The Proposal

Chapter Two: The Proposal

Simeon leaned back in his chair, tapping a pen idly on his desk, a small, amused smile playing on his lips as he replayed the events of earlier that day. It was hard to believe it had actually happened. He had been the recipient of a proposal—but not just any proposal. A proposal from a complete stranger.

He couldn't help but have a chuckle to himself as he picked up the card Elizabeth had handed him. It had been ages since he'd had one of these days.

Karin, his longtime secretary, tapped lightly upon his office door and made her way inside, a fresh cup of coffee balanced upon the tray in her hands. Her eyes always seemed to be on alert for when her boss required a break, and this was beginning to seem just about one of those days.

Coffee, sir?" Karin asked, setting the mug on his desk as her warm smile fell on the glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. Long enough had she been around Simeon that it needed no spelling when something struck a particular note with him.

Simeon looked toward her, still with an amused look on his face. He reached for his coffee, playing with the liquid in his cup while leaning back in his chair with an air of relishing something in his mind. "You won't believe what happened today," he said, leaning forward, his voice so full of intrigue.

Karin raised an eyebrow, setting her purse down on the side table. "Oh? Do I need to brace myself for something strange?" She had seen her fair share of odd happenings around Simeon's life.

Simeon let out a small laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "I didn't expect it myself. A woman—an unknown woman—proposed to me today."

Karin's eyes went wide. "What? You? Married? To a stranger? Simeon, are you serious?"

Simeon leaned back into the backrest of his chair, still amused. "Dead serious. I was just about my own business down on the street when, out of a corner somewhere, this woman came up and asked me, looking at me in that face, to marry.

Karin couldn't help but burst out laughing. "She proposed to you? Just like that?"

"Just like that," Simeon confirmed, his lips curling into a wry smile. "Of course, I tried to back away, but she wouldn't hear of it. She was in a. state, let's say. In fact, she practically shoved her engagement ring onto my finger.

Karin laughed loudly as she shook her head. "That's insane! I mean, who does that? You must've thought it was some kind of joke.

"I thought so, at first," Simeon replied, still smiling. "But there was just something about her. She wasn't laughing. She wasn't joking. Desperate, but in the way that you would think: This woman is either out of her mind, or there is more to this than meets the eye of a spur-of-the-moment type of decision.

"Alright," Karin said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "So, what happened next? You didn't just go along with it, did you?"

"No, of course not," Simeon said, shaking his head. "I told her it was crazy, that I wasn't some kind of rebound. But… she was insistent. In fact, she was downright convincing. I couldn't help but admire her courage, even if it was totally misplaced." He paused, his fingers absently tracing the edge of the desk. "I don't know, Karin… there was something about her. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on."

Karin raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Sounds like you're kind of intrigued. You going to track her down? Make sure this isn't some kind of elaborate prank?

Simeon looked up at her, his expression abruptly serious. "I don't know if it's some kind of prank, but I want to hear more about her. She had guts, Karin. And something more-something below the surface. There's just no way in hell someone does something like this for nothing. I need to know why she did this and who she is, really.

Karin's teasing smile faltered a little at the change in Simeon's demeanor. "You're really serious about this, aren't you?"

"I don't waste my time on things that don't interest me," Simeon said, matter-of-fact. "This woman-she's different. I want to understand what's behind that impulsive decision. I'm not going to let this go.

Karin nodded, suddenly feeling this wasn't a whim with Simeon on its way out. "Okay, then. What would you have me do?

Simeon reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the business card Elizabeth had given him. "I want you to get me everything you can about her. Use this." He handed her the card, which read Elizabeth Hastings, Marketing Director, Hastings and Co. "Find out where she works, her family background-anything you can dig up. And make sure it's thorough. I need to know everything."

Karin took the card, examining it closely before slipping it into her bag. “I’ll get right on it. You’re right, there’s something strange about this. But you’re really going to contact her, right? This isn’t just… curiosity?”

Simeon's eyes locked with hers. "I told you. I want to know her. Not just because of this insane proposal, but because there's something about her-something I haven't figured out yet. I want to know what drives her, what makes her tick. I want to know if there's more to her than just this spontaneous act.

Karin smiled knowingly. "Alright, I'll track her down. And don't worry, I won't let you down. You're going to get more than you bargained for, Simeon."

"Good," Simeon said, his voice steady, his gaze unwavering. "I'll be waiting for your report."

Later That Day

Karin's phone rang just as she was leaving the office. It was a call she had been waiting for-the results of her search.

She answered on the first ring, her voice ringing with anticipation. "Karin speaking."

"Simeon," the voice at the other end said, deadpan. "I've got all that you wanted on Elizabeth Hastings."

"That quickly?" Karin asked, raising an eyebrow. "You don't waste any time, do you?"

"Well, when you know where to look, really, it doesn't take very long," the voice at the other end said. "An impressive résumé she has-head of marketing for a well-known company, good education, well-placed. But that is not all there is to her. She's had a pretty bad time lately-her relationship ended on a pretty bad note, and it seems like she's been trying to get back on her feet. There's this feeling of, I don't know, emotional chaos around her. It's not like a random proposal, I think; there's more at play here.

Karin listened, nodding. "I see. Well, I've got enough now. Time to put things into motion. I'll contact her soon, just as you asked."

"Good. Keep me posted," Simeon said, hanging up.