**ROSEANA**
"Date me."
When I heard what he said, my tears dried up. I instantly stopped crying. I blinked a couple of times. I'm still taking in what I heard. I'm not sure if what I heard was my imagination.
"What?" I said in faint words. My throat is sore from crying. I can still feel his warm body next to me, his arms wrapped around my waist, holding me.
I had to wait a long time for his response. My mind is arguing with itself. I know what I heard. The two words he said were clear to my ears, but I couldn't make out what they meant.
I had completely forgotten why I had cried. My tears are gradually drying up. No one attempted to speak to either of us. I was expecting him to either correct or dispute what he said, but he remained mute.
Only our gentle breathing could be heard in the four corners of his office. I assumed where we are presently was his office because it appeared to be one.
When I felt his arms tighten around me, my entire face flushed. Only now that I realize how awkward our current position is. He's hugging me, and I'm simply letting him. We are strangers, but I let him hug me. What will other people think of us in this situation?
My hold on his clothes loosened up. I was practically embracing him and was firmly clutching the hem of his long sleeve.
I moved away from him slightly. I nibbled on the insides of my cheeks. I can't look him square in the eyes. I kept my head bowed. My hair hides my hot cheeks. His stern stare was fixed on me. His eyes make my knees weak, possibly because his gaze shouts authority.
I noticed him taking a deep breath. His breath blew through my hair.
"Look at me," he whispered, his authority clear in his voice. I didn't have to glance at his face to see that he was frowning again. Perhaps it's his habit to knit his brows. He doesn't appear to be aware that he's doing it.
He said again, "Roseana, I said look at me." His tone has changed to one of displeasure. I recognized one when I heard one. He's becoming irritated. I know very well when someone is upset.
I gently raised my face, afraid of making him upset. My gaze met his lifeless gaze. I admired his eyes right then and there. His lengthy lashes flutter wonderfully whenever he blinks, making his vicious glare less frightening. His eyes appeared lifeless. There is no spark. Looking at it made me feel like I was staring into endless darkness. It looked empty.
"What?"
I'm curious how he manages to appear unbothered by anything. He can direct his gaze at anyone. Without doing anything, he can simply make anyone uncomfortable with his look. I'm not sure how he can keep staring at me and making me worry about how I appear when he's not saying anything. Staring at him felt like it was draining my energy.
"Let's get married," he continued, his stare never leaving mine.
I exclaimed. What exactly did he say? Is he proposing marriage to me?
"Are you nuts?" I questioned, surprised. I couldn't help but raise my voice at him. I pulled him away from me, attempting to get free from his grip, but I could only keep a short distance between us. When I pulled his chest away from me, he didn't even move.
Is he playing with me? How can he say those words as if they were the simplest thing in the world?
He has a sneer on his face. "Compared to the two of us, I think I'm more sane than you. I'm not the one who ran in the middle of the road, am I?" he snickered, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
He reached for my hair. I clenched my eyes firmly, afraid he'd pull my hair. Did I irritate him by responding? Did I piss him off when I talked back? Did he get angry when I didn't agree to his wishes? Will he hurt me? Is he going to hit me?
I balled my fist. The loud beating of my heart, anticipating whatever physical he will do, is making my breath labored.
In my ears, I heard him murmur, "I am offering you salvation." His breath brushed up against the back of my ears. My entire body was in goosebumps.
In disbelief, I opened my eyes. The first thing that drew my attention was his impassive face, which was only a few inches from mine. I looked for his hands, which I was afraid would hurt me.
"He didn't hit me," I think to myself.
He gave me an impatient face as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard. "You thought I was going to hurt you?" he inquired. His brow furrowed as he shifted his eyes to my balled fist.
I nodded slowly.
He mockingly laughed while I just wanted to be swallowed by the ground because of my embarrassment.
'Roseana, come on. You can't constantly expect everyone to harm you. You can't expect everyone to be like Cedrick. This man saved you, but instead of thanking him, you judged him negatively.'
"I-I'm sorry," I said softly.
He remained silent. He brought his body away from me and sat back in the chair. His legs are stretched apart. I let out a sigh of relief. The short distance between us is suffocating me.
I felt embarrassed to look at him. I averted my gaze once more as I noticed him staring intently at me. I'm not sure what he's thinking. It's difficult to read his mind.
"Enough with your shyness; I will not dally any longer; I need a wife or someone to pretend to be my wife, and I think I could settle with you," he added, looking at me from head to toe. I felt sad for myself all of a sudden. I felt so small and helpless in his presence. "Besides, you certainly need my assistance, especially since you're being chased by those thugs; we'll both benefit from this situation."
"Listen here, young lady, I'm telling you that I don't help anyone for free," he said again before I could respond. "You want my help? Then you should also do me a favor," he continued.
He is not helping me for free. He needed me, and that's why he helped me. He has a hidden agenda. I'm not sure why, but the fact that he didn't intend to help me at all upset me at first.
I replayed his words over and over in my head.
I was about to cry, but I restrained myself. My throat is sore from holding back my emotions.
I put bravery on my face to avoid looking pathetic. "Why do you need a wife?" I questioned frankly. I almost clapped my hands when I didn't stutter. I was worried my voice would break, but I'm delighted it didn't.
He said solemnly, "You don't have to know."
"But I have to know. I want to know," I said vehemently.
He gave me a bored look and lifted his brows.
I had just gotten up the nerve to talk to him. I need to know why he needed me to be his wife. If his suggestion ever happens, don't I have the right to know his reasons?
"I'll admit, what you said intrigued me. You are right. I need your help more. But I will not jump into a situation where I am kept in the dark, not knowing where I am going. I am in so much trouble already. I don't want to add more problems to me. Besides, marriage is not a simple issue. It will involve both of us, right? Don't I have the right to know what I'm getting myself into?" I said without pausing. I almost lost my breath, not only because of the length of my words but also because of the stern look he was giving me.
"Well, then, you have to tell me why you're being chased by those men," he said.
I couldn't speak.
He sighed and rose to his feet. "OK, just tell me if you're interested in my offer, and find me outside when you've made up your mind," he added. He turned away from me and headed to the door.
He had already left for a few minutes, but I couldn't move from my seat. My gaze is fixated on the door.
I carefully thought about what he said, trying to be reasonable while considering each possibility, even though my mind was a mess.
I need him. That is clear to me now. I hate admitting it to myself, but I have no choice but to accept his offer. He is the only person who can help me. I would rather choose to marry a stranger than marry Cedrick.
"After all of this, I can ask for a divorce; after all, we don't really love each other," I mutter to myself, trying to convince myself that what I'm about to do is harmless.
I shut my eyes tightly. Is this what I'm supposed to do? Is it right for me to use other people to get away from my problem?
'However, this will benefit more than just you. He will technically use you as well.'
I exited his office before I could reconsider my decision. I was taken aback by the loud music, shouting, and dark surroundings.
"Where am I?" was all I could think.
A bar? People are drinking, as I can see. I even looked back from the office where I had just left because I didn't think I was at the bar today.
I took a deep breath and focused on finding the man who could assist me rather than where I was or why he had brought me here. I found him drinking on a sofa with a tall brunette sitting on his lap, kissing passionately. His hands are all over her body.
I turned away from both of them. I suppose I'll just have to wait for them to finish? But when will they be done? They appear to be just getting started.
I nibbled on the insides of my cheeks. Because of what I saw, my entire face turned bright crimson. I twitched my fingers.
"Excuse me," I said quietly to grab their attention. I chose to speak because I couldn't bear the thought of them doing what they were doing. I have the option of not looking at them, but the sound of their kisses and moans is too much for my ears to bear. I'm going to pass out before they finish what they're doing.
"What?"
When I heard his baritone voice, I exhaled a sigh of relief.
"I agree to what you want. I will marry you, but you must promise me that you will help me," I stated firmly. I still can't look him in the eyes.
"All right, but first you have to look at me," he added.