Three: The Danger

“We have to think rationally Erwan, the business of Dr. Mavero will be a great benefit to us.”

“But, mom. Is it really needed to seal the deal with an engagement? You can just prepare some proposal to get to Mr. Croven’s good side.”

“Erwan, this is the only way to gain the trust of Mr. Croven.”

I remembered the conversation that I had with my mom a week ago and sighed heavily. Looks like I have no choice but to play along with this agreement.

I arrived here in the city of Venile from my vacation abroad just a couple of weeks ago, and I did not expect that things will eventually turn out this way. The last thing I needed right now is a marriage, but the pursuant of my mother leaves me with no choice but to agree with the engagement.

From Shane’s reaction a while ago, it seems like it was her first time hearing about the engagement. I like the way she tried to pick a fight with her father when she first heard about the sudden agreement for the both of us and I noticed the way her knees weaken after receiving a glare of warning from her father. I could feel that the atmosphere is getting heavy among the three of us, so I decided to butt in and suggest that Shane needed some time to think things out. Gladly, her dad listened.

I laughed as I remembered the way she acted when her father left us alone in their living room. Her long black hair swaying against her shoulder as she spoke. I noticed the way she rolled her dazzling brown eyes whenever I speak something that doesn’t go the way she wanted. Her slim figure perfectly fits her height. She is someone that can be hired to do a photoshoot for a cover of a famous magazine. I observed her as she discussed that she does not wish to be engaged with me, so I should do the favor of ruining the agreement between our parents.

To be frank, I do not also agree with these turn of events, but what can I do? I am just being a grateful brat because for once, I want to help my mom.

Besides, Shane Croven is a woman with beauty. I actually find her amusing and interesting, she seems driven and that makes her different from all the women I dated before.

It was nearly 4 pm when I left the mansion of Dr. Croven, I hopped on my car and was about to go home when my phone suddenly rang. I answered it and put it on a loudspeaker.

“What’s up, Rodrick?” I greeted.

“What’s up to your face, dude! Where are you?” he shouted, I can hear music cranking the whole place that he’s in.

“Driving. Why? Are you at a party? Don’t tell me you are having a party right now despite the fact that you’re grounded?”

“Hell, yes dude. I’m at a party!” I can tell that he is half-drunk with the way his voice sounded. Rodrick has been with me since childhood, he knows every little shit about me and it may not be obvious but that punk cares about me a lot. I do not want to admit this, but he is a pretty boy, his lively eyes attract women like a magnet and he goes to the clubs and parties every time he gets a chance.

“You did not even bother to invite me?” I asked, feeling betrayed.

“I’ve been messaging you since yesterday night dude! It’s not my fault that you are not checking your messages.” I heard him chuckled

“So, where’s that party, perv?”

“Yuck, don’t call me a perv. I am not like you. By the way, you know Ed’s house right”

 “Ye--”

I was about to respond to Rodrick when a motorcycle abruptly stopped right in front of my car.

“Hey, Erwan! You still there?” I heard Rodrick’s voice from my phone. Oh, I momentarily forgot that I was talking to him.

“Yes, dude. Still here.”

“So, as I was saying, I mean, as I was asking, you know Ed’s house right?”

“Yes, I know the place. Why?”

“You should come here as fast as you can, you’re missing out on a lot of fun!” he said excitedly.

“I don’t think I can go, dude. Someone just blocked my way. I’m hanging up now, enjoy the party.”

"Huh? What do you--"

I hang up the call before he can ask too many questions.

I rolled down the window of my car upon seeing that the motorcycle is still blocking my path and leaned my head out of the window.

“Hey, dude, can you please move over?” I shouted to the driver but he still wouldn’t budge.

I hit the horn of my car consecutively but it doesn’t move an inch.

I observed that he took a phone from his pocket and hop down his motorcycle after hanging up a call. He walked in the direction of my car, he is wearing a mask and a black cap so I couldn’t see his face.

“Come with me, Erwan Fuenter.” He said he speaks those words slowly but I noticed the way he emphasized my name.

Wow, how did he know my name? Is he some kind of stalker or something?

I shut the engine of my car and get off to face him.

“Who are you?” I asked, getting ready to punch the guy in case he makes a mistake.

“Dr. Mavero sent me here, he wants to talk to you.” My eyes narrowed a bit in suspicion, why would Dr. Mavero sent him when I’ve just been in his house, not a long ago.

I threw him a questioning look.

“He’s right there.” He pointed an SUV Fort expedition across the road and gestured me to went there. I saw that same SUV on the parking lot of Dr. Mavero’s mansion so I believed the guy and walked over to the SUV, still throwing him a doubtful look from time to time.

I opened the door of the car and saw Dr. Mavero sitting inside. I heaved a sigh of relief and  I greeted him. He gestured me to hop on the car.

 “Erwan, there’s a reason why I am insisting on this engagement.” He started before I can even ask the reason why he invited me here.

“What is it, sir?” I asked and sat on an empty seat beside him.

“I want you to keep an eye on my daughter.” He turned to look at me, his expression tells me that what he is about to say is very important.

“Shane is in danger.” He continued, his voice sounded more serious now.

I looked at him in a confused way so he continued.

“Running a business is a very complicated matter, Erwan. It’s a very large industry and we can meet different people there, sometimes we meet a friend, but most of the time, we create enemies. There’s this business opponent of mine who is taking vengeance because his business go bankrupt and he blamed me for it because I canceled our partnership due to a very rational reason. It’s only a matter of time before he puts Shane in danger, so I want you to take care of her.”

Ah, so this is the reason why he wants to continue the engagement knowing the fact that his business won’t benefit from my mom’s company. I breathed deeply and close my eyes for a second before I speak.

This is my opportunity to help my mom in her business so why will I hesitate to do it?

“Sir, if you promise to save my mom’s business, then I promise to keep an eye on Ms. Croven’s safety.” I offered.

He laughed and patted me on the shoulder.

“You sure is a wise man, Erwan. I did not make a wrong choice in choosing you.”

“Choosing me?” I asked with curiosity written all over my face. He choose me? Does that mean that there are other candidates too? Huh, I can’t believe this old man, he should have just hired a bodyguard to keep her daughter safe instead of arranging an engagement that will just obviously make her loath him even more.

“I’ve been watching you Erwan, and I figured that I can trust you to protect my daughter.” He said and smiled at me.

I don’t know what it is that he saw upon me and made him chose me to be his daughter’s fiancé, but I couldn’t honestly care less. All that matters is I can somehow help my mom.

“So sir, what can you say about my offer?” I asked shamelessly.

“I assure you that the business of your mom will not suffer bankruptcy. All you have to do is to watch out for my daughter. ”

"I will be more than happy to do that."