Strangers Got Married

Aaron Beaumont sat in the spacious, tastefully decorated living room of his grandmother's estate, staring out the large bay window. The view was stunning—rolling hills dotted with trees, the perfect blend of nature and architecture. Yet, his mind was elsewhere, consumed by the weight of the conversation he was about to have. At twenty-seven, Aaron was one of the youngest multimillionaires in the country, having built his fortune from scratch in the tech industry. Despite his success, the only person who could still pull him back to reality was his grandmother, Evelyn Beaumont.

Evelyn, a woman of elegance and grace, had always been a significant influence in Aaron’s life. She was the matriarch of the Beaumont family, a name that commanded respect in both social and business circles. She had practically raised Aaron after the tragic death of his parents when he was a teenager, molding him into the man he had become. But today, as she sat across from him, her usually warm eyes were tinged with a seriousness that Aaron rarely saw.

"Aaron," Evelyn began, her voice soft but firm, "there's something important I need to discuss with you."

Aaron shifted his gaze from the window to his grandmother. "Of course, Grandma. What is it?"

Evelyn hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "You’ve accomplished so much at such a young age, but there’s one area of your life that concerns me."

Aaron raised an eyebrow, already suspecting where this conversation was headed. "My love life?"

Evelyn smiled slightly. "Yes, dear. You’ve been so focused on your career that you’ve neglected the other aspects of your life. You’re not getting any younger, and neither am I. I want to see you settled before…"

Aaron leaned forward, cutting her off gently. "Before what, Grandma? You’re not going anywhere."

Evelyn chuckled, but the concern in her eyes remained. "I’m not immortal, Aaron. And before I leave this world, I want to see you with someone who will care for you, someone who will stand by your side through thick and thin."

Aaron sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Grandma, I’m not ready for marriage. My business is still growing, and I can’t afford any distractions right now."

Evelyn’s expression softened, but there was a steely determination behind her words. "I understand that, but there’s something you should know. My best friend, Lydia, and I made a promise to each other years ago, long before you were born."

Aaron frowned, intrigued despite himself. "What kind of promise?"

"We promised that if either of us had a grandchild of marrying age, we would try to unite them. Lydia’s granddaughter, Lily, is a wonderful young woman. She’s kind, intelligent, and has a heart of gold. I think she would be perfect for you."

Aaron stared at his grandmother in disbelief. "You want me to marry someone I’ve never even met?"

Evelyn nodded, unfazed by his reaction. "Yes. I believe it’s the best thing for both of you. You’re both too busy with your lives to find someone on your own, and this arrangement would benefit both families."

Aaron opened his mouth to protest, but Evelyn raised a hand to stop him. "Before you say no, just think about it. Meet her. If you don’t like her, I won’t force you to go through with it. But give her a chance."

Aaron looked into his grandmother’s eyes, seeing the sincerity and concern there. He knew how much she loved him and how much this meant to her. As much as the idea of an arranged marriage seemed outdated and ridiculous to him, he couldn’t dismiss it outright. Not when it was coming from the woman who had sacrificed so much for him.

"Alright, Grandma," Aaron finally said, his voice resigned. "I’ll meet her."

Evelyn’s face lit up with a smile, and she reached out to squeeze his hand. "That’s all I ask, dear. Just meet her."