I slowly opened my eyes. I don't know where I am, all I can see were white walls. I moved a bit but I felt nauseous. I looked at my arm and there I realized where I am.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Wade said and he was instantly beside me. Yes, I remember him and I didn't have amnesia thankfully.
"Why am I here? What are we doing here?" I asked him. I don't remember anything which regards why I am at a hospital. However, I do remember that we were supposed to have coffee together.
"Someone tried to kidnap you but they weren't successful. Luckily, my men were there and we managed to save you." He said. "Do you remember it now?"
As if the puzzles were solved, I nodded. "What time is it now? How long have I been here?" I said.
"It's six in the evening. Don't worry, it's just a couple of hours." He said. "You were drugged that's why you passed out."
"I feel fine now, can I go?" I said. "My Dad might be worried. I have to go home."
"Yes, you can. I'll just inform the doctor." He said.
Wade was about to leave when the police came.
"Mr. Harris, based on our investigation and interrogation with the men that you turned over to us, they were ordered to abduct Ms. Camierre Yelena Sarmiento and deliver a message for her." The police said.
"What message?" I asked.
"I own you; you cannot escape from our marriage. That's what your supposed kidnappers said." The police said.
"What the hell! That bastard old man!" I said.
"What do you mean?" Wade said. "You know this man who wants to kidnap you?"
"Yes, seeing that I declined the marriage towards him earlier." I said.
"Is he the one that your father wants you to marry?" He said.
"No other than," I said. "That dirty bastard!"
"Chief, do everything in your power to solve this case as soon as possible." Wade said.
"Yes Mr. Harris, we'll do everything we can." The police said and then left right after.
"I want to go home." I said as tears were beginning to fall. Why is this happening to me? How can my own father put me in a situation like this?
"Hey, it's okay. Don't worry about anything." Wade said. "You're gonna be okay, trust me."
I looked at him. His eyes were so gentle that I felt like it was comforting to be with him. However, I just met this man and I don't know him or anything about him at all so I guess I shouldn't be too attached to him. I controlled my emotion and gather myself together. I have to be strong and not act like a wounded kitten.
I waited until I was fully discharged from the hospital. Wade was still with me.
"Your car has been damaged and it's still in the custody of the police. Do you want me to give you a ride home?" He said.
"Why are you still here? Why do you care about me?" I asked him straight in the eyes.
"I'm here because I saw what happened and it would've been very rude if I just let those men abduct you." He said.
"I'm fine now so there's no need for you to care about me anymore," I said. "As for that cup of coffee, I assume you can afford it so why don't you just go ahead and get one for yourself? I want to be alone." I said.
"Wow, leave you alone? Didn't you just realize what just happened to you?" He said.
"I'm not your responsibility Mr. Harris, just go ahead and do your own business." I said.
"Speaking of business, why don't we talk about a possible solution to your current situation?" He said.
"What do you mean by that?" I said.
"You told your Dad earlier that we are already planning on getting married next month." He said.
"So?" I said. "I mean, about that, I just said that so he would stop pushing me to marry that old man."
"Why don't we really do it?" He said. "Let's get married."
I laughed so hard at what he said. My stomach hurts because of the extreme laughing.
"What's funny?" He asked.
"What's funny? Your joke, it's funny I must congratulate you." I said.
I continued laughing. This guy is nuts.
"I'm not kidding." He said.
I stopped laughing and looked at him. Did I hear him right? "What do you mean you're not kidding?"
"I mean, this old man wants to marry you no matter what. So, why don't we just get married first so he'll stop pressuring you? In that way, you'll never have to worry about him or any of his tricks just to get you." He said.
"Wow, you really thought of that. You think he'll come again after his attempt earlier?" I said.
"He certainly will." He said.
"That idea is impossible! I can't just marry you, we can't marry each other. I don't even know you." I said.
"Well, if you ask me I'm fine with marrying you." He said."Plus, you can get to know m when we're already married."
"Wait a minute, I can't do this. I can't marry you; that would be insane." I said.
"Well, it's just an offer" He said.
"Wel, I am declining your offer." I said.
"Why? I think it's a good offer, you know." He said.
"Really? Which part of that is good?" I said.
"All of it." He said.
"You're unbelievable!" I said. I can't believe that this man who I just met is offering me a marriage just to escape from the arranged marriage that my father put me into.
"You're cute when you're annoyed. Here's my calling card whenever you change your mind." He said.
"That will never happen so I won't need that. Now, can I go?" I said.
"Yes, sure." He said. "You don't have a car so I'll just drive you home."
"Whatever suits you." I said and we walked out of the hospital premises.
He led me to where his car was parked and he even opened the door for me.
"There you go," He said. "Put on your seatbelt, please."
I do as he said. He made his way towards the driver's seat and started the car.
"Thanks for today," I said. "I know I sounded mean earlier and I am sorry."
"It's alright; I know you're stressed from everything that happened today." He said.
"Yeah, you could say that," I said. "Also, thanks for driving me home now."
"It's really not a big deal." He said.
I looked at the road and noticed that he already turned on the way to our village. Does he know where I live?
"Do you know where I live?" I asked him. He was a bit surprised with my question.
"N-No," He said. "Why would I know that?"
"I just thought you knew because you are heading straight to our village." I said.
"O-Oh really?" He said. "It may be just a coincidence."
"Yeah, whatever." I said.
"So, what are your plans now?" He said.
"Plans with what?" I said.
"With whatever your father is telling you to do." He said.
"I don't know," I said. "I have no plans yet but I am pretty sure that I am not marrying that old man who could literally pass as my grandfather."
"That's good." I think I heard him say.
"What did you say?" I said.
"Nothing," He said. "I said do whatever you think is right."
I shrugged and didn't say another word. I told him the directions to our house and minutes after, he pulled up in front of our gate.
"So, I guess this is goodbye." I said.
"That's too sad," He said. "What about, see you again?"
"What?" I said. "Do you think I'll see you again?"
"Why not? After all, you still owe me that cup of coffee." He said and winked at me.
"I thought that I made myself clear when I said-" I said but he cut me off.
"To buy me one, yes, but I want to have coffee with you." He said without taking his eyes off me.
I stared at his eyes too and neither of us backed out until I felt uneasy. I took my eyes off him and turned to the road.
"Alright, a cup of coffee then," I said and went out opened the door. I was about to get out of his car when he held my elbow.
"Think about my offer to you," He said. "I just want to help you."
I was puzzled by what he said until I remembered what offer he was referring to. I shook my.
head and went out.
"Tomorrow, three pm at Caramella, I hope you don't work on weekends." I said.
"Don't worry, for you, I'll make an exception." He said.
I nodded at him and closed the door. I went inside our gate and straight to the door. I only saw him drove away when I was already inside.