"I hope that after we get married, you''ll quit your job and focus on being a full-time wife at home."


    Noreen didn''t get upset; she listened to him patiently. "Anything else?"


    "My family wants me to get married this year and have a child next year. After a year off, we''d have a second-ideally, one boy and one girl."<fnd139> Chapters first released on F?ndNovel</fnd139>


    "Oh, and after the wedding, we''ll live with my parents. I''m their only child, so if I move out, they''ll be lonely. My mother has stomach issues, so meals have to be carefully prepared and always on time-three meals a day. My father has trouble sleeping; the house can''t be noisy. He doesn''t get up until ten, so breakfast iste, which means we''ll need to make four meals a day."


    "If I havete meetings or client dinners, you''ll need to prepare a snack for me when I get home."


    Noreen nodded along as he spoke.


    The man assumed her silence meant agreement. Emboldened, he looked at Noreen and asked, "And you? Do you have any demands? Just so we''re clear- the wedding fund should be reasonable, and you''ll need to bring it with you."


    Noreen replied calmly, "I don''t have any demands. Just one question."


    He thought she had epted all his terms and, still smug, prompted her, "Go ahead."


    "Are your parents tough? I hit pretty hard-most people can''t handle it."


    The man was speechless.


    Noreen found the whole thing dull and a waste of time. She raised her hand and signaled for the check.


    Before she could leave, the man across from her suddenly stood, straightening as if for inspection. "Director Novak, what a surprise to see you dining here!"


    Padgett Novak nodded politely, then turned his gaze to Noreen with a gentle warmth. "Ms. Gilmore, it''s been a while."


    "It has," Noreen replied, a bit surprised to run into Padgett Novak here.


    The man, noticing their easy rapport, looked at Noreen and asked, "You know Director Novak?"


    Noreen opened her mouth to reply, but Padgett Novak beat her to it. "Ms. Gilmore is the project lead for our port expansion."


    The man''s expression was a sight to behold.


    Padgett Novak ignored him, instead addressing Noreen, "If I recall, you still owe me a meal. No time like the present-what do you say?"


    "Of course."


    The man immediately jumped in, "After you, Director Novak," hoping to curry favor.


    Unfortunately for him, Padgett Novak didn''t give him the chance. He turned to Noreen, "Let''s head to a private room. It''s too noisy here."


    Noreen had no objection. She gathered her things, inviting Padgett Novak to follow her.


    The man tried to tag along, unwilling to miss such a perfect opportunity to cozy up to a superior.


    But Padgett Novak nced back and said coolly, "When I said it''s not convenient, I meant for you. Understood?"


    With the man''s face frozen in shock, Padgett Novak caught up with Noreen.


    Once inside the private room, barely seated, Padgett Novak got straight to the point. "Blind date?"


    Noreen shrugged helplessly. "My mother insists."


    Padgett Novak nodded. "I get it."


    After all, he was no stranger to the relentless pressure to marry.


    The two shared a knowing smilerades in arms.


    Padgett Novak took a sip of tea, steadying himself before speaking. "I mentioned before that I''d like to get to know you better. Have you thought about it?"


    Noreen was caught off guard, nearly choking on her tea. If nothing else, Padgett Novak was direct-never one for games.


    Which, ironically, made it harder to answer him.


    Sensing her hesitation, Padgett Novak tried again. "You''re under the same pressure I am. Just think of me as another blind date. Why not give it a shot?"