Proposal

"Alright then," Anna had no choice but to agree since Lexus already booked a private room. He changed direction the instant she agreed.

He borrowed her car key to have his assistant drive it to her place. She narrowed her eyes at him on how he knew her address and he said it was in the pregnancy test result.

"You had someone gather information about me?" she asked directly when she noticed that he lied.

"I did it myself, last night," he admitted and Anna sighed.

'Of course. He is a CEO. He had the resources. And it's quite easy to do it nowadays.'

She let it go in the meantime and handed him her car keys.

. . .

"What's this?!" she gasped when he brought her to a very romantic-looking room. There were roses everywhere, but strangely, she could not smell the overwhelming sweet scent. It was also on one of the highest floors so there was a good view.

"I know I can't apologize enough for today. But starting now, I want to at least make up for it. Please eat to your heart's content," he said and Anna silently looked around the room.

"It looks like it was prepared in advance," she said and touched one of the roses.

"Ah, I chose scentless roses since you are pregnant and might not like the scent," he said and Anna raised an eyebrow. He had prepared it in advance indeed.

"Thanks," she said as she seated herself.

"When did you have this room prepared?" she followed up and he looked away.

"Yesterday," he admitted.

"You were so confident that I would agree?" Anna sarcastically asked.

"Ah, no. I just thought I would do my best to make you agree," he said and she raised an eyebrow once again. She smirked when he looked like he was avoiding the subject since she might get angry again.

But eating was more important right now. She was starving now and she didn't want to deprive her developing baby of nutrition. Especially when she smelled something good.

Anna let the problems be for later and decided to enjoy the meal. Everything was delicious so she ate to her heart's content. Thankfully, her stomach was not as picky as the previous days.

There were even people playing musical instruments while they ate and she especially loved the piano and the violin.

She was taking a good look of the sunset view of the city when Lexus suddenly kneeled in front of her.

"The sequence is probably wrong but I'm still going to do it," he said and brought out a box from his pocket.

"Anna Beatrice Lee, will you marry me?" he asked and Anna couldn't help but just stare at him. The timing was simply too perfect. The sun was setting. The music was playing a romantic piece. And she was full so she was in a good mood.

But the sequence was indeed wrong. He had already talked with her grandparents about their marriage and the wedding date was even already set to be held within two months or less.

She actually had no choice but to accept the ring. But at least he tried to be romantic about it.

'Goodbye, single life. I'm sorry Brenda, I'm getting married, after all. Even after you went and warned me. I'm so sorry. Wish me luck,' she thought and gave him her hand.

"Yes," she said in a low breathy voice, evident of how hard it was for her to accept it, not of excitement or happiness.

To Anna, it felt like she was voluntarily accepting the shackles of slavery. She closed her eyes as she felt the cold ring wrap around her finger.

'I hope I and my child won't have to suffer the way you did,' she thought of all her friends that suffered and regretted their marriage. She made a silent prayer for the sake of her child.

Lexus kissed the back of her hand before he rose and said, "I know we didn't start right. But I promise that I would take good care of you and our child."

"I hope that you never forget those words," Anna replied before he embraced her. She almost cried when he kissed her on the forehead like they were lovers.

'I hope you stay true to your words.'

. . .

Lexus drove her home after that and his assistant was at the entrance of the building with her car keys.

"I'll walk you to your door," he offered but Anna refused. She agreed when he insisted that he wanted to be sure that she gets home safely.

"Alright, you can go now," Anna said when they were right outside her door.

"Goodnight," he said and she turned to open her door.

"Anna," he called her so she turned and was surprised when he suddenly kissed her. His lips felt soft and warm against hers and it lingered.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" he asked after and she blushed at the mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

"Of course not!"

"Hm. . . I thought so. . . It's not enough," he said out of the blue. She was about to say something again but his lips captured hers once again. She gasped when his tongue entered her mouth this time.

She tried to push him off but he was holding her in place, firmly. One hand was at the back of her head while the other was on her waist. And he kissed her until she was breathless.

"Still not?" he asked and she was finally able to push him away.

"Still no. You pervert!"

"Alright. Goodnight then," he said and stole another light kiss.

"Goodbye!" Anna opened her door and quickly got in. He blew her a kiss before she slammed the door shut in his face.

"What the hell?! How could I forget he was such a good kisser," she sighed as she slumped down on her couch.

'I'm marrying that man?' she asked herself as she recalled how beastly he was in bed. Her face turned red.

"No. No. No. I can't possibly do it with him again," Anna said to herself. As far as she could recall, he was eager and rough. Now that she had to marry him, she realized that maybe, they had to set up rules.