Chapter 1
I met an extraordinary pilot on a blind date. He made over one million dollars a year.
Just as I was wondering if he was way out of my league, he got all serious and laid out three conditions.
He said, "First, I'm only home five times a year. So you'd better be okay with being on your own.
"Second, I'll hand over my salary card, but I won't have time to spend it with you.
"Third, don't fall in love with me. We're just roommates sharing a household."
After hearing these three "humiliating" conditions, I burst out laughing on the spot.
Wasn't this exactly the marriage with an absent spouse I had been dreaming of?
I agreed on the spot. "Deal! Whoever backs out is a coward."
*****
My name was Edith Martinez. I was twenty-six, just a regular office worker.
Today was my eighteenth blind date.
It was at the fanciest restaurant in the city, right by the window.
Across from me sit a guy named Francis Russell.
He was rocking a perfectly tailored pilot's uniform, and those four gold stripes on his shoulders practically glowed under the lights.
He was handsome, tall, and had this icy, untouchable vibe.
The matchmaker said he was a captain for one of the top airlines in the country, pulling in over 1 million dollars a year.
My mom made me max out my credit card to buy this dress that looked expensive but was basically useless.
She had nagged me a hundred times about it.
She had said, "Edith, you have to seize this chance.
"If you marry him, our whole family will be set.
"Your brother's marital home, your dad's retirement fund. Everything depends on you."
I looked down, stirring the unsweetened coffee in front of me.
The bitter taste lingered on my tongue.
Francis's gaze settled on me, cool and unreadable, like he was checking out something on display.
"Ms. Martinez," he said.
His voice matched his demeanor. It was cool and detached.
He continued, "The matchmaker probably filled you in on my situation.
"Time's precious, so I'll just lay out my conditions."
I nodded and gestured for him to go ahead.
Honestly, I was just here doing what my mom wanted.
Francis raised a finger, his hand steady and precise.
He said, "First, I'm only home five times a year. I'm pretty much always flying, so you need to be fine with being alone."
My hand froze for a second as I picked up my coffee cup.
Wait, only five times a year?
He ignored my reaction and, without missing a beat, raised his second finger.
"Second, I'll hand over my salary card to you. But I won't have time to go shopping with you or help you spend it. How you use the money is entirely up to you," he said.
My heart, despite myself, skipped a beat.
Wait, he'd give me his bank card?
That was over 1 million dollars a year?
And he hardly ever came home?
Francis's brow furrowed ever so slightly, as if he weren't too pleased with my wandering attention.
He raised his third finger, his tone growing even more serious.
He said, "Third, and this is the most important one.
"We're married on paper, just partners for convenience.
"Don't interfere with my private life, and don't even think about falling for me."
He was done talking.
The only sound in the restaurant was the clinking of cutlery.
I stared at his face, which practically had "stay away" written all over it. And those three "humiliating" rules he had just thrown at me.
One second passed, then another.
"Pfft." I lost control.
Right after that came a deafening snort of laughter.
I was cracking up so hard I nearly fell out of my chair, tears streaming down my face.
For the first time ever, Francis's forever stone-cold face actually showed a crack.
He stared at me, totally stunned, like he was wondering if I had lost my mind.
I laughed for a full minute before I could finally pull myself together, wiping the tears from my eyes.
Needed to be fine with being alone?
He was hardly ever home, and we only saw each other a few times a year.
And I could spend his money as I pleased?
He had an annual salary of over 1 million dollars, and I could use his cards to my heart's content.
I wasn't allowed to fall in love with him?
These terms were practically tailor-made for me.
Wasn't this exactly the marriage with an absent spouse I had always dreamed of?
His money was there, but he himself was not.
I didn't have to deal with his family or navigate complicated in-law relationships.
I could take his money and live it up however I want.
As for my bloodsucking family, I already had all my excuses lined up anyway.
I'd say, "He's never home, so it's not just up to me.
"He's always up in the air, so I can't reach him at all."
Perfect.
I looked at Francis; my eyes practically lit up.
It was like a starving wolf eyeing the juiciest lamb.
I smacked the table so hard, Francis nearly jumped out of his skin.
I said, "Deal!"
My voice was trembling; I was so hyped.
I added, "I'm in for all three.
"Whoever backs out is the ultimate loser!"
Francis was stunned.
He probably had a million different scenarios playing out in his head.
Maybe I'd storm off in a huff, or grit my teeth and go along with it, or try to haggle a bit.
But he never could have imagined that I would agree so readily, even a little impatiently.