I got drunk at the company dinner and called my boss "husband." My coworker snickered. "She's really lost it, trying to get the boss's attention." My boss, Landon, glared at me. "If you can't even control your mouth, why are you drinking?" In the sudden silence, the notoriously difficult client across the table let out a cold laugh. "She was calling me," he said. He looked at Landon. "Why are you so worked up?" 1 I had followed Landon from college right into his company, working as his executive assistant. Everyone knew I was in love with him. Dropping off a file, I heard them talking inside his office. "That's cold, man. Maya's a trust fund kid, and she's here being your assistant. Are you really that ruthless?" Landon scoffed. "She wanted to be here. What was I supposed to do?" Someone else laughed. "True. She's always loved being attached to your hip." "Hasn't changed a bit in all these years." "But seriously, Landon, you're not going to give her a shot? That girl dreams about you." "Yeah, remember when her family set her up on that blind date? You dragged us out for drinks that night. I thought you actually cared." After that, Landon's tone turned frigid. "She's a nuisance. What's there to care about?" Outside, my hand, which had been raised to knock, slowly lowered. I grabbed the handle and pushed the door open. The room went quiet. But only for a second. "Morning, Maya! Bringing Landon his coffee?" My daily, devoted coffee run. Landon didn't even look up, just gestured with his chin. "Put it on the desk." I shook my head. I placed the file and a folded letter on his desk. "It's not coffee." "It's my resignation." "Check your email, Mr. Hayes." 2 They all stared. One of them got close, read the letter, and looked up, stunned. "Maya, are you serious?" Landon finally frowned, looking up at me. "What is this?" I pushed the letter toward him. "I quit." He glanced at it, annoyed. "Is this because I made you work late last night?" "No. I just don't want to work here anymore." His face slowly hardened. As I turned to leave, he called my name. "Maya." "If you walk out that door, you're not coming back. There's no place for you here again." It was half-threat, half-warning. I didn't turn around. "I'm counting on it." The atmosphere in the room froze. As the door closed, I heard them scrambling. "Landon, she's just throwing a tantrum..." "Yeah, you know how crazy she is about you." "She'll probably regret it by this afternoon and be begging to come back..." Landon, staring at the closed door, just sneered. "Whatever." 3 I threw out everything from my desk. In the end, there was nothing left. I almost laughed. I thought about the anonymous video I'd received last night while I was stuck at the office. In a dark, loud bar, Landon was draped over some beautiful woman, listening to his friends. "Is Maya really still at the office, doing grunt work?" "You gotta hand it to Landon. He's the only one who could tame that princess." It was true. I'd been his workhorse. I, a wealthy heiress, had done his bidding for years. Overtime, schmoozing clients... all of it. And it all just led to this. "Seriously, Maya is like Landon's most obedient dog." He, in the video, just swirled his drink. He didn't even deny it. He just... smirked. "What do you mean, most?" The group howled with laughter. It was like a bucket of ice water. I was cold, but I was finally, suddenly, awake. I pulled out my phone and found the contact for the blind date my family had been pushing for months. I’d been ignoring it, trying to get them to cancel. But now... The best way to get over someone, right? I typed. [Are you free to meet tomorrow?] He replied almost instantly. [Yes.] 4 My blind date was a gentleman. He insisted I pick the time, and he'd handle the place. My parents had been so vague. I'd tuned them out. I had no idea who I was meeting. I arrived early, pacing outside the restaurant. What if I didn't recognize him? I was so busy worrying, I backed straight into someone. "Sorry, sorry..." I looked up. Perfectly tailored suit. And above that, a face so distractingly handsome it was almost unfair. He was looking at me with a warm, gentle expression. "Why don't you go in?" he asked. I stared at his mouth. I swallowed. I knew this man. Julian He. The CEO. The one Landon’s company had been trying—and failing—to partner with for a year. He was known for being ruthless, cold, and impossible to get a meeting with. I scrambled to get out of his way. "Mr. He, I'm so sorry. I'm waiting for someone, I was totally spaced out. Please, go ahead..." He chuckled. A low, warm sound. "Ms. Shi?" I froze. He knew my name. His eyes crinkled at the corners. "Is it at all possible... that you're waiting for me?" 5 I was, to put it mildly, stunned. My family had set me up with Julian He? The Julian He? I sat across from him in the private room, smiling politely on the outside, while frantically texting my mom under the table. [THE BLIND DATE IS JULIAN HE??] [ARE WE THAT RICH NOW??] [DID YOU SECRETLY BECOME A BILLIONAIRE??] My mom replied instantly. [?] [What are you talking about, honey? You're daydreaming.] [We set you up with Julian He's distant nephew.] [Didn't your aunt explain?] I glanced at the man across from me. Was this the nephew? He caught my eye. I had to say something. "Um... excuse me. You... you are Mr. Julian He, right?" He nodded, a small, apologetic smile. "Yes. My apologies, I haven"t introduced myself. Maya Shi, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Julian, and I'm your blind date." This was not adding up. "But... I was told... my date was..." Julian raised an eyebrow. He sipped his tea. "That kid? He's not good enough for you. So I came instead." He looked at me. "Is that a problem? Would you prefer him?" I stared. He said it so... casually. Like he knew me. "Of course not... I don't even know him." He smiled. "Then I hope you don't mind the substitution." "No..." I mean, how could I? He seemed genuinely pleased. He reached down and produced a thick, bound document, placing it in front of me. "Good. This is my resume. My personal stats, hobbies, salary, and a full list of my personal assets. You can look it over. "To be clear, Ms. Shi... I am here today with the intention of finding a wife. "My social circle is very small. I can guarantee absolute fidelity. If we marry, I will, of course, add you to my trust and ensure all assets are shared. I will never pressure you. As long as you remain my wife, you will have total freedom. "If these terms are acceptable... I hope you will consider me." He finished this speech and just... looked at me. His eyes were so sincere it was disarming. Was this a fever dream? I pinched my leg under the table. Ow. Not a dream. I took a sip of water. "Mr. He... are you... proposing to me?" He nodded. Very seriously. "Yes. Maya. I would be very honored to be your husband." 6 I was totally lost. Who gets proposed to on a blind date? By Julian He? "But... why me?" He seemed to expect this. "A woman with your talent, your looks, your character... why wouldn't I want to marry you?" He leaned in. "Do I need a better reason than that?" "But... your qualifications are..." He stopped me. "Do you think I'm qualified, Maya?" I looked at the table. It was set with all of my favorite, obscure dishes. He'd done his homework. He wasn't cold or ruthless at all. He was... perfect. "You're... you're great." He beamed. "Then... will you 'try me out'?" He meant marriage. I panicked. "I mean... we could start... by dating?" I squeaked. "Marriage seems... fast." The light in his eyes dimmed, just for a second, before he masked it. "Of course," he said, nodding. "Whatever you want."
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