The awkward tension in the room made Anastasia avoid eye contact. She gulped, then looked around the room. She just realised the whole interior of the room had changed. It was different from what she remembered—new furniture, a different layout—everything seemed to be new.
'When did he change it?' she thought in her head.
"So, Miss Anastasia or can I say my honey," Daniel smirked, his tone clearly playful, "care to explain?"
"Aaa… sorry?" Stunned by the sudden question, Anastasia stuttered, trying to find her footing. "I'm really sorry about what happened over the phone earlier. I couldn't explain more because... well, it's a private matter. But all I can say is, thank you for helping me."
"If I say, thank you is not enough for my service…" Daniel said with his eyes watching Anastasia's expression, "What will you do for me?"
She let out a laugh of disbelief. "What do you mean, Mr. Daniel? I told you, I am sorry, my personal problem somehow ended up interrupting you, but are you implying that I should do something for you?" Anastasia furrowed her brow slightly.
Daniel raised both of his hands. "Whoa, relax. I'm joking." He smiled, trying to ease the tension. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, Mr. Daniel. Thanks for your concern." Anastasia pursed her lips, feeling awkward. Daniel wasn't the type to joke. From day one as her boss, everyone knew he could barely manage a smile—it seemed like his lips had been botoxed.
"Actually, I'm totally fine with acting like your boyfriend," he added after a moment of silence between them.
'Did he hit his head before coming here?' Anastasia's eyes widened at the thought. She couldn't wrap her head around Daniel suddenly joking—of all people.
"I knew you must be thinking I hit my head somewhere, right?" Daniel chuckled, catching her off guard. He rarely laughed, let alone guessed what she was thinking. Anastasia quickly waved her hands, her instinct to deny kicking in before she could even find the right words.
"No, no, of course not!" she stammered, but he didn't seem convinced. His usual, serious expression softened just a bit, but it was still strange to see him acting like this in Anastasia's eyes.
"But honestly, I need your help too..." he said, his tone suddenly serious again.
Anastasia tilted her head in confusion. This was getting weirder by the second. What kind of help could Daniel possibly need from her?
"Let me explain," he continued, noticing her puzzled expression. He leaned in a little, lowering his voice like he was about to share a secret. "I need a bride, like, instantly..."
Anastasia blinked, sure she hadn't heard him right. Was he really saying what she thought he was saying?
Before she could even start to form a response, Daniel raised his hand, gently signalling her to listen first. "I know it's quite absurd and sudden," he added, acknowledging the shock on her face. "But I wouldn't ask if it wasn't urgent."
Anastasia's mind raced, trying to catch up with his words. A bride? Urgent? The whole situation felt surreal, and yet, the way he was looking at her was so serious and desperate, it made it impossible to ignore.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Daniel. I don't think you can joke around with marriage." Anastasia still couldn't believe it. She was sure he was trying to prank her or something. The sudden and weird request made her deny that it could be real.
"Do I look like I'm joking? Seriously, Anastasia, I really need a bride." Daniel's expression grew more intense as he spoke, his usual calm demeanour giving way to desperation. "My parents are pressuring me to marry someone I don't even know, and it's all happening so fast. I'm stuck in a situation where I don't have a choice. And I know this might sound completely out of line and sudden, maybe even ridiculous, but I really need your help."
He paused, searching her eyes for any sign of understanding. "I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't desperate. I've run out of options, and you're the only person I can trust with something like this. I know it's a huge favour, and it might put you in an awkward position, but I really don't know what else to do."
The long explanation still couldn't quite register in Anastasia's mind. She blinked, trying to process it all, but it just didn't make sense. "Me? The one you could trust?" Her voice was laced with disbelief. "Or, Mr. Daniel, perhaps you think I'm just as desperate, so you came straight to me?" Her gaze sharpened, eyes narrowing as she tried to figure out what was really going on.
Daniel didn't answer right away. His mind was racing, searching for the right words to salvage the situation. He had done well so far, and he couldn't afford to mess this up now. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Yes. I'm sorry if I offended you, but this could benefit both of us, don't you think?" His tone was calm, almost persuasive, as he tried to make her see the logic behind his desperate request.
"Why? Why do you think so?" Anastasia's voice was sharp, clearly offended. "Mr. Daniel, just because you helped me with a situation before, you think you know the whole story?"
"No, that's not what I meant," Daniel said quickly, realising he had pushed too far. "Ah... okay, I'm sorry. I know I'm crossing the line. You can just forget what I was saying earlier." He tried to play it cool, sensing that pushing further might ruin his chances entirely.
Anastasia's breathing quickened as she struggled to keep her anger in check. Suddenly standing up, she said, "If you don't have anything else to say, I'm going to leave now."
Daniel took a deep breath. "I'm really sorry." He stood up, but before he could say anything more, Anastasia turned and walked out the door, leaving him standing there with a look of frustration and regret. The door closed behind her with a soft click, and the room was instantly filled with a tense silence.
"Ah, damn it! I think I ruined this!" Daniel muttered to himself as he flopped back into his chair, the weight of his frustration pressing down on him.