4. Absurd Proposal

Chapter 4. Absurd Proposal

"Hey, back off!" He shouted, stepping out of the car a few meters ahead of Elizabeth.

"What?" She murmured, confused, looking in the same direction as the man. She spotted the thief who got startled and ran off because of Richard.

"You should be more careful, what are you doing by the roadside?" He asked, walking towards her.

Elizabeth stood up but fell to the ground while trying to step back, landing on the grass.

"What do you want?" She asked, startled, her vision still blurry as she wiped away tears.

"You're so careless." He grumbled, holding her wrist to help her up." What are you doing in a place like this?

"Who are you?" She growled, moving away, alarmed.

"Damn it..." He muttered inaudibly, backing away from her." You study at Elêusis campus, right?

He swallowed, trying to disguise his posture, but she eyed him suspiciously, never having seen that man before.

"Who are you?

"I'm one of the contributors to that place.

She furrowed her brow, puzzled, as she knew everyone who had investments in that school.

"What do you mean?" She asked, puzzled, scanning him from head to toe and noticing he wasn't an ordinary man, plus his car was one of the more expensive models.

"Quite extravagant..." she thought, contorting her face in disapproval.

"R&K Enterprises. - he responded promptly, raising her eyebrows in surprise.

"Oh... I've never seen any representatives from R&K Enterprises. Are you?

"Well... I'm Kennedy." He lied, then cleared his throat, feeling uncomfortable.

"Sorry, I was a bit rude. Thank you for scaring that man away.

"Where are you headed? Not many taxis pass through here. I can take you." He suggested, making her unsure.

"I don't know...

"You can trust me, it's safer for me to take you than for you to walk... especially with your feet hurt like that." He commented, observing her from head to toe; even though she tried to hide it, her ankles were swollen.

"I thought she was a simple girl, these clothes don't even look like replicas, neither the necklace nor the shoes."

"I really prefer to walk.

"Don't worry, just tell me where to drop you off, and I'll take you.

"Fine.

She bit her lip, apprehensive and discouraged from continuing to avoid him.

He offered his arm for her to lean on for a secure walk.

"I'll sit in the back seat, please." She requested when he tried to open the front door.

"Of course.

As they got into the car, they set off for the address she provided. Within minutes on the road, Richard saw his phone vibrate, receiving a call.

/The wedding will happen soon!" He read the message, feeling bitter.

He slowed down the car, observing Elizabeth through the rearview mirror. Her hesitant gaze revealed her anxiety as if she wanted to do something, while she noticed his look and tried to conceal her insecurity; internally, she regretted accepting the ride, but she didn't care that much.

Richard sighed heavily once again, glancing disdainfully at the message, then tossing the phone onto the empty seat beside him.

It seemed like his plans could be thwarted faster than he thought, but seeing Elizabeth there made him think that perhaps destiny was on his side.

Elizabeth, in turn, was now curious to see a black folder on the seat beside her. She tentatively stretched her arms, briefly moving the folder cover to see what was inside and was surprised to find her picture at the top of a page, a small one that showed just her face. She quickly grabbed the folder and flipped through the pages filled with various photos of different girls.

Richard abruptly parked the car on the roadside as he noticed she had taken the folder.

"Damn! How careless of me now!" he thought, worried, as he got out of the car and went to the back seat, sitting next to Elizabeth, who shrank away, scared by his reaction.

"Who said you could touch my things!" He shouted, his voice strained.

"Who said you could investigate things about me? Who do you think you are? - She growled back.

"Didn't you hear who I am?" He asked abruptly, trying to grab the paper from Elizabeth, who resisted, moving the paper away.

"Give that back to me!" She growled, not realizing how close they were as she leaned away, trying to keep the papers away from him.

He tried to grab the papers until the sweet scent entered his nostrils, waking him up. For a moment, their eyes met, and he could observe that slender figure with a smart look, staring at him in fright yet responding with a sharp reaction that suggested she was fighting against her fear.

In the discomfort of this stranger being so close, Elizabeth pushed him away, her hands on his chest, pushing him. For a moment, she observed and noticed how good-looking this stranger was.

Richard adjusted his posture in the chair after giving up on retrieving the papers. His intense gaze ignored her. She evaluated his face symmetrically harmonious while he clenched his jaw and crossed his arms, allowing him to re-read all the information he had gathered.

She wanted to know what he had found out, afraid that he might be after her because of her wealth.

"Ah..." She sighed, relieved, glancing at him furtively, then taking the folder.

She carefully leafed through it, reading each page quickly, then showing surprise.

"Why all these women? What do you want?

"Well..." He smiled bitterly, but still, he seemed even more attractive." I don't have time to waste anymore, I'll get straight to the point. What if I told you I'm looking for an ideal wife? - he asked suddenly, changing his tone to give off an air of mystery.

"What?" She asked skeptically." Is the college now a dating site?

"No, I was just trying to find a woman willing to accept a temporary marriage agreement, and as you can see, you're at the top of the list.

"As if I would stoop to something like that. Even though I have power, it doesn't mean you can buy everything.

"I don't want to buy anything; I'm just... look, I'd never tell this to anyone, but I'm desperate." His tone sounded false; he didn't show any emotion." I need a wife... because..." He stumbled over his words as she waited, already considering it a lie.

He looked at her and smiled, pretending to be embarrassed, but despite all these reactions, he didn't show anything sincere, as he only knew one kind of emotion that left him indifferent and bitter; smiling wasn't his forte, even though he looked beautiful when he did.

"It's a bit embarrassing, but my family wants me to marry a woman I don't love because I'm already 36 and don't even have children.

"Do you want me to have children with you? You sadist!

"No! I just want a sham marriage; I don't want anything from you except that you agree to marry me, for at least

two years, and I promise to free you after that. You don't even have to live with me." He made the proposal, hopeful; she was his only chance now.