Chapter 3: The Meeting

Daniel was the first to arrive at the apartment. He'd been there a few times over the years, but this time Laura's presence was noticeable in little things throughout the house. It was clear they'd been sharing the place for a while.

For some reason, he felt nervous; this situation was very similar to when his mother set him up with her friends' daughters, except this time he came willingly. Maybe because this was the first time he was the one waiting for approval.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang - it was Deanna. The moment he saw her cross the threshold, he knew this would be harder than he'd thought. She entered with a huge smile and within seconds filled the place with her energy, as if radiating some kind of warm light. She wore her hair down, the abundant caramel-colored mane covering her shoulders.

Daniel's first reaction was to stand up immediately, as if pushed by an invisible force. Upon seeing him, Deanna didn't hesitate to approach and stand before the tall, dark-haired man.

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

"Nice to meet you, Deanna. I'm Daniel, Harry's brother, it's a pleasure." He took her hand to shake it and felt that radiating warmth.

Laura came in with some drinks and snacks, and the women greeted each other. The atmosphere felt a bit uncomfortable, but Harry, with his usual chattiness, started preparing the ground to ease the tension. This meeting had to be a success if they wanted the plan to work. And it was, just not in the way they'd planned.

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

"Yes, we know each other from university."

"And what do you study?"

"Operatic singing."

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

Harry had warned him, he'd warned him.

"Mmmm, what?"

"Nothing."

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

"Nothing... I have great respect for artists."

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

They needed 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 out and delay the imminent clash.

Dinner proceeded with pleasant conversation; it seemed Daniel and Deanna had found some common ground. Until "the topic" came up.

"We need to do this as quickly as possible. You don't know how grateful we are that you can help us," Harry said.

"It's true, thank you from the bottom of my heart," Laura added.

"I'll cover the university expenses for the year we're married, as compensation for having to pause your career," Daniel shot out without preamble.

"What do you mean pause my career? I'm not pausing my career."

"You definitely will have to, I can't be married to a university 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 must be compensated."

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

Harry and Laura looked at each other - the delicate line had been crossed.

"I have 3 children, you know that, right?"

"Of course I know that."

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

Deanna looked at Harry, who responded resignedly. Inside, he was begging his friend to hold out for the rest of the night and not back out. Daniel seemed to be trying to close a business deal, not plan a wedding.

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

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

"I hope it won't be hard for you to adapt, despite your evident 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 dress like that anymore." He pointed at her bare knees.

"Ah! It's a convent, not a military base."

"Guys, please..." Harry intervened.

But from there everything went downhill. Daniel's attempts to impose conditions were met with contrary responses from Deanna. He wasn't being nice at all, which was strange - he usually remained courteous even when displeased about something.

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

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

"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."

"So let me review: I have to follow rules and leave university. I suppose you must have a manual on how I should interact with your children, and I must change how I dress. The prenup I completely understand."

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

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

"Which would be?"

"Since I can't continue at university, I'll take one day a week of my choosing for 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, only holding back because Laura was looking at her with big eyes full of concern. It seemed like she was begging for patience. Deanna took a deep breath.

"Very well... since you're an ATM with legs, I also want a room in your house, just for me, that works as a music room."

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

"For now, I suppose so."

They fell silent without looking at each other. Harry and Laura had been holding their breath without realizing it while watching them argue.

"Tomorrow I'll talk to our parents about having a family gathering to introduce her. I trust Laura can help her adjust to the situation." He was talking about her as if she weren't in the same room.

"Good," Harry said and shot Deanna a furtive glance as if trying to apologize. He could already hear her in his head complaining endlessly about Daniel's attitudes.

This guy was unbelievable, showing no hesitation in expressing himself without filters. As if everyone were his employees and had to follow his orders.

"I'll go then," Deanna said, she couldn't take it anymore.

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

"None of that, I'll drive her home."

"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 during the entire journey until they reached her building.

"You live here?"

"Yes... Well, thanks for bringing me. Good night." And that was all - she got out of the car and disappeared into the building.

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