Chapter 24: Proposal

Maxwell settled into the plush couch, his gaze locking onto Electra's. Her piercing green eyes sparkled with curiosity as she wondered why he was giving her that intense look.

"Electra," Maxwell began, his deep voice filled with sincerity. "I want you to be my girlfriend. Let's date."

Electra's laughter burst forth like a sunlit splash, her cheeks flushing pink. "I guess you joke a lot," she said, trying to compose herself.

But Maxwell's expression remained serious. "I mean it, Electra. I want us to date, and if possible, get married soon."

Electra's eyes widened, surprise etched on her face. "When did you start thinking about this?" she asked, her voice laced with intrigue.

Maxwell's eyes softened, his voice vulnerable. "Recently. To be sincere, I don't get drawn to girls easily. They've broken my heart in the past... but something about you is just unique."

Electra's lips curled into a gentle smile, her voice tinged with empathy. "I must admit, you're a nice and good-looking guy... but I never thought of you in that way. I wanted to confide in you as a friend."

The room fell silent, Maxwell's face a mask of controlled emotion. Electra's words stung, but he understood.

"You're honest, Electra. I appreciate that," Maxwell said, his voice measured. "Can I ask why you don't see me in a romantic way?"

Electra leaned forward, her voice gentle. "You're an amazing person, Maxwell. But I value our friendship too much to risk complicating it."

Maxwell nodded, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "I understand. Friendship is precious. I'll cherish it, even if it's all I can have with you."

Electra's expression turned introspective, her voice laced with conviction. "Most sincerely, I don't think I want to get into a relationship soon. I want to focus on me and my daughter. I don't want to rush things due to my past experience."

Maxwell's eyes filled with understanding. "You mean your divorce, and having to raise your child on your own?" he asked, his tone gentle.

Electra nodded, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. "Yes. I think I need to spend time with my daughter. The thought of getting married soon is overwhelming."

Maxwell's brow furrowed. "But I thought your parents wanted you to get married again?"

Electra's shoulders sagged slightly. "They do. They're eager to see me settled, but... I need time. My divorce was messy, and being a single mom is challenging. I want to prioritize my daughter's well-being and my own healing."

Maxwell's eyes widened in surprise. "So, did you not go on the date?"

Electra let out a sarcastic chuckle. "I did, but I planned on ruining the date. Not knowing, the date had already ruined itself." Her voice dripped with venom. "I never knew the person I was on a date with was my ex-husband. That bastard!"

Her lips curled into a snarl, and she bit down, as if restraining her anger.

Maxwell's brow furrowed. "What happened?"

Electra took a deep breath, composing herself. "He wanted to move on, but the shock on his face when he saw it was me..." She paused, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Priceless."

Reaching for the beer bottle, Electra poured herself a cup, the liquid amber filling the glass.

Maxwell's laughter echoed through the room. "Sounds like karma caught up with him."

Electra's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "Served him right. Thought he could just replace me, huh?" She took a sip of her beer, her expression thoughtful.

Maxwell leaned in, intrigued. "How did you handle it?"

Electra's voice turned icy. "Let's just say I made it clear he's still stuck in the past. And I'm moving forward, without him."

The air was filled with tension, but Electra's determination was palpable.

Maxwell nodded, impressed. "You're stronger than I thought."

Electra's gaze met his, a hint of vulnerability flickering. "I've had to be."

Electra's voice trembled, her words pouring out like a dam breaking. "He never knew the pain... I was lucky not to have a miscarriage. How I had to struggle all night, carrying his child. The thought of him cheating with my friend... it really hurt deeply."

Her eyes blazed with a mix of anger and sadness. "I was so blindly in love and married that fool after just two weeks. He was with nothing, he said he was disowned by his parents... I fell for his lies and married him without any family, because my parents were against it."

Her voice cracked. "He chased me out of the house I bought with my money, blocked our joint account, left me stranded... with a baby on the way."

Electra's hands clenched into fists, her jaw tight. "I thought I'd found love, but it was all a ruse. He used me for my stability, my security... and then discarded me like trash."

Maxwell listened intently, his face a mask of empathy. "I'm so sorry, Electra. No one deserves that kind of pain."

Maxwell's eyes filled with admiration. "You're so strong, this is so emotional, and you're not even crying."

Electra's face twisted in disgust. "I have no tears to shed. He's just a bastard and doesn't deserve any good woman."

Her voice was laced with venom, but Maxwell's expression remained gentle.

"It's okay," he said. "But I think it's actually time you moved on. It's been five years already; you really should move forward."

Electra's gaze dropped, her shoulders sagging slightly.

"I know... it's just hard. The memories linger, and the pain still feels fresh."

Maxwell's hand reached out, offering a comforting touch.

"You've healed, Electra. You've rebuilt your life, and you're thriving. Now, it's time to open yourself to new experiences, new love."

Electra's eyes narrowed, a hint of defiance. "Love? I don't know... I'm not sure I'm ready."

Maxwell's smile was encouraging. "You don't have to be ready. Just be open. Let life surprise you."

Electra's expression softened, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Maybe you're right. Maybe it's time. But I really need time to decide, so I think I have to turned down your proposal"

"It's okay, I would hold it against you. Remember I got your back always" he said..

"Thank you, Maxwell," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've

been an amazing friend."

Maxwell's hand squeezed hers gently. "That's what friends are for."