"You don't have to answer now. Take time to think about it. But don't make me wait too long. Your reply will decide whether I stay or leave."
Kevin said. His voice sounded serious. He wasn't joking. He might have even let it go if they hadn't met today. Maybe it was fate that arranged this meeting.
"I don't understand. Why is my reply the deciding factor?" Leena tilted her head and stared at him. She was confused. They barely knew each other. It was too early to talk about stuff like this.
They slept together once, but it was just drunken sex. He was a complete stranger to her before today. It was a little weird for her to hear his sudden but serious proposal. "It doesn't matter. Do you want to marry me? That's all you need to worry about." Kevin's eyes watched hers. He didn't know a lot about this girl. Maybe this was a bad decision.
She wore designer clothes and accessories -- obviously she was from a wealthy family. His father would be happy about that. But she was very young. Could such a young girl endure the dull life of a soldier's wife? To be honest, he wasn't sure.
"Why should I consider it? Do you really think there is a happy ending for a loveless marriage?" Leena said and wrinkled her little nose. Although joking and laughing all the time, she was very serious when it came to the important stuff.
"Look, give it some thought, okay? This matters a lot to me. Is there a happy ending for us? We can always figure that out after we spend enough time together, right?" Kevin had ulterior motives for this, though. If he and Leena got married, he'd have a good reason to stay in the city. His father would have to abandon his plan of recalling Kevin back to the capital city. And the capital city was far away from Daisy.
"OK. I'll think about it. By the way, what do I get out of this?" Leena joked deliberately, trying to break the tense atmosphere.
"What do you get? A lot. You get freedom. No one watching you like a hawk every second, no one making sure you behave yourself, no one forcing you to do something you don't want to. And I promise I will never divorce you." Kevin said with a smile. His smile was sad, heartbreaking but beautiful, which intrigued Leena greatly.
"Really? No one telling me what I can or can't do anymore?" Leena was tempted by the idea. Freedom was highly important to a fashion designer. She needed enough time and space for her work and loads of well-known fashion shows. He made the idea of marrying him sound really attractive. She would have total control of her time.
"Yes. But you'll be lonely. I'm always busy and won't have much time for you. I might be away for months at a time, for military exercises or missions. Is that cool with you?"
Kevin didn't try to hide this from her. It would be better for her to get a clear picture of her future before she made the choice.
"Wow! Really? I get that much freedom? OK, Kevin. When I get back home I will think it over." Leena's eyes sparkled wickedly. She could get herself a handsome hubby, and shrug off the watchful eyes of Mr. Cold. It sounded like a good deal to her. What's more, she always put soldiers on a pedestal. If she married Kevin, she would be an honorable army wife.
"Well, remember what we talked about. I'll be waiting for your answer. And I really hope it's what I expect." Kevin was relieved. He was hoping she'd say yes. It was her first time after all, and as a soldier he felt responsible. It takes two to tango. What's done was done, he would face it head-on.
"That's a lot of pressure. But I'll give you a good answer." Typical Leena. She always had her head in the clouds and lived in a fool's paradise. So she easily fell for the dreamy picture of married life Kevin painted.
"Well, tell me, when will I know? Tomorrow?" Kevin liked to strike while the iron was hot. If she thought it over too long she might back out. He wasn't going to leave things to a girlish whim.
"Well… What's the rush? Tomorrow? Isn't that too fast?" Leena laughed drily. Was she really going to marry him in secret? Mr. Cold would have her skinned alive when he found out.
"Isn't one night long enough for you? Or do you want to let me know right now?" Like all other outstanding men, Kevin could be strong-willed and aggressive sometimes. "Er… How about the day after tomorrow?" The man had a talent for manipulation, Leena realized. He was even more cunning than her. She only just agreed to consider it, and then he set a deadline without her consent.
"OK, the day after tomorrow. But when I get your answer, we marry at City Hall. Agreed?" Kevin asked, smiling wickedly. He was good at the cat and mouse game. Anyway, they would get married in the end.
Leena was instantly petrified at how things had developed so far. This man was a fox! And she had been outfoxed by a fox. In such a short time! One moment she said she would think about it, the next moment he was going to register their marriage. Seriously?
"So, have you decided? What's it gonna be?" Kevin looked down at her face with a lazy smile.
"Is it ok if I choose the later date?" Leena was just stalling for time. At worst if she backed out, he couldn't bother her at home, right?
"All right, I'll be waiting at City Hall that day. Remember to bring all necessary documents with you and If you don't show up, there is no second chance." Kevin deliberately tried to appear decisive and ruthless, cutting off her retreat. He was afraid Leena would get cold feet at the last minute. He would get what he wanted.