Chapter Four
1114 Words
The wind was even more vigorous now. A storm was definitely coming. All eyes were turned to James and I, but we held our gaze.
I bet he could see the confusion in my eyes.
A million and one thoughts crossed my mind, and before I could think of what to say, my lips spoke the very words I needed to.
“Yes, James,” I said, feeling extremely miserable.
He got up after he slid the ring on my finger and pressed his lips on mine, tenderly. I hid how surprised I was that he kissed me.
“Why did you do that?” I whispered when he wrapped his arms around me, but he did not respond.
Everyone cheered on us with kind words.
“Congratulations.”
“Oh! They are such a lovely pair”
“Cheers.”
“Wish you years of happiness together.”
“Heartiest congratulations to the beautiful couple.”
My head was spinning. James reached for my hand and squeezed it gently, keeping me grounded in the moment. I squeezed back and let out a breath as tears filled my eyes.
The rain had started to pour a little when we all left the garden. I ran up the stairs to our room immediately and James followed behind me, a little drenched from the rain.
“What the hell was that, James?” I asked after he closed the door behind him.
He walked past me and dropped his phone on the dresser. “Thank you.”
I froze and widened my eyes at him. “Thank you? That's what you have to say? James, this was not our agreement. This was not supposed to happen...” My voice began to break. “You should have made it clear to me from the start that this was your plan and you didn't. Why?”
He was only silent and stared right into my eyes, impassively. He sat down and crossed a leg over the other, but he still said nothing.
“Why are you doing this, James? What exactly are you doing?”
“You don't have to know that.”
My face flushed a deep shade of red. “I. Think. I. Do.”
“No, you don’t,” he said calmly, which made me more upset.
I clenched my fist and dropped to the sofa. “This is my life. You are asking me to change the course of my life and you do not think you should explain why?”
He doesn't reply, so I look at him. “James.”
He slowly turned his face to me after a familiar silence took over the room.
“There are tears in your eyes,” he said, and held my gaze for longer than a minute. Then, he got up and walked past me to the door.
I woke up the next morning with a pang in my chest. My throat was dry and I had a splitting headache. My heart sank into my stomach as I recalled last night's events, but I got up quickly to freshen up, given the fact that I had overslept.
As I got dressed, the mental picture of James on his knees was perpetually on my mind and each time there was a sharp sting in my gut.
My whole body jerked when I heard a knock on the door, causing me to let go of my jewelry.
It must be James.
A head bobbed out of the slightly opened door, and I was extremely surprised and pleased to see that it was Julie.
“Alyssa,” she called cautiously as she entered the room.
“Julie!” I ran to her and wrapped my hands around her. “ I am so happy to see you,”
She chuckled softly as she embraced me warmly. “I can tell. I am happy to see you too. How are you?”
“I’m good. How are you? What are you doing here?”
“I am good,” she said as we sat, “James…asked me to come.”
Of course, he did.
“Alyssa,” she began with a sad look on her face, “I know this was not the initial agreement, but for some reason, things have changed.”
She let out a breath as she continued. “I feel responsible. I encouraged you to go ahead with this. Trust me, I didn't know he was going to propose to you. It all seems so strange.”
“Did he tell you why he is doing any of this?” I asked, sounding a little too desperate.
“No, he didn’t. He wouldn’t. He has just made a much bigger offer to you, which is why I am here.” she said as she unzipped her bag and took out a file.
Julie looked miserable. It was not her fault though. We are both victims of James’ scandals.
She held the document to her chest and closed her eyes. “He wanted marriage for two years and during that time, he can assure you that you'd be taken care of...”
Two years? I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach. That is a lot of time. That is way too much time.
The throbbing in my head increased as I drifted into deep thoughts about this sudden change in my life. Julie touched my arm, causing me to return to the present moment.
She was done explaining the new terms and the new payment, which I had managed to hear in my frenzy.
As generous as the offer was, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was worth it. It could definitely pay off my college debts, take care of my dad, and spare me enough to travel and start a new life.
But at what cost? This was 2 years of my life with a man I barely knew.
A very mysterious man at that.
He was also a man that I was falling for, but none of that mattered at the moment.
His world was completely different from mine. I could not handle it. I didn't fit.
“I can’t imagine how you must feel,” Julie said as she laid her hand on mine, “Whatever you decide, I promise that I will be here for you.”
I looked at her with full eyes as she continued, “You can count on that.”
I knew that. She had always been there. She was more than a friend; she was family.
“So, Alyssa,” she said ever so gently, “What are you going to do?”
- Writer
