《Wanted Love》 The Wanted proposal "Work, eat, sleep, repeat. That was my life. A never-ending cycle of office deadlines and silent nights. But suddenly, my mother threw a wrench into it¡ªmarriage. How was I supposed to explain that I didn¡¯t love anyone? And if I didn¡¯t love anyone, how could I marry her? How could I make someone happy that way?" Adi stepped into his mother¡¯s room, frustration clear on his face. "No means no, Mom. I don¡¯t want to get married. Don¡¯t argue with me." His mother didn¡¯t waver. "This is the only argument I want to win, Adi." He sighed. "You¡¯re not understanding me. Suppose I get married and can¡¯t make her happy? Then what? Would that be fair?" She placed a gentle hand on his head. "Son, you¡¯re the one who doesn¡¯t understand. Don¡¯t you want me to leave this world peacefully?" Adi groaned. "Now it¡¯s not an argument¡ªit¡¯s blackmail. You always win with this trump card." His mother smiled softly. "I just want you to settle down, son." Adi exhaled, his voice quieter. "I know how you feel, Mom, but¡ª" "For your mother¡¯s sake," she interrupted. "And once you settle down, you¡¯ll be able to take care of the family without me." Without thinking, Adi pulled her into a hug. "This family isn¡¯t complete without you, Mom. So don¡¯t say such things." She chuckled. "So... you¡¯re going to get married, huh?" Adi smirked helplessly. "Can I even win this?" His mother grinned in victory. "I already have some proposals. Check these out." Adi¡¯s eyes widened. "You were ready with this already?" He glanced at the clock. "I¡¯m getting late. Just give me the photos¡ªI¡¯ll check them when I¡¯m free." His mother laughed. "Haha, take your time!" Adi grabbed the photos and left for work. Adi stepped out of his mother¡¯s room and spotted his younger sister, Anya, adjusting her bag, ready to leave for college. "Oh, you¡¯re heading out? I¡¯m on my way to the office too. I¡¯ll drop you," Adi said, grabbing his bike keys. Anya¡¯s eyes lit up. "Big bro, thanks!" she said, quickly following him outside. As they got on the bike, she smirked. "So¡­ you¡¯re getting married?" Adi stayed silent, focusing on the road. Anya chuckled. "Aww, feeling shy, huh?" Adi sighed. "What¡¯s so funny? You just want something to tease me about. It¡¯s not even decided yet." "Yeah, yeah, I know how you''re feeling inside, brother," she teased, nudging his shoulder playfully. Adi rolled his eyes. "Just focus on your studies, idiot." As they reached her college, Anya hopped off and turned back with a smirk. "Oh, and don¡¯t be late on your wedding day, future groom!" Adi groaned, shaking his head. "You little¡ªjust go to college already!" Anya laughed and waved as she walked away, leaving Adi sighing before riding off to his office. Was this really just a simple arranged marriage? Or was it the start of something bigger¡ªsomething he wasn¡¯t ready for? Suddenly, a bike sped past him at an alarming speed. Adi stopped his bike in front of a towering office building, parked it, and headed inside. As he stepped into the elevator, he let out a small sigh. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "Another day, another set of challenges. But I love these challenges¡ªthey prove my worth to this company." The elevator dinged, and as the doors slid open, he spotted a familiar face. "Yo, Shin. Good morning," Adi greeted. Shin turned, flashing a small smile. "Hey, Aditya. Morning." As they walked toward their office, Adi glanced around. "Where¡¯s Karin¡ª" Before he could finish, a sudden weight clung to his shoulder. "Morning, boys!" a cheerful voice rang out. Shin yelped. "Ah! What the¡ª" Adi sighed. "Karin¡­ why are you so energetic first thing in the morning?" Shin, still flustered, pushed her away. "And why do you always jump on people like that?!" Karin smirked, placing an elbow on Adi¡¯s shoulder. "Forget him, Adi, my boy. How are you?" Adi chuckled. "Same as ever." Before their conversation could continue, a firm voice interrupted them. "Good morning, boss!" all three of them greeted in unison as Aryan, their superior, approached. Aryan crossed his arms. "Are you guys here to chat or to work? Get moving." The trio exchanged glances before hurrying toward their desks. But just as Adi was about to follow, Aryan called out, "Not you, Aditya. Stay." Adi stopped in his tracks. "Yes, boss?" Aryan shook his head and sighed. "I didn¡¯t know you were like that." Adi frowned. "W-what do you mean?" Without a word, Aryan tilted his head toward the floor. Following his gaze, Adi¡¯s breath hitched. Scattered across the ground were the photos his mother had given him¡ªthe marriage proposals. Adi scrambled to pick them up, his mind racing. "No, no, it¡¯s not what you think¡ª" Aryan let out a disappointed sigh before turning and walking away. Adi clenched his jaw. "That guy just waits for chances to embarrass me!" But just as he gathered the last photo, his fingers froze. His eyes locked onto a familiar face. Sophia. A quiet hospital room. The steady beeping of the heart monitor. An old man lay on the bed, his breathing weak and labored. "Nur¡ª" he coughed violently, struggling to speak. "Nurse... please... call my granddaughter... now..." The nurse hesitated. "Sir, you need to rest¡ª" "I-I don¡¯t... have time," he gasped, trying to sit up despite his frail body protesting. "Please, lie down!" The nurse panicked. "Doctor! The patient isn¡¯t listening!" As the doctor rushed in, the old man pulled off his oxygen mask. "Call... her..." he wheezed. "Now..." The doctor sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, alright. Just put the mask back on¡ªit''s dangerous." Stepping out of the room, the doctor shook his head. This old man never listens... Outside, a young woman with long, flowing black hair sat anxiously, her fingers gripping the edge of her coat. "Miss Sophia?" the doctor called. She immediately stood, her eyes wide with fear. "How is he? Is he okay? No¡ªdon¡¯t tell me! I don¡¯t want to hear bad news! Please, save him¡ªyou can, right?" "Calm down," the doctor said gently. "He¡¯s calling for you." Sophia didn¡¯t wait for another word. She rushed into the room. "Grandpa!" she cried, kneeling beside the bed. "How are you? You called for me?" The old man gave a faint smile, his hand trembling as he reached for hers. "My dear Sophia..." He took a slow, deep breath. "I have... something important to tell you. Please, listen." Sophia¡¯s grip tightened. "What is it?" He exhaled shakily. "I don¡¯t... have much time. So... just accept it." Her brows furrowed. "Accept? Accept what?" "I..." His voice grew weaker. "I sent your marriage proposal... to someone I trust... So please... don¡¯t refuse." Sophia¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "Wha¡ªwhat are you talking about?! Why bring this up now? Grandpa, this isn''t the time¡ª" He squeezed her hand, cutting her off. "Just think of it as... my dying wish..." His breathing grew more erratic. "Please... Sophia..." His chest rose and fell unevenly. Alarms blared as the doctor and nurses rushed in. "Grandpa!" Sophia cried as they pulled her away. "Grandpa, no! Stay with me!" The doctor shut the door. Two days later... Sophia knelt in her room, praying before a framed photo of her grandfather. "Grandpa... I¡¯ll fulfill your wish. No matter what." She took a deep breath, then hesitated. Her eyes widened. "Wait¡­ does that mean¡­ I have to get married?!" She pressed her palms against her cheeks, overwhelmed. "Marriage? I never even thought about it. And now, just like that¡ª?!" Shaking her head, she looked up at her grandfather¡¯s photo. "No, I¡¯m not refusing, Grandpa... but..." Taking a deep breath, she slapped her cheeks lightly. "Alright! I¡¯ll do it!" Then, she suddenly remembered. "Oh! Grandpa had a photo of the guy." She grabbed her phone and scrolled through her gallery. "Here it is..." Her jaw dropped. "Him...? Adi?" A phone rang. Adi''s mother rushed to answer it. Mother: "Hello? Oh, you''ve decided? That''s wonderful! Who is she¡­?" (Her face lit up.) "Sophia? Ohh, that Sophia! I¡¯m so glad! Alright, I¡¯ll tell her the good news and arrange the meeting." Meanwhile, Sophia stared at the photo on her phone, her brows furrowing. "Him? It¡¯s him? Why¡­?" Her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She quickly answered. Sophia: "Yes, who¡¯s this? ¡­Oh, that¡ª" (She stopped mid-sentence.) "No, I mean¡­ yes, I¡¯m Sophia¡­ huh? "He accepted the proposal"? She fell silent for a moment. Sophia: "No, I¡¯m not surprised, it¡¯s just¡­ yeah¡­ yeah¡­ Tomorrow? A meeting?" Her voice dropped slightly. Sophia: "At a caf¨¦¡­? I¡­ I¡¯ll come. Bye." She lowered her phone, staring blankly ahead. "A meeting? Tomorrow? With him? For marriage? Huh¡­?" The Next Day Adi parked his bike outside the caf¨¦. Taking a breath, he glanced through the window. Inside, Sophia was already seated. At the same moment, she looked up¡ªher eyes meeting his. After all these years. Their gazes locked. What would happen in this meeting? Would things go smoothly¡­ or take an unexpected turn? The meeting! Sophia sat at the caf¨¦, checking the time. "Am I early? Will he think I¡¯m excited for this meeting? Should I leave and come back late on purpose? No, that¡¯s stupid. I need to stop overthinking." She glanced at the shop¡¯s clock. Almost time. Looking out the window, her gaze landed on Adi, who was parking his bike. As he walked towards the caf¨¦, their eyes met for a split second. Sophia instinctively raised a hand in greeting, and Adi did the same. He stepped inside, making his way to her table. Sitting across from her, a table between them, an awkward silence filled the space. Adi: "So¡­ how long has it been?" Sophia: "Y-yeah¡­ it¡¯s been so long¡­" Adi looked straight at her, his expression unreadable. Adi: "I guess this is our first time meeting since graduation, huh?" Sophia shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and turned her eyes away. Sophia: "Yea¡ª" Adi (cutting in): "And who would¡¯ve thought we¡¯d be meeting again¡­ for a marriage proposal?" Sophia: "Y-yes¡­" Her heart pounded in her chest. What¡¯s wrong with me? Calm down. This is nothing. I don¡¯t feel anything¡­ right? She exhaled, trying to act normal. Gaining some confidence, she met his gaze. Sophia: "You¡¯ve changed a lot since the last time we met." Adi: "What? I look different? I mean, of course, it¡¯s been four years but¡ª" Sophia (cutting in): "No, I mean in a good way. You work at the number one company now, after all." Adi:"Oh, you knew about that?" He leaned back slightly. "What about you?" Sophia: "I work at a private limited company." Adi: "That¡¯s good." Suddenly, his expression turned serious. Adi: "Why did you send the proposal?" Sophia (looking down): "It wasn¡¯t me. My grandpa sent it¡­" Adi: "Oh, so it wasn¡¯t your decision?" He looked satisfied. "That settles it, then. You don¡¯t love me or anything, huh?" Sophia: "H-huh?! W-what are you talking about? I don¡¯t feel anything, Adi!" She abruptly stood up, her voice raising slightly. A few people in the caf¨¦ turned to look. Adi (calmly, in a low voice): "Okay, okay, calm down. Sit." Realizing the attention on them, Sophia hesitated before quickly sitting down again, her face slightly flushed. With a slow voice, Sophia murmured, "S-sorry! But let me make it clear¡ªI don¡¯t have any feelings for you." Adi shook his head. "I know. So, why did you accept this unwanted marriage proposal?" Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Sophia hesitated. "That¡­ I can¡¯t tell you. But I have my reasons." She thought to herself, In the end, I have to get married sooner or later. It¡¯s all the same. Adi studied her carefully. "Really? It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t believe you, but from what I know about you, you don¡¯t do things you don¡¯t want to do. So, considering that, you must have a big reason, huh?" Sophia sighed. "Yeah. Oh? And why did you accept my proposal, huh? Don¡¯t tell me you secretly loved me back in college. Maybe it was a one-sided love, and now that you got the chance, you¡¯re just acting all tough?" She laughed, teasing him. Adi remained expressionless. "Are you done? You haven¡¯t changed, huh?" Sophia, calming down, smirked. "So? You don¡¯t LOVE me?" Adi¡¯s face turned cold. "No." Sophia blinked. "I mea¡ª" "Not at all. No feelings." His voice was sharp, cutting through the air. For a moment, Sophia felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart. He really doesn¡¯t feel anything? Not that i expected anything¡­ but still. Sophia quickly shook off the feeling. "So, what¡¯s your reason?" Adi leaned back. "Unlike you, I can tell mine. My mother pressured me to get married. She showed me pictures of a few women, and you were one of them. At first, I was shocked, but then I thought¡ªif I have to get married, why not with someone I already know rather than a complete stranger? That¡¯s my reason." Sophia sighed. "So, we both have our reasons, huh? So¡­ what now?" Adi shrugged. "What do you mean, ''what now''? There¡¯s nothing else to do¡ªwe go through with it." Sophia blinked. "Go through with what?" Adi looked at her like it was obvious. "Let¡¯s get married." Sophia¡¯s eyes widened. "HUUUUHHHH?!" Adi frowned. "Why are you so shocked? Isn¡¯t that why we¡¯re here?" "I mean, yes, but¡ª" Before she could finish, the caf¨¦ door swung open. A young boy rushed in, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. "Sis¡­ sis¡­ sis!" He spotted Sophia from the entrance and stormed toward her, eyes locking onto Adi. "HEY! You bastard! You¡¯re that guy, huh?! What the hell are you doing here?!" He stood next to Sophia protectively. Sophia stood up. "Rocky?! What are you doing here?!" Rocky glared at Adi. "Sis, what are you doing here with this goon?! Tell me!" Adi remained silent, looking out the window as if uninterested. Sophia stammered, "I-I was just here fo¡ª" Rocky slammed his palm onto the table. "Answer me, sis!" People in the caf¨¦ turned to watch the scene unfold. Sophia, flustered, tried to calm him down. "Rocky, listen to me! He¡­ is my¡­" She hesitated, then looked at Adi. He finally glanced at her and gave a small nod. Sophia took a deep breath. "¡­fianc¨¦." Rocky¡¯s eyes widened. He slammed the table even harder. "HE¡¯S YOUR FIANC¨¦?! You mean¡­ he¡¯s the guy you were talking about?!" His jaw clenched, his fists tightening. His furious eyes locked onto Adi, who remained seated, completely unfazed. With a growl, Rocky launched forward, swinging a punch straight at Adi¡¯s face. But without even looking, Adi caught Rocky¡¯s punch in mid-air, stood up, and in one swift motion, tripped him and pinned him to the floor with a chokehold. It all happened so fast that Sophia barely processed it. Rocky struggled, tapping the ground more than once. Gasps spread through the caf¨¦. People stood up, murmuring in shock. Sophia rushed forward. "STOP! STOP! What are you doing?! Let him go! He¡¯s my little brother!" Adi held the choke for a second longer before finally releasing Rocky and standing up. Rocky coughed violently. "Koff¡­ koff¡­" Sophia knelt beside him, gently lifting his head onto her thighs. "Are you okay, Rocky?!" Adi adjusted his sleeve and glared down at him. "Don¡¯t you know how to behave? Why do I always have to teach you? You shitty brat." Without another word, he turned and walked toward the exit. Just as he reached the door, he stopped and looked back over his shoulder. "And yeah¡­ next time we meet, make sure to behave like I taught you, brat. Because the next time we meet¡­ will be at my wedding with your sister." With that, Adi walked out of the caf¨¦. Sophia sat there, still holding Rocky, her mind racing. Why did Rocky react like that? And why was Adi so violent? Was there a reason? Did they know each other¡­? Unsettled hearts Adi: Mother (huffing): Adi (raising an eyebrow): Adi: "Open the door!" Adi: "Heyyy, Adi! You¡¯re home today? Didn¡¯t go to the office? Took a day off?" Adi: Mother: Mother (on call): Mother (on call): Mother: Adi (smiling): Mother: Adi (shrugging): Mother: Adi: Dakeshi (snapping out of it): Adi: Dakeshi: "Hey, wait! Did you even hear what I just said? My marri¡ª" "Tsukiyo, Tsukiyo, Tsukiyo is comiiiiiing!" Adi: Sophia: Sophia: Rocky: Sophia: Rocky: This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. That was close¡­Someone like that is an accident waiting to happen. Adi: Adi: ¡°Hey, Rocky, who is this guy? You know him?¡± Rocky: Adi: ¡°So? What¡¯s your problem? Are you a traffic cop?¡± ¡°Kids these days¡­ nothing but pesky little brats.¡± ¡°Huh? What did you just say?¡± ¡°Oh? You really can¡¯t hear properly? No wonder you were speeding¡ªyou probably didn¡¯t even hear the traffic around you.¡±¡°Wait¡­ don¡¯t tell me you have vision problems too? Poor kid.¡± Professor: ¡°And who are you?¡± Professor: ¡°Professor, this guy is an outsider! He¡¯s falsely accusing me!¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re a liar too, huh?¡± ¡°Can anyone tell me the truth?¡± ¡°Professor, this guy isn¡¯t lying. Rocky was overspeeding. I saw it myself.¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s true.¡± ¡°Enough. Everyone, get to class.¡± ¡°This many students can¡¯t be lying, Rocky.¡± Rocky: Professor:¡°No excuses.¡± ¡°Thank you for bringing this to my attention.¡± ¡°No need to thank me. Just make sure this brat learns his lesson.¡± Professor: Back in the present¡­ Rocky:He humiliated me in front of everyone. Sophia:So¡­ that¡¯s why you hate him. Sophia:Stand up, Rocky. Rocky:What happened¡ª Sophia (shouting):Why? Why were you overspeeding, huh? Sophia:Don¡¯t you care about your life? If you don¡¯t, at least think about me¡ªI worry about you every single day! Rocky:Sis¡­ I-I¡¯m sorry. Sophia:Don¡¯t do it again. No more overspeeding. Rocky:Never¡­ I¡¯ll never do it again. Sophia:Yes, it¡¯s me¡­ Oh? In two days? But the preparations¡­ You¡¯ll handle everything? But¡­ Alright, I understand. Bye. Rocky:Who was that? Sophia:R-Rocky¡­ It was Adi¡¯s mother. Rocky:What? Why? Sophia:They decided to hold the wedding in two days. She wanted to check if I had any objections. Rocky:And? You said no? Sophia:Yes, I said¡ª Rocky:Why? Why are you suddenly going through with this marriage? Sophia:I have my reasons, Rocky. Reasons I can¡¯t ignore. Please¡­ just accept it. "No, sis. You¡¯re not marrying that man." Rocky:As you wish, sis. I can¡¯t go against you, can I? Sophia:Thank you for understanding, Rocky. (But is he really going to accept it? Or does he have other plans¡­?) In two days Anya: Mother: Adi: Anya: Mother: Anya: Adi: Anya: turns to mother Mother: Anya: Anya: Adi: Anya: Anya: Anya:BROOM Adi: Mother: pauses Adi: Mother: Adi: Nighttime, at a cafe. Adi, Karin, and Shin sit at a table. Shin: Karin Karin: Adi: Karin: Shin Karin Adi: Shin: Karin: Karin: Shin: Adi: Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Karin Shin Adi: Shin: Karin: Adi: Shin: Adi: Shin: Karin: Adi: Karin: Shin: Adi says it casually Adi: Shin Adi: Karin and Shin freeze. Silence. Adi: Karin slams both hands on the table, furious. Karin:Yours?! Shin: Karin pushes Shin aside. Adi: Karin:You¡¯re Adi thinks: Adi: Shin: Adi: Shin: Adi thinks Adi: Karin:you Adi:todaytoday Karin slowly calms down, looks at Adi, then sits down. Karin: Adi: Shin also sits down. Shin: Karin: Adi: ¡ª Adi explains the whole situation Karin: Shin: Adi: Karin: Shin:have Adi: Karin: Waiter returns with the order Waiter: Karin hands one cup to Adi Karin: Shin: Adi thinks Adi: Adi: Rian: Adi: Rian: Adi (thinking): Adi: Rian: Adi: Rian: Adi: Rian: Adi: Rian:my Adi: Rian: Adi: