George POV

I stared at the file in my hand. Dates and information scattered across it. it resembled a contract and then I looked closely.

'George Found would be lawfully wedded to Dream Taken on the 25th of July.'

"This is who I am marrying?" I asked my mother, who was sitting across the table with her hands folded in her lap. "Who even is he?" My mother's eyes fell, watching as she fiddled with her fingers in shame.

"His name is Dream. And if you go through this marriage-" My father interrupted her.

"When you go through this marriage then it will do tremendous things for our company." I stared at the profile. "Soon to be your company if you do this right." I stared at him. "I would have had this arranged with your older sister, but..." My father cleared his throat. "Dream is gay and said to have liked having a man. So I know that my boy wouldn't ever like a man but you understand what you have to do for our company." I gulped.

"The only way we could get him to agree to this was if he married a man. He said he would at least enjoy the chance of having a friend and maybe more if it actually went well."

"You're just going to sell me off!? Just like that?!" My father looked at me with his stone-cold eyes.

"We do what we have to, especially when it involves good ties with other people. This will help us skyrocket. You'll be meeting him tomorrow at our annual dinner dance. You will look your best. Next month is your wedding date. June 25th. Understood?" What could I say? I still lived in my parents' house and I was only twenty-two. Leaving here would mean a death sentence, so my only real option was to stay and deal with this.

An arranged marriage. That couldn't be so bad, right? "Of course, sir. I will do what we have to do. Just like always in this family."

I walked up to my room the photo still crumbled in my palm. I looked at it closely. It was a nice picture of the man. He had gentle freckles scattering his face and thick golden hair. He was young, maybe thirteen or fourteen. This was probably the only photo he could get his hands on and it was from years ago. The photo was warn. And had little splatters of blood across it. I wondered what my father had to do to get this photo? I knew the Taken family had been secretive about their appearances. It looked to be from a few years ago anyway he probably looked different now.

I just hoped he was nice. Then maybe of all things, we could have a friendship with one another.

No. What the hell am I thinking? I'm just gonna fall into his arms like that? I will do what I need to, but I won't like it. I don't care how he treats me tomorrow. I am not going to be in good ties with him. Not even for the rest of our marriage.

-Tomorrow Evening-

I slid the suit jacket over my arms and buttoned it in the middle. Fiddling with the cuffs until it looked just right. My hair was styled over perfectly and a watch was hugging my wrist. I sighed, knowing that right now we should be in the car and heading toward the rented venue. But I couldn't, I could hardly move. I didn't want to be tied to a random person who I hardly knew for the rest of my life.

"Young sir, your parents are waiting." The maid said, peeking her head through the door after her gentle knock.

"Right." I cleared my throat and grabbed my phone. Walking down the staircase swiftly and getting into the slick black car.

I knew that my family owned a huge, well-known company. But I also knew the ties they had to get their rank. The number of back-alley deals and contracts they had with huge mafia bosses baffled me. On the outside, we just looked like a family who worked hard. But I knew better. There was so much my father has done to get where he is today.

I didn't want to run the company like that. I knew ways that would get us good deals legally. So I just had to wait until my father passed it down and me and my sister would run it the way we had always wanted. It wouldn't change the number of things this family has done to get it though. Maybe I would just sell it off. Or let it be run by someone else while I sat back. I couldn't do that though. I couldn't sit back while everything remained the same. I could do something to change it, I would run it properly.

Before I was escorted out of the car my mother slid a mask over my eyes. "It's a masquerade?" I asked, she nodded.

"Yes, that was one of the Taken's conditions. Dream hasn't ever shown his face to the media, so the two of you will meet properly on your wedding day." I nodded. So I was right, my dad did have to go through a lot to get that photo.

Like usual, my mother clung to my arm while we walked inside. While my father had his mother on his arm. Flashes of cameras and reporters were scattered outside. I hated publicity so I kept walking while my father answered a few questions and allowed some pictures.

I guided my mother to a table and we sat down. Four other chairs sat along the table. That meant an eight-person party for this table. Soon enough my father joined us and then a family of four walked over as well.

My father immediately stood up to greet them and I did the same. I shook Dream's father's hand then I outstretched my hand to Dream too. A white smiley mask was covering his face and I had to stifle a laugh.

Dream happily took my hand and shook it firmly.

"Please you two go and conversate. Me and Dream's father have some more things to discuss." I looked over at Dream. Wondering if he hated this as much as I did. But I didn't have much time to think because he grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the dance floor.

"Hello, George." His voice was low and warm. He didn't sound like an awful person.

"Dream," I said softly, letting him lead me in a slow dance. His hands resting respectfully on my midback.

"How much do you hate me?" He asked. I didn't look at him, instead, I answered truthfully.

"'bout a 7/10." I shrugged moving my hands a little further up onto his shoulders.

"Is that so?" He asked, his voice matching his smug smile. "Why is that? We could be friends you know." He asked softly, something genuine in his voice.

I scoffed, "Please." I rolled my eyes. He could've done the same but his mask was covering his face.

"Neither of us have a choice here, George. You think I want to be in an arranged marriage? But I've known that something like this would happen since I was ten. I've just accepted it." I pulled back and looked at him, trying to find any sliver of an expression. His lips were the only thing that I could see fully, and they were emotionless.

"I'm sorry. I thought you were just okay with it, which pissed me off. I'm sorry." I couldn't see his eyes but I could feel his stare burn my skin.

"It's okay George. But hey, let's just try to enjoy the moment." He spun me around and I couldn't stifle back the small giggle falling from my lips. I heard his chuckle too.

"Do you think we'll be happy? In a marriage that neither of us wanted?" I asked. "Even if we are friends. Even when I might make you happy you won't get to be with someone publically again. Love is something we all crave and I don't think you'll be happy without it." I said, glancing over at my mother. She had learned to love my father. I winced, wondering if my mother had ever longed to be with someone other than him.

"I'll be okay."

"That's not what I asked, Dream." He pulled me a little closer, humming to the music as we swayed together.

A smile spread on his lips, "Well, we'll just have to see. I'd be happier if that ratio wasn't a 7/10." I chuckled, I couldn't stop myself from it.

"It might lower if you play your cards right." I leaned my head on him, letting it rest in the crook of Dream's neck. I could feel the rumble in his chest when he giggled.

"Noted." Soon enough it was time for us to take our leave. Making that the only impression I could get of Dream until our wedding. Something deep inside me burned with anger. I was still angry about everything happening, but meeting Dream made it a lot better. Even though I still wanted to hate him.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled. Hoping that something would make me happy, with each passing second my wedding day was inching closer. All of which has made me even more uneasy. Even with Dream's charming personality, I didn't want to marry him. This wasn't what I wanted.

I heard a rock hit my window. Slowly, I got up and searched the area. Soon finding a familiar white mask greet me. "What the hell? What is this some princess movie?" I whispered down to him. I heard him chuckle and he motioned for me to come down to meet him

"What are you doing here?" He smiled and I tried to hold back mine. I had to hate him. I wouldn't fall for his charming demeanor. I couldn't. I wouldn't fall for the guy that I'm forced to be with.

Especially if my father found out.

Unwillingly doing this is one thing for Dad. But if I actually fell for him? That would be the end of all of it. He would spit up the marriage without a second thought. He would give up all of it for the reputation of his son. A Gay Son? Never.

"Came to meet my soon to be husband." He said smugly. For some reason that comment made fury boil inside me.

"Ugh." I rolled my eyes.

"Back to hating me then, huh?" He asked, shoving his hands into his pockets. He looked so much different without a suit on. Instead, he had a green sweatshirt and black skinny jeans.

"Only when I remembered what this is going to be." He smiled at me.

"If it means that much to you..." He looked off into the night. Glancing up at the moon before looking back over at me. "I can refuse. My father already hated me doing this but I agreed because I knew it would be good for the company." I froze. A father that cared about what he wanted? I wish I could've had that.

Then his words dawned on me.

"You agreed to this?" I asked, my voice rising. I could see his body language stiffen before he threw a hand over my mouth to shut me up. Good thing he did, with me being that loud I could've woke my parents.

"Shut up. Shut up." He looked around panicked before I finally writhed from his grasp. "Look, it was either going to be me or my sister. I intervened and said me. My dad doesn't like my sister having to go through that and I didn't either. So me and him agreed for it to be me. I would end up running the company so I thought that was a plus too." I saw his confident attitude falter and he slumped. Looking sad even with his overly happy mask.

"So here I am George. You want to know why I'm so okay with this?" He asked rhetorically. I waited for his response.

"Because it keeps my sister from having to be in a marriage she doesn't want to be in. You're not the only one who is angry about this," he snapped at me. I couldn't hold back, I was shaking with anger.

"At least you have a dad who cares about what you're going through! At least your parents want you to be happy, mine don't give two shits about me!" I pushed my hand onto my chest. Tightly gripping the fabric trying to take out my anger. Was it anger I was shaking from? I could feel the tears falling from my eyes. Anger? Sadness? Both?

Not once had I ever felt like this in front of anyone. This vulnerable and open. I felt naked standing in front of him. Like he would judge me for spilling out my secrets. I couldn't stop the tears now, overfilling my eyes profusely. Dream watched me and as I fell apart before him.

"They are selfish pricks who want nothing more than to use their children to get further in life. They had me and my sister for nothing but appearances! They don't love me. Hell, I barely know what love feels like!"

"That doesn't make it okay! George, I feel for you, I do. But that doesn't mean you get to be ignorant; you cant use your parents' neglect as an excuse."

We huffed, out of breath and angry. The both of us fell from our high of rage and slowly calming down. Jagged breathy pants as we stared each other down. Tears slid down Dream's face behind his mask and I saw them drip off his chin.

"Look, we shouldn't fight. I don't want to fight." I crossed my arms as I listened to him speak.

I looked away from him and wiped my tears. Hurriedly crossing my arms while I responded. "I don't want to fight either." I sniffled.

"Good, no fighting?" I looked over at him, his outstretched hand before me.

"No fighting." An unwanted smile tugged at my lips as I shook his hand.

Despite how much I didn't want to, I fell asleep wondering what his eyes looked like.

I sat in on a meeting at my father's company a few days later. My mind still lingering on the fact that I had been so open with Dream that night. I hadn't even been like that with my own mother unless you count being five and crying to her about my goldfish. But since then, I hadn't really been open with my own family. They had never even given me the chance to let out my feelings. They never really made me feel like I could.

I just sat there, waiting until Dream fulfilled his promise. 'I'll come back Friday night, okay?' That is what he had told me. I wanted him to come back. Because he infatuated me and I wanted him to come back.

Today was Friday, so I just had to wait until later tonight. I could do that. I could wait.

...

I clambered out of my window. Being met with a surprisingly happy Dream on the ground.

"What? Why are you so giddy?" I asked, sitting down on the ground against the house; Dream joined me.

"Nothing. Just happy you came out here so willingly." I looked away, avoiding his curious gaze. "Why is that?" He inquired.

"You want me to be honest with you?" I could feel that he nodded so I answered still not looking at him. "Last week was nice," I said sheepishly, I looked over at him to see that he had his head cocked to the side.

"We fought all night?" I shrugged.

"Yeah, but..." I sighed. "It was refreshing. I've never had that much emotion in a conversation with anyone. I felt vulnerable and that was weirdly nice." Dream smiled a sad smile.

"You've never had a friend like that before?" He asked quietly.

"Never. Dad always had me sheltered. Everyone around here knows who I am, it was hard to make real friends."

"I guess that's why I'm glad my parents hid me from the media. I was able to have a normal life without cameras and reporters in my face." I chuckled.

"Lucky." Dream inched a little closer.

"Hey, I didn't say this last night but... I think it's really noble of you to do that for your sister."

"Thank you." I could hear the smile in his voice. Suddenly he spoke again, "I want to get to know you before we get married. I know that much. So, should we make this a regular thing?" I thought for a moment. I would be stuck with this man for the rest of my life, do I want a good connection with him?

"I Uhm..."

"It scares you, huh?" He asked, I bit my lip slightly.

"It does. Even just talking with you and becoming your friend is terrifying. What if you hurt me, Dream? I don't know if I could handle that..."

"I won't hurt you. I swear." I looked at him, hard to tell if he really meant it without seeing his face. But something in his voice urged me to listen.

"Okay. Don't break that swear Dream. I will make our marriage a living hell."

"I won't." We sat in silence for a moment before I spoke.

"12 days," I said quietly.

"12 days." He confirmed.

It was a few days later and I was sitting in the front seat of Dream's car. Wondering where he was going to take me and also a little worried that he was kidnapping me. I could see it in the headlines now. "George Found's Future Husband Kidnaps Him 10 Days Before Wedding Date"

"Where are we going?" I asked, watching as he changed gears and put the car in part. I looked around, taking in the lifeless night.

"Can't tell yet."

"Oh my god, you're actually going to murder me arent you?" He chuckled, not answering the question. "DREAM! ANSWER THE QUESTION!"

"I'm just taking you to the lake. That's all." He got out of the car and I joined him. He outstretched his hand to me and I took it. Lacing my fingers through his without a second thought. Only after I did it is when I felt the electricity travel from my fingertips to my chest. Was I okay with him holding my hand?

Yes. I think I was.

When we walked through a small patch of trees we were met with a lake reflecting the light of the moon. Ripples and wiggling waves compromised the crisp clean image of the pale ball. Fireflies danced on between the cattails and overgrowing grass along the bank. I watched as Dream guided me to a willow tree on the other side.

"What are we doing, Dream? Where are we going?" Dream just chuckled in response.

"You have to learn some patience, Georgie." My heart swelled at the nickname. No one was ever close to me enough to have a genuine nickname for me. I observed as Dream began climbing an oak tree's thin bottom branches. My heart spiraled as I expected the worse.

"Please don't fall and break your neck," I said softly.

"I won't." He chuckled. "Come on, join me."

"You are going to be the death of my Dream." I shook my head and began taking on the tree branch by branch.

I finally joined him sitting on a thick branch about halfway up. "Five days. Are you nervous?" Dream asked softly. We had even more meetings since our first. And with each passing one, I was sort of excited for our wedding day. Well, not excited, but I wasn't dreading it as much as I thought I would. When I would get to see his eyes like I always wanted.

"Very." I looked over at him. His white smiley face was just staring blankly at the water. "I can't get a good read on you with that dang thing on you know. I thought it was just something you wore when you were out." Dream gripped the branch under him.

"It is. But..." I watched him intently. "Now I'm kind of terrified to take it off." I contemplated for a moment before slowly lacing my fingers through his. It was different from last time, it wasn't a spur of the moment thing that he had used it to guide me with. Instead, it was something that I could tell he needed. I could see it in the pace of his breathing that he needed comfort and so I gave it to him. The omfort from a friend is always relieving.

Dream clutched his fingers with mine. And I smiled. "Are you scared to take it off in front of me?" He nodded slowly. "I won't force you to show me. Ever, but I want you to know that when you are ready I won't judge you." I cupped his cheek. So intimate. Such a foreign feeling. I wasn't used to it.

"You can take it off." I was a little taken aback by his words.

"Dream are you sure?" He nodded.

"I'm sure. I want you to see me. Besides, you showed me a really vulnerable side of yourself and I want to return that. I want you to know that I trust you too." Slowly my fingers curled around the rough mask and pulled it off his face. Revealing his delicate set of lips and a face that was coated in gentle freckles. His eyes came out as a yellow that matched the grass; I was so entranced. He looked so much different from the photo. So much more mature, it had been years after all. He slowly leaned in close to me, our eyes caught in a fight for dominance. He won, pressing his lips against mine slowly. Was this happening? Me falling for the one man that I didn't want to fall for? I didn't care, I threw my arms around him and deepened the kiss. Enjoying every second that he was holding me.

"Heh, I'll say it's about a 4/10 now," I said smugly, watching his eyes blow wide.

"What? Excuse me? I thought it would at least be down to a two." I smiled.

"Maybe. You haven't proven yourself that much." I shrugged and pulled him close to me, reconnecting our lips.

I sighed, fiddling with my tie until it looked just right on me. Today was the day that the two of us would walk down the aisle and join in marriage. As much as I liked Dream I didnt want to be forced into this. I liked him, a lot. But if my father ever found out I was actually in love with this boy and it wasn't for good ties between two people than he would kill me. And then probably Dream too. I groaned wanting to be in the same room with Dream. But according to our parents I still hadn't seen his face. Which meant I couldn't 'meet' him until I was at the end of the aisle.

"George?" I heard a soft knock on the door paired with Dream's voice.

"Dream." I exhaled, letting out the breath I hadn't known I was holding. He quickly shut the door and locked it. Taking off his mask and walking over to me.

"I don't want this." He said. Neither did I, but boy did that hurt. "I'm not ready. I don't want to be forced into this."

"I- Dream. What do you expect me to do?" I asked.

"Follow me," he said quietly. I stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate.

"What?"

"Runa way with me, George." I wanted to so badly.

"How can I do that? Your parents and sister." I said. Why was I trying to argue?

"My family already gave me the go-ahead. They bought me some time to get out of here... With you." I stared at him. The talks and the nights we had. He was my friend. I cared about him so much and it physically hurt to imagine being without him.

"When my father gets wind of this he'll kill me. The idea of running away with a man? Especially when it can ruin the company? he would try to kill you Dream and I mean literally." Dream smirked.

"Can't kill me when he doesn't know what I look like, right?" I smiled.

"Fair." I took his hand and ran. Ran for hours and took busses until finally landing in Orlando Florida. We were ridden from them and I was so happy. I was done with that world something I hadn't realized I wanted until I met Dream.