Chapter 3: Unexpected Dinner

Rodney stood up as I walked closer to him. He reached my right hand and grabbed it. His hands are so warm. I like it.

"Come," he said as I took a walk with him. I couldn't see anything because the place was covered in darkness. 

"Where are you taking me? Does my dad know about this?" I asked him. All I can see now is his sexy back and brushed up black hair as he holds my hand while we are making our way through a corridor. I can tell that he is quite a catch but why is he hiding his face? 

"Yes they already knew it. I ask your father for permission if I can take you out for dinner," He simply said. 

"Wait, correction Mr. Xiu, you didn't ask me out, you kidnapped me," I complained. 

"You wouldn't go with me anyway. That's why I forced you," He said while shaking his head. 

"How did you know that?" I asked. 

"I just know," He said as he opened the door and I got blinded by the light that came from that room.

I just noticed that he was wearing a mask to cover his face. 

When we entered the room the servants began to align themselves in their designated areas to accommodate us. It was a VIP suite. I can tell because of the ambiance of it. 

The servants headed us to the dinner table and served some dishes. 

There are so many kinds of food and it's mouthwatering. As soon as the servants were done preparing our food, Rodney ordered them to leave. 

"Eat," He said. 

"Sure. Thank you," I grabbed the spoon and fork and started to eat because I got hungry but I noticed that he's just staring at me so I grabbed the napkin and pressed my lips there. 

"How about you? aren't you gonna eat? Take off that mask. There's no one here. Just us. The food is great," I said carelessly. 

"I'm afraid you'll lose your appetite when you see me, so I insist. I'm glad you like the food," He said. 

"Mr. Xiu, you can't hi–" He cut off my words and said, "Just Rodney,"

"Alright, Rodney, you can't hide your face from me forever. I'm gonna be your wife," I bravely said to him.

"Tell me the truth," He said.

"What truth?" I asked as I continued to eat my food. 

"Why?" He asked.

"Why?" I repeated what he just said.

"Why did you sign up for this agreement?" He asked.

"Because I'm a good daughter, I guess," I effortlessly said.

"Then, tell me the truth," He said again. He won't let this slip.

"You want the truth? Fine. Our company is not doing great, the sales are decreasing and we did all the best that we can do but it's useless and we were in a big debt. That's why," I explained briefly to him but geez! my Dad would really kill me if he knew this. 

"So, it's just the help that you are after?" He asked.

"Of Course not Rodney, I'm not that kind of person. My life is on the line too. My family didn't force me to do this. It is my own will," I told him.

"But you will do this because you will get something in return," He mockingly said to me.

"Does the word 'Love' exist in your world?," I asked him. "I love my family Rodney, that's why I'm doing this," I added.

"How extraordinary, you will sacrifice yourself for your family," He said as he stood up and put a small white satin box on the side of my table. 

"What is it?," I asked and he said, "Open it," I obeyed him and I opened the white satin box and my jaw dropped as I saw the beautiful diamond engagement ring. This is so expensive. I never saw any of this before. It's like a personalized ring and made of diamonds.

"It's beautiful," I said and I gaze at his big brown eyes. He noticed that, so he lowered his head. 

"Wear it," He said.

"You're not a gentleman, I'm not surprised," I said as I picked the ring out of the box. 

"Because that's an order," He said, his words are full of anger now as he speaks. 

I obeyed him and put the ring on my finger as I stared at him dead in the eye. 

"I wished to leave, now," I said. 

"You heard her, make sure she'll get home safely," He said to his bodyguards in black tuxedos. Those were the guys who kidnapped me earlier. I didn't notice that they were there, watching us all this time. 

He turns around to face me but all I can see is his gorgeous big brown eyes. He doesn't look so hideous to me so, what's with the mask?

"Congratulations, future Mrs. Rodney Xiu, and my condolences to your family," He said coldly.

I stood up and the guys in tuxedos escorted me to leave the place. My eyes glued at the limousine in front of me. 

"Go ahead," said the voice at my back. It was Rodney so I turned around to see him. 

"Why won't you take me home yourself?" I asked him. 

"I have things to do, maybe some other time," He said while grabbing his phone in his pocket. 

"Alright," I just said to him because I feel so tired. 

"I'll call you, when you get home," He said 

"How did you get my number?" I asked.

"Connections, honey," He simply said and I just shook my head and hopped into the limo. 

I stared at the diamond engagement ring I had on my finger while we were on our way home. 

I take it off to examine the very rare diamond but something catches my eyes. There's a bible verse engraved on it: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 

I grabbed my phone and searched the bible verse on the internet. It's the definition of love in the bible. 

Rodney, you gotta be kidding me.