"Gold! Five more minutes and we'll miss the bus!"
Lina's voice came sharply from the doorway, mixed with impatience and urgency.
"If this one passes, we won't find another easily!" she added, raising her voice slightly.
Inside the small room, Gold stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the hem of her dress for what felt like the tenth time that morning. Her fingers smoothed over the fabric nervously before she stepped back to look at herself again.
"Does this gown look okay?" she asked, turning halfway toward Lina.
Lina leaned against the doorframe with her arms folded, studying her friend with an exaggerated seriousness.
Gold was wearing a soft blue gown that fell neatly just below her knees. The dress was simple, the fabric light and modest, but it suited her perfectly. The color made her skin glow softly under the morning light that slipped through the window.
Her hair had been carefully arranged and tied back, though a few loose strands framed her face. She wore very little makeup, just enough to highlight her natural features. Small silver earrings rested against her ears, subtle but elegant.
The dress itself wasn't luxurious, anyone could tell that much. It was the kind of dress someone wore when they wanted to look presentable without drawing too much attention.
On her feet were simple flats, comfortable and practical, and a small handbag hung loosely from her shoulder.
Gold looked neat. Beautiful even.
But clearly not wealthy.
Lina pushed herself off the doorframe and walked slowly around her, examining her from head to toe as if she were some kind of fashion inspector.
"Hmmm," Lina hummed dramatically.
Gold sighed.
"Lina."
"What?"
"You're doing that thing again."
"What thing?"
Gold gestured at her.
"The judging."
Lina shrugged with a small grin.
"Well someone has to."
Gold rolled her eyes.
"So?"
Lina stepped back and nodded.
"You look good."
Gold raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
"What do you want me to say?" Lina laughed. "You look like you're about to attend a royal wedding?"
Gold sighed again and adjusted the sleeve of her gown.
"I just don't want to look ridiculous."
"You won't," Lina said casually. "Trust me."
Only then did Gold glance at Lina properly.
Unlike her,Lina looked effortlessly relaxed.
She wore a pair of neatly fitted trousers that hugged her frame perfectly, paired with a stylish crop top that stopped just above her waist. The outfit was simple but modern, giving her an easy confidence that Gold wished she had at that moment.
Her hair was styled loosely, falling naturally around her shoulders, and she wore comfortable sneakers that suggested she was ready to walk if necessary.
Lina looked exactly like herself.
Confident. Bold. Unbothered.
Meanwhile Gold still felt like her heart was racing.
Lina noticed the nervous look creeping across her face again and shook her head.
"If you adjust that dress one more time," Lina said, grabbing Gold's wrist lightly, "it might start charging you rent."
Gold almost laughed despite the tension in her chest.
"Very funny."
"I'm serious."
Gold took a slow breath and looked at herself in the mirror one last time.
Then the thought returned.
In a few hours… I'll meet him.
The man her parents had promised her to.
Martins.
Gold exhaled slowly and grabbed her handbag.
"Okay," she said quietly. "Let's go."
A few minutes later they stepped outside the house.
Gold's mother stood by the door, her expression caught somewhere between worry and hope.
Her father stood beside her with his arms crossed.
"You'll call us when you're done, right?" her mother asked gently.
Gold nodded.
"Yes, Mom."
Her father gave a small approving nod.
"It's only a meeting," he said calmly.
Gold forced a small smile.
"Yes, Dad."
Lina gave them a cheerful wave.
"Don't worry," she said. "I'll bring her back safely."
That earned a small chuckle from Gold's father.
Soon the girls were walking down the street toward the bus stop.
The city was already awake.
Cars moved steadily along the road. Shops were opening their doors. People hurried past them with briefcases and bags as the morning traffic slowly built up.
When the bus finally arrived, they climbed inside and found seats near the window.
For a while neither of them spoke.
Gold stared out of the window as the city passed by in blurred motion.
Tall buildings. Busy streets. Crossing pedestrians.
Her thoughts drifted again.
What kind of man is Martins?
Is he arrogant?
Does he even want this marriage?
Gold swallowed slightly.
Beside her, Lina noticed the silence and nudged her arm lightly.
"You're thinking again," Lina said.
Gold sighed.
"Of course I am."
"Well stop."
"That's not helpful."
Lina shrugged.
"Overthinking never helped anyone."
Gold didn't answer.
The bus continued moving through the city until the buildings gradually became larger and the streets quieter.
Eventually they stepped down near a long road lined with tall trees.
At the end of that road stood a pair of enormous black iron gates.
Gold slowed slightly when she saw them.
Two guards stood firmly on either side of the entrance, their dark suits crisp and intimidating.
The gates alone were taller than most buildings in her neighborhood.
Lina blinked.
"Okay," she murmured quietly.
Gold swallowed.
The guards approached them calmly.
"Can we help you?"
Gold nodded nervously.
"Yes… we're here to see Mr. Martins."
One guard studied them briefly before speaking into a small device.
A moment later, the massive gates slowly began to open.
Gold's heart started beating faster.
Inside the compound stretched a long stone pathway that seemed to go on forever.
They stepped through the gates.
And immediately Gold realized something.
This place was enormous.
Beautiful fountains stood on either side of the path, clear water flowing gently as sunlight reflected off the surface. Carefully trimmed gardens stretched across the landscape, filled with flowers arranged in perfect patterns.
Tall palm trees swayed slightly in the breeze, and expensive cars were parked neatly near different sections of the estate.
Statues stood elegantly among the gardens.
Even the air felt different.
Quiet.
Controlled.
Powerful.
They walked for several minutes before the main building finally came fully into view.
Gold slowed slightly.
The mansion stood ahead of them like something from another world.
It wasn't just large.
It was massive.
Wide marble stairs led up toward tall glass doors framed by elegant pillars. Several balconies stretched across the upper floors, and the structure itself seemed almost too grand to be real.
Gold felt very small looking at it.
Beside her, Lina let out a quiet breath.
"Okay," she whispered. "Now I'm nervous."
Gold didn't respond she was so drown into the environment.
They followed one of the guards inside.
The moment they stepped through the doors, the interior revealed even more luxury.
Marble floors stretched across the entrance hall. A magnificent chandelier hung high above them, scattering light across the polished surfaces.
Paintings decorated the walls.
Everything looked expensive.
Everything looked powerful.
Their footsteps echoed slightly as the guard led them through the building and into a large waiting room.
"Please make yourselves comfortable," the guard said politely. "Mr. Martins will see you shortly."
Gold nodded and sat down carefully on one of the large sofas.
The room was so quiet she could hear her own breathing.
Minutes passed slowly.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three.
By the sixth minute Gold was starting to feel the tension building in her chest again.
Just as she was about to say something, the door opened.
The guard stepped inside again.
"Please follow me."
Gold stood immediately.
Lina stood beside her.
They walked through a long hallway lined with dark wooden doors before finally stopping in front of one larger door at the end.
The guard pushed it open.
They stepped inside.
The room was large and elegant, with tall windows that allowed soft sunlight to spill across the floor.
Gold stepped forward slightly.
Lina moved beside her.
But as Lina started to walk further into the room, the guard gently stopped her.
"I'm sorry," he said politely. "Mr. Martins asked to see her alone."
Gold looked at Lina nervously.
Lina reached for her hands and squeezed them briefly.
"Just breathe," she whispered.
Gold nodded.
Lina turned and walked out with the guard.
Before the door closed completely, she looked back once and gave Gold a small encouraging nod.
Then the door shut.
The room fell silent.
Gold stood there alone.
The quiet suddenly felt heavier.
She glanced around the large lounge uncertainly.
Then—
A deep, calm voice spoke from behind her.
"Have a seat."