Bitter Marriage: The Missing Gleam in Their Eyes

“Hi.”

When the man approached her, Angel looked at her in confusion. That man shouldn't be here. With an all-black suit, slicked-back hair and an incredibly elegant look, he should be out there with those classy guests.

However, lost or somehow, the man was able to find his way here. In the back room near the barn where Angel packed flowerpots and various kinds of plants, as well as several sacks filled with soil with her employees to be loaded into their pick-up truck.

“Are you lost?” Angel asked quietly, and then brushed the dirt off her shirt.

She lifted some of the fertilizer earlier and it hit her clothes. Her appearance must have been very smelly and messy, but the man didn't seem to care. He flashed an unbelievably sweet smile.

“I purposely went to the back, to find out who was behind the beautiful plants that made an open garden party for my company a success."

His company? Okay, so this guy is the owner of the company who happened to hire them, to provide plant stock for the famous garden decorators who graced the company's fancy outdoor garden parties.

“I supply plants to the specifications your decorator asks for and he has high standards in determining what types of plants he should put up front. The beauty of the party decoration at the front is purely because of your decorator's golden hands.” Angel smiled modestly.

Meanwhile, the man narrowed his eyes disapprovingly. “No, my decorator won't work if you don't provide high-class plants. I'm even still amazed by the beauty of the colorful orchid varieties that adorn the front of the garden.”

“Orchids are one of our mainstay greenhouse products.” Angel's eyes sparkled; her eyes always sparkled when she talked about orchids. She grows the plant and takes care of it with her own hands, like a mother who waits lovingly for her baby to grow and become a beautiful teenager.

“And definitely cared for with all your heart.” The man threw a praising look that made Angel's cheeks turn red. Then he stretched out his hand. “Anyway, I'm David Marveon, owner of Vone Enterprises. My friends call me Dave.”

Angel welcomed the man's outstretched hand, fascinated. “Angel Sarah,” she answered in a low, doubtful voice.

The man seemed to be speechless, but then one of his employees appeared behind him. From their conversation, Angel heard that an important guest had arrived at the party ahead. The man then gave her an apologetic look.

“I'm sorry; actually I still want to talk to you, maybe later on another occasion.” He gave a polite smile then turned around and left Angel.

Angel unconsciously took a deep breath. The man's aura seemed so intimidating that she subconsciously held her breath with a pounding heart. He was a handsome man and certainly incredibly rich. Vone Enterprises is a well-known palm oil plantation and processing company, they have developed themselves into a producer of packaging products made from palm oil.

“Angel, is it all?” her co-worker and best friend, Jim, woke her from her daydream. “If everything is done, we can go home now.”

“Yes, all done,” Angel answered quickly, then shook the dirt and fertilizer back from her clothes, and climbed into the passenger seat of their pick-up car.

Jim followed after and started the car, heading back to the girl's house.

Angel's house is a tiny house located in a cold and hilly suburb, but has a very large yard. There, she continued to care for and develop all the plants in her mother's greenhouse. The greenhouse is large, with a wide variety of beautiful ornamental plants and flowers. Orchids are the most abundant species there, because orchids are her mother's favorite flower.

After graduating from college in the field of agriculture, which supported her hobbies of caring for plants and growing crops, Angel focused on developing her greenhouse business.

At first, it was hard, because her mother used to sell orchids and ornamental plants from her greenhouse only to her friends. However, since her mother died, Angel has tried to develop it, with the help of Jim, her best friend since childhood who has a talent in marketing.

They offer an exclusive and quality supply of plants to all parties.  In the end, some big hotels, restaurants and famous boutiques receive their constant supply all the time to decorate their places and always take plants from them for the gardens that are there.

Angel's business is growing not only because of selling her greenhouse plants, but because of also supplying beautiful flowers for hotel decoration. In addition, she also received tenders to supply plants for certain events, such as for wedding decorations, parties and so on.

Therefore, now she and Jim were even able to hire a few employees to help them.

As now, they are accepting tenders to supply plants ordered by renowned plant decorators, to decorate an exclusive outdoor garden themed party organized by Vone Enterprises.

Angel did not expect that the owner of the company itself met her because he was amazed at the plants produced by her greenhouse. Her cheeks flushed red at the thought of Dave's smile, but then she patted her on the cheek, trying to wake herself up. Dave was praising the plant, not praising her, she reminded herself.

***

“Hello again, Angel.”

Angel almost jumped and dropped the plant pot she was holding. She turned and gaped at Dave standing there, at the entrance to her greenhouse.

The man still looked unsuitable because he was still wearing an elegant black suit that fit him snugly, as if it had been tailor-made for him.

What is that man doing here?

“I was at the front and met… your boyfriend and he said I could meet you here. I have a business offer I want to make to you.”

“Jim is not my boyfriend,” Angel immediately corrected Dave's words, making the man raise his eyebrows meaningfully. “And if it's a business offer, you can talk to Jim.”

That's indeed true. When it comes to tenders and so on, Jim arranges everything. Angel only served according to her passion, providing beautiful and quality plants, enjoying every moment she could spend in this greenhouse.

“I've discussed the initial draft of the business deal with Jim, but I still wanted to see you, because he says when it comes to plants you're the best.”

“Okay then. What plant would you like to discuss?”

“Can we talk over dinner? Just an informal dinner, you and I talking casually about our business and food selection.”

In the end, Angel accepted the offer, and unexpectedly the meeting led them to subsequent meetings, which brought them both closer.

***

“I really enjoyed spending time with you.” Dave looked at Angel tenderly when they had dinner together on the weekends.

It had been almost three months since they had been in touch, since business talks continued with five-year contract tenders from all of Dave's company branches, where all their office and garden decorations are supplied by Angel's greenhouse, they became very close.

It could be said that almost every day after work, no matter how late, Dave always stopped by and then they had dinner together. They fit perfectly in all conversations, whether it's about serious things like the country's political issues, to casual things like movies and music. Every moment they were together was so much fun and felt so fast. When they parted, Angel already longed for their next meeting.

At first, Angel never thought that Dave had more feelings for her; she thought he was interested in her greenhouse crops and their business deal. Then Jim teased her, saying that if Dave was interested in a business deal he could just send one of his employees or secretaries to arrange it. He didn't have to come alone, let alone invite Angel to dinner almost every day.

It's been three months now that they've known each other, and they're very close and know each other. Like Angel, Dave also has no father. However, Angel's mother died of illness, six months ago, while Dave still has a mother who is said to live in the suburbs in their family's big house. Dave himself owns a house in a luxurious complex in the middle of the city.

Tonight, for some reason Dave seemed mysterious, the man was very quiet and not as full of jokes as usual. When they got to the diner, he had arranged a sumptuous formal dinner, unlike the casual dinner they usually had every night. Now the man was looking at Angel with serious and hopeful eyes.

His voice as he spoke was hoarse and soft. “I love you, Angel, you may not believe in love at first sight, but I feel it. The longer we spend together, the more confident I feel. I want to take care of you, Angel, I want to spend my life with you, grow old with you.”

The man took out a black box from his coat pocket and then opened it in front of Angel who was gaping in shock. “Angel Sarah, I love you. Will you honor me by marrying me?”

Angel's eyes widened in shock when she saw the sparkling diamond ring in that box. She turned her eyes to Dave, seeing the seriousness that radiated there.

“Oh my God, Dave, are you serious?”

Dave nodded his head with a gentle smile. “I love you, Angel.”

“But we… we haven't known each other for long….”

“It won't take long to recognize your true love,” Dave answered firmly. “If you accept this proposal, you will make me the happiest man in the world.”

Angel swallowed her, his feelings churned. She also loved Dave, of course. Their togetherness has grown the seeds of love that are getting stronger and stronger, and Dave's proposal really makes her happy.

Her eyes suddenly felt hot, tears of joy crammed into the corners of her eyes. Angel swallowed her saliva, and then took a deep breath, making the most important decision in her life.

“Yes, Dave, I'm willing to marry you.”

The man closed his eyes with relief, then kissed Angel's fingers gently.

“Thank you, Angel,” whispered Dave hoarsely in love.

***

The woman was sitting in a wheelchair, with empty eyes, in the dim darkness of the room. The atmosphere of the room was luxurious but quiet.

Then the door opened and a man entered the room, the man gently knelt in front of the woman's wheelchair. Wearily he rested his head on her lap, closed his eyes and said nothing.

The woman's fingers moved, caressing the man's head, though her eyes remained blank staring ahead.

The atmosphere is so sacred and solemn… an atmosphere of great closeness and affection.