daughter, then at Alfred.
Mrs. Santos:
“We want you both to get to know each other properly.”
Andrea crossed her arms.
Andrea:
“And what exactly does that mean?”
Mr. Santos answered calmly.
Mr. Santos:
“The marriage arrangement will continue.”
Andrea’s eyes widened.
Andrea:
“So we don’t get to say no?”
Mrs. Santos:
“Not immediately.”
Alfred frowned.
Alfred:
“Then what’s the point of this meeting?”
Mrs. Ashford looked at both of them.
Mrs. Ashford:
“You’ll have one month to decide whether this arrangement can actually work.”
Andrea looked confused.
Andrea:
“One month?”
Mr. Santos:
“Yes. During that month, you and Alfred will live together.”
Alfred immediately sat up.
Alfred:
“Live together?”
Mrs. Santos:
“Yes.”
Akira looked at Alfred in disbelief.
Akira:
“Bro...”
Ben looked at Andrea.
Ben:
“You’re actually going to live with him?”
Andrea ignored him.
Andrea:
“Where are we supposed to live?”
Mrs. Santos smiled.
Mrs. Santos:
“We already prepared a place for both of you.”
Andrea relaxed slightly.
Andrea:
“Okay... at least it’s not far from school.”
Alfred suddenly looked at his mother.
Alfred:
“Wait. Where exactly is it?”
Mrs. Ashford gave him the address.
Alfred thought for a moment.
Alfred:
“That’s close to campus.”
Andrea looked at him.
Andrea:
“How close?”
Alfred:
“About a fifteen-minute walk.”
Andrea raised an eyebrow.
Andrea:
“Seriously?”
Alfred:
“Yeah. We could actually walk to school together.”
Akira grinned.
Akira:
“Bro, imagine everyone at school seeing you two walking together every morning.”
Alfred sighed.
Alfred:
“That’s exactly what I don’t need.”
Andrea looked away, already imagining the rumors.
Then Mrs. Santos spoke again.
Mrs. Santos:
“There’s one more thing.”
