The Marriage proposal

Chloe stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the wrinkles on her blouse for the third time. She wasn't nervous because she liked Adrian. She was nervous because this meeting had to end everything.

Today, she would make him give up on the arranged marriage.

After taking a deep breath, she grabbed her handbag, hailed a cab, and headed to the café Adrian had chosen.

She arrived nearly fifteen minutes early.

The café was warm and quiet, filled with the smell of coffee and soft music. Chloe sat near the window, her eyes constantly drifting toward the entrance. She checked the time on her phone again and sighed.

"Why is he taking so long?" she muttered, tapping her foot against the floor.

Just then, Adrian walked through the entrance.

His phone was pressed against his ear as he tried calling Aria one more time. The call went unanswered. He frowned slightly before slipping the phone back into his pocket.

The moment he saw Chloe, his expression softened.

"You came."

Chloe folded her arms. "I didn't come because I wanted to. I came because we need to talk."

Adrian pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down casually.

"I'm listening."

Chloe didn't waste time.

"What happened on the blind date shouldn't have happened. I don't want this marriage, and I don't want you to misunderstand my actions."

Adrian rested his elbows on the table.

"So you're rejecting me already?"

"I'm rejecting the marriage."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Is there a difference?"

"Yes." Her voice became firm. "Marriage isn't something I joke about. I can't marry someone I've only met once."

A faint smile appeared on Adrian's lips.

"You keep saying we've only met once."

"Because it's true."

He leaned back comfortably.

"Then explain something to me."

Chloe looked at him.

"Why did you ask me to get a room with you that day?"

Her eyes widened immediately.

"What?"

"You said we should get a room."

Chloe covered her face for a second before letting out an embarrassed laugh.

"Mr. Blake, that wasn't what I meant at all."

"Really?"

"I was trying to avoid getting caught. You completely misunderstood me."

For the first time, Adrian looked slightly surprised.

"So I misunderstood."

"Completely."

A brief silence settled between them.

Chloe stood up and picked up her handbag.

"Now that we've cleared it up, I'll leave."

She had barely taken two steps before Adrian's voice stopped her.

"Sit down."

She turned around.

"No."

"I'm not done talking."

"But I am."

She walked away from the table.

Adrian stood immediately and followed her out of the café.

Outside, Chloe descended the staircase leading to the parking lot. She heard footsteps behind her.

"Aria."

She stopped but didn't turn around.

"What now?"

He caught up with her.

"Let's get married."

Chloe spun around so quickly that she almost lost her balance.

"What did you just say?"

"I said let's get married."

She stared at him as though he had completely lost his mind.

"Do you think marriage is that easy?"

"No."

"Then why do you keep asking me?"

"Because I chose you."

His answer came so naturally that Chloe didn't know how to respond.

She shook her head.

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."

"No, you don't."

She tried to continue walking, but Adrian stepped in front of her.

"Then give me a chance to know you."

Chloe folded her arms impatiently.

"And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

"We'll go on ten dates."

Her mouth fell open.

"Ten dates?"

"Yes."

He looked completely serious.

"That's ridiculous."

"Why?"

"Because I already told you I don't want to date you."

"You said you don't want to marry a stranger."

He took one step closer.

"So I'll stop being a stranger."

Chloe blinked.

"I'll take you out ten times. Talk to you. Learn what you like and what you hate. After that, if your answer is still no, I'll accept it."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Who negotiates marriage like a business contract?"

"I do."

His confidence irritated her.

She rolled her eyes.

"You really think you're that charming?"

A playful smile crossed Adrian's face.

"I have plenty of strengths."

"Oh really?"

"And I'm very good at many things."

His voice dropped slightly, making the words sound more teasing than serious.

Chloe felt her cheeks grow warm.

"What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

He only smiled.

Flustered, Chloe turned too quickly and missed a step.

Her foot slipped.

A small gasp escaped her lips.

Before she could fall, Adrian reached forward and caught her around the waist.

The world seemed to pause.

His arm held her securely while her hands instinctively rested against his chest.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them spoke.

For a long moment, the noise of the street disappeared.

Chloe could hear nothing except the rapid beating of her own heart.

Adrian looked at her quietly before speaking.

"I'm confident that if you give me those ten dates, you won't look at another man."

His voice was low and calm.

Chloe immediately stepped away from him.

She straightened her clothes, avoiding his eyes.

"Don't be so confident."

"I'm rarely wrong."

"Well, you're wrong this time."

She pointed a finger at him.

"Listen carefully, Mr. Blake. I'm not interested in dating you. I'm not interested in marrying you. And I hope today's conversation is the last one we ever have."

Without waiting for a reply, Chloe walked down the remaining stairs and disappeared into the busy street.

Adrian stayed where he was, watching her leave.

Instead of looking disappointed, a slow smile spread across his face.

"Ten dates," he murmured to himself. "I'll make you agree."

Chloe never looked back, unaware that Adrian had already decided he wasn't giving up on her so easily.