The Proposal I

Andrea

Arriving at the office early for the first time in months, I found it quiet with few people around, which made me relieved that Rosie was not there. Rosie was one hell of a colleague whose only work in this office was to taunt the hell out of me.

Feeling a bit off and wanting to avoid conflicts, I rested my head on the desk in an attempt to clear my mind.

Laurel's words kept echoing in my head. Maybe she was right, I am nothing but a murderer. If only I knew, I wouldn't have requested for an Ice cream.

If only I had listened to Mom, dad wouldn't have died. I'm a murderer…a murderer… I was so selfish that night. If only I hadn't forced dad to get me the ice cream, things would have been different. That night, when the car knocked into dad, I felt my world freeze. From then on it was as if the world kept reminding me of the blood I had on my hands now. I was selfish and that led to the early demise of my father. I hate myself for that.

Tears continued to run down my face as I recounted everything once again.

“Miss Andrea,” I heard Mr. King call my name sternly. I stood hastily, my hands behind me in respect then bowed to greet him.

“Good Morning Mr. King. ” My eyes darted around the room, avoiding his gaze with all I had in me. I couldn't afford to be burned by the fire in his eyes.

“Were you hired to sleep, Miss Andrea?” He made sure to emphasize my name.

“Were you crying? Is anything the problem?” He asked gently, his voice soothing my hurt soul but I didn't want this. I hate those pity looks people give me.

“No, I wasn't. Something got into my eyes.” I lied, once again looking everywhere but him. Thankfully, he didn't press on.

“ If you say so. I need you to come with me to my office immediately.” He stated urgently, leading the way to his office. Homestly, the urgency in his voice scared me. If I get scolded again this time, I can proudly boast that will be my thousandth scolding in just three months. Sarcasm. So yeah, I've only worked for Mr. King for three months but those months were enough to traumatise me. The multiple taunts from my boss and co-workers were enough to mess with my mental health but I was glad to be able to stand through it, trying my best not to get into trouble.

I’m just not in the mood to receive another set of scolds. Why can't you avoid trouble for just one day?

Surprisingly, he held the door open for me and only closed it when I went inside. Did an angel decend today? Or perharps he slept on the good side of the bed today because what better explanation can be given to his actions today.

“Sit down, let's talk.” This was yet another surprise.

“Sit down?” I mumbled to myself silently. This man was indeed unpredictable. Even though he said those words himself, I was careful enough not to sit down. What if this was his way of getting something to scold me on?

“I want to believe you are not deaf Miss Andrea.” He said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Maybe I wasn't in trouble after all. I heaved a sigh of relieve, thanking my stars. “I apologize sir.” I wouldn’t want to get in trouble since I wasn't in one already.

"I do not want to waste you time Andrea but this is very urgent and needs to be addressed as such." He said, clutching his hands together and putting it on his desk.

What was urgent and needed urgent treatment? I racked my brains trying to remember times I might have wronged him my serious than my clingy mistakes.

Goodness! I gasped inwardly when a realization dawned on me. Was he apart to dismiss me from this place? Gosh! I can't take that. Where will I find a good paying job like this one? I clamped my hands together invouluntarily, praying silently that it shouldn't be what I was thinking.

"Miss Andrea," I blinked, staring at Mr. King like a lost sheep.

"Are you going to keep geyting lost in thoughts?" He seethe in anger. I couldn't do anything than to make a slight bow which he understood.

He sighed, then went ahead to speak.

“I have an offer for you-” He paused, his eyes locked into mine with an intensity I couldn't overlook.

An offer for me? Okay, that's a relief at least my dismissal letter has not been handed to me but what offer can he possibly make?

Andrea! You are losing your mind again. You better listen before he throws you out of this office angrily.

"What offer, Mr. King?" I asked quietly, more like mumbled to myself but he heard it.

“Marry me and I will pay you. A contract marriage.” He finally dropped the bomb, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. I gazed straight into his eyes, trying to find out if he was joking but clearly he wasn't.

Unknownly, I burst into a fist of laughter, forgetting where I sat at the moment. Who wouldn't burst into laughter at this offer? Like, who the hell makes a marriage offer in this era?

"This is not a joke Miss Andrea!" He banged his fist into his table while I jumped in shock, my laugh faltering.

"You are not joking?" I still asked even seeing his face all red from anger and his nose flaring.

"Does this look like a joke to you? I told you before that this matter his urgent and needs to be attended urgently, didn't I?

I nodded once agaim, acknowledging the truth in his words. It was at this moment that his words settled deep within me, hitting me like a ton of bricks.

Marry him? How? Why? I have only just known him for about two to three months. What is he talking about? Why would he make such an offer and even go to the extent of wanting to pay?