Chapter 5: Confused

Erica's POV

I walked inside the orphanage and sat on a small bench near the children.

I watched them play, but my mind was somewhere else.

I kept thinking about what Phillip had done earlier.

The way he had carefully cleaned my wound and applied the bandage.

I glanced at my ankle.

He had been so gentle.

It was strange because I had been rude to him all day, yet he still took the time to help me.

James would never have done that.

Whenever I complained about something, he would tell me I was being dramatic. He always had something to say about how I behaved.

And the truth was, I had always pushed him to do things for me.

I wanted him to buy me gifts, take me to expensive restaurants, and make me feel special.

I thought that was what love was supposed to be.

But Phillip had done something as simple as cleaning a wound, and somehow, it meant more to me than all the expensive gifts James had ever bought.

I sighed.

Maybe I had been wrong about Phillip.

Maybe he wasn't as terrible as I thought.

I looked toward the entrance.

Though he acted like I'm a plaque in his life and instead of neglecting me.

Instead, he had brought me to an orphanage and encouraged me to spend time with the children.

Perhaps there was more to him than his arrogant attitude.

I shook my head.

But then again, this was an arranged marriage.

I never wanted to marry someone I didn't know.

I had always imagined falling in love with someone and choosing to spend the rest of my life with him.

Not being told by my father that I had to marry a stranger.

I sighed again.

Two more dates.

That was all I had left.

I pray he give up or maybe I should involve myself in some scandal, this would be easy.

Or maybe I would discover that he was just another man who wanted to control my life.

I stood up and walked toward the bathroom.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

My hair was still tinted purple, and my makeup was smudged.

I frowned.

No wonder the children had called me a witch.

I took some tissue and carefully cleaned my face.

Then I found a white scarf in my handbag and tied it around my hair.

I looked at myself again.

Much better.

At least I looked a little more like a human being now.

I smiled.

I wanted to embarrass Phillip and ended up embarrassing myself in front of those children.

Just then, I heard a knock on the door.

“Erica?”

It was Phillip.

I opened the door.

“Are you ready?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

He glanced at my face and smiled.

“You look different.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Maybe.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Let's go.”

He laughed and walked ahead of me.

I followed him outside.

Before leaving, I turned toward the children and waved.

“Bye, everyone!”

They waved back.

“Bye, Erica!”

I smiled.

For the first time that day, I felt genuinely happy.

Phillip and I drove to a restaurant.

I was hungry, and I was looking forward to eating something delicious.

When we arrived, he parked the car and opened the door for me.

I stepped out and looked at him.

“Thank you.”

He smiled.

“You're welcome.”

We walked inside and found a table.

I was about to sit down when I noticed someone familiar.

My heart stopped.

James.

He was sitting at a table across the restaurant.

I froze.

He looked up at the same moment and saw me.

Our eyes met.

I quickly looked away.

Why was he here?

I didn't want to see him.

Not today.

Not after everything he had done to me.

I sat down and tried to act as if nothing had happened.

But my hands were trembling.

Phillip noticed.

“Erica?”

I looked at him.

“Hmm?”

He glanced toward James, then back at me.

“Look at me.”

I frowned.

“What?”

“Look at me, Erica. Don't worry about him.”

I stared at him.

He reached across the table and gently held my hand.

“Just ignore him.”

I swallowed.

“Okay.”

I tried to smile.

But before I could say anything else, James stood up and walked toward our table.

“Erica?”

I looked up.

“What?”

He glanced at Phillip.

“What's going on here?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“I'm eating.”

“With him?”

I smiled sweetly.

“Yes. I'm eating with my boyfriend.”

James scoffed.

“Boyfriend? Like anyone would date a spoiled princess like you.”

My smile disappeared.

Before I could respond, Phillip stood up.

“Watch your mouth.”

James looked at him.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Don't disrespect me or my girlfriend.”

James laughed.

“Your girlfriend?”

Phillip stepped closer.

“Yes. And if you insult her again, I promise you'll regret it.”

James stared at him for a moment.

Then he looked at me.

“You hired him, didn't you?”

I blinked.

“What?”

“You paid him to pretend to be your boyfriend.”

I laughed.

“You really think everyone is like you?”

James's face darkened.

He looked at Phillip one last time before walking away.

I watched him leave.

My heart was still pounding.

Phillip sat down and looked at me.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

He squeezed my hand.

“Good.”

I looked at him.

There was something about the way he had defended me that made my heart flutter.

I quickly looked away.

Why was I feeling this way?

Just then, Phillip stood up again.

I looked at him.

“Where are you going?”

He didn't answer.

Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

My eyes widened.

What was he doing?

He slowly got down on one knee.

I stared at him.

“Phillip?”

He opened the box.

Inside was a beautiful ring.

My mouth fell open.

“Will you marry me, Erica?”

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

People around us began whispering.

“Say yes!”

“Say yes!”

I looked at Phillip.

He was staring at me with a serious expression.

Then I looked across the restaurant.

James was still standing near the entrance, watching us.

My heart raced.

I looked back at Phillip.

He was still waiting for my answer.

I opened my mouth.

But no words came out.

I was completely stunned.

What was happening?

Was Phillip really proposing to me?

And why did I suddenly feel like my answer would change everything?

I stared at the ring, then at Phillip.

I couldn't speak.

Not even a single word.