The decision Danish made created tension in the room; his mother was strongly and vigorously against it. Standing on her feet, she harshly defied Danish's decision of marrying the woman who was just no more than an ugly woman in her eyes.
"I won't attend your wedding if you are adamant to marry this ugly uneducated spinster." Her hand pointed out to Luna who was just locked in silence.
Her humiliation erupted like a bomb in Luna's ears. Her heart was in pain to the point that she wanted just to run from the people there and never returned. Her face had turned red in embarrassment. Drowning her chin deeper to her chest, she withheld the tears pooling in her eyes. But for her, crying before other people was just a shame. She crumpled the lace of the dress she was wearing to strengthen herself.
Not only did Sandra's insult affect Luna personally but it also drove Grandma Li to scold her own daughter rudely. She could no longer tolerate what her daughter did to Luna as it had crossed the line. Her sarcasm talked more than her anger.
"Your agreement doesn't matter in this case. Either you accept it or not, the wedding has been fixed," grandma Li asserted. Sandra lost her words, then her knocking shoes led her away and faded along with her disappearing body. "I have set the best date for your wedding."
"What about having the engagement before the wedding, Grandma? You once said that we have to know each other first, right?"
"That's a food idea. So, the engagement party will be held in a week from today." Luna craned her neck and directed her shocked eyes toward Grandma Li who just got back to her food. That girl's urge to voice her objection wilted even before she unlocked her mouth since Danish accessed.
His warm act elicited her suspicion. One day ago, this man tricked and trapped her in a dangerous place collaborating with his girlfriend but today he suddenly decided to accept their marriage plan. He might have an ulterior motive. Staying alert was a must for her.
***
The dialogues between two people took place in front of the library on the top floor; Luna spotted them from afar. The Li family established this house with a small library inside it.
Sandra was debating against her son, Danish Li. Luna didn't want to steal what they were conversing yet their roaring voice bombarded her ears with arguments that spurted out of their mouth in turn.
"Are you serious with your decision to marry that ugly woman?" receiving a nod from her son, she fumed in anger. "Are you crazy? What do you think you are doing? You want to spend the rest of your life with the woman you never loved." the level of her tone got higher.
"Do you think I have a choice,Mom? I have to do this for the sake of grandma."
"Of course you do have a choice! I'll talk to your grandma and beg her to cancel this stupid plan."
"No… you know exactly that will be useless." That woman was supposed to take a step away but Danish restrained her. "Mom…. This is my life. Leave it with me."
That was the last thing Luna heard before she got inside her room. Danish's last words baffled her as she caught the corner of his lips curled in a fishy smile.
What was it he planned this time after the abduction that night?
To evade speculation more about Danish's next plan, Luna busied herself with job hunting. She should find a job that suited her educational background.
Scrolling down the screen of her mobile phone, she searched for job vacancies as a waitress in a restaurant or in a bar. That profession would fit her the most with her qualification as a senior high school graduate.
Her eyes enlarged in excitement to find one. She abruptly contacted the number they provided in the ads. The person who picked up her phone informed her that someone had filled that position.
As a tough woman, Luna didn't give up on failure. She tried and tried again until someone offered a job as a waitress in a small restaurant but with a lower salary.
She excitedly prepared all the requirements to apply for the job they asked. It didn't take so long as she just needed to send her CV.
At least her activity could help her escape the bitter reality she was facing. But, when all was done, grandma's Ana's and Danish's face circulated back into her mind which pushed her to the cliff of her sadness once more.
***
Grandma Li looked at her in disbelief when she asked her permission to go out to send her job application to the small restaurant. It was not because she didn't approve of her work but that the restaurant where she would work was located in the outskirts, too far from the city center let alone their house.
Luna bit her lips in full hope, waiting for her approval after she implored her many times. That woman checked her documents out, and flipped them, thinking of whether or not to give her a chance.
"Alright…. You may go but the driver will drive you to the workplace and pick you up everyday." In shock, she nodded her head in agreement.
Getting outside, the driver was ready. That middle aged man genially greeted her as usual. Before Luna slipped inside the car, she handed her a letter. It was just a folded white paper. When she unfolded it, bad handwriting forming several lines of sentences garnished a smile on her lips.
Dear Ms. Yang,
Thank you so much for everything. Now I know what an angel looks like.
Best regards,
Xiou Feng
PS.
My sister is hospitalized in Beijing General Hospital. I would be pleased if you could spare your time to pay her a visit. She always asked me about you as she wanted to meet and thank you in person.
Luna couldn't stop the tears from trickling down her cheeks which induced a question from the driver. He was worried that she might just read the news.
"Please take me to Beijing General Hospital before leaving for the restaurant." He just ducked his chin in obedience even though he got no answer for his question.
Before getting into the car, someone grasped her shoulder harshly. Simper in discomfort, Luna was astounded, Danish was straightening up before her eyes.
"I just want to emphasize one thing. I accept this marriage not because of you but my grandma. So, don't expect too much from this fake marriage. You have started the war since the beginning. You must be ready for whatever the risk you may bear." He turned his back on her but as if he forgot important matters to tell, in a flash he spun toward her. "One more thing, I never planned or hired someone to kidnap you."