The Gilded Cage

chapter 19

I continued resentfully: "And she is his mother and has the right to take care of him..."

— "I won't allow her to get close to him..."

— "What are you saying! Don't you see that's selfish of you? She is his mother, and you can't deprive her of her s—"

— "Selfishness has nothing to do with the matter. Clara could never be a suitable mother for Jamie..."

He finished that sentence as he stood up, moving away from the sofa to sit on the edge of the other sofa, running his hand over his neck with some tiredness, so I folded my legs over the sofa, engrossed, saying: "Let's leave the topic of your selfishness aside. I don't understand why me? Don't tell me your aunt and her husband were here to evaluate me, and I was the one answering them like a fool? Tell me, please, with a different answer..."

He shrugged simply: "That's true... And regarding your question about the reason for my choice, I told you a moment ago... You're suitable..."

I don't understand him! He wants me to marry him to take care of his son?! By what right does he propose this vile idea to me? And why does he think I'd agree in the first place?! The matter is not up for discussion. First, he's a corrupt person. Second, I won't involve myself in his private problems, and I have no desire to know more about him even... Third, I have my ambitions and want to achieve what I aim for through study and work!

I asked in distress: "Don't you think you're cruel? You want me to stay with your child for a few months, then give me the choice between staying and leaving, forgetting your son's feelings in case he gets attached to me, for example? I can't comprehend what you want to do."

I continued, comprehending and cautiously: "Wait a minute! Stop right there, and enough talk about you, because I won't sympathize with you as you think! What makes you confident that I'll accept this offer and tell you, 'Come on, Chris, let me pack my bags and go meet your poor son'?"

He muttered boredly: "You seem agitated... Of course you won't agree simply, as you have your reasons, at the forefront of which is that friend of yours..."

He added thoughtfully: "How did I forget his name! Oh... Ethan!"

I repeated in a whisper: "E...Ethan!"

This madman! What is he saying? When did he come up with this silly assumption?!

— "Break up with him..."

I felt a desire to laugh despite my annoyance, but I said, composing myself: "Break up with him?!"

I added firmly: "I'm not that low!"

He crossed his arms boredly: "It doesn't matter... Just break up with him!"

I burst out laughing despite myself, so his left eyebrow rose: "I can join you in laughing!"

My laughter gradually faded, then I said calmly: "You're hopeless!"

What does he think? That I'm in a relationship with Ethan?! And did I say that or even hint at it... How foolish he is!

— "Tell me, then... why does he leave you alone? Where is he anyway, and why doesn't he—"

— "None of your business! Stop interfering in everything and poking your nose into what doesn't concern you; this is really too much!"

He ruffled his hair and didn't take his hazel eyes off me as he whispered: "His place for leaving you..."

My green eyes bulged intensely, and I stared at him in disbelief, then quickly bowed my head with intense nervousness! What is he saying now? Is he trying to confuse me, for example? Yes, it's a very obvious trap, and he won't catch me in it. He's a smooth-talking womanizer and thinks I'm that fool who's easy to catch.

I raised my index finger in warning: "You won't deceive me with your sweet, twisted words..."

He smiled, enjoying it, so I swallowed hard and said stiffly: "I'm tired and prefer to rest rather than waste my time with you..."