A cozy room, dimly lit. Celine is sitting on a chair, narrating her story with excitement in her eyes. The scene shifts between her narration and flashbacks of events as she describes them.

 I was just minding my own business, you know, heading out to buy some medicine for Dad. Suddenly, this tall, super-handsome guy stops me. And I’m thinking, “Wow, he’s rich, he’s stylish, and he’s actually talking to me!”

[Flashback: Celine on the street, surprised as Ethan stops her.]“If you're free, can we talk for a while?”

 Now, my heart was racing! I mean, how often does a girl like me get attention from someone who looks like they walked right out of a magazine? I tried to stay calm and

(with a playful smile) – So, I tried to play it cool and said, “Sure, why not? What do you want to talk about?” But inside, I was already imagining a hundred different things! And then he says, “I don’t think this is the right place. Can we go to a nearby restaurant?” my eyes widening in excitement, almost shouting out loud Can you imagine? A restaurant! I had never been to one! Just the word made me feel like I was in some kind of fairy tale. So, of course, I jumped and said, “Yes, let’s go, let’s go!” I mean, I didn’t even care what he wanted to talk about at that point—I just wanted to see what a fancy place looked like!

 Celine and Ethan entering a nice restaurant, Celine gazing around, smelling the delicious food and taking in the ambiance.This restaurant was quite beautiful, and it felt as though only wealthy people must come here. But as soon as I stepped inside, I felt a unique happiness. The restaurant was filled with the aroma of various dishes from all around, which were hard for me to guess. I was very excited because, until now, I had only seen such food on TV, watching actresses delicately lift and savor each bite. I had neither seen these dishes in real life nor smelled their aroma around me before. I wished I could taste everything at once and, once my appetite was satisfied, take some home so my little sister could enjoy these flavors too. I wanted my father to see the happiness on my sister's and my face as we enjoyed this food. Father often said, "Even though I might not be able to provide you with three meals a day, I love you all very much, and one day, we’ll be able to taste all the famous things in the world."

– Oh, and the food! He asked me what I wanted to order, and I, being the little foodie that I am, told him, “Everything!” I mean, I couldn’t help it! Everything smelled so amazing! And I thought, “If there’s anything left, I’ll take it home for my little sister.” I think he must have thought I was a little nuts, but he laughed and said, “Order as much as you want to eat, and then we can order something extra to take home.”

[Flashback: Ethan chuckling as Celine’s excitement bubbles over.]

 So, I’m eating, and just to be sure, I asked him, “All this food we’re eating, I don’t have to pay for it, right? You’re covering it since you’re the one who brought me here?” He gave me the funniest look and said, “No, I’ll pay for everything. Just enjoy your meal.” And I thought, “Wow, this guy really is rich!”

[Flashback: Celine happily eating, glancing at Ethan, who seems deep in thought.]

Then he goes, “Actually, I found out about your situation at home.” And I thought, “Oh boy, here comes the serious talk.” He seemed surprised when I told him how I sometimes had to, you know, “borrow” food from leftovers. “Steal? You steal?” he asked, all shocked, and I just shrugged. “Not expensive stuff, just food,” I said. “If you don’t finish, I take the leftovers for myself.”

[Flashback: Ethan looking stunned as Celine casually explains her “borrowing” method.]

 Poor guy looked like he couldn’t believe it! I could see him wondering, “What kind of girl is this?” And just as I was thinking maybe he didn’t like me anymore, the waitress comes by, and she’s all grateful to me, saying, “Eat as much as you want. You don’t need to pay the bill.” Turns out I’d helped her kid once, and she hadn’t forgotten it. So now he was even more confused!

[Flashback: Waitress thanking Celine, who’s trying to downplay her good deed.]

So, I finally asked him, “Alright, enough mystery. Who are you, and what do you want?” And he goes, all calm and collected, “I’m Ethan, the youngest owner of SparkGroup Industries.” My jaw dropped! So, I asked him straight up, “Can you give me a small job? I’ll do anything—cleaning, sweeping, you name it.”

[Flashback: Celine looking hopeful, while Ethan just smirks and shakes his head.]

But he just said, “No, you don’t need to do any of that.” So, I’m like, “Then what?” And he looks at me and says, “You just need to stay with me.” Now, hold up! I thought, “Is he serious?” Just because I’m poor doesn’t mean he can say whatever he wants!

[Flashback: Celine standing up, angry, about to leave.]

 I stood up and said, “Just because I’m poor doesn’t mean you get to play with me! I’m leaving!” But then he shouts, “Wait!” And what he said next—I couldn’t believe it!

[Flashback: Ethan calling out to her as she turns back, intrigued.]

 He said, “You’ll be a 30 percent owner of my new company and get 15 percent of SparkGroup too.” Can you believe it?! I froze right there. And then I went, “What? Really? Tell me what I need to do!” And he just looked at me, dead serious, and said, “You’ll have to marry me.”

[Flashback: Celine staring at Ethan in shock, then bursting into laughter.]

 I laughed, but I said, “Fine by me! When’s the wedding? Today? Right now?” I was all ready to get hitched, but he said we’d get married in a week. And right before I could celebrate, he gave me his number, saying we’d meet later to go over a few details.

[Flashback: Celine taking his number, practically bouncing out of her chair with joy.]

 So there I was, running around the restaurant, telling everyone, “I’m getting married to a super-rich guy!” It must have looked so silly, but I didn’t care. I was going to be a boss, and a wife, and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

[Back in the cozy room, Celine leans back with a happy sigh.]

 And that’s how I got engaged byto the richest, most handsome guy I’ve ever met. Crazy, right? But that’s just the beginning!

 So, there I was, in the middle of a restaurant with this insanely rich guy, trying to figure out what on earth he was planning. And of course, I wasn’t about to let him off easy—I had questions! Leaning in, I grinned and asked him, “So, Mr. Rich Guy, is there anything else I should know about this marriage deal?”

Then he gave me that classic smirk of his and said, “Well, for starters, you’ll have to attend some fancy events with me. And…”—he paused here, all dramatic, like he was some kind of mystery man.

I rolled my eyes but kept pushing. “And? Don’t keep me waiting. I’m going to be your wife, remember? I need all the details.”

Then he finally cracked and admitted, “You’ll have to follow a few rules, of course.”

Rules? Oh, I laughed at that. “Rules? So you’re one of those serious types, huh? Alright, Mr. Boss, let’s hear them.”

He tried to stay serious but was clearly amused. “Rule number one: no more stealing food from restaurants.”

I burst out laughing. “Oh, come on! That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?”

But he just shook his head. “Rule number two: you can’t just run around announcing to everyone that we’re getting married.”

I mean, how could I resist? I leaned back, laughing, “But that’s the best part! Who wouldn’t want to tell the world they’re marrying a guy like you?”

He sighed, half-exasperated but definitely smiling. “You’re really something, you know that?”

“Yeah, I get that a lot,” I said, grinning. “So, anything else?”

Then he leaned forward, and for once, he looked serious. “Yes. You’ll also have to agree to some public appearances with me. The world sees me as… well, a bit of a bachelor. They’re going to be surprised to see me with someone like you.”

Ouch, right? I put a hand on my heart, acting all hurt. “Someone like me? And here I thought I was special.”

He chuckled and looked right at me. “You are special, Celine. But the world can be… let’s say, a little judgmental. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

I couldn’t help myself. I leaned forward, staring right back at him. “Bring it on! If they have a problem, they can take it up with me. You’ll see, Ethan. I can handle anything you throw at me.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying this. “Alright, then. Last rule—no crazy stunts, okay?”

I gave him my sweetest, most innocent smile. “Crazy stunts? Who, me?”

He just shook his head, still grinning. “Yes, you. Like… pretending to own half the restaurant or shouting that you’re marrying a billionaire.”

I laughed, knowing he had me there. “Got it, got it. But you have to promise me one thing, too.”

He looked intrigued. “And what’s that?”

“Promise you’ll always keep surprising me.”

He leaned back, that smirk of his back in place. “I think I can manage that.”

And right there, I knew we had a deal. He walked me home that night, and as we strolled under the streetlights, I felt this bubbling excitement. I mean, who would’ve thought that me—a girl who’d never even been to a restaurant—would end up in a deal like this? But with Ethan by my side, suddenly the unknown didn’t seem so scary. It felt like the start of something amazing.

Sure! Here’s the scene reimagined with Celine narrating her story in the first person.

---

I arrived home, brimming with happiness, and couldn’t wait to share the good news with my bedridden father. “You won’t be stuck in bed for much longer, Dad,” I exclaimed, my heart racing with hope. “In just a few days, you’ll be walking around just fine again!” I felt a surge of optimism about the future, and I rushed to call my mother to share the excitement.

But my joy quickly turned to confusion as I made several attempts to reach her, only to be met with silence. Finally, when someone picked up, I was struck dumb by the news: my mother had been arrested. The officer explained that she was caught in a drunken state trying to steal a boy’s purse.

Without wasting any time, I headed straight to the police station, my heart pounding with worry.

“Why is she here?” I asked the police officer as soon as I arrived.

“This time, we’re letting her go because the boy she stole from chose not to press charges,” the officer explained.

“Thank you so much!” I breathed a sigh of relief.

“However,” the officer continued, “we need to do a medical checkup on her.”

Confused, I asked, “Why is that necessary?”

The officer’s gaze turned serious. “We have some concerns. What’s her behavior like with you and the people around you?”

I felt defensive. “My mom is the best. She takes great care of us and shoulders all the responsibilities on her own.”

“Alright,” the officer said, “This time, you can take her home, but she must not leave the house. She will have to come back for testing within a week.”

“Okay, we’ll leave now,” I replied, grateful to be taking her home.

As we made our way out, a man named Oliver called out to me. “Hey, wait, wait!”

I turned around, irritation bubbling inside me. “Who are you, and why are you following me?”

“I think I’ve seen you before,” he said, glancing at my mother.

“Yeah, maybe you have. So what?” I retorted.

“Is this your mother?” he asked, his tone shifting.

“Do I look like your mother now? Seriously, where do you people come from early in the morning?” I snapped.

Oliver, unfazed by my sarcasm, said, “Don’t act smart. Your mother tried to steal my purse.”

Realization hit me. “I apologize on her behalf, and I’m sorry for what I said earlier too.”

“Do you even know how important what was in that purse was to me?” Omar pressed.

“How much money was in it?” I asked, unimpressed.

“It wasn’t about the money. There was a picture in that purse of me and my friend,” he explained, frustration etched on his face.

“Oh, are you crazy? What’s more important than money these days? We already gave your money back to the police,” I shot back.

“The picture isn’t in the purse anymore,” he insisted.

“Look, we have no idea where it is. Now, please move aside,” I said, trying to walk away.

“You’re not going anywhere until I get that picture back,” he said, determination in his voice.

“If it was that important to you, why did you drop the charges?” I asked, exasperated.

He pulled out some cash and waved it in front of me. “Here, take more money, but I need that photo back.”

A flicker of glee ran through me. Wow, he’s willing to give me money for just a photo.

I turned to my mother and asked, “Did you see any photo in the purse?”

“Yes, I put it by the window at home,” she replied.

I hurried home, retrieved the photo, and handed it to Oliver. “Here, take it. You were so desperate for this picture.”

“Alright, you can go now,” he said, relief washing over his face.

I didn’t let up. “What about my money?”

“I gave it to your mother,” he replied.

Suddenly worried, I asked, “Why would you give her money? She’ll just buy more drugs.”

“I didn’t know that,” Oliver said, looking regretful.

Anxiety bubbled inside me. I set out to find my mother, only to learn that she had disappeared. My heart sank as I returned home to my little sister, asking, “Is Mom really not going to be there for my wedding?”

---

That evening, I sat alone in my dimly lit room, feeling the weight of my mother’s abandonment. My younger sister played quietly nearby, blissfully unaware of the turmoil churning in my heart. For years, I had been holding everything together for my family, despite my own struggles. My father’s illness kept him confined to his bed, unable to support us. My younger sister was too young to grasp our dire situation, and my mother—once strong and caring—had succumbed to addiction.

I had always believed that one day, things would change for the better. But with my mother gone, that hope felt further away than ever.

The next morning, I resolved to keep moving forward despite my pain. I couldn’t afford to stop—not now, not when my family needed me the most. My thoughts drifted back to Ethan, the wealthy man who had unexpectedly entered my life. I wondered if marrying him would truly solve my problems or just bring more complications.

Sensing the change in my mood, my younger sister crawled into my lap. “Sis, will we be okay? Will Mom come back?” she asked innocently.

I hugged her tightly, fighting back tears. “Yes, we’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it. And as for Mom... I don’t know. But I’ll take care of everything.”

---

Meanwhile, Ethan was at his office, deep in thought about me. Initially, he saw me as nothing more than an interesting distraction—a girl with a rough life but a wild spirit. Yet, the more he thought about me, the more I became a central part of his plans. I was different from any woman he had ever met—bold, outspoken, and entirely unpredictable. I didn’t care about his wealth or status, which only made me more intriguing to him.

Still, Ethan knew marrying me would be complicated. I came from a different world, and while he was willing to take me in, he worried about the baggage I carried—my family, my mother’s addiction, and my sister’s dependence on me. It wasn’t going to be easy.

Ethan picked up his phone and called his assistant. “Prepare everything for the wedding,” he said with a sigh. “But make sure she understands the terms. She needs to know exactly what she’s agreeing to.”

His assistant paused on the other end. “Are you sure about this, sir? It’s a big decision.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair, staring out the window. “Yes, I’m sure. There’s something about her... something that I can’t let go.”

---

Back at home, I sat on the edge of my bed, holding Ethan’s business card in my hand. I hadn’t called him since our last meeting, unsure of what to say. Marrying him would mean security for my family, a way out of the endless cycle of poverty and struggle. But could I really trust him? And more importantly, could I trust myself to live in a world so different from the one I had always known?

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. I opened it to find Oliver standing there, holding a small bag of groceries.

“I thought you might need this,” he said, handing me the bag.

Surprised, I took it. “Why are you helping me?”

Oliver shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I feel bad for you. Or maybe I just don’t want to see you struggle.”

I narrowed my eyes, unsure of his motives. “Thanks, but I don’t need your pity.”

Oliver laughed softly. “It’s not pity. It’s just... empathy. I’ve been where you are before.”

I frowned, feeling exposed. “Really? You don’t seem like the type.”

Oliver’s expression turned serious. “People aren’t always what they seem, Celine. Just like you’re not just some girl who steals food to survive.”

I didn’t respond right away. I looked down at the bag of groceries in my hand, my mind racing. Could Oliver be right? Could there be another way out?

For the first time in a long while, I felt something stir inside me—hope, perhaps. A flicker of the realization that I had options, that my life didn’t have to be dictated by circumstance.

I couldn’t quite tell if Oliver was genuinely concerned about me or if he was mocking my situation, knowing he’d seen me steal before. I firmly turned him down, but his expression seemed unusual—almost like he truly felt sorry for me. Still, if he’s as wealthy as he appears, why doesn’t he help the people around me who truly need it?

A terrible feeling settled in my chest, a mix of shame and frustration. I hated that he’d seen that side of me, my desperation, my struggle. Part of me wanted to believe he cared, but another part whispered that this was just pity, something I didn’t need. Why should he, someone who’s never known hardship, pretend to understand? I felt small, exposed, and angry that my life, my reality, could be something others simply looked down on or played with.

But I was happy because maybe things wouldn’t stay this way forever—I was going to be the daughter-in-law of a wealthy family. Still, a worry gnawed at me: was Ethan marrying me because he had fallen in love? Maybe he liked me at first sight. After all, who wouldn’t like Ethan? He’s rich, tall, independent, handsome—he has all the qualities of a dream prince any girl would want. But why would he choose me and directly talk about marriage? We could have taken things slowly, started as boyfriend and girlfriend, and gotten married later.

Well, maybe I don’t fully understand, but he might have fallen for my beauty. Despite being poor and helpless, I’m beautiful enough that, with a little designer clothing and makeup, I could look even better than a Miss Universe. Thinking this made me happy. I had a lot of questions in my mind, but I believed marriage would lead to a happy ending, not just for me but for my family too, giving us a new life and ending all our troubles.

I started rolling around on my bed with excitement, and my sister, seeing me so happy, came over with a smile and asked, “Di, will our lives really change now?”

“Yes, everything will be alright,” I replied.

“Will I be able to go to school?”

“Yes, you’ll study a lot! And one day, when you become a big officer, everyone will say, ‘This is my sister,’ and I’ll be so proud of you.”

“But I don’t want to be an officer; I want to be a scientist.”

“You’ll become whatever you want to be,” I said, hugging her tightly.

We both quickly ran to our father, embraced him, and told him, “Papa, you’ll get better soon. You won’t have to stay in this bed for much longer. You’ll walk again, and girls will swoon over your charm!”

The three of us laughed together, excited to welcome the happiness that seemed just around the corner.

Oliver, stepping outside, quickly finds his friends and can’t resist sharing the encounter that’s left him both confused and amused. He shakes his head, laughing slightly, and begins, “You won’t believe what just happened. I met this girl—a complete mystery, honestly. She actually steals food to survive, and her family’s situation isn’t any better; they’re all struggling just to get by. But here’s the kicker—when I offered to help her, she looked me straight in the eyes and refused, just like that.”

His friends look on with a mix of surprise and curiosity, so he continues, “I mean, think about it—a girl with absolutely nothing, who can barely afford a meal, and she’s too proud to accept a little help from someone like me. She acted like she didn’t even need anyone. Can you imagine the attitude? I tried to be nice, but she pushed me away as if I’d insulted her.”

One of his friends raises an eyebrow and asks, “Was she really that stubborn?”

Oliver laughs, nodding. “Stubborn doesn’t even begin to describe it! She has this strange pride, like she’d rather struggle alone than owe anything to anyone else. It’s almost… admirable in a way, but honestly, I’m baffled. Here I am, willing to help, and she’d rather push me away than take a chance to make her life a bit easier. She’s got spirit, I’ll give her that, but it’s almost like she wants to keep that distance.”

Another friend comments, “Maybe she’s afraid of losing her independence, or maybe she doesn’t want to be seen as a charity case.”

Oliver considers this, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “Maybe. But even so, to have that level of pride, that defiance when you have so little—there’s something different about her. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.

Oliver’s curiosity about me had transformed into a relentless determination. He couldn’t shake the thought of uncovering the secrets behind my defiance and pride. To him, I was an enigma—a girl with nothing who carried herself with a strength that didn’t match her circumstances.

After instructing his friends to gather every bit of information about me, he added, “I want to know everything—where she goes, who she talks to, what she cares about. I need to know what drives her.” His friends exchanged uneasy glances. One of them finally spoke up, “Oliver, what’s the point? She’s just a simple girl, not someone worth all this effort.”

But Oliver’s expression hardened. “That’s exactly it. She’s simple, yet she’s turned her back on me without a second thought. I need to understand why.” His words left his friends no choice but to go along, sensing that Oliver wouldn’t back down.

As his friends left, Oliver stood in thought, already piecing together a strategy in his mind. He wanted to know not only the people close to me but also the struggles I faced, the dreams I held onto, and the fears I hid. He was no longer satisfied with surface impressions; he needed to know what truly made me the way I was.
Oliver's friend, though initially skeptical, couldn’t ignore the intensity of Oliver’s determination. After a moment of hesitation, he sighed and nodded. “Alright, fine. I’ll help you find out more about her. But I still think it’s a waste of time.”

“Just trust me,” Oliver urged, his eyes bright with resolve. “There’s something about her that intrigues me, and I need to know why she is the way she is. I’m not just interested in her struggles; I want to understand her as a person.”

Reluctantly, his friend agreed. “Okay, I’ll start asking around. I’ll talk to anyone who knows her—classmates, neighbors, whoever I can find.”

As they parted ways, Oliver felt a rush of anticipation. He was determined to uncover the layers of my life and understand the girl who had so defiantly turned away his help. Little did he know that in his quest to learn about me, he was about to embark on a journey that would challenge his own perceptions of pride, strength, and vulnerability.