The Inevitable Encounter

Calista's POV

The engine purred beneath me, a familiar sound that I had come to love—a steady, powerful hum that felt like an extension of my own pulse. My fingers curled around the leather steering wheel, the matte red Aston Martin Vantage gleaming under the fading afternoon light. I shifted gears smoothly, feeling the surge of energy as the car roared forward, slicing through traffic with ease.

I barely glanced at the dashboard as I tapped the touchscreen, setting my destination without thinking. I didn’t need to; driving this car was second nature by now. My stiletto pressed down on the accelerator, and the Vantage leaped forward like a predator on the hunt, its growl sending a thrill up my spine. There was nothing quite like the feeling of controlling something so powerful, something that mirrored my own need for independence and dominance.

As I leaned back into the leather seat, letting the thrill of the drive wash over me, the city faded into a blur of colors and motion. The low, controlled growl of the engine was like music to my ears, the way it responded instantly to my every command. I was in my element, owning the road, and I couldn’t help but smirk as heads turned my way. The attention was satisfying—exactly the way I liked it.

But then, just as I was about to round a corner, some sleek, silver beast of a car suddenly cut into my lane without warning, forcing me to tap the brakes. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I glared at the offending vehicle—a Rolls-Royce, effortlessly gliding past me like it owned the road.

"Unbelievable," I muttered, eyes narrowing at the sight of the car.

My smirk faltered, and I felt a strange twist of annoyance in my chest. I shifted gears, speeding up to catch a glimpse of the driver. I wasn't about to let anyone upstage me without knowing who they were.

I pulled up alongside it at a red light, my fingers drumming impatiently on the wheel. The Rolls-Royce’s glossy silver paint reflected the dying light of the sun perfectly, making it gleam like a moving spotlight. Inside, the driver—a guy in sunglasses with a perfectly tailored suit—barely glanced my way. His indifference only added to the insult.

As the light turned green and the Rolls sped ahead, attracting more stares as it glided down the boulevard, I exhaled slowly and pressed my foot to the gas, feeling the Vantage’s familiar, satisfying surge forward.

This road was mine. And no one—no car, no person—was going to take that from me for long.

As I pulled into the lot of the upscale restaurant, the valet raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by my Aston Martin. I handed him the keys with a confident smirk, but as I glanced around the lot, that satisfaction quickly dissolved. Parked just a few spaces ahead, gleaming under the ambient lights like a polished trophy, was that same damn Rolls-Royce.

Of course.

I narrowed my eyes as I stepped out, heels clicking against the pavement. The sight of the car sitting there, parked like it owned the place, made my blood simmer just a little. I couldn’t believe it—I was here for a simple, pleasant dinner, but apparently fate had other plans.

The driver had clearly arrived before me, and there was no sign of him yet, but that sleek silver car stood as a reminder of the earlier snub. People were still turning their heads as they walked by, admiring the Rolls like it was a museum exhibit. Meanwhile, my Aston Martin—though still stunning in its own right—seemed to fade into the background.

I clenched my teeth and forced myself to walk inside, determined not to let some random rich jerk ruin my evening. But as I approached the entrance, my mind couldn't help but linger on one thought: who the hell drove that thing, and why were they everywhere tonight?

As I stepped into the most exclusive restaurant in town—one my parents had effortlessly reserved, of course—I felt that familiar rush of excitement. I had been looking forward to this family dinner all day, hoping for some good news and even better food. But as I entered the lavish dining room, my excitement evaporated, replaced by a growing sense of confusion.

The usual intimate setting for a family meal was nowhere to be found. Instead of just my parents, there were several unfamiliar faces seated around the large, elaborately set table. My gaze flickered over the guests—business types in expensive suits, polished and poised. This wasn’t a simple family dinner; it looked more like some kind of... gathering.

I hesitated at the door, scanning the faces. Who were these people, and why hadn’t my parents mentioned anything about it? I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. This wasn’t part of the plan.

And then, just as I was about to approach my parents for answers, my eyes landed on one face in particular. A man sitting near the head of the table, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, with an air of effortless wealth about him. He was tall, with sharp, angular features and a calm demeanor that suggested he was no stranger to being the center of attention.

It hit me like a punch to the gut. He looked eerily familiar.

I squinted, trying to place where I’d seen him before, and then it clicked—the Rolls-Royce. The same guy who had cut me off on the road earlier was now sitting at my family’s dinner table, casually chatting with my father as if they’d known each other for years.

My confusion deepened. What was going on?

I approached the table cautiously, masking my surprise behind a cool expression. “Mom, Dad… what’s all this?”

My mother looked up, all smiles as if nothing was amiss. “Oh, darling, you’re here! Come, sit down. We’ve invited some special guests tonight.”

“Special guests?” I echoed, glancing again at the Rolls-Royce driver, who was now watching me with mild interest.

“Yes,” my father chimed in, motioning toward the man. “Calista, I’d like you to meet Caius Vale Dominic. He and his family are important business partners.”

Caius. The name rang in my ears as I stared at him, piecing it together.

This wasn’t just a dinner. It was something else entirely. Something I hadn’t seen coming.

Just as I was processing the shock of seeing Caius at the table, my father cleared his throat, commanding everyone’s attention. A silence fell over the room, the chatter and laughter fading as he stood up, a proud smile spreading across his face.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice booming with enthusiasm. “Thank you all for joining us this evening. We have a very important announcement to make.”

My heart raced, a growing sense of dread curling in my stomach. I glanced nervously at my mother, who seemed utterly unfazed by the situation, a glimmer of excitement dancing in her eyes.

“Tonight marks a significant milestone for our families,” my father continued, his gaze sweeping over the table until it landed on me. “As many of you know, the Borromeo and Dominic families have been close for generations. And it is with great pleasure that I announce the arranged marriage between my daughter, Calista Soleil Borromeo, and Caius Vale Dominic!”

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. My heart dropped, and the world around me seemed to blur. I felt the blood drain from my face as shocked gasps filled the room.

“What?” I blurted, unable to contain my surprise and disbelief. My eyes darted between my father, my mother, and Caius, who remained composed, his expression unreadable. How could this be happening? Wasn’t I supposed to have some say in my own life?

“Dad, you can’t be serious,” I protested, my voice barely whispered as panic gripped me. “We never discussed this!”

My father held up a hand, his expression firm yet triumphant. “Calista, this is a union that benefits both families. It’s time for you to embrace this opportunity. You’ll be securing a bright future for yourself and for us.”

My mother turned to me, her calm demeanor unshaken by my visible distress. “I assure you, Cali, this is not meant to cause you discomfort. Our families believe this is the best course of action.”

“Of course, you would say that, Mom.” I shot back, frustration boiling beneath the surface. “I don't even know him, and yet you want me to marry him!”

“Exactly,” my mother replied, her voice steady. “And that’s precisely why we're gathered here tonight, so you can get to know each other better.”

I wanted to scream. The very thought of being thrust into an engagement with a complete stranger—a man who had just cut me off on the road—was infuriating.

“I didn’t agree to this!” I exclaimed, desperation creeping into my tone.

“Life isn’t about what we agree to, Calista,” my father said, his tone is now softening. “It’s about making the best of what is presented to us. This arrangement will bring both of our families together, and I promise you, there will be time for you to figure things out.”

I looked at Caius, expecting to see a hint of smugness, but he merely regarded me with a calm acceptance, as if he had already resigned himself to the fate we were now being forced into.

In that moment, my world felt turned upside down. What was once a simple family dinner had spiraled into a reality I never wanted—an arranged marriage with a man I barely knew, and it was happening whether I liked it or not. My heart sank, knowing that my fight against this union would only grow more complicated from here on out.

The dinner continued around me, but I felt as if I were in a different world, floating through a haze of confusion and disbelief. The clinking of cutlery and the hum of conversation faded into the background as I processed what my father had just announced.

Guests at the table began to congratulate my parents, their voices a mixture of excitement and approval, while I sat frozen in my chair, my fork hovering uselessly above my plate. My gaze drifted to Caius, who was engaged in conversation with a couple seated across from us. His smile was easy and confident, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions raging inside me. How could he act like this was all perfectly normal?

“Calista, sweetheart, you should be happy!” my mother chimed in, her voice light and cheerful, as if she were announcing a birthday celebration instead of a life-altering decision. “This is a wonderful opportunity for you! Just think of the connections and the future we’re building together.”

I shot her a sharp look, my frustration boiling over. “What about my happiness? Did you even consider my feelings?”

My voice was louder than I intended, and a few heads turned in our direction. I pushed my plate away, the food suddenly unappetizing. My appetite had vanished, replaced by a storm of emotions swirling inside me. The laughter and celebration felt like a mockery of my predicament, and the weight of the room pressed down on me, suffocating.

As the conversation continued—a blend of laughter and toasts—I felt completely detached, as though I were watching a play unfold rather than participating in it. I caught snippets of conversations about wedding plans, future endeavors, and how “perfect” Caius and I would be together. Their words only deepened my sense of isolation, as if I were the only one not swept up in the so-called “joy” of this engagement.

“Caius, how do you feel about the engagement?” one of the guests asked, their voice filled with curiosity, eyes sparkling with interest.

Caius glanced my way, his expression neutral, unreadable. “I believe it’s an opportunity for growth. Calista and I have much to learn from each other.”

“Growth?” I repeated, my voice sharper than I had intended. “What does that even mean? You don’t know me.”

“Yet,” he said calmly, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of confidence and intrigue. “And that’s what makes this arrangement interesting, don’t you think?”

“Interesting?” I scoffed, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice. “You think it’s interesting that our lives are being planned out without any consideration for what we want?”

Caius leaned back in his chair, his eyes focused intently on me as if he were studying my every reaction. “I think it’s an opportunity for us to explore what we could become together. Nothing is set in stone until we decide how to shape it.”

A mix of anger and disbelief welled up within me. I wanted to throw my napkin down, to stand up and leave this farce of a dinner. How could he be so calm, so composed, while my life felt like it was spiraling out of control? But then, as I sat there, an idea began to form in my mind.

He thinks this arrangement is interesting, huh? Fine. Let’s see how interesting I can make it for him.

I forced a smile, keeping my tone steady. “Right. Then let’s see how we can shape that stone.” My words came out smooth, my challenge clear. I noticed his eyebrows raise slightly, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.

“Are you trying to make some point here?” Caius asked, his voice now more serious, the playful banter gone.

“My point is,” I said, leaning forward slightly, my voice laced with determination, “if we can shape the same stone or if we’re two completely different stones, no amount of molding is going to make us fit. What do you think?”

His lips curled into a grin, as if my defiance amused him. “Well, we’ll never know until we try.”

“Exactly,” I replied, a spark of satisfaction lighting up inside me. “That’s why we should make a deal. If we’re going to find out if we’re compatible, why don’t we go on dates—ten dates exactly—to get to know each other better?”

Caius leaned back in his chair again, considering my proposal. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he said, “Not a bad idea… but there’s a catch.”

I narrowed my eyes, suspicious. “What’s the catch?”

“To be fair,” he said smoothly, “let’s make it five dates planned by you and five dates planned by me. That way, we’ll really see if we’re compatible. What do you think?”

I hesitated for a moment, weighing the idea. “Five dates planned by you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Are you sure you can handle planning something interesting?”

He grinned wider. “I assure you, Calista, you won’t be disappointed. But if you are, well… you’ll get your five dates to make up for it.”

I smiled, despite myself. “Fine. Deal.”

As I spoke, I considered his words carefully, a flicker of possibility igniting within me. Maybe agreeing to this would give me a chance to maintain some semblance of control over my life. It was a way to learn about him, to see if there was more to Caius Vale Dominic than just the man who drove a flashy Rolls Royce and participated in an arranged marriage like it was no big deal.

As the evening wore on, I found myself caught in a web of conflicting emotions—defiance, curiosity, and the strange, unshakable feeling that this was only the beginning of a complicated journey. I had no idea where it would lead, but one thing was certain: I wasn’t ready to accept defeat just yet. If I was going to navigate this engagement, I was going to do it on my terms.

For now, I would play along. And who knows, maybe I’d even learn to enjoy the game. After all, it had only just begun, and I had every intention of playing to win.

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