My name is Mei Ling, and I love freedom. I enjoy exploring from place to place, avoiding rules that tie me down to one spot. Being restricted is the worst!
But somehow I ended up traveling too far this time. Originally from China, and I find myself living in Braşov, Transylvania, Romania. Don't ask me how, I'm as surprised as you are!
Living abroad turns out to be way more expensive than I thought. Not gonna lie, i need money.
"A job opening?" That's what caught my attention on a pamphlet stuck to a big building downtown. It says Electro Stone Corporation on the front.
I really need this job. They're looking for an accountant, and I'm good with numbers. I've already worked as an accountant in China for over two years.
To make a long story short, I applied for the job, and now I'm in their HR office, ready for an interview. There are two men prepared to ask me questions, a friendly old man with a potbelly and another guy who looks like he could be the CEO, radiating this serious vibe that makes me nervous. I couldn't even look him in the eye, I was too busy staring at his mouth!
Yeah, his mouth.
I was so nervous that I couldn't even bring myself to meet his gaze and just focused on his mouth!
Sitting next to him is a little girl about four years old, busy playing with her phone.
"Well, miss Mei Ling, you're from China, right? Quite a journey to end up here. We don't see many Asians in Bucharest. Why did you choose Romania?"
As the friendly old man asked his question, the guy next to him stared at me even more intensely, covering his nose and mouth. I don't know why, but it felt like he couldn't stand the way I smelled. Do I smell bad? I swear I took a shower and put on deodorant before I came here.
What's his deal?
"To be honest, I'm the type who loves adventures. I have a passion for exploring and experiencing different cultures. Why Romania? Well, I'm curious and eager to learn more about the culture here. I've heard there are many interesting things to discover."
"Oh, I see. Why did you choose to work for this company?"
I was about to answer that question, but the guy next to me started shaking his leg even more vigorously. He was sweating profusely, glistening under the sunlight. The table trembled for no apparent reason due to his foot thumping. What was making him so uneasy?
Whatever it was, I wasn't going to let this guy disrupt my interview. "I chose this company because-"
"Enough!" The cold-eyed man stood abruptly in his chair. "Stop this pointless interview and sign the employment contract immediately."
"Wait, what? I'm hired just like that?"
"Don't talk too much. Come forward and sign the contract."
What's going on with this guy? Is he alright? All he did was stare at me with those cold eyes without saying a word. And now suddenly he's offering me a job.
"Sorry, but may I ask who this man is? What authority does he have to decide if I can work here or not?"
"Apologies, Miss, he is the CEO of this company."
Damn it! No wonder he could just accept me like that. I'm not sure if I want to work under someone like him. But my financial situation doesn't give me much choice. If I want to survive in Bucharest, I'll have to accept my fate working under this cold man's thumb.
"Sorry for my rashness. I didn't realize you were the CEO."
"Don't talk too much, just sign the contract."
"Okay...."
I quickly scribbled my name at the bottom of the paper. Before I could even read the contents of the contract, the cold CEO snatched the paper from my hand lightning fast. He still hadn't stopped covering his nose and mouth. What is this guy's problem? I don't smell that bad!
He immediately left the room, walking swiftly towards the window at the end of the hallway. There, he exhaled deeply, trying to fill his lungs with as much air as possible, as if it were his first encounter with oxygen.
"Sorry, am I smelling or something?"
"Of course not," replied the chubby old man, "I don't know what's gotten into Mr. Nikolai, this is the first time I've seen him behave so strangely."
"What was his name again?"
"Nikolai Wolfenstein, he's the CEO of Electric Stone Corporation."
"What does this company do?"
"This company manufactures leaf batteries. The batteries they produce use leaf fuel which is converted into electricity. It's a type of new and renewable energy source. After the leaves used to charge the batteries are depleted, they're simply disposed of and become compost."
"Oh, I see..."
Mr. Nikolai finished breathing at the window and then walked eagerly towards me.
"Get ready, we're going to the church soon to officiate our marriage."
"What? What marriage?"
The chubby old man next to me was also visibly surprised. Neither of us expected Mr. Nikolai to say something so random.
"Look at the contract you just signed. It's a marriage contract, not a job contract."
"What! You lied to me? How could you be so cruel?"
"Enough questions. Come on, let's go to church right now," Mr. Nikolai pulled my hand forcefully. His grip was tight, and I struggled to break free.
"Let go of me! I didn't come here to marry someone like you. I came for a job!"
"Listen, it doesn't matter what you want. You've signed the contract, so there's no turning back."
"But I never wanted this, and I will never want to marry someone like you. Let me go!"
"You stubborn girl! You have no clue what's best for you. You came here because you needed money, right? I can offer you a thousand euros every month if you agree to be my wife. And with the contract you signed, I could sue you for a fortune if you refuse. Do you want that?"
"I don't...."
"Answer me!"
"Mr. Nikolai, please calm down. Can't you see she's on the verge of tears?"
"I don't care. Now, come with me quickly, stubborn girl."
Unknowingly, tears streamed down my cheeks, wetting my face. There was nothing I could do but plead and surrender, "Please, sir, let me go. If you release me now, I swear I'll disappear from your life forever. I'll erase every memory of what happened here."
Unexpectly, he slapped me.
It hurt....
It hurt so bad....
My emotions were in turmoil, and now he slapped me hard. My head spun, my heart screamed in pain!
"Never dare speak to me like that again. As a Luna like you, I will not let you go so easily. We will marry, and from now on, you will never leave my side, understand!"
Seeing me sobbing uncontrollably now, the chubby old man beside me spoke softly, "I'm sorry, Miss Mei, there's nothing I can do. It's better to comply with Mr. Nikolai's wishes for now."
"You're both so cruel..."
"Stop crying! Mr. Ken, inform my driver to get ready to take me to the church now. You should come too, Mr. Ken. I want you to witness our wedding."
"Yes, Sir."
What should I do? Should I just accept my fate like this?