2.Proposed

Anna's days at the coffee shop were as busy as ever. There were often different customers coming in and out of the shop, but the one named Alex stuck in her memory. Even though he had only come in once, that air of confidence and unusual conversation made her curious about him.

One evening, as the coffee shop's clientele dwindled and Anna was about to clean her workbench, the doorbell dinged again. She looked up and saw the familiar figure enter the shop. Alex was dressed in a dark suit, still looking smart. His presence caught the attention of the shop and Anna couldn't help but feel her heart racing.

Alex walked up to Anna's counter and smiled, "Hello, Anna. Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Anna looked at him with some surprise and a few pangs of unease flooded her mind. Despite her surprise at his reappearance, she responded politely, "Of course, what can I get you?"

"Actually, I'm here for another reason," Alex's tone became serious, "I was hoping to have a private chat with you about that issue I mentioned earlier."

Anna was a little nervous in her mind, but nodded, "Yes, I can get you a cup of coffee and we can talk here."

The two sat in a corner of the coffee shop and Anna prepared Alex's favourite caramel latte. She did her best to create a cosy atmosphere, even though the shop had started to close. Alex accepted the coffee with a determined glint in his eyes.

"Anna," Alex's voice was low and strong, "I came here to make a formal request."

Anna's heart couldn't help but race, feeling a hint of nervousness, "What kind of request?"

"As I said before, my family has a strict arrangement for my future," Alex's tone was filled with helplessness, "They want me to marry someone the family has arranged for me, but I don't want to. In order to get out of that arrangement, I need a fake fiancée."

"To show my sincerity," Alex's tone softened, "I'm willing to offer a rather generous payment. In addition to the fact that you will receive a generous financial compensation, I will make sure that your living conditions are protected. In addition, I will endeavour to provide you with any help and support you need."

Anna couldn't help but feel waves in her heart when she heard this. The high remuneration mentioned by Alex was indeed very tempting; the money was enough to change her life and open up many possible opportunities for her. However, she still felt an inner conflict and struggle. She began to consider the cost behind the money and the complications she might face.

"I understand the dilemma you are facing," Anna said with a hint of hesitation in her tone, "but I still need time to consider the offer. This request involves not only my life, but also my personal dignity and future."

Anna froze, clearly shocked at the request. "You mean, for me to pretend to be your fiancée? That sounds very unusual."

"It does," Alex nodded, "but it is very important to me. Your presence will help me deal with the pressures of my family and give me more freedom to choose the direction of my life."

Anna's thoughts whirled as she realised that this was not only a challenging offer, but also an unexpected opportunity. Although she was hesitant about this pseudo-marriage arrangement, she also understood that it could be a major opportunity to change her ordinary life.

"Specifically, I want us to be able to act like a real couple in public," Alex continued, "This includes attending family gatherings, social events, and even media interviews together. Our relationship has to look real and believable."

Anna took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind, "How long will this fake marriage last? If I accept it, what kind of future arrangements will there be?"

"There is no exact time limit for now," Alex's tone had a hint of heaviness in it, "Until I am able to resolve the family's problems. As for the subsequent arrangements, I will do my best to safeguard your rights and interests and provide the appropriate remuneration."

Anna pondered seriously for a moment, the offer was a bit absurd, but it was no less appealing. There seemed to be an urge deep inside her to accept this challenge, but she was also clear that accepting this offer meant that she would be involved in a completely unfamiliar world.

"It's a big decision," Anna spoke slowly, "I need time to think about it."

Alex nodded, a look of understanding passing through his eyes, "Of course, I understand. You can contact me anytime, just let me know when you've made your decision."

Alex left the coffee shop and Anna stood in the doorway, watching his departing back. Her emotions were mixed and heavy; the offer, while tempting, was also accompanied by a great deal of uncertainty. She knew that this would be a major turnaround in her life that could change the trajectory of her future.

As she returned to her workbench, Alex's words and his mysterious aura still echoed in her mind. She knew that this unexpected encounter would not end there, and that her decision would be the key to her future story.

As night fell, Anna's thoughts continued to swirl. She understands that this sudden proposal of marriage will bring many challenges and possibly unexpected opportunities. She needed to be honest with herself about her inner desires.