Isabella sat uneasily in an outdoor café on the rooftop of a five-story building. She looked around at the beautiful decorations of lights and classic-themed furniture, and of course, the many customers enjoying their meals while chatting with family, lovers, or friends.
All of this made her feel stifled and envious because her life was so bleak compared to theirs. No parents, lots of debt, a boyfriend who hadn't proposed, and now she had to deal with a contract marriage that seemed to trap her.
"I shouldn't follow this path too closely; I need to have a plan, a big step with risks I've already considered," she said with a serious look in her eyes until she spotted Joe approaching her casually, wearing gray jeans, a white t-shirt, and a blue jacket.
"Hey ..." Joe smiled with his eyes sparkling. "Sorry, I kept you waiting... I had to shower first because I was sweating!" he explained as he sat down comfortably.
"It's okay," Isabella replied curtly, her face expressionless.
"I'm really surprised you asked me to meet again; I thought you were mad since you didn't want to listen to me before," Joe said with a sheepish smile, anxiety visible on his face. "I apologize for burdening you with my inability to understand your situation. I should have supported you in every way so you could solve your problems easily," he continued, looking down.
Isabella rubbed her forehead. "Why are you saying that?"
"Nothing... I... I just..." Joe shook his head with a slight smile, biting his lower lip, and then glancing back at Isabella. "I just realized why you didn't agree with my plan... because I couldn't convince you of my abilities... and maybe I don't have the ability." He sighed harshly and turned away.
"This is very difficult... If only I were born a rich or lucky man, I wouldn't let my girlfriend have to sell herself to another man just to pay off debts..." He shook his head, looking back at Isabella. "I'm sorry... I can't help you... I'm useless!"
Isabella was stunned, seeing the sadness in Joe's eyes, making her feel sad and questioning her plan to leave him just because he had never talked about marrying her.
"I won't ask you to leave him," Joe said anxiously. "Even though it's hard... I'll try to get used to being without you, even let you be with him. After all, it's just a contract marriage and he's paralyzed and helpless..." He smiled thinly again.
"I shouldn't worry, right?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. "I know you're loyal to me... I know you won't be tempted by him... He's not better than me because I'm stronger and I can... I can do many things even though I don't have much money," he continued, laughing as if to console himself.
Isabella took a deep breath, suddenly dizzy with doubt and regret, then reached for Joe's hand.
"Joe..." she looked at him intensely. "I'm... I'm sorry that I have to continue my duty as Hunter's wife... I don't mean to disappoint you... It doesn't mean I don't love you..."
"I know," Joe said before Isabella could finish. He smiled and reached out to caress his lover's cheek. "I already knew because it's something very impossible... Many risks you have to bear if you end your marriage..."
Isabella was silent.
"And I'm thinking of the benefits you'll get by completing your task," Joe said.
Isabella frowned. "Benefits?"
"Yes... Of course, you will get benefits." Joe raised his eyebrows, slightly leaning his body towards Isabella. "If you become his wife as stated in the contract letter, you will get three hundred thousand dollars, right? You can use that money for business... to start a business."
"Business?"
"Yes... Maybe you can have a business so you won't have financial difficulties in the future," Joe explained with a smile.
Isabella smiled faintly, but inside she thought, 'he wants me to start a business because he doesn't want me to have financial difficulties again. Does that mean he will always let me work? Doesn't he imagine that one day we'll get married and I'll be a wife who will always be at home waiting for her husband to work? Doesn't he want to be my husband? Has he never thought like that?'
"I... I will try hard not to bother you," Joe said again.
"So... you prefer to let me go for money," Isabella whispered with a disappointed look, suddenly recalling Hunter's words that Joe wasn't a good man for letting her marry him.
Joe shook his head. "Not like that, honey... I."
"It's okay," Isabella cut in before Joe could finish his sentence. "Thank you for understanding my situation. Besides, I'm the one who has to be responsible for my life and my problems. You don't deserve to interfere... because you're just a boyfriend... you're just a boyfriend..." she continued with a faint smile, unable to hide her disappointment.
"I'll help you if I can," Joe replied.
"It's okay..." Isabella pulled her hand back. "Besides, it's not too sad. I'm happy... I mean... when else will I live in wealth, in a luxurious house... I don't have to work hard for three months!" She pretended to be excited.
"That's brilliant... you can use those three months to think about a new business, relax... rest. I'm sure taking care of a paralyzed man isn't too tiring, especially since you said he's kind."
"Yes, that's right, it won't tire me out," Isabella replied with a fading smile, looking at Joe who seemed unwilling to help her or have plans for the two of them, making her more determined to try seriously with Hunter. "But... our relationship must end..."
Joe frowned.
"Hunter knows that I have you as my boyfriend. He was very angry and thought it was an insult to him... He wants me to be his wife without also being your girlfriend during our marriage," Isabella explained.
Joe remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.
"I hope you understand, and don't worry because we have love... Isn't a bond of love better than a status?" Isabella asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes..." Joe nodded and then bit his lower lip, looking at Isabella with full doubt. "But... I... I can't refuse your request... if that's the best for you and will keep you safe, I'll accept all your decisions. I don't want him to be angry and hurt you or even not give you the money... That would be very bad," he said nervously.
Isabella just nodded, observing Joe's movements.
"Don't fall in love with him," Joe said.
Isabella chuckled for a moment. "You're always afraid I'll fall in love with him... Even though you know that won't happen, you know he's a helpless man... So I can't fall in love with him. Instead, I'm worried that while I'm away from you, you'll be tempted by another girl..."
Joe immediately laughed and shook his head.
"Why? Is it possible that it will happen?" Isabella asked.
"No... no baby..." Joe shook his head and then grabbed Isabella's hands and kissed their backs. "That won't happen, who will fall in love with a poor man like me?"
"Me..."
"Yes, only you, because you're a good girl and love me sincerely..."
"What if there's another girl who sincerely loves you, and admires you because you're handsome and strong?" Isabella asked with a cynical look. "I think it will be very easy for girls to fall in love with you... especially since I'm not around you anymore," she continued, then exhaled harshly.
"Now I'm doubting your loyalty!"
"Honey..." Joe sighed, looking at Isabella with frustration. "That won't happen. I'll always wait for you... I'm yours, okay... You have to be calm... We'll still be able to meet when you don't have to take care of Hunter. I'm sure... You can do it!" he reassured her, furrowing his eyebrows.
Isabella was silent, but her heart said, 'How can I trust you? You don't even plan a future with me... Maybe you're planning to let me go... You must feel troubled being my boyfriend!'