Chapter 2: The Unexpected Reunion
That night, after the incident with the car, I got home exhausted and with my arm aching. Mom was in the bedroom, weaker than ever, and Eric… well, Eric wasn’t there. As always, he vanished when things got tough.
I sighed at the sight of the bills piled up on the table. The rent was overdue, the electricity was on the verge of being cut off, and Mom’s treatment was still a monster devouring everything I managed to earn. I sat on the bed, wishing with all my strength for the day to just end already.
But just when I was about to collapse, the phone rang.
—Sarai? —it was my boss from the restaurant, and her tone was urgent—. Can you come cover an extra shift? One of the girls called and said she can’t make it.
My first reaction was to say no. I was exhausted, I could barely handle my own body. But then I looked at the bills again and thought about Mom. How was I going to pay all of that if I didn’t work more hours?
—Yes, of course. I’ll be there in half an hour —I replied, with the firmest voice I could manage.
I changed quickly and left the house. The cold air helped clear my mind a bit as I walked to the restaurant, trying to convince myself I was doing the right thing. The job wasn’t easy, but at least it was a chance to earn something more.
When I arrived at the restaurant, everything seemed as usual: noise, demanding customers, and orders piling up in the kitchen. I put on the uniform and threw myself into the routine, trying to ignore the pain in my arm.
It wasn’t until I was serving a table that I saw him. At first, I didn’t recognize him; he was sitting at a table in the back, impeccably dressed, with an air of confidence that didn’t match the man I had met that night. But then our eyes met, and his smile appeared.
—You again? —I blurted, incredulous.
He raised an eyebrow, as if my tone amused him.
—I wasn’t expecting to see you here.
—Yeah, well, I wasn’t expecting to see you either. Did you come looking for me or what? —I couldn’t help the sarcasm in my voice.
—Actually, I came to have dinner —he replied, with a calm smile that made me feel slightly embarrassed.
—Ah. Well then, I hope you enjoy your meal —I said, trying to continue with my work.
—Wait —he said before I could walk away—. I want to talk to you.
I looked at him suspiciously. What could he possibly want now?
—I’m working, and we don’t make exceptions here for personal conversations.
—Then when your shift ends.
I rolled my eyes but didn’t answer. I continued serving the other tables, though I couldn’t stop feeling his eyes on me. It was uncomfortable, and something about his presence threw me off. He didn’t seem like the same man I had met just a few hours before.
When my shift ended, I approached his table. Not because I wanted to talk to him, but because curiosity was eating me alive. The tension between us was suffocating, but I wasn’t going to leave without answers.
—Alright, I’m done. What do you want? —I asked, crossing my arms, pretending his presence didn’t affect me.
He put the napkin aside and held my gaze with an intensity that made me falter.
—I want you to marry me.
The words hit me like a bucket of cold water.
—Excuse me?
—I’m not joking. I need to get married. My family is pressuring me, and you are the perfect person for this.
—Perfect? —I repeated with a disbelieving laugh—. You don’t even know me.
His eyes sparkled with something unreadable.
—You’re exactly what I’ve been looking for. You don’t let yourself be intimidated, you’re strong and… I need someone who will fall in love with me.
I looked at him like he was insane.
—Wow, your ego. Do you really think someone’s going to fall in love overnight just because you say so?
His expression hardened.
—It’s not just because I say it...
—Oh no? Because that sure sounds like you think you’re irresistible. Sorry, but I’m not playing this absurd fairytale where I fall head over heels for you for no reason.
I pressed my lips, expecting him to get angry or say something arrogant, but instead, he sighed and lowered his gaze for a second.
—You don’t understand anything…
—Well, of course not, because none of this makes sense —I shot back, feeling the discomfort climb up my spine—. I don’t know what idea you have in your head, but if you’re looking for someone to swoon over you, keep looking.
I turned around, determined to leave, but his voice stopped me.
—I’ve been looking for you my whole life.
I froze. Something in his tone, in the restrained desperation in those words, made my skin crawl.
But it couldn’t be. I didn’t know him. Or did I?
I turned slowly, feeling a chill run down my back.
—What did you say?
He stood up from the table calmly, but his gaze stayed fixed on me, intense, unwavering.
—I’ve been looking for you my whole life —he repeated, stepping a little closer.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself not to step back.
—That makes no sense. We don’t know each other.
—You don’t remember me —he corrected with a firm voice—. But I do remember you.
His tone threw me off. It wasn’t just a whim or some sweet line to impress me. He meant it.
—What are you talking about? —I asked, trying to sound firm, though inside my heart was pounding.
He watched me for a moment, as if hesitating, searching for the right words.
—I’m not going to pressure you —he finally said, with strange serenity—. I just hope that, with time… you’ll remember.
My skin prickled.
—Remember what?
He smiled slightly, but there was something melancholic in his expression, something that unsettled me more than his words.
—When the time comes, you’ll know.
The answer irritated me.
—Don’t play with me. If you think this mystery is going to make me interested, you’re wasting your time.
He didn’t flinch.
—I’m offering you a marriage contract. I’ll pay you very well.