Chapter 3

"What? Why so soon? Doesn't marriage take much preparation?"

"Yes, it’s true, but it could be different if if you're the Anderson family. We have our own hotel. My mother is a famous designer, it's easy for her to make a wedding dress for both of us. I'll take care of the rest. You just need to prepare yourselves."

Sofia gasped, not expecting to see Nicolas' parents right away. She didn't feel ready to meet them.

"But, Nick. I can't. I have to go to the hospital and make sure my father's surgery is successful."

Nicolas stopped walking. "You're right. Before you meet my parents, I need to get to know your father and your aunt. That's the way to do it if I want to marry you. What a fool I am.

Nicolas picked up his cell phone and seemed to be dialing someone. In less than a second, his call was connected to someone.

"Andy, I'm going to the hospital. Get everything ready!" Nicolas ended the call.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Since you've agreed to marry me, I have to do well. Wait here for a moment!"

Sofia did not understand Nicolas' words, but she let him disappear behind the door. Not long after, Nicolas returned with a bouquet of flowers in his hand, but he was not alone. A man with a camera was standing behind him.

Nicolas talked for a while with the man who was carrying the camera, and then he walked over to Sofia, who was still in astonishment. Suddenly, Nicolas took something out of his pocket.

It turned out to be a box containing a diamond ring. Nicolas kneels down with his right foot on the floor, holding the ring box with his left hand. He opens it with his right hand and takes out a diamond ring that shines brightly.

"I found the reason for my smile the day I found you. Will you let me be the reason for your smile? Will you be mine forever?" Nicolas said softly, looking directly into Sofia's eyes, which were beginning to glaze over with emotion.

Sofia was shocked because she had not expected that a man would make such a proposal to her. But inside, she felt sad because she knew that all of this was made up. Nicolas did it to make it look more real. Surely the girl would feel true happiness if Nicolas really did this because he loved Sofia.

"Yes. I do," Sofia replied, holding back tears. She smiled, feeling happy and sad at the same time.

Nicolas stands up, takes Sofia's hand and puts the ring on her finger. Nicolas and Sofia stare at each other, nobody knows what is in their hearts, but what is seen is two people who just decided to be together.

"Why don't you kiss your partner? It'll be an epic picture. An affectionate kiss in front of the backdrop of an office," said the male photographer.

"Shut up, it's all my fault. I should have taken you out to eat and made it romantic, not like this. But what can I do? Everything is so sudden."

"No problem, Nick. Even this makes me very happy. I love you, Nicolas."

"I love you more, Sofia."

They kissed so passionately that nobody would think they were acting for their own benefit.

"Perfect!" The photographer was overjoyed with the picture he had taken.

"Your work is done, now get out!" Nicolas shooed the man away.

The man nodded understandingly, walked out, and remembered to close the door.

After the man left, Sofia immediately walked away. The same goes for Nicolas, who has returned to his place.

Sofia felt sick, feeling a dreamlike bliss. No matter how beautiful the dream is, it will eventually return to reality, and this is one of them. Sofia was about to take off the ring that symbolized her pretense. But Nicolas, who had been watching Sofia, saw what was happening.

"Don't you dare take that ring off. It is a very precious piece that was passed down from my grandmother. It may be a fake marriage, but I don't want anyone to know about it. If you reveal it, I will ask you to pay triple the money I have given you to compensate me. You will always wear this ring to show that you are mine. Do you understand, Mrs. Anderson?"

"Why only me? What punishment will you receive if you reveal our secret?"

"Hahaha... I wouldn't be able to do that because I'm a man of my word. But all right, if I reveal our secret, you can ask for a favor as long as it's reasonable."

For now, Sofia can only trust what Nicolas says, because Sofia really needs Nicolas to help. Suddenly, Nicolas' cell phone rings, he answers it immediately, talks to his caller for a few seconds, then his face changes to a look of desperation.

"Sofia, we have to go to the hospital immediately!"

"Something happened?" Sofia joined the panic. She immediately ran after Nicolas, who had already gone ahead.

Nicolas turned around, saw Sofia struggling to catch up with his steps, finally turned around and immediately carried Sofia bridal style. Sofia was embarrassed, but it was the fastest way to get to the car that was waiting for them. Sofia realized that all of Nicolas' employees were watching them, but Nicolas didn't care about that at all. Sofia had a quick glance at the female employee who was staring at her sarcastically, and from that moment on she knew that her future husband had an incredible charm that attracted women.

"Who is that girl?"

"Why does Mr. Anderson have her with him? Doesn't she have legs?"

"Ah, I want to be carried like that too!"

A whisper reached Sofia's ears, but she didn't dare answer, remaining silent until they entered Nicolas' car. When she arrived at the hospital, Aunt Jessica was waiting for her. Jessica saw that Sofia had come with a man, she wanted to ask who the man was who had come with her niece, but at the moment it was much more important to bring Sofia and her father together than to be curious.

"Sofia, you finally came. I went to your house earlier, but you weren't there. Your father, Sofia, he..."

"What happened to Dad? Sofia worried.

"You saw your father's condition yourself, he's been operated on and has just regained consciousness."

Sofia nodded and walked quickly to her father's room, her heart was very uneasy. Bad thoughts began to creep into her mind. What if the operation fails?

"Dad!" Sofia yelled as she entered the infirmary.

"Oh, you finally came Sofia, I just asked Jessica to pick you up at home."

Sofia did not expect that the one who just spoke was the father who had been in a coma. The man looked so healthy even though he was still lying on his bed.

"Dad!" Sofia could not hold back tears of happiness to talk to the father she loved so much.

"I miss you too, Sofia, but wait, who is the man with you?" asked Mr. Anselm in a displeased tone.

"Sorry for the late introduction, my name is  Nicolas Anderson, your daughter's future husband."