"I think, we will plan the wedding when you love me," He responded to me boldly. I put on my best poker face to hide my shock, it should have been easy considering the things I see in the hospital on a daily basis, but I still let out a twitch of my eye this cobra snatched on to in an instant. "You know, a marriage isn't real without love, isn't it?" He continued.
What the hell is this sicko going on about love? He was the one who wanted to marry me first before he ever met me. What does he know about love or decency? My own parents do not even understand simple appreciation. I was pushing my heel so hard into the ground I thought it might break at my frustration.
"Love? How will you know that though? Even couples married for years fall out of love or commit adultery," I said in the most ration tone I could hold my voice to. I put my hair behind my ear, trying to see if any little flirtation tips I saw other women in college talk about would be enough to get this weirdo off of my back.
He sat back into his chair silently, swirling his dark red wine into his glass. He picked up the bottle and examined it, saying to himself "1912," before pouring it into his glass and taking a large drink.
"1912?" I responded in confusion. It was the age of the wine of the bottle, but not related to the conversation at all.
"You know what happened in 1912 correct?" He spoke to me in a slightly condescending tone
"The sinking of the Titanic?" I responded, hoping it would be enough to satisfy him. This man makes my head spin like something else.
"Correct. You are one of the top doctors in the world for a reason, even if it was slightly unjust, but I digress," He spoke to me, staring to see my reaction to his words. I felt my face flush with anger but I was unable to do anything about, it since it is very clear my parents already told him about my little secret so I couldn't back out of this marriage so easily. I had suspected as much, I better find a good lawyer for this situation.
After I did not respond for a while he continued with his strange lecture. "The Titanic movie is one of the best love stories of all time. The characters know each other for a short time, but people can feel the love through their screens. I believe, even we analytical folks, can feel when someone will love us. Only then, will we plan our wedding, but until then, I don't plan to let you go either," He spoke to me with a possessive undertone that made my skin crawl. No one has ever spoken to me like this and it made me unsure of everything I thought I knew going into this dinner.
"But why me? I just don't get it, why do you have to blackmail me into love?" I responded quietly. Nothing made sense with this man, and knowing my defeat, I just lowered my tone.
He repositioned himself, uncomfortable at the question again. He took another drink of his wine and looked away from my eyes. "Maybe we can discuss that another day," He said quietly.
After a few moments of silence, unknowing how to go about this new arrangement, I decided it would be best to be clear on what was to be expected going forward.
"How are we going to fall in love?" I said to him. The uncertainty in my heart led to me feeling like I couldn't catch my breath as my head wanted nothing more than to rest. All I saw was his smile as he passed a contract towards me titled "Contract Marriage,".