After the meeting concluded, Emil and his father, Joseph Salvador, shook hands with Jesse, and Lazarus escorted them out.
As Jesse made his way out of the private room, he was drawn to the captivating sound of a young girl's voice. The sonorous melody seemed to mesmerize everyone in the vicinity. It was then that Jesse realized that the angelic voice he was hearing belonged to Xsmyv.
He stood there, utterly taken aback, as he watched Xsmyv perform on stage. Her voice carried through the crowd, lifting their spirits and creating an enchanting atmosphere with its intense sweetness. Jesse found himself unable to look away, captivated by the mesmerizing performance of the woman he had met just moments ago.
Xsmyv concluded her performance with a gentle, low note, leaving the audience in awe. The crowd rose to their feet, applauding her splendid performance.
Jesse, who had been watching the performance from upstairs, smiled. As the applause continued, he decided to leave the private room. He reached for his phone and dialed Bovi, his personal chauffeur.
"Bovi, I will meet you outside; please bring the car to the entrance," Jesse instructed
As Xsmyv went into the staff room to retrieve her small bag, she received a text message from her friend Cecilia. The message informed her about an audition for Star Films tomorrow. Star Films are producing a historical movie based on the King and the Ballard novel. Xsmyv had read the novel and was particularly drawn to the character of Tuyo, who played the ballad in the story. She believed that this role could be a perfect fit for her, as it would allow her to showcase her acting and singing talents. The opportunity excited her, and she began to make plans for the upcoming audition.
Xsmyv stepped out of the club and paused when she saw the handsome man standing by his car with his hands in his pocket. She couldn't help but wonder, "Could he be waiting for me all this time?"
Jesse noticed her and motioned for her to come closer. He had come up with an outrageous idea to address his mother's insistence on his marriage, and it involved Xsmyv.
Xsmyv, with a sense of curiosity and perhaps a hint of apprehension, walked toward him. She spoke resolutely, "Sir, like I said earlier, I will not look for you to seek compensation for what happened."
Jesse chuckled and opened the car door for her to enter. She hesitated for a moment, looking at him, before deciding to get into his car.
Jesse followed her, signaling for Bovi to exit the car. With Xsmyv now seated beside him, Jesse wasted no time in getting straight to the point.
"I need a wife; marry me," he stated, taking Xsmyv by surprise.
She was taken aback by this unexpected proposal. "I'm sorry, sir, you don't know anything about me. We've only just met through circumstances," she responded, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Jesse, undeterred, continued, "You have family issues, and I can support you. I have a rough idea of what's going on in your family, and I'm sure that's why you walked right into the road without looking. I'm also sure you have nowhere to go."
Xsmyv was utterly surprised by his words. How did he know about her family situation and her current living situation? She had recently graduated and returned home, but with her uncle in a coma, she had no access to the family company. Her aunt and Shante had made it clear they would not let her enter, and she felt trapped. She needed work to earn more money for her uncle's surgery, especially once he regained consciousness. Jesse's proposal was unexpected and presented her with an opportunity, albeit a highly unconventional one
As Xsmyv entered into deep thought, Jesse observed her closely, confirming his intuition about her family situation. He couldn't help but wonder about her past and what had brought this bright girl to this point in her life.
While contemplating the situation, Jesse decided that, for him, marrying Xsmyv might be a more straightforward and efficient solution than embarking on a series of blind dates as his mother had proposed. To him, it was a matter of obtaining a marriage certificate rather than an emotional marriage.
"If you agree, we can go get our marriage certificate immediately," Jesse proposed, his tone serious and his intent clear.
Xsmyv was taken aback and couldn't help but express her frustration. "Is marriage a joke to you?"
Jesse replied, "No, it is not. That is why I am making this offer to you."
Jesse couldn't deny that he had his own share of personal experiences with relationships. He had been in a serious relationship years ago but faced a significant disappointment when his girlfriend broke up with him and left to pursue a modeling career in Paris. Her departure had occurred at a difficult time for him, following the loss of his father, and the impact had been profound.
"Can I get back to you on this tomorrow?" Xsmyv asked.
Jesse agreed, "Yes."
As she stepped out of the car, she realized she didn't have Jesse's contact information. She looked at the luxurious car and the man inside, feeling a sense of disconnection. She knew he was in a different league from her. While she had been pampered by her parents and cared for by her uncle, this man seemed to be from a wealthy family with deep roots in Ligalia. She couldn't help but wonder about his background.
Instead of asking for Jesse's number directly, she approached Bovi, his chauffeur. "Sir, I will contact you through your driver," she informed Jesse, deciding that this was a more practical way to keep in touch.
Jesse didn't object, and Xsmyv left, her mind filled with questions about the man she had met.
Jesse decided it was time to head home. He asked Bovi to drive him back, his body reflecting the fatigue of the long day. He leaned back in his seat and placed his thumb on his forehead, perhaps reflecting on the unusual proposal he had made earlier and the events that had unfolded. His thoughts remained hidden, known only to him, as they drove away from the bar where he had heard Xsmyv sing.