Chapter 2: I want to bet with you

Rosa had just run out the door when she saw Axel getting ready to get in the car and leave the restaurant.

"Axel, wait a minute." Rosa used all her strength to scream.

Hearing the call, Axel stopped his action and turned to look at Rosa, who was hastily approaching him.

Rosa, who had just approached Axel, quickly spoke:

"Axel, I'm really sorry for what happened. But please come back."

"If you're running after me just to ask for something trivial like coming back, forget about it," Axel coldly interrupted.

"Axel, please don't be like this. Let's discuss and resolve whatever issues we have together, okay?" Rosa pleaded earnestly, trying to persuade him. However, Axel refused to listen any further and calmly got into the car.

Rosa tried to hold onto Axel's hand, but he pushed her away.

The car door slammed shut right in front of Rosa, causing her to startle. Immediately after, Rosa forcefully banged on the car door, repeatedly demanding:

"Axel, open the door!"

Unfortunately, Axel was determined not to listen to Rosa's explanation. He quickly started the car's engine and was ready to leave.

Rosa, determined not to let Axel go, ran forward without hesitation to block the front of Axel's car. She bravely extended both her arms, standing in front of the car to prevent Axel from leaving. The sudden screech of the brakes was deafening, and Axel narrowly avoided hitting Rosa thanks to his quick reflexes.

"You're insane! Do you want to die?" Axel rolled down the car window, leaning out and shouting at Rosa, "If you want to die, find another way to do it; don't bother me."

Upon hearing Axel's voice, Rosa slowly opened her tightly closed eyes. Just now, she was so scared that her face turned blue, but now she has regained her senses.

"I just want to talk to you," Rosa explained, still catching her breath.

Faced with Rosa's audacity and pitiful expression, Axel stepped out of the car in annoyance, crossed his arms, and leaned against the vehicle. Axel seemed to be losing patience as he waited.

Realizing Axel was giving her a chance, Rosa tried to persuade him to return to the restaurant.

"Please come back, Axel. This event is crucial for both our families."

"You mean our engagement?" Axel asked in a sarcastic voice.

"Yes, that's right." Afraid that Axel might not be pleased, Rosa quickly corrected herself: "What I mean is that your actions could come at a high cost. So please, listen to me, go back inside, and apologize to your parents."

Axel disregarded Rosa's warning, showing no concern. He was adamant about not going back.

"Rosa, I need to know: were you aware of this plan?"

Unable to lie under Axel's piercing gaze, Rosa admitted the truth.

"I'm sorry, Axel. I didn't intend to keep it from you," Rosa hastily explained. "I have hard reasons to say, so, Axel, I apologize for causing you sadness."

"Did you hide it from me for your personal gain?" Axel said in an accusing voice.

"That's not true," Rosa defended herself, but Axel objected rudely.

"Don't lie. You knew that if I had known about this foolish plan, I wouldn't have come here. You've disappointed me, Rosa."

"Axel, it's not like that. Please let me explain."

"That's enough. From now on, don't bother me anymore. You're no longer my friend."

Axel's firm declaration left Rosa shocked and speechless. She felt ashamed and disappointed to receive such criticism. Axel got into his car and drove away, leaving Rosa standing there, watching him leave. She felt guilty for making a mistake and was unable to resolve the issue.

"I've made a mistake. I don't want Axel to be angry with me," Rosa whispered to herself.

Rosa felt anxious and melancholy as she watched Axel walk away. She regretted keeping this secret from him and desperately wanted to repair their relationship.

…

From outside, Rosa could hear the music and laughter of men and women engaged in conversation and enjoying their drinks.

After a few minutes of contemplation, Rosa decided to step into the bar, hoping to have a conversation with Axel. She walked up to the bar counter and asked the attending staff, "Where is Axel Smith?"

The staff looked at her with a puzzled expression but then pointed towards a corner table where Axel and his friends were sitting. Rosa saw Axel, but he didn't glance her way.

Rosa approached Axel's table and mustered the courage to speak up: "Axel, I want to talk to you one more time."

However, Axel didn't respond and continued conversing with his friends.

Rosa bit her lip, feeling the difficulty of the situation. She gathered herself and continued.

"Axel, I'm sorry for keeping that from you. I understand that you're angry and it's hard for you to accept, but please give me a chance to explain," Rosa pleaded in a low voice.

Despite Rosa's humble plea, Axel remained arrogantly silent, refusing to respond.

Rosa felt desperate and didn't know what to do to resolve the situation. She saw Axel still engrossed in conversation with his friends while she stood in the middle of the bar, feeling lonely and abandoned.

"Axel, I'm talking to you. Can you hear me?" Frustrated by Axel's indifference, Rosa shouted in annoyance. The conversation among the men came to a halt.

"Axel, why don't you spare some precious time for Rosa?" Zane, one of Axel's three friends, spoke up and suggested

"Leave her be," Axel said coldly. "Let's just continue what we were doing."

"Axel, please," Rosa pleaded. "Please listen to me."

Despite Rosa's plea, Axel remained dismissive and disinterested. He turned his attention back to his friends, leaving Rosa feeling even more dejected and unheard. The noise of the bar seemed to amplify her feelings of isolation and desperation.

"Come on, Axel, Rosa made an effort to come here. Show a little generosity," Dion chimed in, trying to help Rosa.

"Be a true gentleman, Axel," Tom added with advice.

With one person after another speaking up for Rosa, Axel reluctantly agreed.

"Fine. Say what you want to say," Axel said begrudgingly.

"We can go outside; it's not appropriate to discuss here," Rosa suggested, as the place was noisy and lacked privacy.

"Speak here," Axel demanded sternly.

"But..." Rosa hesitated, not wanting their private conversation to be overheard.

"Either you speak or we're done," Axel emphasized coldly.

Rosa sighed, realizing that Axel was serious about resolving the issue. She nodded and reluctantly began to speak, mindful of the surrounding voices and their limited privacy.

"Axel," Rosa began slowly, "can you reconsider your decision? We can go through with the arranged marriage as desired by both of our families. Even if it's just a fake marriage, please marry me."

"No," Axel declared firmly.

"Why not?" Rosa asked in disbelief, "What's so difficult about it?"

"Because I don't want to," Axel replied bluntly.

"Axel, I love you," Rosa confessed and pleaded, "and I can help you rebuild trust with your father. Please marry me. I promise I won't interfere in your personal life after we get married."

"Even if I have another woman?" Axel immediately posed a challenging question, causing Rosa to feel helpless and uneasy.

"Exactly," Rosa said in anguish. Deep inside, Rosa couldn't accept that, but she had to lie. For now, Rosa wanted to convince Axel. What would happen next could be dealt with later.

"Wow! This proposal sounds so enticing, Axel. I think you should consider it," Zane unexpectedly added, earning a sharp glare from Axel. Zane shrugged, turning back to enjoy the glass of wine in front of him.

Rosa anxiously awaited Axel's response. Axel remained silent for a moment before speaking up:

"My answer hasn't changed," Axel said, displaying his unwavering stance, which shattered the last remnants of hope within Rosa. She had humbled herself to such an extent, yet Axel remained cold and dismissive. Why? It wasn't because Rosa's proposal lacked appeal. It was because Axel didn't trust her. Axel had never easily placed his trust in others, especially women. Furthermore, Axel had somewhat sensed Rosa's deceptive nature for a while now. Therefore, if Rosa intended to deceive him, it wouldn't be successful.

"Why is that? I'm willing to sacrifice almost everything for you in this marriage; what more could you want?" Rosa exclaimed, deeply perplexed. She couldn't believe that Axel would reject an offer that brought so many benefits to him.

"Firstly, my life is my own. No one has the right to interfere," Axel stated with arrogance, looking directly at Rosa. "Secondly, both you and I know that you need this marriage only to secure your position within the Taylor family."

Rosa felt a mix of anger and hurt upon hearing Axel's words. She had hoped that he would understand her intentions and the sacrifices she was willing to make. But Axel's stubbornness and refusal to trust her left her feeling devastated.

"I acknowledge that what you're saying is true, but alongside that, I also love you. I genuinely want to marry you. So..." 

Axel interrupted Rosa in the midst of their argument.

"Lastly, I will not marry someone I don't love."

There was silence, and Rosa didn't know what else to say. Axel's words left her speechless.

"Here's the order you placed," the waiter said, breaking the tension as he placed the drinks on the table.

Rosa took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She realized that Axel's decision was final and that there was nothing more she could do to change his mind. The weight of disappointment and heartbreak settled heavily on her as she contemplated her next steps.

Rosa coincidentally glanced and saw a waitress with disheveled hair, glasses, a large burn mark on her face, an unbalanced physique, and outdated fashion standing in front of her. A sudden idea sparked in Rosa's mind, and she didn't hesitate to carry it out.

"Well, Axel, how about this? I want you and me to participate in a bet."