Fran was enjoying an ordinary day when she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
“Fran? Is that you, Fran?”
She turned around and recognized Lisa – her classmate from high school, the one who had shared her teenage secrets, future plans, and even the times they were caught talking in class.
“Lisa? Oh my God! I can’t believe it! You’re still alive?” Fran exclaimed.
Lisa chuckled.
“Your first greeting in 20 years is asking if I’m still alive?”
Fran shrugged.
“I just wanted to make sure. With your high school personality, I thought you might have become an explorer, traveled around the world, or gotten caught for having too many weird ideas.”
“And you?” Lisa asked.
“Me? I’m still me. Still talkative, still opinionated on everything, and still taking people a few minutes to figure out I’m joking.”
Lisa smiled.
“Then it’s definitely Fran.”
An old friend now with a completely different life.
After reminiscing, Fran quickly realized Lisa had a very different life. She was married, had a stable family, and had entered a completely new world.
“My husband is wonderful,” Lisa said with a proud smile.
Fran nodded.
“Let me guess. He’s romantic, thoughtful, and always remembers anniversaries?”
Lisa thought for a moment.
“Yes.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“Dangerous?”
“Yes. Because if a man remembers anniversaries, women will start expecting all other men to do the same.”
Lisa laughed.
Fran was still Fran.
But then Lisa unexpectedly changed the subject, making Fran wary.
“I think I have someone I want to introduce you to.”
Fran immediately looked at her suspiciously.
“Oh no. I know that look. That’s the look of someone about to do something.”
An Unexpected Matchmaking Session
Lisa revealed that her husband had a very close friend – a successful, wealthy, and single man.
Fran looked at Lisa.
“Wait a minute. You went from ‘we’re talking about high school days’ to ‘I know a millionaire, let’s meet him’ in less than five minutes?”
Lisa laughed.
“You need a new opportunity.”
“I need a coffee before I need a millionaire.”
But Lisa didn’t give up.
“He’s nice. Not like those rich people who only talk about money.”
Fran thought.
“Did he talk about yachts?”
“No.”
“Luxury cars?”
“No.”
“How many houses?”
“Fran…”
“What? I was just checking if he was a villain from a movie.”
When Fran Encountered a New World
According to Lisa, this man was not only wealthy but also intelligent, funny, and enjoyed engaging conversations.
“He needs someone with personality,” Lisa said.
Fran smiled.
“Then you’ve found the right person. I have enough personality for both of you.”
But she quickly laid down a condition.
“Let me tell you beforehand, I’m not going to pretend to be a sophisticated lady just because he’s rich.”
Lisa nodded.
“That’s precisely why I wanted to introduce you. He’s met too many people trying to impress him. You might be able to do the opposite.”
“You mean I have the ability to make him flustered?”
“Exactly.”
“That’s great. It’s a skill I didn’t know I possessed.”
First Meeting: No One Knows Who’s Judging Whom
When Fran finally agreed to meet her husband Lisa’s friend, she decided not to change herself.
She arrived with confidence, a sense of humor, and the ability to turn any conversation into a memorable one.
The wealthy man was probably used to people trying to impress with their financial knowledge, business acumen, or status.
But Fran asked:
“Do you know how to cook?”
He was surprised.
“That’s the first question?”
“Of course. Money can hire a chef. But it can’t buy the ability to make a decent breakfast.”
He laughed.
And that’s what made Fran different.