Leaving the receptionist area, Ashlyn walked towards the table were her blind date was waiting for her.
'Please God, let this not be worst than the others.' She prayed silently as she was only a table away. She could not imagine how it would end if this one was worst or rather she just didn't want to imagine.
'Pull yourself together Ash, you're doing this for mum. All you have to do is seat down there quietly, smile and listen to anything he says like you care.' She said inwardly trying to build up her resolve and give herself a reason for accepting this situation.
Finally getting to the table, she stood at the front of Mark. "Hi!" She said gently with a smile.
Mark Ruckus, a man of average height, lean body, brown eyes that matches his brown hair. He was wearing a black German suit well fitted and exuded an air of sophistication. From his appearance, he could be said to be in his late twenties or early thirties.
With a smile, Mark extended his hands for a shake. "Oh my! I guess today must be my lucky day having such a beauty before me." He said and his words creeped Ashlyn more.
'I guess as the line continue I'm going to meet worst ones.' She said in her head. Though she was having an uneasy feeling about this, she still couldn't do anything. All she could do was wait till this hell was over but now the problem was how long was she going to stay in this hell. Oh! yes, the answer was obvious— till she finds someone to marry which she doesn't think would ever be possible.
Accepting Mark's handshake, she tried to hide her irritation of her present situation by successfully putting on a sweet smile. "Thank you for the compliment." She said.
"Please have your seat," Mark said in a gentleman manner and ushered her a seat which Ashlyn accepted and sat down opposite him.
Immediately Ashlyn sat down, Mark signaled for the attention of the waiter. "Good afternoon sir. What can I get you?"
"I'll have whatever she wants to have." Mark said and the waiter turned to Ashlyn waiting for her to make an order.
Hearing Mark's words, Ashlyn mused in her head, "Is he trying to impress me? Ah! so lame." Before speaking out, "I'll take just a cup of cappuccino please." She gave her order and the waiter looked back at Mark for confirmation if that was what he really wanted too.
Getting a slight nod from Mark, the waiter left to go get their orders.
"Won't you take something else?" Mark asked immediately the waiter left.
"I think I should be asking you that." Ashlyn responded trying to act polite.
A light chuckle escaped Mark's lips as he heard Ashlyn words. He's a lawyer and has been on different cases where he interrogated lot of people with different attitude and from his experience he could tell Ashlyn voice carried a mixture of irritation.
Weighing the situation, he could tell she wasn't happy with this setting and wasn't interested just like how he was before or probably right now too. A day ago when his father had told him about the arrangements, he wasn't interested just like Ashlyn he had no time for love but now seeing Ashlyn, his idea changed.
He was a type of man who had no time for women because of his last relationship. It was during his college days in his second year, he had fallen in love with a woman that their relationship was somewhat known to the whole school since he was a popular guy known for his looks, brains and money.
He was the most popular name on every ladies lips in school but all his focus were on getting good grades and carrying on his family law firm not until he met her. The woman that made his heart beats louder and faster, the woman of his dreams so he thought.
He had wanted their relationship to grow and eventually erupt into them becoming one union but just as they say, 'somethings are not meant to be.' After seven months of dating, he found out that she was only faking her love for him and had someone else she was dating. When he confronted her, she lied about having an outside affair till he caught her red handed.
Since then, he locked his heart and became cold towards any woman that showed interest in him, seeing all women as the same ungrateful beings until now.
Maybe he only had a little determination not to fall in love because he was broken before and saw all women as scum but right now, he already found Ashlyn interesting.
Was it really the way he put it in his head? Or was he finding her interesting because he could see through her fake smile? Was he only interested in Ashlyn because she wasn't interested in him? Of course that was his answer. He was finding her interesting because of her lack of interest.
Before coming here, he had made a plan to make this date his last date ever. He was ready to get married to whoever his date was wherether he likes her or not and of course it was the latter but not withstanding, he had a plan in mind.
He had thought of going into a contract marriage with whoever she was so his father could let him be, but now, observing this woman at his front, he couldn't have been more lucky. It would be easier for them to come to an agreement.
Thinking of a way to start up a conversation that won't get shut down by this woman at his front, he began, "We both don't want this, right?"
Ashlyn, confused by his question, she looked at him with raised brows.
"I was forced here by my father and you if I should guess, it was the same thing." He said
Understanding his words, Ashlyn removed her fake smile and put on a straight face. She had not expected his words but here it was. "Let me guess, he used his health..."
Hearing Ashlyn words Mark chuckled, "Yes, that never gets old." He said and Ashlyn smiled.
Who would have thought that both of them were in the same predicament? Now Ashlyn could feel relaxed. She wasn't interested in him and so was he, now her date could actually go smoothly without any akward moment for her.
Clearing his throat, Mark called, "Ashlyn." His voice was both calm and serious.
Looking at him, Ashlyn gave him her attention as she waited for his next words.
"Let's get married." His words finally came and it struck her hard with confusion.