The wealthy, dominant businesswoman, Eliza Sharp

The fancy restaurant hummed with murmured conversation between dashing suited women and their glittering male companions in long cocktail dresses. Waitresses in black and white uniforms stepped confidently between the tables carrying trays of elegantly arranged food in tiny portions. The tables were draped in pristine white silk, and each place had four of five different sets of knives and forks, and just as many crystal glasses. Jamie had never felt more out of place and nervous in his entire life. And that was only partly because he was sitting at a table with his Momma waiting for the arrival of the woman he'd pretty much already chosen to spend the rest of his life with.

Eliza Sharp, a wealthy, successful businesswoman, living in a world he didn't understand in the slightest. Jamie still wasn't quite sure why he'd picked her. He'd been trying to decide for a little while, gazing hopefully at the list of handsome women his Momma had chosen for him, and at just the right moment he'd happened to glance at her sternly smiling face...and it had felt kind of right. The way she'd stared at him from her photo, like she knew just how he should be treated, made his chest feel a little light and fluttery and brought a warm heat to his cheeks. When he'd gingerly pointed her out, Momma had let out a sharp sigh of relief and hugged him very tightly to her shoulder, telling him how proud she was of her baby boy. Dad meanwhile, had looked rather nervous for a moment, before covering it up with his own grateful smile and hugging his wife tightly from the other side.

From there, Jamie had been ushered back up to his bedroom where he'd waited anxiously for a couple hours wondering if he'd made the right choice, when Momma had suddenly burst back into his room and told him he'd be meeting his prospective wife that very next evening, and that he had a lot of work to do before then. She'd kept him home from school today, driving him and Dad into town instead and dropped them both off at a salon where Jamie had been given a thorough haircut and makeover.

His drab red looks now shone with health, cut into a neat and fashionable style which somehow made his face look even more boyish and innocent. The makeup the salon stuff had put on him was flawless too, his green eyes looking big and almost tearful with the subtle layer of eyeliner and mascara that made his long lashes stand-out. His cheeks looked flushed even when he wasn't blushing furiously and his skin seemed to glow with health. That hadn't even been the end of it. When Momma had driven him back home again he'd scarcely stumbled through the door before she'd stormed past and handed him the most beautiful, expensive-looking dress he'd ever seen in his life, ordering him firmly to put it on and show her and Dad how it looked.

It was bottle-green, the same color as his eyes, and made of silky fabric so sheer and light he could hardly feel it on his skin. It was long at least, going all the way down to his feet, which he'd had to slip into a pair of tall heels that made him feel like he was going to topple over when he walked. Only, the dress seemed to cling so tightly to his slender body, particularly his flat chest and the curve of his butt, and he somehow felt even more exposed wearing it than he would have just a naughty short skirt. Momma would never have let him even think of trying clothes like this before, which just made it stranger that she was making him wear them now.

Now she'd taken him here, to this fancy restaurant where even the chandelier lights dripped with class and refinement. This was where they were going to meet Ms. Sharp, and the fact that his prospective wife had chosen such a venue had Jamie so anxious he could hardly breathe. It was as clear a demonstration of just how rich she was, the kind of wealthy woman who could have any man she chose. Why would she even want anything to do with a shy and shabby boy like him?

"Ms. Sharp?" Momma stood hurriedly from her chair with a gasp. Jamie stiffened, his head snapping up from his close study of the pristine tablecloth. There, striding confidently across the room towards their table, was the same woman whose stern photo had caught his attention. Ms. Sharp was even more imposing in person, a shade taller than Momma and dressed in a crisp, black business suit like she'd just stepped out of a board meeting. Her lips were pursed and her sharp, brown eyes moved over Momma with disinterest from behind a pair of smart glasses, then they darted down to where Jamie sat, and that thin smile flickered across her handsome face. The boy found himself blushing hot under his makeup as she stared at him with those piercing eyes, feeling suddenly like a juicy piece of meat being dangled in front of a hungry shark. "Thank you so much for arranging this." Momma stepped out from the table to meet Ms. Sharp, holding out her hand. "I know it can't have been easy to fit us into your busy schedule at such short notice."

"It wasn't a problem," Ms. Sharp replied, her voice crisp and clear as glass. She took Momma's hand and gave it a firm shake. "As a matter of fact, I certainly appreciate the chance to finally see what all my money is buying from you, Eliza." Momma winced slightly, drawing back her hand like she'd been stung. Her gaze flickered to Jamie, and for a moment the boy could swear he saw guilt in her icy-blue eyes. "So far it seems like he's worth every penny." Ms. Sharp purred, leaning over the table to give him another of those lingering looks. Jamie bit his lip anxiously, unable to hold her gaze for even a moment. What did she mean, money? It was starting to sound like she'd...paid Momma for the chance to marry him? But why...would anyone spend money at all for a boy like him?

"Please, sit down, Ms. Sharp," Momma stammered, sounding more off-balance than he'd ever heard her. With a thin smile, Ms. Sharp slipped into the fancy seat across the table, with Momma settling back into her own beside Jamie moments later. "Now, I was hoping you and I could have a polite discussion about what's to happen to my son once he's married to you, with him here to provide his own input if it's needed." She waved her hand towards her son, who shrank a little into his chair. He wasn't sure he'd be able to find the courage to say anything at all right now.

"I understand Mothers worry, but you needn't worry about a thing," Ms. Sharp replied smoothly. "Believe me, I know just how boys need to be treated and your son has given me no cause for concern so far. He's behaved himself admirably, keeping that pretty mouth of his shut while women talk, a rare quality for a boy in this day and age. I admit I'm impressed. You clearly raised him correctly."

"Yes, we spoke earlier...about the subject of discipline." Momma nodded hurriedly. "That was actually something I was meaning to clarify with you today."

"I will make my expectations clear to the boy once we're married." Ms. Sharp smiled again, a thin little grin as her dark eyes flickered back to Jamie, peering down at the shivering boy through the rims of her glasses. "It's strictly a matter between wife and husband how she chooses to correct his behavior, is it not?" Jamie swallowed nervously, his hands working over each other under the dress. That sounded...like she might be even stricter than Momma was.

"Of course, Ms. Sharp." Momma put in, a faintly panicked look in her eyes. "It's just I was hoping to..."

"Enough," Ms. Sharp spoke the word coolly, and Momma fell silent with a wounded look. "My apologies, Eliza, but that isn't a subject that needs to be discussed any further. I've made myself clear enough. Now, shall I order us some wine? We can talk about more important matters over the exquisite white they serve here then move on to some fine dining as well. I'll pay for everything, of course. Wouldn't want to inconvenience a friend of mine, nor my future Mother-in-Law." Momma winced again, a faint flush coloring her pale cheeks. "And how about you, Jamie?" Ms. Sharp glanced at the boy, addressing him for the very first time so suddenly that it took him a moment to even realize. Her voice took on a gentler note and there almost seemed to be something rather patient in the look she gave him. "A little young for wine, aren't you, but still old enough to get married to me anyway." She chuckled lightly. "Do you like sweet juices? Of course you do, I'll get you something nice."

"Thank you, ma'am," Jamie replied, feeling rather dazed at how naturally she'd just made the decision for him. It didn't even feel awkward...somehow.

"Such a polite boy." She smiled at him, her eyes lighting up behind the lenses of her glasses. "And such a pretty one too. I think I'm going to very much enjoy being married to you." Jamie felt his cheeks flush hot, a little gasp escaping his parted lips. That was the first time any woman had called him pretty...and to hear it now from this confident, handsome and wealthy lady who was older than him too, it made him want to wriggle in his seat and play with his hair. It was very kind of her to say such nice things about him, even if they weren't true. He still got the sense she was going to be rather strict on him...but maybe he'd enjoy being married to her too?