Two days passed quickly as Arielle pondered on whether to accept Xylan's proposal or not.
Arielle has also been experiencing sleepless nights due to a reoccurring nightmare of the times she was kidnapped by Mr Everest's men.
She dreamed she couldn't do anything to stop him and always waked up screaming, she never feel asleep afterwards no matter how hard she tried.
She was tired and fatigued which made her even more on edge because for four days, she hadn't seen or heard from Mr Everest but he wasn't the type of man to back off so easily. It was as if he was watching her, biding his time, waiting for the right time to corner her again.
What he might do next was unsettling and she feared without help from someone, she wouldn't be able to protect herself.
Xylan's proposal seemed even more appealing but thought he wouldn't come back and found someone else for it when he didn't show up all morning.
Just as Arielle had given up all hope, he walked in, exactly 12 in the noon, the same time he came two (2) days ago.
"You came back Mr Xylan!" Arielle chirped, her happiness to see him went unmasked.
"Of course I would. I gave you my word I would and I never go back on that." he responded dismissively, but Arielle's heart was jumping from joy.
His presence subconsciously brought her peace and joy, she hadn't realized it yet but she had calmed down a bit.
"Should we head to your office?" He asked but made his way over without given confirmation.
Arielle hurriedly went in front of him and opened the door for both of them.
"Do you want some tea or coffee?" She asks but he shook his head.
He stared at her, his gaze intense again but Arielle pretended not to notice.
"Mr Xylan, about your proposal…" she trailed off.
"Yes, give me your answer." Xylan urged.
"I agree, I will marry you." Arielle announced, giving her gaze to him. Their eyes locked, but Arielle didn't break contact this time.
"A wise and favourable choice." A satisfied smile spread across his face. He was smiling for the first time in front of Arielle and she was flushed.
She suddenly forgot what she wanted to say and stared at his clean shaved face, his sharp jawline and his kissable pink lips.
She gulped down, pinched herself to focus on their conversation.
"I agree but have conditions of my own." She walks over to her desk by the corner of the room and brought back the contract Xylan gave her last time.
She had scribbled on it, writing clearly her own set of rules and conditions.
Arielle agreed — but under the conditions that there'll be no emotional involvement.
She wasn't marrying for love so she certainly doesn't want to act like she was. It would be fake and exhausting for her.
Second condition is she'll keep her art gallery. She doesn't want to stop making art because of marriage otherwise her entire life would be pointless. Art was her only comfort and solace in the world.
Thirdly, they'll have to keep their public appearances minimal. She hates socially especially in events where everyone is just trying to show off their wealth and status.
That was a scene she'll actively try to avoid because she doesn't fit in. She has no wealth to show off and good she doesn't because she could see how silly and fake it all it.
After stating all her conditions, she turned to Xylan. She didn't rule out the possibility he'll reject her conditions and see them pointless so she had already prepared a mental speech to defend her decision, but things didn't go as she expected again.
Xylan agrees without hesitation, and without a hint of reluctance. He seriously accepts her terms.
"You don't think I'm being unreasonable?" she asked surprised.
"I respect your wishes and I'm grateful to you for accepting my proposal. I'll have the document remade so we both can sign." He responded curtly.
Arielle nodded as Xylan slides the contract to himself and keeps it safely in his briefcase.
"You said you wanted your wedding urgently? When is the wedding? How soon will it be?" Arielle as out loud. She wished she asked this before agreeing to the contract marriage but thinks it's okay whenever.
"We'll set the day together and plan it together. We may not be a regular couple but we should at least prepare our wedding." Xylan answered.
Arielle thought that what he said made sense.
"How about we meet up but in a more appropriate place and discuss this?" Arielle suggested and Xylan immediately agreed.
"We could have lunch or dinner together and talk to know more about each other." His suggestion left Arielle speechless.
He was practically proposing a date but she tells herself not to read too much into it.
He was right, they had never talked about their selves and it'll be very necessary for when they stay together.
"Alright, that sounds plausible. I'm free tomorrow the entire day so tell me when you will be and we can grab a meal together whilst planning."
"What restaurant would be suitable?" Arielle pondered out loud.
"I will inform you over text." He stretched out his hand towards Arielle, his hands firmly gripping his phone, "Put in your number."
Arielle did as she was instructed and after that, Xylan stood up and left as if he was in a hurry.
Arielle sigh and slumped down on her sofa, the intense air finally subduing but as he left, she remembered her unsafe predicated and wished he didn't leave.
She rushed after him but like last time, he vanished and she couldn't find him anywhere.
Arielle sighed as she watched the few people in the street walk by, "What have I gotten myself into?" she wondered out loud.
She went back to her canvas and replayed what happened over and over again in her head.
She agreed to marry someone she met only twice, background unclear to her and they were going on a date the next day to plan their wedding.
Although she was quite confident in front of Xylan, she wondered if things weren't going too fast?
That night, Arielle is haunted yet again in her dreams by Mr Everest.
She dreamt she was in her studio, lost from the world when ten men suddenly grab her away. She screamed and begged for mercy, but nobody could save her.
Beads of sweat formed all over her face and she trembled from her sleep.
Just like he did in real life, Xylan suddenly showed up and beat them to a pulp for her.
This was the first time he's appeared in her dreams and she was very happy to see him.
She was undoubtedly calm after his arrival and felt safe and secured. Her uneasiness washed away, and the nightmare faded into nothingness.
She had a goodnights sleep afterwards, something she hadn't had for the past few days.
The next morning, Arielle recounted the nightmare she had and how it's the same as before expect Xylan showed up.
He was like a ray of sunshine in an endless tunnel and remembered how safe and peaceful she felt. She was unsure of why she feels safe with someone she barely knows.
They're not even married nor had a proper conversation with each other. The most they've talked is when he came to propose and even that wasn't long yet… and already, she's dreaming about him.
She hoped she made the right choice and he wasn't a creep like Mr Everest but decides to trust in him.
She'll find out more about him when they meet up and she sets her mind to ask many questions. Comforted by that, she got out of bed and prepared for the day.