That morning, Anne stepped into La Marin with clumsy steps. The routine she once found comforting now felt foreign. Despite her best efforts to remind herself to stay professional, her heart felt heavy. The emptiness inside her only deepened, making every movement and word feel hollow. She served customers, tidied up tables, and took orders, but it all felt like a soulless routine.
However, today was different. Just as she finished tidying up a few tables in the corner of the restaurant, Eloise, the manager of La Marin, approached her with a more serious expression than usual.
"Anne," Eloise's voice echoed sternly in the midst of the bustling restaurant, "Brian is waiting for you outside."
Brian? The name was unfamiliar to Anne. She'd never heard of it before. A sense of curiosity immediately surged, but before she could ask more, Eloise added flatly, "Oh, by the way, you're fired. Don't ever come back here." Eloise continued munching on her chocolate donut as if the statement was no big deal.
Anne was stunned, as if her body had frozen for a moment. "What? I'm... fired?" Her voice caught in her throat. "Why so suddenly? Did I do something wrong?"
Panic began to creep in. Anne wanted to apologize, even if it meant begging on her knees to Eloise to avoid this sudden termination. However, before she could do anything, a deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Anne?" The voice came from behind. Anne turned to see a man, tall—around 185 cm—standing calmly. The glasses perched on his nose seemed perfectly suited to his sharp features. He was handsome, and there was something vaguely familiar about his attire.
"Can we talk for a moment?" His voice was deeper now, tinged with authority. There was no gentleness in his words.
Anne could only nod, feeling a surge of unease as she removed her apron and handed it to Eloise, who still wore a sweet smile, as if everything were normal.
They walked outside the bakery, and Anne's anxiety grew with each step. What is going on? she thought. Why do I need to meet this man?
"What's this about? And how do you know my name?" Anne couldn't shake the suspicion that gnawed at her.
"I'm Brian, Mr. Rayden's personal secretary," he answered, opening the door to a black car parked not far from them. "There's something he wants to discuss with you. Come with me, I'll take you there."
With no other choice, Anne followed him and got into the car, which would take her to an unknown destination. Her anxiety intensified. Where am I going? What's happening?
A few minutes later, they arrived at an apartment that Anne instantly recognized. Her heart skipped a beat—This place... I was here last night. However, as she stepped out of the car, a new wave of nervousness swept over her. What was going to happen now?
"Come in," Brian said in a flat tone, as though this was just another routine.
Anne followed him into the apartment she had already come to know. In the living room, Rayden was waiting. His gaze was sharp, as if he were measuring every movement Anne made. The atmosphere felt thick with tension, and Anne could feel the pressure in the air.
Brian broke the silence, his voice firm. "We want to offer you a life you couldn't even imagine," he said as he placed a contract on the table with a decisive gesture.
Anne could only stare at the paper, her confusion deepening. What am I supposed to do with this? Thoughts swirled in her mind, trying to comprehend what was happening. Why did this feel like such a monumental decision, and why was everything so urgent?
Rayden finally spoke, his voice low yet commanding. "This contract isn't for a job. It's a marriage contract."
Anne froze, her mouth suddenly dry. Marriage? The word echoed in her mind. "Marriage?" Her voice trembled, disbelief seeping into her words.
Brian continued, his face serious, offering no hint of jest. "Rayden needs this marriage, and we want you to be part of it. This isn't an easy decision, and we don't want you to rush into it. You have two days to decide whether you'll accept it or not."
Anne stared at the contract more intently now, but her mind was still racing. Why me? she thought, struggling to understand the reasoning behind this. "Why me?" she asked, her voice hoarse.
Rayden responded in a deeper tone, "Because this isn't just about marriage. This is a deal that involves much more. We need your commitment, and we want you to be comfortable with this decision."
Anne fell silent. A marriage contract? Everything was happening too fast, and she didn't know what to do.
"If you agree," Brian continued, "you'll have all the support you need. But remember, this is a decision that will change your life. You have two days to think it over."
Two days. Just two days to decide whether her life would change forever. Anne felt the weight of the decision pressing heavily on her heart. What should I choose?
Reluctantly, Anne nodded. "Two days," she whispered, her voice faint with uncertainty. "Alright, I'll think about it."
Before she could say anything else, Brian stood up, signaling that the meeting was nearly over. "Think carefully, Anne. No pressure. We're giving you two days."
Anne looked down at the contract on the table. This wasn't just about marriage, or money, or a deal. This was a life-altering decision.