2 chapter: meet up again

A bright, warm day in the heart of the city. The sun shone mercilessly, casting long, menacing shadows across the concrete jungle. The air was thick with the stench of exhaust fumes and the constant hum of human activity. Amidst this chaos, a peculiar sight caught the eye of a curious bystander. There he was, standing tall and confident, his jet-black suit perfectly tailored to his athletic frame. His chiseled features were adorned with a dapper smile, revealing a set of perfectly aligned, pearly whites. His hands were nestled comfortably in his pockets, a cigarette dangling casually from his lips.

As people bustled past him, lost in their own lives and worries, he remained unperturbed, his gaze fixed on a specific target. A young woman, dressed in a simple white blouse and a pair of frayed jeans, sat at a small, weathered table outside a quaint cafe. She stared blankly at the tabletop, her mind somewhere else entirely. Her short, raven hair fell in curls around her shoulders, framing her delicate face. A single tear traced a path down her cheek, unnoticed by the crowd around her.

The man approached her, his confident stride barely faltering despite the uneven cobblestones beneath his feet. "Excuse me, we meet again ," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I couldn't help but notice your beauty, despite the gloom that seems to surround you." He gestured to the tear on her cheek. "Is everything alright?"

The young woman looked up at him, surprise etched on her features. "It's none of your business," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man smiled gently. "You're right, I apologize. But I can't help but feel drawn to you every time. Maybe it's fate. Or maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic." He took a step closer, his voice lowering. "Look, I know you're going through something tough right now. But I want to help you. I want to make things better."His tone was sincere, his expression genuine.

The young woman studied his face for a moment, trying to gauge his intentions. He didn't seem like the type of person who would normally show concern for a stranger. But something about him was intriguing. "Well," she said slowly, "it's not like I have anything to live for anymore."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Is that so?" he asked, leaning forward slightly. "And what would you say is the reason behind that?"

She shrugged, looking away. "It's complicated."

He nodded, understanding. "Life has a way of making things complicated," he said, taking another drag from his cigarette. "But you never know what might happen. Sometimes, all it takes is a single moment of clarity to change everything."

She looked at him skeptically. "What would you know about my life?" she asked, her voice laced with bitterness. "You don't even know me."

He chuckled softly. "That's true, I don't. But it's not like I'm trying to pry into your personal affairs. I'm just offering a different perspective if you're interested. Maybe things don't have to be as bleak as you think they are."

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. There was something about this man that made her feel both uncomfortable and strangely intrigued. "What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice steady despite the sudden fluttering in her stomach.

He smiled gently, his expression sympathetic. "I want to help you if that's what you need. And if it's not, then I'll respect that. But I can't do anything unless you tell me what's going on."

She hesitated, debating whether or not to trust this stranger. He seemed genuine, but that could be an act. Finally, she decided to take a chance. "My name is Sally," she said, her voice still soft. "I just fought with my father, who has been somehow addicted to gambling lately. He was the only good thing in my life after I lost my mother ten years ago and now he's dead, and I also lost my only job, so now I feel like I have nothing left to live for."

The man's eyes clouded over as she spoke, and he nodded slowly. "I'm sorry to hear that, Sally," he said softly. "It must be very difficult for you." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Look, I'm not trying to sell you anything here. But I can offer you a kind of job that would help with your financial situation. The amount I'm willing to offer will help you get back on your feet. If you're interested, I could put you in touch with someone who could help you with the details or I would tell you if you had enough time."

She looked at him, surprise evident on her face. "What kind of job?" she asked cautiously.

"It's nothing illegal" he assured her. "Just a favor to a friend if I can be consider one. It's something you could do, though, I know it will be hard for you somehow. And it would only take up a small amount of your time." He paused, studying her expression. "I know you must be skeptical, but I swear I'm not trying to take advantage of you. I just want us to help each other."

Sally considered his words carefully. She had nowhere else to turn, and the prospect of having a steady income, even if it was through unconventional means, was appealing. "Alright," she said finally. "I'll do it, I have nothing to lose."

Wouldn't you know what it is first before you agree? He inquired.

She raised an eyebrow. "I don't see how that matters. I'm desperate enough that I'm willing to try anything."

The man nodded understandingly. "I can appreciate that. I'll tell you what. Why don't I buy you a cup of coffee and we can discuss the details over a friendly conversation? You can ask me any questions you might have and get a better feel for what this job entails. After that, if you're still interested, we can move forward. If not, I'll understand and we can part as friends."

"He stood up, offering her his hand. Sally hesitated for a moment before taking it, feeling a mixture of surprise and gratitude wash over her. As they walked toward a nearby coffee shop, she couldn't help but wonder what this mysterious man had in store for her.

The coffee shop was bustling with activity, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. They found a cozy table in the corner and sat down. The man ordered two lattes, paid for them without hesitation, and then turned his attention back to her. "Alright," he said, clearing his throat. "Let me explain what this job entails."

Sally listened intently as he told her about how his grandfather had been troubling him to get married to his grandfathers' friend's granddaughter. And give him a grandchild, he has been so pushy lately that he's unable to concentrate on his work. So he was looking for someone reliable and trustworthy to help him give to a child to divert his grandfather's attention. "You will live with me throughout time until the child is born." and I would pay you well for your efforts." It wasn't glamorous work, but it was a way for her to make some money while maintaining a relatively low profile.

She thought about it for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her mind. On one hand, it was a lot to ask of her; on the other, it was an opportunity to help someone else and improve her financial situation. "I'll do it," she finally said. "But I want to know one thing: what if I fall in love with you?"

The man smiled softly and took a sip of his coffee. "That's a fair question," he said. "And it's one I've thought about myself. The truth is, I don't know how I feel about you yet. We'll both be living under the same roof, and it's possible that feelings could develop.

But I want you to know that I would never force anything on you. This arrangement is for our mutual benefit, and I respect your autonomy. If you do find yourself falling in love with me, I'll do my best to reciprocate, but ultimately, I want you to feel comfortable and safe in this situation. And if you don't, well, we'll still have helped each other out, and we can part as friends."

He paused for a moment, meeting her gaze. "I hope that's enough of an answer for you. If it is, then let's get started. We've got a lot of planning to do. And I am Sainey Sai."

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity as they prepared to move to his villa. Sally quickly realized that the man she'd agreed to help wasn't as cold and calculating as she'd initially assumed. He was quite charming and attentive, always making sure she was comfortable and well taken care of. As they spent more time together, she found herself growing increasingly attracted to him.