I woke up this morning feeling surprisingly refreshed. Sitting upright in bed, thoughts of how close Frank and I had been the previous day filled my heart with joy. Despite knowing Frank might be upset, it didn't seem like a significant issue; I could always call him later to apologize.
After some contemplative moments in bed thinking about Frank, I finally rose, went into the bathroom, and freshened up. Once finished, I dried off with a towel and dressed for college. Before departing, I decided to take one last look at myself in the mirror. As I groomed my eyebrows, I envisioned Frank standing beside me, holding me close, and a smile graced my lips. Suddenly, my brother's resonant voice interrupted my reverie. He called my name from downstairs and requested my presence. Promptly, I assured him I would join them shortly. Rushing downstairs, I entered the dining area where I found my brother and a familiar-looking stranger seated. "Audrey," my brother beckoned, inviting me to join them. Taking my seat, I began to eat my bowl of rice while they both regarded me intently. I wondered why they abstained from their meals, yet I dismissed it and continued until I finished. Then, I drank from the glass before me. Once done, my brother, Jake, spoke up. "Audrey, this is Mr. Zach, one of the wealthiest men globally. He saw you at yesterday's party and... he's smitten with you." "What?!" I exclaimed, caught off guard. "Please, remain composed," my brother urged calmly. I complied, mindful that my late parents had entrusted him with my well-being. "Audrey, Mr. Zach wishes to marry you, and I have given my consent." "Well, I haven't," I interjected sharply. "This is my life, and a stranger cannot simply enter our home, profess love for me, and expect my compliance." "Audrey, hear me out," my brother implored. "No, I refuse to listen further. In fact, I'm leaving." I rose abruptly and headed for my room, with my brother trailing closely behind. Once inside, I shut the door and leaned against it, attempting to process the whirlwind of events. Mr. Zach's proposal to marry me felt surreal. He was undeniably affluent and influential, but that alone did not warrant my consent to marriage simply because my brother approved. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Audrey, may we talk?" It was Jake. I sighed and opened the door. "What more is there to discuss, Jake? You have already determined my future without consulting me." Jake's expression softened as he entered my room. "I understand it may seem that way, Audrey, but please try to comprehend. Mr. Zach is not an ordinary man. He is successful, esteemed, and genuinely interested in you." "I appreciate your concern, Jake, but this is all unfolding too swiftly. I need time to deliberate," I replied, feeling overwhelmed. "I understand, Audrey. Take your time, but also contemplate the opportunity. Such chances are rare," Jake said earnestly. I nodded slowly, torn between conflicting emotions. On one hand, Jake had vigilantly watched over me since our parents passed away. His intentions were benevolent, yet I wrestled with the sensation of being coerced into a decision that could irrevocably alter my life. "I will consider it, Jake," I finally conceded, seeking to placate him for the moment. "Thank you, Audrey. That is all I ask," Jake replied, offering a reassuring smile before departing. Alone once more, I settled on my bed, gazing at the wall before me. Mr. Zach's proposal lingered in my thoughts like an unwelcome guest. What had he seen in me at the party? Why was he so resolute about marrying me? These questions swirled in my mind, leaving me restless. Unable to focus on anything else, I decided to call Frank. I needed to clear my mind and perhaps find solace in his familiar voice. After a few rings, he answered.After Frank answered the call, he asked with an edge to his voice, "What is it?" "Frank," Audrey called out his name, her voice trembling and filled with emotion. She took a deep breath and continued, "I, I," she stammered, struggling to find the right words. "You what?" Frank said, cutting her short impatiently. "You know what? I knew you never loved me and you were just using me because I'm wealthy." "No, Frank, I love you," Audrey replied, her voice quivering as she tried to hold back her tears. "Well, actions speak louder than words," Frank retorted, his tone cold and dismissive. "You say you love me, but your actions are saying a completely different thing. If you truly loved me, then you should have done as I asked yesterday, but no... You made up that clumsy excuse and ran away." "No, no, no, Frank, I love you," Audrey insisted, tears now streaming down her cheeks. "Please believe me." "Well, if you want to prove to me that you love me, you have to come to my house
As Zach rose from his seat, he approached the briefcase resting on the chair and retrieved a document. He then addressed Jake, saying, "Here is the document. Sign it, and I will also require Audrey's signature." Jake accepted the document from Zach and, after appending his signature, handed it to Audrey. As she gazed at the documents before her, she found it difficult to fathom how drastically her life was about to change. A myriad of thoughts raced through her mind. She contemplated Frank and his affair with her friend. After a moment of reflection, she, too, signed the documents. With the documents duly signed, Zach and Jake shook hands. Jake then turned to Audrey and embraced her. Subsequently, they all proceeded outside. Once outside, a Rolls-Royce arrived, and a gentleman who appeared to be the driver stepped out. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and white trousers, with well-polished shoes and a driver's hat. He greeted Mr. Zach and efficiently loaded all the luggag
The next morning, Audrey woke up feeling refreshed after a very good night's sleep. It was evident on her face. She stood up from her bed, went to the bathroom to wash her face and freshen up. Once she was out, she heard a knock on the door and thought it was Zach, so she didn't bother opening the door. She then went to her closet to select an outfit for the day. Hearing the knock again, she finally went to open the door, prepared for a quarrel. As she opened the door, she said, "What is it, Zach? I've to—" She paused, realizing the person in front of her was not Zach. It wasn't even a man; it was a young, beautiful girl with a smooth face and fine lips. "Hi," the girl in front of her said. "My name is Anastasia, but you can call me Anna. I was sent by Mr. Zach to assist you with anything you might need." A smile flashed on my face as I said, "Come in." Finally, I had someone I could talk to, someone who could understand me and help me with whatever I needed. Once Anna was i
Once Zach arrived at the building, he used the elevator to go to the top floor, which was filled with offices. As he reached the last floor, he walked through the hallway to the VC's office and entered. Sitting in front of him was a man with a white beard who seemed much older than him. The man offered him a seat. Once Zach sat down, the man, who seemed to be the VC, asked, "What may I help you with, Mr. Zach?" "I want you to help me run some formalities," Zach replied. "What do you mean by that, Mr. Zach?" the VC asked. "I want you to put my wife into the university, not here but in New York. That's why I need you to prepare all the formalities, including a transfer letter from you." The man, who was sitting erect with his hands on the office table, heaved a sigh and leaned back in his chair. Staring at Zach, he said, "Although I wouldn't have done this for anyone else, since it's you asking, consider the work done." "Thanks very much, Mr. Jones," Zach said in reply, then got up
"Why are you laughing?" Anna asked, her voice tinged with confusion."Sorry, sorry, I’m really sorry," Audrey gasped between fits of laughter, struggling to catch her breath. Finally, she managed to stop and said, "I was just laughing because you looked so funny. But never mind, I get it—you’re an emotional girl. Oh, and don’t be offended by this, but do you watch K-dramas?""Yes," Anna replied, a bit hesitant."Ah, now I see. No wonder you’re so emotional."Anna frowned slightly. "So, you don’t watch K-dramas?""I do," Audrey admitted with a sly smile, "but only the ones with cute guys like Lee Min-ho.""Oh, I see," Anna said, her curiosity piqued. "By the way, I hope you won’t be offended, but what did Mr. Zach mean when he said he took you away?"Audrey sighed deeply, the weight of the question pressing on her. "Okay, I’ll tell you everything, but first, let’s go to my room. And please, ask one of the servants to bring us some snacks.""Okay," Anna responded, sensing the seriousnes
The sound of the slap echoed through the room, leaving the few servants who had gathered to serve the dinner Zach had meticulously arranged in complete shock. No one had ever dared to raise a hand to Zach, a man of immense wealth and influence. Yet today, Audrey had slapped him—not just once, but twice, and in front of the servants.Zach, still on his knees, seethed with anger. *I won’t take this lightly, Audrey,* he vowed silently as he watched her walk away.He slowly stood up, aware of the eyes on him, the servants waiting for his reaction. But instead of lashing out, he turned and walked away, his mind racing.*If I don’t find out what I did wrong and apologize,* he thought, *my plans will be ruined. My mother will definitely realize that my relationship with Audrey wasn’t built on love.* The fear of his mother suspecting that their marriage was a sham gnawed at him. The thought that she might even think their marriage was fake shook him to his core.He quickly dismissed these th
Audrey raised an eyebrow in confusion, her thoughts swirling like a storm inside her head. For a moment, she thought she was done for. The intensity of the situation was overwhelming, and the last thing she expected was Zach’s reaction. The man she had braced herself to hate was now on his knees before her, looking up with a vulnerability that pierced through her defenses.Zach, who had always seemed so confident, so unshakeable, was now at her mercy. The very man she had slapped in anger was here, not to retaliate but to propose. Audrey’s heart raced. What is this guy made of? she wondered, bewildered by the sincerity in his eyes.As the seconds ticked by, Audrey realized Zach was still on one knee, his expression earnest and full of hope. The sight of him kneeling there, waiting for her response, made her pulse quicken. She had expected him to fight back, to yell or to demand an explanation, but instead, he was showing her something she wasn’t prepared for—genuine remorse and affect
As Zach entered his room, he flopped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling with a wide grin spread across his face. A rush of satisfaction coursed through him; he had gotten exactly what he wanted, and nothing felt more exhilarating. He kept replaying the moment in his mind—Audrey's soft confession of her feelings, the way her voice trembled with sincerity, and the gentle peck she had given him on the cheek. It was like a spark igniting something deep within him. His heart swelled with joy, so much so that he almost forgot the sting of the slap and the humiliation he had faced earlier in front of the servants. Almost. Her touch had been soft, warm, and full of promise, and that was enough to erase the pain. Determined to share his excitement, he decided to call his mother and let her know that he'll be coming to his villa in New York. He reached for his phone, his fingers trembling slightly with anticipation, and dialed her number. After a few rings, the familiar, comforting voic