Chapter Text
Usually, Justin never cares about supernatural powers, but this afternoon, consciously and of his own will, he stopped in front of a church. With his hands clasped together and his eyes closed, for the first time in years, Justin prayed earnestly.
May Josh Cullen Santos be involved in an accident and die instantly on his way to the meeting place.
But of course, the man was still alive when Justin arrived at the Korean Restaurant they rented an hour later. His hearty laughter pierced through the sliding door that hadn't even been opened by the waiter yet, causing Justin's heart to feel like it dropped to the floor. If it's not Josh who dies, God, Justin thought as he walked in, let it be me.
"Ah, you've arrived." Justin's mother was the first to notice Justin's arrival. She seemed overly ecstatic, almost bordering on hysteria. "Come here, sit in front of Josh."
While his mother barked at the waiter to prepare utensils for him, Justin offered a small smile and a stale excuse for his lateness to the three people across the table.
"You must be tired after a long flight," Mrs. Santos commented softly, as if Justin were a seven-year-old child instead of twenty-seven.
"I'm used to it. Besides, I couldn't miss such an important meeting." Justin concluded with a final smile, as if he had never asked the driver to take a detour from the airport to avoid arriving here too soon.
"So, how was Milan?" Mr. Santos asked, adjusting his square-rimmed glasses. The man embodied all the stereotypes of a professor in Justin's mind: tall and thin, bald and bespectacled.
"It was incredible. Milan has always been my favorite destination, but going there for a fashion show made this experience even more memorable."
"Justin has his own fashion brand," Mrs. De dios interjected, as if everyone didn't already know. "He started it as a hobby when he was still studying. Who would have thought it would soon become the most popular brand in the hometown?"
Justin never considered his business venture as a mere hobby, but he laughed along, secretly calculating everyone's facial expressions. The atmosphere was pleasant and warm, but with only six of them in the room, sooner or later Josh Cullen would surely strike up a conversation, and Justin was not looking forward to it. He couldn't even look directly at the man sitting across from him. He was afraid of going blind if he dared to meet his gaze, as if challenging an eclipse.
Although Josh was only five years older than Justin, everyone, including their mothers, had heard of his name, especially the mothers who were trying to find a son-in-law. His parents were just unremarkable academics, a first-generation couple who were awkward and shy, but Josh single-handedly saved a large company from collapsing due to internal disputes and even skyrocketed its value. Since then, his education at Harvard had become the talk of the town, as well as his achievements as a regional table tennis athlete during his teenage years.
The embarrassing company involved in the dispute? It belonged to Justin's parents. And now those two fools thought they could redeem Josh's services with Justin's virginity.
Just call him paranoid, he doesn't mind, but isn't that the essence of this whole meeting? Arranged marriage is just sweet words written in cursive after erasing the human trafficking behind it.
Therefore, Justin hopes that one of them can die soon. If possible, right now. Or, if the angel of death is still rushing on the way, within the next ten minutes. At most, within thirty minutes.
However, thirty minutes passed without any significant incident. The snow crab dish on the table was almost finished, and the parents started exchanging meaningful glances. Justin was still alive, and Josh hadn't spoken to him yet.
Mr. Santos cleared his throat loudly. "I'm sure this conversation between the parents is boring for you, huh?"
"No—" Justin's waist was pinched hard by his mother.
"This restaurant has a beautiful garden," Mrs. De dios whispered. "You can take a walk and get some fresh air while we discuss their boring topics."
"That's a great idea!" Mrs. Santos responded, her enthusiasm flowing so smoothly that it seemed genuine. "Josh, take Justin to see the beautiful garden."
And so, the two of them were kicked out. Justin noticed Josh watching him as he put on his shoes. However, before he could say anything, Josh had already turned his face towards the hallway.
"This way, right?"
"Actually, this way."
Justin led the way down the hallway, trying his best not to look back where Josh silently followed him. It must be admitted that he felt uncomfortable. After all, Josh Cullen was famous among Justin's friends not because of his educational background, but because of rumors that he was a commitment-hating playboy. He was the type of jerk who intentionally booked a table at a nightclub to be surrounded by both women and men...
...while Justin was a pathetic bachelor who had never even been in a relationship.
The hallway ended after what felt like centuries of walking, replaced by a dimly lit Zen-style garden at night. The bustling noise of the restaurant patrons faded into a distant hum, leaving only the gentle splashing of the pond and Justin's pounding heart as the only sources of sound.
He took a deep breath, then turned around, giving a business-like smile. "Any ideas on how we should spend our time?"
Part of Josh's face was covered in shadow. "We can think about it while sitting."
Josh's slender finger pointed to a stone bench not far from the pond. When Justin sat down there, however, Josh chose to position himself at the edge of the pond, so they were facing each other again. Without a separating table, without food as a distraction, Justin had no choice but to look ahead, meeting his gaze with Josh's.
There were thousands of photos of Josh out there, from business magazine covers to tucked-away corners of someone's party, but looking at him directly instantly took Justin's breath away. The man made the word 'handsome' sound simple, with thick eyebrows that shadowed his sharp, dark brown eyes, and a high nose bridge that separated his face profile in a captivating symmetry.
No wonder he was popular, Justin thought, realizing fully that he was captivated. Just one smile and even the most cynical person would kneel before him.
"So," Josh said, and for a moment Justin was conflicted between observing his Adam's apple or his eyes, "what do you think about this arranged marriage?"
Justin was immediately brought back to reality. He straightened up. "I don't think too much about it," he said casually. "This isn't the first time I've been set up with someone by my parents' acquaintances—and I'm sure you've experienced it too. If we agree to reject it, they have no reason to force us further."
Did he sound like someone experienced in relationships? Justin hoped so. Acting clueless about the prospects of a future partner would certainly make Justin seem like he had plenty of experience in this matter.
"But this is my first time."
Justin blinked, and Josh looked down, examining an imaginary stain on his palm.
"I've had many offers, but this is the first time I've actually attended an arranged marriage," Josh said awkwardly. "I... don't think it's a bad idea? I mean, I already know your parents, and I've heard about you too."
"Marriage is a big deal," Justin blurted out, more out of confusion than debate. "I know my parents can be pushy, especially since you work under them, but that shouldn't be the basis for determining your life choices. Besides, don't you dislike commitment?"
Josh looked up, furrowing his brow. "I dislike commitment?"
Damn, was that an accusation only said by single people? Justin stumbled a bit. "I-I'm just trying to make this easier for both of us."
"It's not about pressure from the board chairman. It's the right moment, that's all. I do intend to find a life partner after the company turmoil settles down." Josh coughed, rubbing his neck, murmuring under his breath, "But I don't know where to start."
Justin became more bewildered by the awkward behavior of the man in front of him. "What about your dating friends? I'm sure one of them has good qualities as a life partner."
"Who are you talking about?"
"You."
"I've never dated." Josh's face blushed. "In my entire life."
Justin had heard countless nonsense before, but only a few managed to make him flinch. He stared at Josh for a long moment, unblinking.
"What are you really talking about?"
"I know it's embarrassing," Josh sighed. "I've been too busy with work for so long that I haven't had time for romance. Suddenly, I'm this age and have no experience at all."
"No, I mean—" What about all those dating friends at the club? The thousands of hearts he had coldly broken? Did this mean Justin wasn't the only person still single at the end of their twenties?
"But I'm not offended if you mean to stop here," Josh continued, stopping Justin's spiraling thoughts. Once again, he smiled as Justin met his gaze. "Like you said, marriage is a big deal. I also don't want to marry someone out of obligation."
Josh stood up and then extended his hand. "Let's go back before our parents have too high expectations."
Justin welcomed Josh's outstretched hand but didn't let go even after he stood up.
"Sooner or later, I'll be arranged again, so I might as well marry you."