CHAPTER 4: WILL YOU MARRY ME?

"You really mean all of this happened two days ago," Jenny said , throwing a glance at her friend, Annabelle. 

Annabelle sighed and steered right. They were in her car , headed to a restaurant to have some time to refresh. 

"Why would I lie about it? Or have I not mentioned this time without numbers? "

"No, you have. But come on, it is just extreme this time around. That son of a bitch is already biting more than he can chew. It is high time you addressed this matter squarely. "

"Squarely? " Annabelle giggled. "By squarely, what might you mean ? "

"Take the matter to court, " Jenny said, her face tightening into a frown. 

"Take it to court? I don't think you are making any sense. Come on, Jenny. Doing that will only hamper the business that my father labored so hard to build . I don't think I want to take such measures. "

"I just feel like going out there to strangle that bastard , " Jenny cursed . 

Annabelle glanced at her and grinned. She was grateful for Jenny. The lady had to be the only one she could rely on in times like this. Heaving a deep breath, she turned the steering once more and hit the speed pad. 

"Uhm," Jenny said, her confusion showing clearly on her face,"where are we going? I don't think that is the way to the restaurant. Or have you decided to go to another one? "

Annabelle grinned mischievously. "Another one? Not at all. "

"You've obviously changed direction. Where are you going? "

"You will definitely understand it better when we get there, " Annabelle replied . 

A couple of minutes later, they were driving into the parking lot of a mini - mart. 

"You should have mentioned you wanted to get a few things , " Jenny said with a smile. 

"I bet you don't understand yet, " Annabelle said with a grin crossing her face. 

"If we are not here to buy a few things , then for what reason might you be here? "

A few meters away , across the road, Mike and Jimmy were both seated on the floor , their bowls right before them . 

"Mike, can you see that car ? " Jimmy asked , his eyes darting between Mike and the mart. 

"What car are you talking about, Jimmy? " Mike stole a glance in that direction. He was not interested in whatever Jimmy was trying to say. 

"That flashy car just drove into the mini- mart. I mean , I'm thinking about going over there. "

Mike eyed him and recoiled . 

"I'm not interested, " he replied , lying back on the pieces of trash that they had put together. 

"Mike. Mike. Mike! " Jimmy called repeatedly, tapping him . 

"What is it , Jimmy? I don't think I have the strength for any of this. "

"They're coming. My gosh, man. They're pretty. They're coming here. "

"They can give you all they have to give, " Mike replied, dragging a piece of cloth to cover up his face. 

Annabelle and Jenny walked glamorously, radiating every bit of elegance they could . 

"Yuck! " Jenny muttered, covering up her nose . "This place stinks terribly, Annabelle. We got to leave. "

Annabelle grinned. "Just give them a little token and go. Doing this good would not cost you any harm, you know. And this place doesn't stink."

Even before they could get to the point exactly, some of the beggars had scurried towards them , their bowls stretched out towards them. While Jenny wasn't looking while throwing in a few dollar notes into their bowls, Annabelle was struck with pity on them. Her eyes moved from the kids to the adults . 

"Can... Can.. I get an autograph? " Jimmy made his request to Jenny, fear written over his face. 

"What? Autograph? " Jenny asked. 

"Yes, " Jimmy replied. "Are you not Jenny's apparels? The one on that billboard? "

Their gazes traveled to the billboard . Right on it was a radiant image of Jenny, modeling for her clothing industry. 

" Annabelle, we have to leave . This place stinks! " 

" Take your filthy money with you ," Mike said from the ground. 

For a few seconds, Jenny and Annabelle looked around in search of the voice. 

" You heard that , didn't you? " Jenny asked Annabelle. 

" Yes, I did," Annabelle replied. " But who said that?"

" I did," Mike's voice traveled through the crowd as he made his way to the front. 

Jenny and Annabelle were shocked to see the filthy figure who had made the statement. His beards and hair seemed not to have had water in them for a pretty good while. His barefooted legs had patches of dirt on them. 

" You... You.. you said that?" Jenny asked , her hands still over her nose. 

" What makes a person filthy is not the outward appearance," Mike stated. " It is rather the contents of the heart. "

Jimmy pulled Mike from behind. His voice said in a low whisper, " bro, come on . You shouldn't be rude. "

Mike grinned and chuckled. " I shouldn't be rude , Jimmy? You think I'm being rude. What then do you say about this filth of the earth?"

" What the hell did you just call me? Annabelle, did you hear this riffraff? "

Annabelle was mute. She was stunned by the boldness of a beggar. She watched in amazement. 

" I can have you guys driven out of this place," Jenny pressed on. " Apologize right away. "

Mike , without a word , gathered the dollar notes she had given to people and walked to her. 

" We don't need alms from cheeky brats like you. "

Grabbing her hand, he stashed the money in her palm. 

" Now, if you don't mind , leave this place so more meaningful humans can see us. "

Jenny was shocked beyond measure. " Are.. you... Are you saying we are not meaningful? "

" I don't know about your friend," he eyed Annabelle," but as for you who feels we are less of human beings because we beg, I know you are not a meaningful human . You have no humanity in you. "

Jenny couldn't take any more of Mike's insolence. 

" How dare you? " 

She raised her hand to slap him but was stopped by Annabelle who held her hand. . 

" Annabelle, let me deal with this brat. "

Annabelle smiled. " What is your name? " 

" His name is Mike," Jimmy answered . 

" Nice meeting you , Mike," Annabelle said , extending her hand . " My name is Annabelle. "

Mike, after much reluctance, received the hand in a shake. 

" Here is my address, " Annabelle said . " I need your help. "

" What? " Jenny questioned. 

" What do... you mean? " Mike asked, a bit confused. 

" Save me from my family," Annabelle replied. 

There was a little pause in the atmosphere before she let out the next words. 

" ... Will you marry me..."