setting: modern day AU, you're 25

content: fluff, bit of angst

⚠️ tw: assault

'As her hands wrapped around his neck, he looked at her as if she was the only girl in the world.'

Hm... on Earth? Or in the world? Or in the universe?

I sigh. It's hard being an author when word choice is involved. This loud café isn't helping my focused thoughts. I really thought that coming to this café would motivate my productivity, but boy was I wrong...

I feel vibrations in my pocket. Someone must be calling me. I check to see mom's contact photo on my screen.

"Hi, mom." I answer.

"Hi, honey! How have you been?" she asks.

I smile widely at the sound of her voice. "I'm getting by. I'm trying to sort out something with the publishers so I can get my novel out there."

I can hear the excitement in her voice when she says, "Wow! I'm so proud of you, dear. The reason why I called is because your father and I have to discuss something with you. Are you free this evening?"

I think of my schedule. What could be so important that she can't tell her here? "I believe I am. Why can't you tell me now?"

"This is something that needs to be discussed in person. I'll text you the address, wear something nice." says mother as she hangs up.

Wear something nice...?

~~~

I open my closet. How nice do I need to dress? Is it formal, semi-formal?! Semi-formal should be fine, it's just a family dinner.

I end up picking out a f/c long sleeve blouse with white dress pants. I wear my hair down instead of up and out of my face and put on light makeup. I agree that it's been a while since I've seen my parents since they live in another city, but I'm becoming anxious about what they have to say to me.

I get in my car and start blasting (fav artist)'s music to soothe my overthinking. Dad is probably expanding his company and wants to celebrate, like usual.

~~~

I arrive at the address. Thankfully it's in my city and I didn't have to drive over to them. I get out of my car and hear my stomach rumble faintly... I should have eaten just a bit before arriving. Where am I again?

I get out of the car to see this mansion of a restaurant in front of me. Fairmont? Guess it's French cuisine tonight.

I arrive at the front desk and ask where mom's table is. As I'm being directed to the table, I spot my mom and my dad. However, it's not just them. They're with a young man around my age and I'm assuming his grandfather. Who are these people? Mom really should've told me about them!

When I arrive at the table, I sit down shyly to introduce myself to the guests. As I speak, I give them both a soft smile but a firm handshake. Perhaps this is a business meeting between families?

"Hi, I'm Y/N," I say, "Pleasure to meet you both."

"Jotaro Kujo." the younger one says with a very faint smile.

"Joseph Joestar, nice to meet you." the older man says. His accent... he's British. Dad scored an overseas investor, sweet!~

"So, what's with the meeting? Are you investing in my father's company, Mr. Joestar?" I ask him.

His eyes widen, "She doesn't know?"

What don't I know?

My face tenses up at the sight of everyone at the table. Clearly there is something I'm missing out on, and if it's this important... it's a problem.

"Right, so Y/N, we're here because of something that happened long ago, promise you won't be mad at me." Says Dad. Promise him I won't get mad...? My thoughts are eating me up, what could it possibly be?

"Yeah, yeah, just get straight to the point." I say impatiently, my face in a concerned state.

"25 years ago, Mr. Joestar loaned me a large amount of money for me to start my growing company. We had way too many drinks, and he said that I don't need to pay him anything so long as you, who was in the womb, married Jotaro when you two were older. There was a contract made that night, and both of us still think you two should get married."

What. the. fuck?!

"Absolutely not!" I raise my voice, "I should be in control of who I love, what about you, Jotaro? Don't tell me that you seriously want to do this?"

He stares out of the window, "It'll benefit all of us."

I scoff, "You're messed up, man. All of you are. You can't do this to me!"

"Please, sweetheart," begs Dad, "You haven't dated anyone since high school, ever since that incident..."

I bite my lip hard. How dare Dad bring him up right in front of everyone. I don't need to be reminded of someone I used to love.

"Jotaro will be good for you," Dad continues, "we trust him."

"But do I trust him? I just met him, and you want to marry me off to him?" I sneer.

Mom steps in to defend that pathetic man, "Please, dear, only for a couple of years, we need this. You can marry whoever after your divorce."

I look at them all, but especially Jotaro. I give him a look that begs for sympathy, for support.

"I don't really believe in marriage, especially loveless marriages. There's just no point to it." I reason.

"If you think about it, I'd be a great grandpa in-law. We're not that bad, and a contract is a contract..." Mr. Joestar urges me.

I'm on the verge of tears. By turning this down, I could really hurt the face of my father's company, but if I give in, I could still live a normal-ish life without this guy in my way and everyone will benefit.

Screw it.

"Fine. But I don't want to get married right away, let's stay engaged for a little while."

The entire table cheers in victory except Jotaro, whose gaze stays outside.

"Great, Jotaro will find you a nice ring soon enough, thank you for cooperating. I suggest you two make a contract with boundaries and whatnot. I also suggest you two become friends as you'll be out in public together anyway." Dad finishes.

I rub my forehead. What did I just get myself into?!

~~~

Writing my novel is just a side job. I currently work at XYZ Publishing as an editor, but due to company policy I can't have them publish my own novel.

I walk into work after what happened last night. I really hope I can still live a normal life out of the public eye as much as possible. But have you seen Jotaro? He definitely had an entourage of girls in high school. I can't even deny that he's very good-looking, but I wonder what he thinks about me. Gosh, let's not think about that.

In the elevator, my friend, who's also an executive editor, walks in before the door closes.

"Jeez, Y/N, did you not see me sprinting to get in?" he says, panting slightly.

"Sorry, Kenji, I just feel so out of it today." I admit.

He looks at me and I look at him. "You're right," he says, "you haven't smiled today. You're usually a bright morning person."

Because of his words, I smile slightly. "I know, it was just a rough night."

"Aw, it happens. Why don't we go out for lunch together?" he asks and looks away.

I'm not sure if I'm just really tired or if he's actually blushing. I barely had sleep, so it's probably that.

"Sure!"

~~~

We end up going to a ramen place because I picked it. Ramen is a great comfort food. It's warm, hearty, and there's so many options-

"Y/N, are you zoning out again?" Kenji waves his hand in front of my face.

"Right, sorry... barely got any sleep. Thank you for the food!" I say before indulging in my large bowl of noodles.

On the walk back, Kenji seemed to be more into my personal life than usual. I usually spend lunch with him because we're at the same level of work, but lately he's been a little off, too.

"Is there something that's been bothering you?" He asks me, "You told me you had a rough night, is there anything I can do to help?"

I smile at his thoughtfulness, "No, no, it's okay. Really okay. You know me, Kenji, this doesn't happen often. It's just writer's block," I lie. It's not only writer's block, it's the fact that I'm marrying someone I just met yesterday!

We get back to the office building where a brooding figure leans his back against the entrance wall. I look at him as he looks up from his phone. Damn it, why does he have to show up now?

Jotaro walks in front of me and Kenji, towering over both of us. "Good afternoon, did you have a good lunch?" He says only to me. He's really close to my face.

My mouth opens slightly in surprise, and my face is forced to light up after seeing him. "Uh, y-yeah! We ate ramen and took a walk around the park after."

"Y/N, who is this guy? Do you know him?" Kenji asks, "I've never seen him before."

I try to find words to explain, but Jotaro's strong arm grips my right shoulder and pulls me towards him. I feel heat rushing to my cheeks and ears because of his protective grip.

"I-I, he's my-"

"I'm her fiancée. And you are...?"

pt. 2 coming eventually

what are your favourite webtoons? i'm reading like 20 at a time rn plus a romance manga because i'm broke and all the good webtoons need coins 😞