Chapter 8 The Quickie Proposal

• “Why are you calling me so frequently? I already informed you that I’ll be home later than yesterday. Are you eagerly anticipating another sex games?”
• “Seriously, why do you never use protection? I’ve repeatedly emphasized that I’m not on birth control-”
• “It’s not a big deal, babe. Why are you so concerned?”
• “Rafayel, I’m not joking. We hardly know each other, and you can’t simply dismiss this. You’ve engaged in something risky and-”
• “I know you’re worried about pregnancy, right? Are you in your fertile window? If you’re in your fertile window, there’s a chance of pregnancy, but if you’re not, then you probably won’t get pregnant. It’s simple,” Rafayel replied from the other end of the line.
• “That’s ridiculous,” I groaned in frustration.
• “Whoa, hold on. Let’s not do anything hasty here. Maybe it’s best if I meet your parents,” he spoke softly on the other end, as if he knew exactly what he was doing.
• “Are you insane? Why would you want to meet my parents after fucked their daughter? Don’t you think they’ll be furious with you?” I grumbled in annoyance.
• His laughter held a sinister edge, sending shivers down my spine. “What’s a little responsibility compared to a lifetime together, darling? Your parents will see reason. After all, wouldn’t they want their precious daughter settled, especially in such... delicate circumstances?”
• My jaw clenched, the anger warring with the rising panic in my chest.
• “Don’t even think about it,” I spat, voice tight with fury. “You’re delusional if you believe I’d marry a stranger like you. We barely even know each other.”
• “Why are you becoming so emotional? I don’t mind if-”
• I interrupted him without hesitation, stating, “Do not impose your own ideas onto me, Rafayel De Ortiz.”
• “Well, we need to delve deeper into this discussion. Our meeting is almost concluded,” he suggested.
• “That’s better,” I remarked, having just concluded my call with Rafayel. I swiftly descended the stairs to where Raymond’s wife was engaged in cleaning the house.
• “Hey, do you happen to have anything for detecting pregnancy?” I urgently inquired.
• “Is everything okay, dear? Are you not feeling well?” she asked with genuine concern.
• “Yeah, something feels off. I just need to check,” I replied, attempting to conceal my anxiety.
• “Normally, Mr. Rafayel only brings girls who are on birth control, so I’m uncertain if I have a pregnancy test kit. However, I can prepare some comforting soup for you, if you’d like,” she offered kindly.
• “I appreciate your offer, but I don’t think I’m hungry,” I mumbled, feeling overwhelmed.
• “Would you like some freshly squeezed lemon juice?” Raymond’s wife asked, her gentle voice attempting to soothe me.
• Giving in to her offer, I nodded. She handed me a glass of cool, smooth lemon juice. Suddenly, my mobile phone buzzed, and I saw it was Mum on the line.
• “Have you forgotten the way to your house already?” she bellowed in anger.
• “It’s not that I forgot, Mum, it’s just that...” I tried to explain.
• “Which guy are you out with this time, Leslie? You’re always overstepping the mark,” she grumbled. “I told you to let me know if you wanted to have some fun.”
• With a heavy sigh, I responded, “Did you use protection?”
• “Yes. Don’t worry, I didn’t do anything reckless,” I replied.
• “Leslie, I don’t want you to do anything reckless. Look, I don’t want you to end up like Irene.”
• “Should we talk about this again, Mum?” I whimpered.
• “Yes. I want to stress to you, if you like someone, don’t put yourself down. Bring him home to meet me. And if he’s serious, he can validate your relationship.”
• “Is everything okay here?” a voice startled me.
• Rafayel materialized like a phantom, his smile a seductive snare that almost snagged Leslie’s attention. “Darling,” he purred, his voice dripping with honeyed charm, “why the furrowed brow?”
• Mum’s voice, sharp as a shard of ice, pierced the phone’s speaker. “Darling? What are you doing? Are you with someone?”
• Leslie’s stomach clenched. “Mom, can we please discuss this later? I’ll be home soon. Bye—”
• “Leslie, answer me!” her mother’s voice cut through the air like a whip.
• I pressed the end button, her breath coming out in a frustrated puff. “Why did you do that?”
• Rafayel’s smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of genuine concern.
• “Well, the prodigal son returns,” I spat, her voice laced with venom.
• “Yeah, wouldn’t want you to off yourself over a phantom pregnancy,” Rafayel drawled, his words laced with sardonic amusement.
• I threw her hands up in exasperation. “Why am I cursed with a deranged widower for a brother?”
• “Surprised you can even stand, considering the supposed agony of your ‘first time,’” Rafayel mocked, his eyes glinting with a mixture of humor and something deeper, unreadable.
• My cheeks burned.
• “What is wrong with you?” I snapped, crossing my arms defensively.
• “Excuse me,” Raymond’s wife interjected awkwardly, “I think I’ll leave you two to your...discussion and prepare dinner.”
• Rafayel watched her departure, his gaze returning to Leslie with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. She couldn’t decipher the complex emotions swirling within his dark eyes.
• “We need to discuss this, don’t we?” he asked.
• “Of course. How could you be so reckless?” I cursed, my words dripping with frustration.
• “Forgive me, but I cannot deny how enticing you are,” he whispered. “No, I mean, you’re exceptional compared to others. I’ve been with plenty of women, and I must confess, only you have completely satisfied me.”
• The sound of his words ignited a furious urge within me, as if I wanted nothing more than to slap him senseless. How could he speak of me like that, as if I were offering myself up for sale to him? Little did he know that he was the one who had forced me.
• “Do you still hope for Terrell to come back to you?” Rafayel asked.
• “Never.”
• He glared at me, his eyes cold and hard.
• “So, why did you reject me, Leslie? Am I not rich enough compared to your Terrell?” he asked again, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
• I shook my head, feeling a surge of anger and sadness. “It’s not about being rich or not rich. It’s about feelings and about our respective statuses. You offered me a job, Ryo. A job. Not a relationship.”
• He reached for his phone and tapped the screen.
• “Well, give me your account number. I’ll transfer the money to you right now,” he said, as if that would solve everything.
• I gasped, feeling insulted and disgusted.
• “Why does this seem like a prostitute transaction?” I snapped, pushing his hand away.
• He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “Come on, Leslie… I don’t want this to get complicated. Do you want to marry me? I promise before anything bad happens we’ll have a lavish wedding, I’ll make you happy. Take me to meet your mum, I don’t want any rejection from you.”
• He stood up and walked out of the cafe, leaving me stunned and confused. He really didn’t want to be complicated. He always took things in his hands, without considering my feelings or opinions.
• Until late at night, I didn’t dare go home to see my mum either. I was too scared to bring him to see her even though he forced me ruthlessly. He had already caused enough trouble in my life. I didn’t want him to ruin my relationship with my mum as well.
• Rafayel didn’t seem to care about my silence, as he continued his dinner with Xavier. He looked at me with a smug smile and asked, “Don’t you want to move?”
• I shook my head, feeling trapped and helpless. I didn’t want to go anywhere with him, but I knew he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
• “Just call your mum,” he grunted, taking a sip of his wine.
• “No,” I said, barely above a whisper.
• He narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to me.
• “Do you want me to force you? Or do you want me to organise Raymond to track down where your parents’ house is?” he questioned me again, his voice low and menacing. “I wanna take responsibility, not to hurt you.”
• I felt a shiver run down my spine, as I imagined what he would do if I refused. I knew he was capable of anything, and I didn’t want to risk my mum’s safety. I nodded reluctantly, hoping he would leave me alone.
• “Alright… we’ll be home in a while,” I said, trying to sound calm.
• After dinner, he drove me home, his hand gripping mine tightly. I didn’t understand what he was planning to do until he stopped at a jewellery store and bought a pair of dazzling diamonds without my permission. They were huge and round, shining like stars in the night sky. They looked expensive and extravagant, but they also felt cold and heavy in my hand.
• When I walked into the house, Mum was waiting for me with her stressed face. She looked relieved to see me, but her expression changed when she saw Rafayel behind me.
• “You’re home in the end,” she snorted as she tried to hug me, but stopped when she noticed him. “You invited a guest without telling me?”
• Rafayel sweetly interrupted Mum’s question, “Apologies, Mum. It was actually me who insisted on bringing Leslie here.”
• He then presented the diamonds to her, as if they were a bouquet of flowers.
• Mum’s eyes widened, as she took the diamonds from him.
• “What is this?” she asked curiously, examining them closely.
• “Just a little something I picked up on my trip to India last week, Mum. A token of appreciation,” Ryo replied smoothly, flashing a charming smile.
• Mum’s irritation began to show, as she realized what he was implying.
• “Are you telling me to eat this diamond?” she snapped, throwing them back at him. “A token of appreciation is something edible, like a cake or a fruit basket.”
• I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that my mum wasn’t the type to be obsessed with wealth, but this time I was rendered speechless. I didn’t know how to explain to her who Rafayel was and why he was here.
• “Come in and make some drinks, Leslie,” Mum said, guiding us to the living room. She sounded annoyed, but also curious.
• I exhaled and quickly fetched some soft drinks for Rafayel. I didn’t have anything else to offer him, and I didn’t care if he liked it or not.
• “Are you serious? Serving soft drinks to a guest?” Mum grumbled, as she sat on the couch.
• “It’s fine, Mum. Let this naughty girl be herself,” Rafayel muttered, as he followed her. He didn’t seem bothered by her attitude, or by the cheap drinks. He acted as if he owned the place, and he had a plan.
• “I’m curious about your relationship,” Mum said, eyeing Rafayel from head to toe. She looked suspicious and wary of him, and I didn’t blame her. He was a stranger to her, and to me.
• Rafayel didn’t beat around the bush, “I came here to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage, Mum. No, scratch that. I’m here to propose.”
• He said it casually, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He took out a ring from his pocket and slid it on my finger, without waiting for my consent.
• “What? You’re proposing to my daughter without bringing any representatives from your family? Do you think this is a joke?” Mum started to show her fierce side.
• “Hold on, I am serious about proposing to your daughter. It’s sudden, I know, because of a little something--”
• “Pregnant?” Mum glared at me.
• “N-no—”
• “Bloody hell, you two! Get married this week, you’re both making me look like a fool!”