12 - A flaw

It's him.

She quickly recognized the man when the light on the lamp post illuminated his face as he moved closer.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." The man quickly apologized, raising his hands before him to show that he meant no harm.

Honestly, she did not get spooked easily. Being an orphan, she had learned to adapt and survive in the wild jungle of the city.

She had learned to be brave because there was no other way. Nonetheless, she could not help but think of the call she received the other day. She believed it was the reason she was slightly jumpy.

"It's ok. You didn't scare me. Startle, maybe." She stood straight as she waited for the familiar man to approach her. "I thought I was alone. I was certainly not expecting to see you here."

However, how could she notice anyone else when she was so self-absorbed with her situation? Anyway, she gradually relaxed, knowing he was no threat to her.

"So, are you lost or something?" She did not want to think he was stalking her, just like she initially thought.

Why would he?

What would a man like him want to do with someone like her?

It just did not make sense.

"No, I don't think so. I think I'm in the right place." He looked around him, nodding as if confirming his statement.

She could only look at him with confusion, thinking he might be losing his marbles. What would a man like him want to do with this stinky dump?

"If you're looking for the restaurant, the entrance is on the other side." She pointed to the street around the corner, thinking that was what he might be looking for.

"No..." But the man quickly replied, shaking his head.

"No? Mr. Saunders..." Again, she was baffled. But she could not finish her sentence as he interrupted her.

"Actually..." He stepped a bit closer. "I'm here to see you, Charlie." The man looked at her with a friendly smile.

Of course, it came to her as a surprise.

"Me?" She pointed at herself while turning her head, left and right, checking if someone else was with them. But it was just her.

Again, she could not help but wonder what it would be like to have a father like him. It must be great to have someone looking for her, thinking about her welfare.

Wake up, Charlie. Stop daydreaming.

She must have done something wrong. It was probably the reason this man was looking for her. Or he might have changed his mind and wanted his gifts back.

What else could it be, Charlie?

"Yes, you, my silly child." The man once again smiled at her, looking amused at her reaction. "I came here to talk to you."

"Mr. Saunders, what is that you need from me?" She could not think of one. She believed someone like her had nothing to offer him.

"I hope you'll call me James. But anyway, I don't want to waste your precious time. So I won't beat around the bush." He sat on the steps beside her and urged her to do the same.

She was stunned by his action, thinking about his expensive clothes, soiled by the dirty steps. Nevertheless, she followed his lead.

"I came here to offer you a proposal." He turned to her with a guarded look. It was as if he might be studying her immediate response.

Of course, her eyes widened while her lips parted open. She was shocked and confused.

Was this man proposing to her? But he was old enough to be his father.

No!

That could not be it.

"Pardon?" She must have misinterpreted his intention. Maybe he was offering her a higher-paying job. She badly needed one.

"Remember when I told you I want to introduce you to my son. Now that your fiancé is out of the picture. You might want to reconsider." He told her.

"Oh! I thought you were about to offer me a job." She mumbled. Nonetheless, she thought she might be hearing things.

Again, why would this man want to set her up with his son? That was just ridiculous.

"Well, you can look at it that way." He nonchalantly said, shrugging his shoulders as if he found her response entertaining. "A job with a high reward."

"Wait!" She was more confused than ever. Suddenly, she felt like this was a dream as she pinched herself. "Ouch!" That hurts. Therefore, this was very real.

"What I'm saying is that I want to offer you a chance to change your life. If you agree to my proposal to meet my son, marry him, and stay married for a year, I will pay you a more than generous amount."

"Ha!" She knew she had heard him correctly, but still, it was taking her a while to process his words. "Marry?"

Why?

"Why me?" Again, she might be beautiful, but other than that, she had nothing else to offer. "I'm sure you can find other women more qualified to marry your son."

She did not go to college. She barely had a stable job. She was an orphan, for heaven's sake. Then, she had a past that she could not say she could be proud of.

So, why would this man pick her?

Unless—

"What is wrong with your son?" Suddenly, the thought crossed her mind.

Why else would this man insist on finding a bride for his son if there was nothing wrong with him?

"I chose you because I can see that you have a good heart. I think you will be good for my son." He answered her first question.

"Oh!" She did not expect that from him. But she was flattered, considering his kind words as a compliment.

Then, he mildly laughed as he glanced at her. "But you are right about my son. There is something wrong with him."

Now, she was suddenly wary, but a bit curious too.

What could be wrong with him when his father appeared to be perfect?

"He is very much like me before I met my wife." He continued, but that did not exactly make any sense to her.

How could that be a flaw?