The dining room was beautifully prepared for dinner. The long table was covered with elegant plates, silver cutlery, crystal glasses, and several dishes arranged neatly in the centre.
Iris sat beside her mother, with Damien sitting directly opposite her. Richard and Eleanor sat on either side of him, while Anthony sat beside Annie.
Iris tried to focus on her food, but every time she looked up, Damien was right there.
Eleanor smiled at her.
"So, Iris, tell us a little about yourself," she said. "What do you enjoy doing?"
Iris swallowed her food before answering.
"I enjoy spending time with my friends, travelling, shopping, and helping people," she replied.
"That sounds nice," Eleanor said. "Are you still in school?"
"Yes," Iris replied.
"What are you studying?" Richard asked.
"Psychology." She answered.
"Huh? That's interesting. Where did you go to school?" He asked
"Colombia. I just finished last year." She replied.
Damien looked at her with slight interest.
"Why psychology?" he asked.
Iris looked at him.
"I've always been interested in understanding people and helping them," she explained.
Damien nodded.
"Do you enjoy it?" he asked.
"Most of the time," Iris replied. "It's challenging, but I like it."
Damien nodded before asking another question.
"Do you plan on working in psychology?"
"Definitely," Iris said. "I'd like to help people."
"What do you usually do when you're not studying?"
Iris raised an eyebrow.
"Is this an interview?"
Damien gave a small smile.
"I'm just asking."
Iris shrugged.
"I spend time with Sienna mostly. Sometimes I go shopping or hang out with friends."
"I see," Damien said.
For a moment, Iris continued eating.
Then, an odd thought crossed her mind.
She looked directly at Damien.
"So…" she began.
Annie immediately looked at her.
"Iris."
"What?" Iris asked.
"Don't," Annie warned quietly.
Iris frowned.
"I haven't even asked the question."
"I know you," Annie replied.
Richard sighed.
"Iris, maybe leave that one alone."
Damien looked between them.
"What question?" he asked.
Iris looked at him.
"Why did you agree to this?"
The table suddenly went quiet.
Annie closed her eyes briefly.
"Iris," she said.
"What?" Iris asked. "It's a fair question."
Damien remained quiet for a moment.
Then he leaned back slightly.
"It's fine," he said.
Iris looked at him.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"I'll answer," Damien said.
Everyone looked at him.
Damien glanced down at his plate before looking back at Iris.
"Because I don't really have a choice."
Iris frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"My grandfather made the condition clear," Damien explained. "If I want to take over the company, I have to be married. My father did the same."
"And you just agreed?" Iris asked.
"I agreed to the meeting," Damien replied. "The rest is still being decided."
Iris nodded slowly.
At least they had something in common.
Neither of them had exactly chosen this.
Dinner continued, and the conversation gradually became less tense.
By the time everyone had finished eating, the atmosphere had become slightly more relaxed.
The maids began clearing the table.
Richard looked toward Damien.
"So, Damien, is there anything else we need to discuss tonight?"
Damien nodded.
"Yes, actually."
Iris looked up.
Damien placed his glass down.
"I think we should finalize the marriage arrangements tomorrow."
Iris froze.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes," Damien said.
Her eyes widened.
"You mean the marriage is happening tomorrow?"
Anthony looked uncomfortable.
"It's not exactly the wedding," Damien explained. "It's just the legal documents. We sign them, and everything is official."
Iris stared at him.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
"That's way too fast," Iris said.
Damien remained calm.
"The sooner it's done, the sooner both families can move forward."
Iris shook her head.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"Iris—" Annie began.
"No," Iris interrupted. "Yesterday I found out I was apparently supposed to marry this man, and now you're telling me I have to sign marriage papers tomorrow?"
Damien looked at her.
"It's a simple document."
Iris stared at him in disbelief.
"A simple document?" she repeated.
Damien nodded.
"Yes."
She pushed her chair back.
"Well, maybe it's simple for you."
"Iris," Anthony said.
But she was already standing.
"I need to go."
She walked away from the table.
"Iris, wait," Annie called.
She didn't stop.
She walked out of the dining room and disappeared upstairs.
Silence filled the room.
Damien watched the doorway for a moment.
Richard sighed.
"im sorry, Damien should have said it, that why" Eleanor said.
A few minutes later, Iris's footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs again.
She walked straight past everyone without saying a word.
Annie looked at her.
"Sweetheart—"
"I'll see you tomorrow," Iris said quietly.
She walked toward the front door.
The Blackwoods soon followed, saying their goodbyes before leaving the mansion.
As Damien stepped outside, he glanced back at the house.
For the first time, he wondered if this arrangement was going to be much more complicated than he had expected.