Married strangers

Aaron Beaumont sat in the spacious, tastefully decorated living room of his grandmother's estate, staring out the large bay window. The view was stunning-rolling hills dotted with trees, the perfect blend of nature and architecture. Yet, his mind was elsewhere, consumed by the weight of the conversation he was about to have. At twenty-seven, Aaron was one of the youngest multimillionaires in the country, having built his fortune from scratch in the tech industry. Despite his success, the only person who could still pull him back to reality was his grandmother, Evelyn Beaumont.

Evelyn, a woman of elegance and grace, had always been a significant influence in Aaron's life. She was the matriarch of the Beaumont family, a name that commanded respect in both social and business circles. She had practically raised Aaron after the tragic death of his parents when he was a teenager, molding him into the man he had become. But today, as she sat across from him, her usually warm eyes were tinged with a seriousness that Aaron rarely saw.

"Aaron," Evelyn began, her voice soft but firm, "there's something important I need to discuss with you."

Aaron shifted his gaze from the window to his grandmother. "Of course, Grandma. What is it?"

Evelyn hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "You've accomplished so much at such a young age, but there's one area of your life that concerns me."

Aaron raised an eyebrow, already suspecting where this conversation was headed. "My love life?"

Evelyn smiled slightly. "Yes, dear. You've been so focused on your career that you've neglected the other aspects of your life. You're not getting any younger, and neither am I. I want to see you settled before..."

Aaron leaned forward, cutting her off gently. "Before what, Grandma? You're not going anywhere."

Evelyn chuckled, but the concern in her eyes remained. "I'm not immortal, Aaron. And before I leave this world, I want to see you with someone who will care for you, someone who will stand by your side through thick and thin."

Aaron sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Grandma, I'm not ready for marriage. My business is still growing, and I can't afford any distractions right now."

Evelyn's expression softened, but there was a steely determination behind her words. "I understand that, but there's something you should know. My best friend, Lydia, and I made a promise to each other years ago, long before you were born."

Aaron frowned, intrigued despite himself. "What kind of promise?"

"We promised that if either of us had a grandchild of marrying age, we would try to unite them. Lydia's granddaughter, Lily, is a wonderful young woman. She's kind, intelligent, and has a heart of gold. I think she would be perfect for you."

Aaron stared at his grandmother in disbelief. "You want me to marry someone I've never even met?"

Evelyn nodded, unfazed by his reaction. "Yes. I believe it's the best thing for both of you. You're both too busy with your lives to find someone on your own, and this arrangement would benefit both families."

Aaron opened his mouth to protest, but Evelyn raised a hand to stop him. "Before you say no, just think about it. Meet her. If you don't like her, I won't force you to go through with it. But give her a chance."

Aaron looked into his grandmother's eyes, seeing the sincerity and concern there. He knew how much she loved him and how much this meant to her. As much as the idea of an arranged marriage seemed outdated and ridiculous to him, he couldn't dismiss it outright. Not when it was coming from the woman who had sacrificed so much for him.

"Alright, Grandma," Aaron finally said, his voice resigned. "I'll meet her."

Evelyn's face lit up with a smile, and she reached out to squeeze his hand. "That's all I ask, dear. Just meet her."

A week later, Aaron found himself in front of a courthouse, his heart pounding in his chest. He had agreed to meet Lily under the condition that it would be a simple, no-frills encounter-just the two of them, away from the pressures of their families. But Evelyn and Lydia had other plans. The moment Aaron agreed to meet Lily, the grandmothers had conspired to fast-track the marriage, insisting that if the two met, they should marry immediately, or else the deal would fall through.

Aaron wasn't sure how he had been talked into it. Perhaps it was the pleading look in his grandmother's eyes or the way she had spoken so highly of Lydia's granddaughter. Or maybe it was the subtle pressure of his own sense of duty. Whatever the reason, he now stood at the entrance of the courthouse, waiting to meet his future wife.

The door to the courthouse opened, and Aaron's breath caught in his throat. Lily stepped out, her figure framed by the sunlight. She was beautiful, no doubt about that-tall and slender, with dark hair that cascaded down her back in soft waves. She wore a simple white dress that accentuated her graceful form, and her eyes, a deep, mesmerizing shade of brown, met his with an expression of curiosity and trepidation.

Aaron walked up to her, trying to calm his racing heart. "Lily?"

She nodded, offering a small smile. "Yes, Aaron?"

He studied her for a moment, taking in her features, trying to gauge what kind of person she was. She seemed calm, composed, but there was a vulnerability in her eyes that he couldn't ignore.

"I know this is...unusual," Aaron began, searching for the right words. "But I want you to know that I didn't come to this decision lightly. My grandmother means a lot to me, and she speaks very highly of you."

Lily's smile grew a little warmer. "My grandmother said the same about you."

There was an awkward silence as they both tried to find the right words. It was strange, meeting someone for the first time and knowing that, in a few moments, they would be married. But there was also a sense of inevitability, as if this was something that had been set in motion long before they were even born.

"Shall we?" Aaron finally said, gesturing toward the courthouse door.

Lily nodded, and together they walked inside. The ceremony was brief, almost mechanical, with the judge reading the vows in a monotone voice. Aaron barely registered the words as he repeated them, his mind still grappling with the reality of what was happening. When the judge finally declared them husband and wife, it felt surreal, like a dream he might wake up from at any moment.

They signed the marriage certificate, and with that, it was done. Aaron Beaumont and Lily Anderson were now husband and wife. They exchanged polite smiles, but there was an unspoken understanding between them-they were strangers, bound by a promise made by their grandmothers.

After the ceremony, they walked outside, the warm afternoon sun bathing them in light. Aaron turned to Lily, his expression serious. "Lily, I need to be honest with you. I have to leave the country for a year on a business trip. It's something I can't postpone, and I didn't expect to be married before I left."

Lily looked at him, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. "A year?"

"Yes," Aaron said, his voice firm. "I don't want you to feel obligated to wait for me. We can figure out what to do when I get back. But for now, I think it's best if we keep our distance. You'll have your life, and I'll have mine."

Lily nodded slowly, processing his words. "I understand. I have my own life to focus on as well. We can figure things out when you return."

There was a moment of silence between them, a mutual agreement to keep things as simple and detached as possible. With that, Aaron hailed a cab for Lily and watched as she disappeared down the street, her image fading into the bustling city.

As Aaron stood there, watching the cab drive away, he felt a strange mix of emotions-relief, uncertainty, and a hint of something he couldn't quite define. But there was no time to dwell on it. He had a flight to catch, and a year's worth of work ahead of him.

With one last glance at the courthouse, Aaron turned and walked away, leaving behind the life he had just unknowingly begun.