Chapter 1 : Dead Brown Eyes

Helen Peters, sat across from me. Her face was red as she tried to hold in her laughter. I would know, she's been my best friend since high school.

"So," she sang mischievously, "Grandma Rosie went boyfriend hunting for you before she died?"

I groaned and dropped my head on the table. The restaurant we met at was a high end one, boasting high columns, artistic stained-glass windows and wide arches. It had a rustic feel to it, like an old Spanish architecture. Cream walls added to its appeal.

It's a place we've been to many times on our transit to and from the University. It was usually our comfort place, but today it did little to calm the storm going on inside me.

I raised my head, peering directly at Helen's green eyes that were shining with mirth. She snickered, passing a hand through her brown, chin length hair.

"Come on, Gia, you have to see the funny side to this."

"There is no funny side, Helen," I snapped, "I just don't understand why Grandma Rosie felt the need to put me through this."

Helen shrugged, drawing out another groan from me. After the will was read, I immediately called her. I didn't even change out of my grey pencil skirt and white blouse. She was already here when I arrived and when I told her my predicament, she started laughing. And not the quiet, rich girl laugh I was accustomed to—oh no—but a loud, belly bursting witch cackle that I've only ever heard once when Kelsey had fallen from the second floor steps back in high school.

"Okay, not funny," she chuckled, "but did you even get a good look at these suitors?"

I slammed the folder onto the table. The noise cut through the peaceful atmosphere, attracting a few disapproving stares from the other patrons.

Helen's eyes scrolled over the big red letters before widening. Her previous amused expression dropped, and she slowly met my eyes. The severity of the situation finally kicked in.

"Damn, Gia. You really aren't kidding. Have you looked through them?"

Her question hung heavily in the air, adding weight to the daunting task ahead of me. I couldn't go through those pictures alone. Why did she think I called her? I shook my head in defeat.

Letting out a breath, my shaky hands finally ripped the seal. I let the big square photos glide onto the table. Helen immediately grabbed them, setting them out in two neat lines.

Six pairs of eyes peered up at us from the pictures. All six belonged to incredibly handsome men who looked like they came from distinguished families.

I could smell the money from here. Why would Grandma Rosie want me to marry from wealth when she's already left me a fortune.

A fortune that's at stake if you don't marry one of these men, Gia.

I sighed. Helen rolled her eyes. We looked at each other. A silent question went through her eyes before she gingerly picked up a portrait. Attached to it was a small, folded paper. Now that I think about it, all the portraits had that small, folded paper.

My best friend scanned over the man and his features before unfolding the paper. The soft sound of the edges passing against each other raised my anxiety.

"Alright, Gia. How about we get through this 1 man at a time. I presume you have to meet them, yes?"

I nodded mechanically, remembering the sealed letter that was given to me after the will reading. It had read:

My dear Gia,

If you are reading this, you have found my clause. I don't want you to just choose with just your eyes. I want you to meet those men, get to know them and choose one who you will be comfortable spending the rest of your life with. You may not understand why I'm doing this, but I assure you, it's for your own good.

Lots of luck dear,

Grandma Rosie.

Helen's eyes widened, an impressed look flashing through them, "This guy's name is Gregory Daniels. He's 26, 6 ft tall and the C.E.O of Hardin Enterprises. His hobbies are travelling the world with his yatch and throwing lavish parties."

She turned the portrait towards me and I took time to examine him. The first thing I noticed about him was his wide honey brown eyes that looked as if they'd once held hope, but now they were dull and lifeless.

He had a thin nose and thin pink lips. His hair was straight and wispy even though he'd tried to gel it back, away from his pale face. He had thick bushy eyebrows and the ears that weren't exactly big, but weren't exactly small either.

All in all he was a handsome young man, yet I couldn't help but notice none of his flaws were listed.

"So," Helen pushed, "What do you think?"

I shrugged, "I don't know, Hel. He seems so generic."

"Don't knock it till you try it, girly. Why don't I schedule a meet up for you two and let's see how it goes from there? I know this dating is new to you, but maybe Grandma Rosie's point was to get you out of your comfort zone."

I quite like my comfort zone, Helen. The words wanted to come out, but somehow they stayed stuck in my throat. Instead, I smiled and cautiously nodded.

What bad can one little date bring? I don't have to make a choice right away.

You have 14 days, Gia.

I groaned. The reminder bouncing around my head like a boomerang. It's better to get this over and done with as quickly as possible. I only need to get married to have my inheritance. Once everything is settled, I'll just get a divorce.

I squared my shoulders and gave my best friend a level stare, "Okay Helen, let's do this."

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