29 The Reason To Marry

Anoi never considered herself to be an unreasonable person. She already tasted the bitterness of living, and her rose-tinted glasses were long thrown away. She knew where the fairytales start and where they end. She also knew her life could hardly be called a fairytale.

Being proposed by a stranger is either very creepy, or very romantic, depending on your personal point of view.

There was also a third option - which seemed the most realistic out of all three - being proposed by as stranger meant that they wanted something from you. That there was some kind of an award, waiting for them after the wedding bells.

Even if Lint (as said Jackie) was "desperate" to marry, it wasn't because the sun blinded him and he suddenly fell in love with her.

He, undoubtedly, wanted to use her.

Anoi supressed an upcoming evil grin.

Ah now she's even more curious. There's no reason for him to choose Anoi. If he's really rich, then he's probably got whom to propose to. Why her? What can she offer? Did she have some special skill, that she herself didn't know about.

So after asking, she stared at Lint with expectation.

For a moment, she thought his eyebrows twitch, as if he regretted something. But, Lint quickly returned to a usual half-smile, ruining his previous pitiful look.

He hummed. "Looks like you still have some common sense left. You're right in thinking that there's no way I'm romantically interested in you."

The man chuckled in a deprecating way. He then continued,

"But, Shadd did a great job at praising you. And there's just no one else around, whom I can ask to marry me. I've got no one I love. And I also don't intend on finding someone who's sole purpose is cash, because I'm not going to pay for that."

There was a pause.

Anoi wondered why he wouldn't want to pay for that. From what she understood, what mattered was the existence of bride, and not how or why the bride appeared. It was clear he wasn't a love struck enthusiast. If so, why not just hire someone to be your spouse?

"After seeing you, I can't yet state for sure that I like your character. Your appearance isn't something I can judge, except your self-cut failure of a hairstyle. Your taste in clothes also could use improvement. But, you've got humor to make up for all that. Overall, you don't look like someone who'd take money for marriage. At best, you'd ask for a diner," Lint said and glanced at Anoi's stomach, well-outlined by a black t-shirt.

He nodded, as if approving his conclusion. "I wouldn't say all those things, but since you're an "assistant manager" and apparently came here to take a look at young idols, then treat what I'm telling you as a piece of advice. Here, entertainment industry walks hand in hand with fashion. Beauty sells. Even youngsters will think twice about working with you if you don't improve your look."

What he said was true. It would have been better if she at least changed into her new clothes. Which she didn't.

"But, I'm off topic. As I said, all you'd ask for is dinner at best. And I'm perfectly fine with treating you to one."

She used the moment he took his breath to interrupt his speech:

"I did not ask if you can pay for my food. I asked why do you want to marry me?" she said, putting an emphasis on the last word.

"Why you? Lint merely shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. "I thought I explained explicitly enough for you to understand."

He half-leaned against a tree and sentimentally looked up to the sky. A dramatic pause, and then Anoi heard:

"Naturally, because it's convenient."

Anoi felt a slimy coldness touch her heart and a shiver went through her body, from the skin on her neck, to her fingertips.

Those words.

She remembers them.