Chapter 18.2

After he dropped off Tina, he hurried to drive back home. On the way, he thought about what she said.

"He didn't like me that way, and I liked him as a friend also. No need to feel threatened. Plus, he might be married. I haven't seen him for a while."

"Also, you are my man. You should have confidence in that!"

Over these past months, he had been hinting marriage to her, but she brushed off that topic. He thought that the issue with Martha was the reason why she was avoiding the topic, but that wasn't it. The main reason, after learning from Lina, was her parents.

Growing up, she watched them love passionately and fall out gradually. It wasn't that she didn't believe in marriage, she just wasn't ready to have a future like her parents. She didn't think she was capable enough to handle a failed marriage.

After learning about this, he restricted himself from bring up the topic. He'd only mention it casually every now and then, and she'd brush it off casually every single time. He thought that she'd be assured after spending time with his family, and it did work, but not enough to alleviate her fear of a broken home.

Was he rushing this marriage thing? This question had lingered in his mind for a while now. Maybe if he let it go and just date her with peace of mind, marriage would come naturally.

But then, since he got to know Tina better, he already took her as his wife. Since the first time she came to his company, he instructed everyone to call her Madam whenever she stepped foot in the company again.

After visiting him three times, she avoided coming anymore because the employees refused to change the way of address. How was he to convince this girl that he was capable of protecting her forever?

Upon his arrival, he called for an emergency meeting.

"How can I confess to Tina to make her want to marry me?"

He looked helplessly at his mother, grandmother, and father.

"Son, we've thrown so many hints her way that I don't believe she doesn't understand. You might have to expend more energy than normal to get your wish fulfilled," Mrs. Strider told Jeff truthfully.

She also wanted to see Tina become her daughter-in-law, but she also understood that Tina had to be brave enough to single handedly make the choice. She understood all these, and that was why she felt even more sorry for her son. He had his work cut out for him.

"Your mother is right. With Tina, we all have to be patient. You also need to give her a strong sense of security and let her know that she can depend on you at any time," his father added.

If only Tina was there to listen to all of them, she'd laugh until tears flowed out from her eyes. All they talked about was Jeff giving and giving. Was she just expected to receive and receive without giving anything back?

"To the best of your ability, speak out your mind. Let's stop with the hints. Bear it all before her. What if she doesn't want to get married now because it's too early? Then you'd need to ask yourself. Are you willing to wait?" Sia said as she patted her grandson.

"Of course, we are all in a hurry for you to settle down, but we'd never let our hurriedness destroy your happiness. Do whatever you feel is right. We are right behind you," she added.

The meeting didn't last for long before he went to his room to consolidate his thoughts. If Tina didn't want to rush, he was very okay with that. After listening to his family, he had come to a realization.

The issue wasn't the proposal, it was whatever Tina thought about it. If her parents' marriage was her guide, forget about a wedding, the proposal might not even happen.

So, to make this work, he needed to tackle the root of the issue; her parents.

For the past four months, Mr. Lawrence hadn't made any significant improvement. It was expected. A hurt of more than 10 years cannot be healed in just months. The only notable change was Mrs. Lawrence's willingness to scold Mr. Lawrence.

Usually she just ignored him everywhere, but now, if he did anything unpleasant, she would not hesitate to scold him. Because of her reaction, it became a habit for Mr. Lawrence to ruffle his wife's feathers.

While in the midst of thinking of a plan for his soon to be father-in-law, Jeff received a call from his girlfriend. It was their normal routine.

"Ready for bed now?" he asked as he picked up the videocall.

She nodded in reply as she yawned.

"I'll be meeting with Jerry tomorrow. Do you still want to tag along?" she asked as she rested her head on her palm.

"No. Just make sure you don't get too close to him. Maintain a physical distance of 3ft at all times. Don't shake him, wave at him. Don't hug him, wave at him. Don't laugh too much while reminiscing. Don't smile at him too much. Be friendly but not too friendly. No goodbye hugs. No goodbye hand holding. A simple wave would do."

He gave her his list of instructions with an absolutely serious face that his girlfriend ended up laughing more than she listened.

"I'm being serious here," he said in a low growl.

"Yes sir," she saluted him through the little screen.

"I miss you," she said after a while of just staring at his face.

"So, let's get married, so I can see you anytime. We'll miss each other less because we'll spend more time together," he put on his best puppy face.

The little woman didn't say anything. She just smiled at him as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Should he laugh or cry?