7

I didn't even know what to think about what was happening right now, but Alexander is actually a person whose attitudes I don't understand. For one moment he is in a bad mood and for another he comes and hugs me.

“What's the matter?” I murmured, pulling away from his embrace. I still haven't forgotten what he was about to do to me a while ago and to be honest I don't want to be near him right now.

“Forgive me.” He broke away, looking me in the eye. Maybe he was sincerely apologizing but Right now I don't want to apologize.

"Alexander, no..." I stood up and walked away from him, "...I don't want to talk to you right now, please understand me."

“You're angry, I know, what can I do to make you forgive me? I do whatever, Mariela.”

“Forget it. I don't forget the things you do to me and if every time you get angry and break some of your rules you'll do the same to me, I don't want to forgive you. You Know? Most of my life I have been a free girl, who expresses what she feels. And just because I'm with you I won't live in fear if what I say is wrong or not. That's not right," I sentenced. The kitten finished eating and now he is taking a bath.

“Oh and I want to sleep in another room.”

“Mariela, no... we'll get married, we can't sleep apart.”

“You will take your ex-girlfriend to the honeymoon, Alexander, don't ask me that. I crossed heather indignant. It's better that way, everyone doing what they have to do. I will be your wife only for paper and in front of people but once we cross that door we will be two strangers. I want my room.”

"I don't accept it," he denied, "Don't tell me that, Mariela."

“Well, I wasn't the one who decided. If you'll excuse me, I'm sleepy.”

"No..." He took my arm before I left. “Wait... it's okay, Natasha won't be going to the honeymoon.”

"Thank you, how kind you are," I replied sarcastically.

“I'm serious. I won't be with her either while you're married to me, Mariela, I'll respect you.”

I frowned.

"Will you respect me?"

“Yes, Mariela” he took me by the face “I wanted to do things with you that... I was wrong, I'm sorry. I promise not to try to punish you again as long as you don't want it, I won't see Natasha again and neither will any other women. Let's make this as quiet as possible.”

"And the contract? Why would you do something like that? And what makes me think you'll keep your word?”

“Trust me.”

“Meow,” Cookie meowed, skidding across Alexander's feet.

"Will you accept cookie to be part of this family?" I wanted to know.

His face lit up.

“Family… yes, I accept it.” He took the cookie in his arms and caressed it “it's all for you, Mariela.”

I was wondering why Alexander began to bow down to me, why he acted as if he loved me... I swallowed hard at the thought of that possibility. It's impossible, he barely knows me. But when I met him he was rude, however, he was always aware of what I thought or felt. It's strange.

“But tomorrow we'll take him to the vet for a checkup.”

“Alright.” I smiled. We went up to the room to sleep now. And Cookie also slept with us.

•

The afternoon had been hectic in Alexander's office, but we finally managed to get out and head to the vet with the little kitten we had rescued a few days ago. Despite the hectic work, seeing my future husband so dedicated and loving to the animal made me feel very happy. We entered the clinic and were greeted by a friendly receptionist who guided us to the waiting room. There we sat together on a comfortable sofa while we waited for our turn to be served. Alexander was gently stroking the small cat that was purring quietly on his lap. "Don't worry, friend," he told him affectionately as he tickled him behind the ears. Finally our turn came and we entered the office together with the cat. The vet examined him carefully while we watched anxiously from behind. "Good news!" the doctor finally said. "The kitten is healthy as an oak." We breathed relief at those words since we didn't know if they would have any problems due to the difficult days they spent before finding it. Alexander smiled broadly and looked at me tenderly:

"I'm glad to hear that." He then he took out his wallet without hesitating to pay the doctor all the corresponding fees for having checked the pussycat. We left the place together feeling a certain inner peace after knowing that everything was going well.

It was evident to me how much Alexander loves those moments where he shows the most tender and protective side of him.

"Let's go to a nice place for dinner," Alexander told me, to which I nodded. We walked through the illuminated streets of the city while talking about our lives and what had led us to this moment. I realized that Alexander was a very special person, always willing to help and make others feel good. We finally made it to the restaurant, an elegant place with dim lights and soft music. We sat at a table near the window where you could see the starlit cityscape. While we enjoyed the exquisite menu, we kept talking about all kinds of topics. We talked as if we had known each other for years, although in reality it had only been a few days since we had started seeing each other. The night passed slowly but surely until it came to dessert.

“I want to give you something” When I opened the box I saw a beautiful ring with diamonds set in white gold shine. My eyes filled with tears as he took my hand to put the ring on me saying, "Will you marry me?"

I couldn't believe it, I thought that these things weren't necessary since he had simply decided to buy me out of hand, so what was the point of asking myself? I don't understand. However, I couldn't say no because there were people watching the scene and I had to keep the image, and that was probably why Alexander had done it. So, with a forced smile on my face and a lump in my throat, I said:

“Yes I’ll marry with you.” But inside I was confused and scared. Did I really want this? Or was it just to keep up appearances? When we finished eating we went home.

“Why you did it?” I wanted to know “about the proposal.”

"Because it was necessary," he answered dryly.

“I figured.”

I looked at the ring on my finger and took it off because this marriage was nothing but a lie. I couldn't marry someone just to maintain a public image. I had to be honest with myself and face the consequences of my decisions. I returned the ring to Alexander and told him that I could not accept it. He was furious, but I knew it was the right thing for me.

“You still have to wear it, Mariela, tomorrow please go buy your wedding dress. Take it” he gave me a credit card “Spend what you want, there are no limits.” With that said, Alexander lay down to sleep.

.

The next morning I woke up a little late, Alexander had already gone to work, this time I didn't even wait for me to have breakfast. I looked for my clothes and changed, I have to go downtown to find that wedding dress. But something inside me told me that this was not the right thing to do. I didn't want to marry Alexander, I wasn't in love with him and I knew that if I accepted his proposal I would only be cheating myself. However, I had no choice, I took a taxi and went in search of that wedding dress. As I walked through the downtown streets, my mind kept spinning. How could I have accepted Alexander's proposal? Why had I said yes even though I knew I didn't love him? I got to the store and started looking for the dress. But as I was looking at the different models, a voice in my head kept saying that this was a mistake. I found several pretty dresses and wanted to try on almost all of them, but none of them made me feel special.

I felt like I was lying to myself and cheating on Alexander. I bought one that I really liked, it was very expensive but Alexander had told me that the card had no limits. When I bought it I got home and put it away, when I went down to the garden I found my kitten playing with the flowers so I sat next to him and petted him.

“I wish everything was different, Cookie.” I said “But at least I found you and it's the only thing that has been worth coming here.”

My cell phone rang in a call, I didn't know the number but I decided to answer just in case.

“Hello.”

"Do you think you got away with it?" asked someone from the other end.

"I don't know what you're talking about, who are you?" I wanted to know.

"Don't you guess? I think you and I need to talk.”

Her voice seemed familiar to me, so I tried to remember where I had heard it... of course, that shrill voice was unrecognizable.

“Natasha.”

“I'll wait for you leaving the office, there are a couple of things about Alexander that you have to know. In an hour, Mariela” she said that she ended the call.