Chapter 36 36. The Proposal!
Emilio's POV
I took a deep, centering breath to steady my racing heart. Confidence is key, I reminded myself. I had waited a long time for this precise opportunity to present itself, and I could not afford to falter now. Although the woman sitting across from me wore a look of distinct annoyance, I knew there was no genuine reason to feel intimidated. I had prepared myself thoroughly for this interaction.
"Saintilia," I said, getting straight to the point. I had no desire to waste time on empty pleasantries or unnecessary small talk.
Her eyes traveled over me, scanning my appearance slowly and deliberately. It felt as though she were inspecting a piece of meat, hunting for any sign of weakness in my demeanor or resolve. A sharp spike of nerves hit me, sending a cold tremor down my spine, yet I forced myself to hold her gaze without flinching. The entire situation felt rather absurd.
"What about Saintilia?" she interrupted abruptly, her patience clearly wearing thin. "Did she insult you in some way?"
"No, ma'am. She has done no such thing," I answered firmly.
Before I could elaborate, she cut me off once more. "Please, just call me Tina. By the look of things, you are a few years older than I am."
Her assessment was not incorrect, but her tone carried a deliberate, cold provocation. Under different circumstances, if my purpose today were not entirely centered on Saintilia, I would have certainly insisted on a more respectful manner of address. I decided to bypass the manipulative games immediately.
"Tina, I would like to formally propose that Saintilia take up residence with me," I stated clearly. I did not soften my statement with vague language; I could not allow this woman to twist the situation or distract me from what I was there for. I locked eyes with her, watching closely for even the slightest crack in her composure, but her face remained an impenetrable mask.
"Why would I do that?" she countered, her voice dry and laced with clear disbelief.
"I proceeded to explain my long-standing intention to build a future with Saintilia, emphasizing my deep commitment to honor the meaningful pledge I had made to Jonas years ago."
"What exactly do you want, Emilio, a housekeeper?" Her tone felt like a stinging slap across the face. I did not recall telling her my name, yet somehow she knew exactly who I was.
I attempted to elaborate further on my intentions, but she did not let me finish. "I am better suited for you. Don't you think so?"
"What an odd thing to say," I replied, forcing a polite smile while my mind raced. I could not tell if she was offering herself or mocking me. Her face remained an unreadable mask, and I studied her for any fracture in her calm. There was nothing.
The thought that followed was blunt: if she thought I only wanted domestic convenience, I could simply take both options and settle the matter. But I recognized the danger. She would misinterpret it as an alliance or partnership. She would never understand my interest had nothing to do with companionship, only with my own satisfaction and achieving my goal. "So, what exactly are you proposing?" she interjected sharply.
"What do you mean?" I genuinely did not understand her question, but her calculated tone suggested she expected something transactional in return, as if she were doing me a favor.
"Well, you spoke of a commitment to Saintilia. Don't you think you are being presumptuous? First of all, you are not suitable for her. You have a great deal of nerve making such a request."
How dare this woman speak to me this way? Her questions were brazen, and the implication behind them was a deliberate attempt to shame me. Why did she ask me that? I refused to let her continue to dominate the conversation.
"So, tell me, Tina," I countered, leaning forward slightly, "has anyone shown any interest in Saintilia yet?"
In the village, when a woman is ready for marriage, suitors appear and she chooses the best candidate. I would know, as Saintilia was my focus. She was beautiful enough to attract attention, but I was not willing to accept that. Since my pivotal conversation with Jonas before he passed, I knew even he could not interfere with her decision. However, I felt she would not make it easy for me, and now Tina was playing hardball to manipulate the situation.
"She claims she will not be with you, or anyone else," Tina stated, her voice returning to its hard, resentful edge.
"Tina, why exactly does she not wish to marry? Can you tell me? There is no other better than me." My words were delivered with brutal finality. Then, I saw a genuine, devastating spark of anger ignite in her eyes, confirming I had touched a nerve.
"I do not know. Perhaps she thinks all men are scum?" she spat back, her entire body tensing with anger.
"Did I not tell you?" I let a cruel smile play on my lips.
"I know she suffered a terrible violation in the past; why must I pay the price for someone else’s sins? I am willing to be with her and provide for her and restore her standing. How dare she think I am not good enough. I should be asking you; do you think she is good enough for me?"
"Are you serious?" Tina spat. Her tone was drenched in accusation. My composure almost snapped. The tone was a burning insult. Does she think I am the guilty one?
“I was very angry when….” I stopped myself. I almost revealed that I was the one who saved her, who found her unconscious and brought her home. I was suddenly fused with righteous indignation.
"I know what everyone in the village whispers and I know that what happened was a tragedy. I am here for a solution, not an excuse."
Tina stared at me, her eyes narrowed to slits, clearly unconvinced. "A solution, or a claim?"
"Call it what you will, Tina," I said, leaning back slowly, regaining control. "I am simply the man willing to take on a woman with a difficult past. I am ready to offer her everything, and if you can’t see that, just step aside."
Tina suddenly slammed her palms onto the small wooden table, the sharp noise cracking the air. Her voice cutting through my senses. "Answer me this, then: Were you the one who laid hands on her that night two years ago?"
No, Tina, I did not," I said coldly. "Ask yourself where you were when she was at the river. If you were so attentive, how could this happen? Did you go look for her? Don’t pretend to play protector now. I am the man offering stability. So stop wasting my time.
"Tina stared at me, her furious energy suddenly draining away. She slammed her palms onto the table again, as if the first time was not enough. Only this time, not in rage, but in recognition. That is when I knew she herself would deliver Saintilia to me.