Chapter 33
After dinner, Joshua and Allison made their way down to the underground garage,
Allison strolled over to the blue Bentley.
Joshua suddenly asked, “So, how do you like driving this car?
Allison bit her lip and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I took it for a spin last night, it’s fantastic, thank you.*
“Should I take off first, then?” Allison waved the keys she was holding, and then something clicked in her memory. “Oh, Joshua, I’ve got a gift for you. I meant to give it to you last night, but it slipped my mind
“Oh? What kind of gift?”
“It’s back at the hotel in my suitcase. I’ll get it for you when I come back.”
Joshua opened the driver–side door. “I’ll come with you. Let me drive”
“Huh?” Allison was momentarily caught off guard but quickly recovered. “Sure, we can go together, but let me drive. You deserve a break.”
Joshua had flown in from Oak Lake just to see her last night and had driven twenty kilometers first thing in the morning to get her breakfast. He had to be exhausted, and she didn’t want to add to his burden.
“Alright then,” Joshua said with a gentle smile. He knew Allie was looking out for him.
He casually walked over to the passenger side, opened the door, and got in. “No arguments here.”
As they cruised down the highway, they started chatting.
“Can I sit in on the hearing you’re attending today?” Joshua asked.
“Sure, it’s a contract dispute case. There are no trade secrets involved. Do you want to attend?”
“Yeah, is that okay?” Joshua’s voice was calm, with a hint of careful interest. “I’ve never seen you in action in court before.”
“Of course.” Allison thought it was important for them to get to know each other better since they were engaged. “Did you bring your ID? You’ll need it to fill out an application and get a visitor’s pass.”
“Yep, I brought it.” He had needed it for the flight and had checked the court attendance requirements beforehand, so he made sure to have it on him.
“Great, I’ll take you with me then.”
“Okay.”
Allison focused on driving, unaware of the affection in Joshua’s eyes or the tenderness in his gaze as he
watched her.
The car sped along the highway, a comfortable silence settling between them.
After a while, Allison suddenly asked, “Joshua, why did you agree to the arranged marriage with me?”
She had wanted to ask this question for three years.
The Fisher family was a force to be reckoned with in Oak Lake, not your average wealthy clan. Joshua’s grandfather held a significant position in politics, and his mother was from a political family, too. By rights, his future wife should have been from an equally influential family. So why did they choose her family?
The Owens family was prestigious in the business world in Oak Lake, sure, but they couldn’t match the Fisher family’s clout. Marrying Joshua was like reaching for the stars.
Allison had grown up in a world of high society and understood the rules of strategic marriages.
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He had plenty of other options.
Joshua’s gaze darkened, and after a long pause, he said, “Actually, my generation doesn’t need arranged marriages to keep our family’s status intact.”
His answer was vague, leaving Allison a bit puzzled.
“Then why not marry someone you love?”
Joshua’s voice was low. “If I don’t want to, no one can make me.”
Allison’s breath caught at his words.
She forced herself not to overthink it; dwelling on it would only lead to chaos in her heart.
Suddenly, she realized Joshua had a certain charm about him. Had he been in many relationships before? He seemed so adept at winning a girl over.
Ever since she agreed to the marriage, she noticed how thoughtful Joshua was. He was perfect in every way, and if this kept up, she worried she might actually fall for him.
Soon, it was time for the court session.
In the courtroom, Allison was a force to be reckoned with–eloquent and persuasive. Her thoughts were clear, her logic tight. She consistently held the upper hand, asking sharp questions that cut right to the core, repeatedly putting the opposing lawyer on the back foot.
