FLASHBACK
One night fifteen months ago, Evelyn got back from an outing to a surprise dinner date in the house from Martin. She was astonished when she saw how luxuriously decorated the dining was; she didn't know how to react. She was overwhelmed.
" Have a seat," Martin said as he pulled out the chair for her to sit.
" What is this all about?" She asked, looking surprised.
" A dinner date," Martin said with a smile.
" What are we celebrating?" Evelyn asked, looking at the table.
" Must we be celebrating something before we can have a date?" He asked, still smiling.
" No, but I'm just surprised, nobody has ever given such a good treat, so I'm overwhelmed." She said with a smile.
" Well, I'm doing that now, and I'm happy to be the first person to do this for you," Martin said.
" Thank you." She said with a broad smile.
" You're welcome, let's eat," Martin said, opening the dish.
He served the food and they began to eat;
" Ummmmm...… it's delicious. Did you make it? Evelyn asked, smiling.
" No, I didn't, I ordered it, you know I suck at cooking," Martin said in laughter.
" Bad cook," Evelyn said and they both laughed.
" Really?" He said, still laughing.
Martin opened the bottle of champagne, and poured it into the wine cups, he said;
" Let's cheer!" Raising his cup.
" Cheers!" They chorused.
" What a nice wine you've got here," Evelyn said with a smile.
" Thank you," Martin responded.
" So, Martin, come out with it. I know there's more to this dinner date. You can't tell me it's just a dinner date; I know there's something you want to say." Evelyn said softly.
" Wow! You're so smart. There's truly something I want to say." Martin said, nodding his head.
" I knew it, ok...… I'm all ears." Evelyn said as she dropped her wine cup on the table, concentrating on Martin.
" Evelyn, will you be my woman?" Martin said, looking into her eyes.
" What! I was expecting that." Evelyn said, looking astonished.
" I know you weren't expecting it, but I can't hide my feelings anymore; I've fallen deeply in love with you, Evelyn, and I can't help it anymore," Martin said, holding her hand.
" What are you saying? What about Helen, what's going to happen to her?" Evelyn asked, looking confused.
" Don't worry about her, I can handle her," Martin said.
" What do you mean you can handle her? You know, she wouldn't take it with you when she finds out, right?" Evelyn said softly.
" Who cares? Who brought me into this whole mess in the first place? If she had married me, I wouldn't have found you and fallen in love with you." Martin said, looking away.
" She hired me for you. Don't you get it? I can't betray her like that. By the way, I signed an agreement of 'no strings attached'; how can I go against that?" Evelyn said as she took away her hand from his.
" And who are you breaking the rule for? Me, right? So you have nothing to worry about. If Helen loves me like she claims she wouldn't have hired you in the first place. At this point, I'm just expecting the unexpected because I know anything can happen at any time from now on, and I'm fully ready for it." Martin said.
" It's not about you, it's about me. I can't bring myself to finally give love a chance and then end up getting hurt; no, I don't want that for myself. I'm just a poor orphan trying to survive, I got myself into all of these because of my mum, and where is she today? She's no more; she couldn't make it alive out of the theatre room. Is that the biggest betrayal ever? I got myself into a dirty deal to save her yet she couldn't fight for her life." Evelyn said, almonds tearing up.
" I know all that you went through, I saw everything, and I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I can't say it was in vain because you still have a half payment waiting for you after three years. Even if you don't get divorced, you will still have your money because it's not to act as someone's wife for three whole years. Even after the person that made you take the deal died, you continued, so you must be paid for a job well done." Martin said and sipped his wine.
" If you say so, but I still can't get into a relationship with you," Evelyn said, looking away.
" Helen will… … … … … … …"
" Enough with Helen talking! Where's she now? I'm sure she's on a vacation in a country where only God knows. Is that what you can do in a relationship? A woman who leaves after I've given her enough money and comes back to me after she's squandered everything and she continues like that, if I were to be your brother, would you advise me to be with such a lady." Martin asked with a straight face.
" No, I wouldn't," Evelyn said, shaking her head.
" So, what are you saying? Evelyn, let's be together; everyone already knows that you're my wife, so let's make it real. It won't be bad to experience love after marriage, right? I'm sure you must have that statement somewhere, why not try to also experience it yourself." Martin said and winked.
" I don't even know what to say, because I don't know what I feel for you," Evelyn said.
" Don't worry about that; with time, you'll fall in love with this dude standing in front of you, I promise," Martin said.
" Hey, get down from your high horse, I don't fall in love easily, so I won't be an easy catch to you, you know?" She said, smiling.
" Is that what you say to yourself? Are you sure you haven't fallen for the guy already?" Martin said smiling.
" You wish," Evelyn said and laughed.
" I love you so much, Evelyn," Martin said as he stood up from his seat and walked up to her.
She kept staring at him without saying a word till he stood before her, she was dumbfounded. Martin held her hands, lifting her from her seat; he pulled her towards him, and he looked deep into her eyes. Soon, they locked lips, they kissed so passionately… … … … …
A heavy knock on the door brought Evelyn back to reality, she stood up from the floor and reluctantly opened the door.